DAY 10: Acts 17:1-15

Day 10: Acts 17:1-15 - The King of Scriptures

What pattern do you notice as Paul goes to Thessalonica and Berea?

What is Paul’s evangelistic strategy?

How would you go at explaining to someone from the Scriptures that Jesus is the King? Where would you take someone in the Bible to demonstrate that it’s true?

Take a few minutes today to practice showing from the Scriptures that Jesus is King. You could do this with your spouse, kids, friends or someone from your Growth Group.

If you want some help, you could talk to your Growth Group leader, elder, or member of staff.

1. Thank God for one thing from the passage

2. Ask God for help with one thing you've challenged by from your reading and reflection today

3. Pray for Thang Bwee in Myanmar

DAY 9: Acts 16:11-40

Day 9: Acts 16:11-40 - Fracas in Philippi

What a story! God saves Lydia and her household, and a new church is formed in Philippi. Then comes the major drama…

What injustices do you see in the story?

How could Paul and Silas possibly be praying and singing in verse 25?

How does the jailor respond to the events that follow? Are there particular things that stand out to you?

Paul’s suffering and his vindication by God (through the earthquake) lead to the salvation of the jailer and his whole family. How does this remind you of Jesus’ suffering?

At the end of the story Paul and Silas are set free, yet Paul refuses to go unless he is escorted out and the magistrates acknowledge the criminal injustice they have performed. This isn’t Paul being vindictive. This is probably Paul clearing his name and demonstrating his innocence for the sake of the new church in Philippi.

1. Thank God for one thing from the passage.

2. Ask God for help with one thing you've challenged by from your reading and reflection today.

3. Pray for J & R

DAY 8: Acts 16:6-10

Day 8: Acts 16:6-10 - Guided by the Spirit

This short section may sound strange to our evangelical ears! So it’s worth a little extra time.

What questions do you have?

How are the Trinity involved in the missionary journey of Paul and his companions?

Why do you think Luke records the events of verses 6-8 this way?

What is the point of this passage? How does this fit with Jesus’ commission to the disciples in 1:8 and Paul’s commission for his first missionary journey in 13:2-3?

(Note: In verse 10 the writing shifts from saying “He” and “They” to “We”. It is probably at this point that the author Luke joins Paul on his missionary journeys.)

1. Thank God for one thing from the passage.

2. Ask God for help with one thing you've challenged by from your reading and reflection today.

3. Pray for Jared & Verena Bradley

DAY 7: Acts 15:36-16:5

SECTION 3 - PAUL’S SECOND MISSIONARY JOURNEY (ACTS 15:36-18:22)

Day 7: Acts 15:36-16:5 - Paul’s New Companions

Paul sets out again on his second missionary journey. This time he goes overland through the regions of Syria and Cilicia, rather than by the sea.

What do you make of the disagreement between Paul and Barnabas?


Luke doesn’t record anything of the reconciliation that occurs later between Paul, Barnabas and Mark (Col 4:20, 2 Tim 4:11, Phm 24), and they don’t appear in the book of Acts again. Instead Paul sets off with Silas, and then adds Timothy as a partner.

Because Timothy’s mum was a Jew (Jews trace Jewishness through the mother’s line rather than the father’s - New Bible Commentary), Timothy was counted as a Jew and should have been circumcised. Paul was firmly against circumcising Gentiles to make them Jews in order that they might be saved. But Paul circumcises Timothy, probably so he couldn’t be accused of teaching that Jews should turn away from being Jews too.

What attributes of Silas and Timothy do we know of? (See also Acts 14:22, 32-35).

This passage gives examples of partnerships in gospel ministry. Who are you partnering with in ministry? Who could you encourage and invite to join you?

1. Thank God for one thing from the passage.

2. Ask God for help with one thing you've challenged by from your reading and reflection today.

3. Pray for Griffith Christian Students

DAY 6: Acts 15:1-35

SECTION 2 - CIRCUMCISION CONTROVERSY AND THE COUNCIL IN JERUSALEM (ACTS 15:1-35)

Day 6: Acts 15:1-35 - Circumcision Controversy and the Council in Jerusalem

The salvation of the Gentiles has lead to a question over circumcision.

What is being taught by this circumcision group? (see verse 1 and 5)

This teaching brings Paul and Barnabas into sharp dispute and debate with this group. It’s so serious that the church in Antioch sends Paul and Barnabas to convene a council in Jerusalem to officially answer the question.

Before digging in to the council’s answer, why do you think this is such a significant issue?

What do Peter and James have to say? How is the question settled?

How does Paul and Barnabas’ testimony in v12 support the decision?

The verdict is that Gentile believers do not have to become Jews in order to be saved. But neither may Gentile believers act in a way that divides the church fellowship.

1. Thank God for one thing from the passage.

2. Ask God for help with one thing you've challenged by from your reading and reflection today.

3. Pray for UQES

DAY 5: Acts 14:21-28

Day 5: Acts 14:21-28 - Follow Up (The Return Trip to Antioch in Syria)

A great number of people have heard the gospel and become disciples of the Lord Jesus on this mission trip!

Pisidian Antioch

13:44 “On the next Sabbath almost the whole city gathered to hear the word of the Lord.”

13:48-49 “When the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and honoured the word of the Lord; and all who were appointed for eternal life believed. The word of the Lord spread through the whole region.”

Iconium

14:1 “At Iconium Paul and Barnabas went as usual into the Jewish synagogue. There they spoke so effectively that a great number of Jews and Gentiles believed.”

Derbe

14:21 “They preached the good news in that city and won a large number of disciples.”

The question is: will these new believers persevere?

As you think about the circumstances of these Christians, what will make it hard for them to persevere?

How do Paul and Barnabas seek to help them persevere?

From beginning to end, Paul and Barnabas see this missionary work as God’s work. They were sent out by the Holy Spirit to speak the word of the Lord, and in verse 27 they report back all that “God had done through them and how he had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles.”

Whose hands does perseverance ultimately rest in? (You could read Romans 8:28-39 too if you have time).

1. Thank God for one thing from the passage.

2. Ask God for help with one thing you've challenged by from your reading and reflection today.

3. Pray for the Frasers in Slovenia

DAY 4: Acts 14:8-21a

Day 4: Acts 14:8-21a - Torn Clothes in Lystra

The people of Lystra get things totally wrong. Then they see Paul miraculously heal the crippled man, they call Paul and Barnabas gods and try to sacrifice to them. One thing this shows is that miracles in themselves aren’t enough to save people!

What stands out to you about the apostles’ reaction?

Total up the responses to Paul and Barnabas’ first missionary journey by the end of their work in Derbe (Derbe is as far as they go on this trip). What do you think kept them going?

1. Thank God for one thing from the passage.

2. Ask God for help with one thing you've challenged by from your reading and reflection today.

3. Pray for Dan & Rachel Djamaludin

DAY 3: Acts 14:1-7

Day 3: Acts 14:1-7 - The Schism of Iconium

How do people respond to the message and the messengers in Iconium?

What part do miraculous works play in gospel preaching here?

Paul says in 2 Corinthians 2:14-16:

14 But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him. 15 For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. 16 To the one we are the smell of death; to the other, the fragrance of life. And who is equal to such a task?

What do you expect to happen when you preach the gospel?

1. Thank God for one thing from the passage.

2. Ask God for help with one thing you've challenged by from your reading and reflection today.

3. Pray for Linda McKerrell

DAY 2: Acts 13:13-52

Day 2: Acts 13:13-52 - Taking the Gospel to Pisidian Antioch

Sadly, John Mark didn’t last long on the trip, but deserts Paul and Barnabas.

What is the plot of the story of Paul and Barnabas in Pisidian Antioch? i.e. what events happen?

What do you think the main point is from the events?

This is the first sermon of Paul’s that Luke records for us. What is the gospel (good news) Paul preaches? (see v32-39 in particular)

1. Thank God for one thing from the passage.

2. Ask God for help with one thing you've challenged by from your reading and reflection today.

3. Pray for Mark & Anne Osborne

DAY 1: Intro and Acts 13:1-12

INTRODUCTION

Psalm 1:1-4 says,

 
Blessed is the one
    who does not walk in step with the wicked
or stand in the way that sinners take
    or sit in the company of mockers,
 but whose delight is in the law of the Lord,
    and who meditates on his law day and night.
 That person is like a tree planted by streams of water,
    which yields its fruit in season
and whose leaf does not wither—
    whatever they do prospers.

 
It’s normal — and good — for Christians to delight in reading the Bible. Not just to skim it, but to meditate on it: to turn it over in our minds, to seek what our heavenly Father is teaching us, and to let his word take root in every corner of our lives.

These notes and prayer suggestions are designed to help you do just that. Each study and prayer time should take about 15 minutes, depending on the length and complexity of the passage. This series includes 41 studies on Acts 13–28 and 1 Thessalonians, with some optional extra readings.

For this series of Ann Street Daily, we’re encouraging you to try something a little different in prayer. Each day:

·         Thank God for one thing from the passage.

·         Ask God for help with one thing you’ve been challenged by in the passage.

Alongside this, we’ll list one of our mission partners each day. As you reflect on God’s word, look for ways to pray for them in light of what the passage has stirred in you. For example, if the passage highlights perseverance, pray that they would persevere in gospel ministry. If it speaks of joy, ask that they would find joy in Christ even amid difficulties. In this way, your prayers for our partners will be shaped and enriched by Scripture itself.

And of course, keep praying for the people around you and the concerns that are on your heart each day.

As you begin, it’s good to ask for God’s help in understanding and living out his word. You could pray something like this:

Heavenly Father, please help me to understand your word by your Spirit.
Please help me to delight in what you say, to remember it, and to live by it.
Please grow me to become more like the Lord Jesus. Amen.

May God bless you richly as you read and meditate on his word.

SECTION 1: PAUL’S FIRST MISSIONARY JOURNEY WITH BARNABAS (ACTS 13:1 - 14:28)

Day 1: Acts 13:1-12 - Paul and Barnabas sent out by the Holy Spirit

Barnabas and Paul (Saul) went to Jerusalem to bring money to the church, who were suffering through a severe famine. Now they are sent off by the Holy Spirit to begin what has become known as Paul’s first missionary journey. John Mark (the probable writer of the gospel of Mark) goes with them. Their first stop is Barnabas’ home island of Cyprus (Acts 4:36).

How is the Holy Spirit involved in this mission?

Elymas and the Proconsul are each powerful figures, but how does this story show the power and authority of Jesus? (Remember Acts 1:8?)

Note: A proconsul was a governor of a province in the Roman Republic appointed for one year by the Senate.

Note: “Bar-Jesus” means “Son of Jesus” or “Son of Joshua”

1. Thank God for one thing from the passage.

2. Ask God for help with one thing you've challenged by from your reading and reflection today.

3. Pray for QUT Christians

DAY 40: Galatians 6:11-18

A Final Appeal! - Galatians 6:11-18

Yet again we can build the picture of what’s happening in Galatia. The troubling people care about outward impressions (6:12), the avoidance of persecution (5:12) and growing in fame (5:13), They are trying to ‘compel’ the foolish Galatians into circumcision and away from Jesus and his cross.


Have a look at these references to the cross in Galatians (1:4, 2:20-21, 3:1, 13, 4:5, 5:11, 6:12, 14). How does the cross guarantee our freedom and guard against legalism and slavery?


What key things have you learned from Galatians that will influence your Christian life?

1. After reading today’s passage, what’s one thing you can praise God for? What does it prompt you to ask Him for in prayer?

2. Thang Bwee: Pray for peace in Myanmar — and that God’s kingdom would grow despite conflict, as churches stand firm in hope.

3. Praise God for all He has done through Good News Week. Ask that Ann Street would continue to be a church where Christ is proclaimed and people are sent.

DAY 39: Galatians 6:6-10

Goodness in the Christian Life - Galatians 6:6-10

How would you apply verse 6 to yourself (and your family)?




Verses 7-10 acknowledge that we still have our sinful nature/flesh and that it wants to be pleased. They also acknowledge that we at times ‘grow weary’ of doing good. Given this situation what does God want us to do? How does he motivate us?




What opportunities are available to you for doing good to all people and those in your ‘church family’? (5:10)

1. After reading today’s passage, what’s one thing you can praise God for? What does it prompt you to ask Him for in prayer?

2. J & R: Pray for protection, faith, and hope as they face ongoing instability. Ask for deep trust in God’s sovereign care.

3. Pray for the churches and ministries that partnered together during GNW — like UQ Evangelical Students, PYK and CBF. Ask that they’d be encouraged and that these partnerships would bear long-term gospel fruit.

DAY 38: Galatians 6:1-5

Restoring the Sinner - Galatians 6:1-5

6:1 shows us that although our sinful nature has been crucified (5:24) we can still be caught in a sin. If gentleness is ‘strength under control’ (a definition I’ve heard), what would it look like to ‘restore him gently’?




What dangers or temptations are alluded to in verses 2-5 that are there when we ‘restore a sinner’?




How do you resolve verse 2 ‘Carry each other’s burdens’ with verse 5 ‘each one should carry his own load’ (note: in case you were wondering both NIV and ESV translate this accurately).

1. After reading today’s passage, what’s one thing you can praise God for? What does it prompt you to ask Him for in prayer?

2. Jared & Verena Bradley: Pray for churches to be planted in Germany — healthy, faithful, gospel-preaching communities of grace and truth.

3. Ask God to keep growing courage and conviction among younger believers who stepped out in faith during GNW.

DAY 37: Galatians 5:22-26

The Fruits of the Spirit - Galatians 5:22-26

What are the fruits of the Spirit? Try committing all 9 to memory!




Which of these do you particularly need to grow in?




What do you think verses 24 and 25 mean?

1. After reading today’s passage, what’s one thing you can praise God for? What does it prompt you to ask Him for in prayer?

2. Griffith Christian Students: Pray for those graduating this year — that they would pass on what they’ve learned and keep walking with Jesus beyond campus.

3. Thank God for Glen Scrivener’s visit and for the clear proclamation of Jesus. Pray that he would experience encouragement in his ongoing ministry.

DAY 36: Galatians 5:16-21

The Spirit and the Sinful Nature - Galatians 5:16-21

The Galatians received the Spirit when they became Christians (3:2, 5, 14; 14:6). How does the Spirit conflict with desires of the sinful nature or ‘flesh’ (ESV) (5:16-17)?




What are the acts of the sinful nature? Do any particularly stand out as things you urgently need to stop doing?

1. After reading today’s passage, what’s one thing you can praise God for? What does it prompt you to ask Him for in prayer?

2. UQ Evangelical Students: Pray that graduates would take the gospel into their workplaces and churches — serving as salt and light beyond uni.

3. Pray that our whole church would continue to grow in love for the lost — and in confidence that the gospel is God’s power to save.

DAY 35: Galatians 5:1-15

A Call for Freedom- Galatians 5:1-15

This passage helps us understand more about the Galatian’s situation. People have come to persuade them to be circumcised (5:8), throwing them into confusion (5:10) and causing agitation (5:12). The Galatians used to be running well in Christianity but are confused (5:10), no longer obeying the truth (5:7), and beginning to fight with each other (5:15). They are very close to becoming alienated from Christ and falling away from grace (5:4). In this situation, what does Paul plead with them to do?



What do you think is the offense of the cross?




How are we to live in our freedom (5:1, 13-15)?

1. After reading today’s passage, what’s one thing you can praise God for? What does it prompt you to ask Him for in prayer?

2. Fraser Family (Slovenia): Give thanks for faithful leaders in their church. Ask God to strengthen their passion and wisdom in gospel ministry.

3. Pray for those who came to GNW events and are now reading the Bible for themselves. Ask that God’s word would open their eyes to Jesus.

DAY 34: Galatians 4:21-31

Hagar and Sarah- Galatians 4:21-31

Just like Chapter 3, Paul shows again how the law points away from itself to Christ. What are the two women, children, mountains, cities and people?



What does this passage teach us about ‘our Christian identity’?




Paul has suffered persecution for teaching grace (1:10, 4:17), he warns the Galatians they can expect it too (4:29). Have you suffered in this way? Are you prepared to suffer for the doctrine of justification by grace alone?

1. After reading today’s passage, what’s one thing you can praise God for? What does it prompt you to ask Him for in prayer?

2. Dan & Rachel Djamaludin: Pray for the continued growth of the church plant in Klong Toei and effective support from their denomination.

3. Give thanks for everyone who served during GNW — in prayer, logistics, hospitality, music, evangelism, and more. Pray their joy in Christ would deepen.

DAY 33: Galatians 4:8-20

The Pleas of a Parent for his Children- Galatians 4:8-20

This passage is full of Paul’s anguish for his spiritual children. He grieves that they are turning back to slavery to the law that is similar to their former idolatry (8-11). He grieves for their lost joy (15). He grieves that he has become alienated from them and that perhaps they even see him as an enemy (16, 17).

Although most likely we don’t see ourselves in danger of going back to Jewish law, are there warning signs that we might be becoming like the Galatians? Are we joyless and suspicious, yet fussy about religious type things?

Reflect on being ‘known by God’ (verse 9) and pray for change.

1. After reading today’s passage, what’s one thing you can praise God for? What does it prompt you to ask Him for in prayer?

2. Linda McKerrell: Pray for God to raise up new cross-cultural workers through Linda’s ongoing ministry, speaking, and networking efforts.

3. Ask God to help those who responded to the gospel during GNW to be rooted and grounded in Christ. Pray they would connect with a local church.

DAY 32: Galatians 3:26-4:7

The Blessings of Redemption and Adoption- Galatians 3:26-4:7

This wonderful passage brings together many of the themes of Galatians so far. See if you can trace them by figuring out:

  • How are we Abraham’s seed/children (3:7, 16-19, 29)?

  • How are we heirs/sons (3:29, 4:1-7)?

  • How have we been redeemed (1:4, 2:19, 3:13-14, 4:4-5)?

  • How have we received the Spirit (3:2-5, 14, 4:6)?

1. After reading today’s passage, what’s one thing you can praise God for? What does it prompt you to ask Him for in prayer?

2. Mark & Anne Osborne: Pray for teammates Tong and Pan — for encouragement, health, and strength as they serve and carry church responsibilities.

3. Pray for follow-up conversations — that they’d happen naturally, be full of grace and truth, and point people clearly to Jesus.

DAY 31: Galatians 3:15-25

The Law and the Promises- Galatians 3:15-25

Take a moment to look at the ‘promises to Abraham’ referred to here (Genesis 12:7, 13:15, and 24:7). How are these promises different to keeping the law, which came to Israel 430 years later (Galatians 15-18)?

If the law wasn’t the way to get the inheritance of land (or the Spirit in Galatians 3:2, 5, 14; or life and righteousness in Galatians 3:21), what was it for then (19-25)?

Hopefully you can see now why Paul through the law…died to the law (1:19). What can we expect to gain now by reading and learning the Old Testament?

Give thanks for the main promises of God that have come true for us now!

1. After reading today’s passage, what’s one thing you can praise God for? What does it prompt you to ask Him for in prayer?

2. QUT Christians: Pray for students still exploring faith — that they would find salvation and assurance in Christ through relationships and witness.

3. Thank God for those in our church who invited friends and shared the gospel. Pray they would be encouraged and keep living as bold witnesses.