Friday: The Result of Devotion PRAY: Ask God to speak to you from His Word. READ: Acts 2:47b And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. UNDERSTAND: get a deeper understanding of the key words Begin by underlining nouns with a single line, double underline verbs, and circle descriptive words. Make a list of the keys words/phrases and think about what they mean. Snapshot: In this passage, Luke gives us insight into how the church grows. The church does not grow because we are doing such a good job. The church grows because God is adding people to His kingdom. Sure He will use us to reach others. But we cannot fall into the trap of thinking that it all depends on us
Week 1. Thursday: Together PRAY: Ask God to speak to you from His Word. READ: Acts 2:46-47a 46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. UNDERSTAND: get a deeper understanding of the key words Begin by underlining nouns with a single line, double underline verbs, and circle descriptive words. Make a list of the keys words/phrases and think about what they mean. Snapshot: In this passage, Luke describes the kind of unity that defined the early church. In a time when there was so much division, the unity of the church made an impact o
Week 1. Wednesday: Generous PRAY: Ask God to speak to you from His Word. READ: Acts 2:44-45 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. UNDERSTAND: get a deeper understanding of the key words Begin by underlining nouns with a single line, double underline verbs, and circle descriptive words. Make a list of the keys words/phrases and think about what they mean. Snapshot: In this passage, Luke describes the kind of generosity that defined the early church. This kind of generosity would’ve been unusual in the first century. Not only did they help those in need, they would sell their own property to hel
Tuesday: Amazed PRAY: Ask God to speak to you from His Word. READ: Acts 2:43 Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. UNDERSTAND: get a deeper understanding of the key words Begin by underlining nouns with a single line, double underline verbs, and circle descriptive words. Make a list of the keys words/phrases and think about what they mean. Snapshot: In this passage, Luke describes how the church and surrounding community were amazed at what God was doing through the church. Awe (Greek: phobos) is a word that can describe fear or reverence. God was displaying His miraculous power through the apostles and that would be enough to show unbelieve
Week 1. Monday: Devoted PRAY: Ask God to speak to you from His Word. READ: Acts 2:42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. UNDERSTAND: get a deeper understanding of the key words Begin by underlining nouns with a single line, double underline verbs, and circle descriptive words. Make a list of the keys words/phrases and think about what they mean. Snapshot: In this verse, Luke begins to describe the unwavering devotion (Greek: proskartereō) of the early church. The early followers of Jesus were first of all devoted to hearing, reading, and applying God’s word (the apostles’ teaching). Fellowship (Greek: koinōnia) refer
Saturday: Prepare for Sunday REVIEW: Take a few minutes to make a list of what you’ve learned this week. PRAY: Ask God to use this time to help you get familiar with Sunday’s scripture passage. READ: Acts 2:42-47 42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. 46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 p
Week 12. Friday. Be Accountable PRAY: Ask God to speak to you from His Word. READ: James 5:19-20 19 My brothers and sisters, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring that person back, 20 remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of their way will save them from death and cover over a multitude of sins. UNDERSTAND: get a deeper understanding of the key words Begin by underlining nouns with a single line, double underline verbs, and circle descriptive words. Make a list of the keys words/phrases and think about what they mean. Snapshot: In this passage James is teaching us about accountability. As believers, we have a responsibility to try to bring back
Week 12. Thursday. Elijah PRAY: Ask God to speak to you from His Word. READ: James 5:17-18 17 Elijah was a human being, even as we are. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. 18 Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops. UNDERSTAND: get a deeper understanding of the key words Begin by underlining nouns with a single line, double underline verbs, and circle descriptive words. Make a list of the keys words/phrases and think about what they mean. Snapshot: In this passage James refers back to an Old Testament prophet named Elijah. The events James is referring to can be found in 1 Kings 17-18.
Week 12 Wednesday. Confession Time PRAY: Ask God to speak to you from His Word. READ: James 5:16 16 Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. UNDERSTAND: get a deeper understanding of the key words Begin by underlining nouns with a single line, double underline verbs, and circle descriptive words. Make a list of the keys words/phrases and think about what they mean. Snapshot: In this passage James teaches believers to support each other, not only in prayer but also in accountability. Confession is much more powerful than we realize. The idea of confessing our sins to each other is
Week 12. Tuesday PRAY: Ask God to speak to you from His Word. READ: James 5:15 15 And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven. UNDERSTAND: get a deeper understanding of the key words Begin by underlining nouns with a single line, double underline verbs, and circle descriptive words. Make a list of the keys words/phrases and think about what they mean. Snapshot: In this passage James teaching believers that there is power in faith-filled prayer. It is not enough just to talk to God. We must also believe that God has the power to do what we are asking. It was common in the first century church see peo
Week 12. Monday PRAY: Ask God to speak to you from His Word. READ: James 5:13-14 13 Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise. 14 Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. UNDERSTAND: get a deeper understanding of the key words Begin by underlining nouns with a single line, double underline verbs, and circle descriptive words. Make a list of the keys words/phrases and think about what they mean. Snapshot: In this passage James is teaching believers to call on each other when troubles come. When we’re happy, we should be thankful and praise God. When
Week 11. Friday: I Swear PRAY: Ask God to speak to you from His Word. READ: James 5:12 12 Above all, my brothers and sisters, do not swear—not by heaven or by earth or by anything else. All you need to say is a simple “Yes” or “No.” Otherwise you will be condemned. UNDERSTAND: get a deeper understanding of the key words Begin by underlining nouns with a single line, double underline verbs, and circle descriptive words. Make a list of the keys words/phrases and think about what they mean. Snapshot: In this passage James is teaching what he learned from Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 5:33-37. The point he is making is that swearing an oath is useless. A person’s word should be enough. We don’t
Week 11. Thursday: Perseverance PRAY: Ask God to speak to you from His Word. READ: James 5:11 11 As you know, we count as blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy. UNDERSTAND: get a deeper understanding of the key words Begin by underlining nouns with a single line, double underline verbs, and circle descriptive words. Make a list of the keys words/phrases and think about what they mean. Snapshot: In this passage James tells us that when we persevere in our trials we will be blessed. Because God always has a plan we can trust that whatever happens is ultimately for ou
Week 11. Wednesday: An Example of Patience PRAY: Ask God to speak to you from His Word. READ: James 5:10 10 Brothers and sisters, as an example of patience in the face of suffering, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. UNDERSTAND: get a deeper understanding of the key words Begin by underlining nouns with a single line, double underline verbs, and circle descriptive words. Make a list of the keys words/phrases and think about what they mean. Snapshot: In this passage James teaching that suffering will happen in the lives of believers. It is not “if” but “when” suffering will occur. The New Testament is filled with verses about Christian suffering because the first century
Week 11. Tuesday: Grumbling PRAY: Ask God to speak to you from His Word. READ: James 5:9 9 Don’t grumble against one another, brothers and sisters, or you will be judged. The Judge is standing at the door! UNDERSTAND: get a deeper understanding of the key words Begin by underlining nouns with a single line, double underline verbs, and circle descriptive words. Make a list of the keys words/phrases and think about what they mean. Snapshot: In this passage James is teaching that believers should not grumble and complain against one another. Much like today, the first century church apparently had issues with believers not getting along. Grumbling leads to complaining, which leads to gossip
Week 11. Monday: Be Patient PRAY: Ask God to speak to you from His Word. READ: James 5:7-8 7 Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains. 8 You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near. UNDERSTAND: get a deeper understanding of the key words Begin by underlining nouns with a single line, double underline verbs, and circle descriptive words. Make a list of the keys words/phrases and think about what they mean. Snapshot: In this passage James is not just reminding believers to be patient. He is revealing something about why we need
Week 10. Saturday: Prepare for Sunday REVIEW: Take a few minutes to make a list of what you’ve learned this week. PRAY: Ask God to use this time to help you get familiar with Sunday’s scripture passage. READ: James 5:7-12 7 Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains. 8 You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near. 9 Don’t grumble against one another, brothers and sisters, or you will be judged. The Judge is standing at the door! 10 Brothers and sisters, as an example of patience in the face of suffering, take the prophets who spok
Week 10. Friday: Great Gain PRAY: Ask God to speak to you from His Word. READ: James 5 6 You have condemned and murdered the innocent one, who was not opposing you. UNDERSTAND: get a deeper understanding of the key words Begin by underlining nouns with a single line, double underline verbs, and circle descriptive words. Make a list of the keys words/phrases and think about what they mean. Snapshot: The gospel message is rooted in generosity. The bible says that God was gracious to us, he gave to us, even when we were his enemies (See Romans 5:8). When the love of money overtakes us we act the opposite toward others --we end up condemning and hurting even those we love. God was not a hoarde
Week 10. Thursday: The Interests of Others PRAY: Ask God to speak to you from His Word. READ: James 5 5 You have lived on earth in luxury and self-indulgence. You have fattened yourselves in the day of slaughter. UNDERSTAND: get a deeper understanding of the key words Begin by underlining nouns with a single line, double underline verbs, and circle descriptive words. Make a list of the keys words/phrases and think about what they mean. Snapshot: The third danger of the love of money is self_indulgence. Self-indulgent is defined as: “characterized by doing or tending to do exactly what one wants, especially when this involves pleasure or idleness.” How often do we get so wrapped up in our
Week 10. Wednesday: Cheater, Cheater PRAY: Ask God to speak to you from His Word. READ: James 5 4 Look! The wages you failed to pay the workers who mowed your fields are crying out against you. The cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord Almighty. UNDERSTAND: get a deeper understanding of the key words Begin by underlining nouns with a single line, double underline verbs, and circle descriptive words. Make a list of the keys words/phrases and think about what they mean. Snapshot: Imagine this. An extremely wealthy landowner hires someone to mow their fields. They agree to pay them a certain wage at the end of each day. The worker is dependent on the money each day to feed
