Focal Passage: Acts 14:11-23 

Sometimes we may find ourselves in a position of miscommunication. This is especially true when we have different languages, cultures and social practices. Years ago, we ministered at a church that was close to a large university. The university would close a number of dormitories during long holidays to conserve energy and costs since most of the students would return home during this time. 

The international students, however would either have to move to another dorm or go somewhere else if they could not go home. My wife and I thought it would be a wonderful way to share the love of God and the gospel message on a global venue. If you cannot go to the world, bring the world to you. We contacted the university’s international student relations department and offered to host a student, who could not return home for the holidays. It was a wonderful experience and we enjoyed doing it for many years.   [Read more…]

Focal Passage: Psalm 8:1-6, 14:1-7 

God’s creative purpose for this world and humanity is greater than any fulfillment we can find ourselves.  Because of the Fall, however, mankind has rejected God’s ideal and sought selfish ways to find meaning in life.  As we studied last week, this only leads to frustration and despair.  Only when we seek the Lord shall we find true and lasting purpose in our lives.  

God created a world of purpose. The Lord is majestic and magnificent in His creation! The beauty of Psalm 8 is that God finds His glory and majesty in creating humanity.  Genesis 1:26 illustrates God’s desire to create man and woman in His image and to maintain an eternal relationship with us. As King David writes this Psalm, he stands in awe of God’s handiwork. The more we observe the heavens, we grow astounded at the grandeur and immensity of the cosmos the Lord has fashioned.   [Read more…]

Focal Passage: Acts 13:42-52 

In this study, we find that Paul and Barnabas have left Paphos and traveled to Perga in Pamphylia  (modern-day Turkey). John Mark was the cousin of Barnabas and had accompanied them as a helper according to Luke in Acts 13:5. 

It was here that John Mark abandoned Paul and Barnabas and returned to Jerusalem. Luke gives no details as to why he left. We do not know what role he played, but his departure created some difficulty for the missionary team. So much so, that later a division developed between Paul and Barnabas when Barnabas wanted to take him with them again on their second missionary journey. As a result of this division, Barnabas took John Mark and returned to Cyprus and Paul took Silas and headed toward Syria.

The missionary team did not stay in Perga, but traveled on to Pisidian Antioch. It is believed they arrived several days before the events Luke describes in the passage. By this time, no doubt the two had made introductions and had some communication with the rulers, and/or, leaders of the synagogue.  [Read more…]

Focal Passage: Acts 13:1-12 

I have served in several churches during my 40-plus years of ministry, range from three to eight years to my longest ministry at one church of 14 years. I once was asked, “If you love a church and its congregation, and they love you, why leave and go somewhere else and start all over?”

There are many reasons pastors would give, some of which would have negative connotations in certain instances. But I have been blessed and personally never left any church under duress. The only difficulty I experienced with each change was the heartache of leaving those you have come to love. And, the only reason I left was because I felt the Holy Spirit calling me to another place of ministry. This week’s lesson talks about that very thing.

Beginning in Acts 13:1, Luke mentions several prophets and teachers, Barnabas and Saul being two among them. That is significant because these men were the pillars and posts of the church leadership in the church at Antioch. Losing any of these individuals would significantly impact the church. Later we will see that God’s desire for Barnabas and Saul would come to the attention of the congregation through probably the prophets among them. The congregation would need this leadership to determine God’s will for not only Barnabas and Saul, but for the church as well. [Read more…]

Focal Passage: Acts 12:6-18 

The study this week focuses on a topic that we talk about a lot but in many cases do very little of. We confess our belief in the power of prayer, but often times fail to apply that power to our lives as we should.  

Let me give you an example. All of us encounter problems in life. And, if we are believers, prayer is something we will probably do. But, most often it is not the first thing we think of doing. And for some, it is the last option they turn to after we have tried to resolve the problem ourselves and failed.  

Sometimes when we face problems we can become so focused on the situation that we forget about the power that is available to us is only a whisper away. No one can pray too much.  [Read more…]

Focal Passage: Acts 10:34-48 

Have you ever noticed how people react to one another in large groups or crowds?  The peculiarities which become very distinguishable?  How people begin to segregate from the larger group into smaller groups of commonalities.  

Some might call what I have just described as a clique. I have always seen that term as being judgmental and a little harsh because it has always been used negatively against a group wishing to degrade someone else. 

I say this because all of us are drawn toward this natural human behavior, and most likely, have done it ourselves. We feel most comfortable when we associate ourselves with those we know who have common interests and share similar beliefs, goals, experiences and ideologies.  Most often we don’t have anything against the other people that may be present, but we like to stay in our little pond of familiarity. [Read more…]

Focal Passage: Acts 9:32-43 

In our study for today we will be discussing an issue that many have difficulty with. Can someone be an instrument through which healing can take place? 

We all have heard examples where someone claims to have been healed through the powerful prayer or action of other individuals at a religious gathering. But we also know that not everyone who suffers from a physical condition is healed. 

Jesus healed a lot of people, but even He did not heal everyone. Even though many were, there were also many who returned home with their problem. The same is true today. There are many people who return home from these “healing services” still bearing their malady.  [Read more…]

Focal Passage: 1 Samuel 18:5-16 

In this six-week study on sidekicks in the Old Testament we would not quickly assume David to be numbered as one of the subjects  David is one of the most pivotal names in the Bible. He is the king who starts a dynasty that is ultimately fulfilled in the person of Jesus the Messiah.

However, contained within all the biographies of the great men and women of the Bible are humble beginnings. In I Samuel 18, David is not the king. Rather, he is the faithful servant of the envious and hateful King Saul.  

Give your best as a follower. In the preceding chapter David killed Goliath, solidifying his renown in the land. In chapter 16, the prophet Samuel anointed David as the future king of Israel.  [Read more…]

Focal Passage: Acts 9:3-16 

There are times in our life when we may have done things that we thought were right but later we discovered were wrong. At first, we may feel zealous about our actions but something in the back of our minds begins to prick our conscience. Even though we think what we are doing is right, it just doesn’t feel comfortable for some reason.  

In this week’s passage we see such a scenario in the life of a man named Saul. We would later come to know him by his Greek name Paul. Paul was a devout Jew. He was also a fervent Pharisee who had received his spiritual instruction under Gamaliel. This was the same Gamaliel we see in Acts 5, warning the Sanhedrin to be careful how they dealt with the preaching of the Gospel because they may find themselves fighting against God. Obvious, that was what Saul discovered about himself. But God had other plans for Saul. [Read more…]

Focal Passage: Acts 8:26-39 

In this week’s study, we find that Stephen has been martyred and a great persecution had broken out against the Church. 

The Apostles were driven out of Jerusalem by the Jewish authorities and scattered throughout Judea and Samaria. But not all of them were forced to leave Jerusalem. It seems that many of the Jewish believers were allowed to stay, but the Hellenists Jewish believers were forced to leave the city.  

Philip, being a Hellenist Jewish believer, was one of those who was driven out. He went to Samaria and began preaching about Jesus. His message was well received and many put their faith in Jesus as the Christ. In fact, the believers had grown to such a number that it caught the attention of the Church still abiding in Jerusalem.   [Read more…]