Dear
God, we are so incredibly in need of your power and your strength. We ask that
you would fill us with your Spirit of love and unity among believers all around
our world. We ask for your help to set aside our differences and look to the
greater cause, the cause of Christ. Please help us to truly live out a life of
love. We know that this is only possible through the power of your Spirit, so
we ask that you would move across our land in miraculous ways, with fresh
filling and awareness, turning your people back to you, drawing others to come
to know you.
We need your unity and your love to stir our hearts and give direction to our days. We need your wisdom to guide us, we need your Spirit to lead us, to live out godly lives that would bring honor first to you. We thank you that you are always with us; and give us great purpose and hope. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
2024-Heart
Dive 365 - 365 Days through the Bible
in one year with Kanoe Gibson
An
enriching journey through the Bible, meticulously
studying each chapter and unraveling its
profound wisdom. Extensive notes, insights,
and reflections for every chapter.
2024
Reading Plan, Heart Dive 365 with Kanoe
Gibson. PDF
link
Matthew
20, Jesus tells the parable of the laborers
in the vineyard to convey God's reward system
for His people in the kingdom. Jesus again
speaks of His fate as the Messiah to His
disciples.
A
mother pleads for two of Jesus' disciples
to have privileged positions in the kingdom
of God. Jesus explains the burden and sacrifice
one would endure for that privilege. Jesus
gives sight to two blind men as they leave
Jericho.
Matthew
21, The people welcome Jesus into Jerusalem
with great rejoicing as the promised Messiah.The
temple is cleared of all business as Jesus
rebukes those dishonoring the house of God.
While in the temple, Jesus shows compassion
to those who seek healing and restoration.
The religious leaders confront Jesus on
what the people say about Him.
A
fig tree withers at the command of Jesus
and illustrates how God expects fruit to
be seen from His people. The religious leaders
confront Jesus about the source of His authority.
Jesus replies with a parable about two sons,
the wicked servants of a vineyard owner.
He warns them with a passage of Scripture
to not reject Him.
JEALOUSY
| Matthew 20:1-16
Before
we grab some of the practical lessons from
this parable, we have to go back to verse
one, where Jesus compares this to the Kingdom
of Heaven. He is making the point here that
getting into heaven comes by His grace alone.
Whether
one has been a believer since childhood
or received Jesus in one's dying breath,
they get the same stamp of entry that is
freely given to those willing to receive
it.
This
parable is not a perfect illustration of
grace because there is working and earning
involved, but it shows God's generosity
and how He will bless us not according to
what we deserve but apart from it. Sadly,
even though the first workers gladly agreed
to the contract, their selfishness and jealousy
got the best of them when they saw their
boss handing out the same pay to those who
did less work. Heart Check.
Where
is your heart when you see others being
blessed? Do you feel jealousy or bitterness?
Or are you simply grateful for what the
Lord has graciously given you?
TRUE
GREATNESS | Matthew 20:20-28
I
do not doubt in my mind that James, John,
and their mother followed Jesus because
they truly loved Him. However, just as it
can happen with us, the longer we serve,
the more we begin to feel as though we deserve
something, whether it is payment or recognition.
But
Jesus fiips this thinking on its head by
saying that the true measure of greatness
is not payment, position, or prestige but
rather service. One of the greatest indicators
of how well we serve is the way we feel
in our hearts when people treat us like
servants or when we don’t get what we think
we deserve for our service. Heart Check.
How
great are you according to Jesus’ measure
of greatness? Does your desire for reward,
payment, or recognition overshadow your
desire to serve?
WHAT
DO YOU WANT | Matthew 20:32
Today,
I stopped on this question, “What do you
want me to do for you?”
My
days are so jam-packed, and I am so reliant
on the Lord for strength and endurance that
my daily cry is much like the first desperate
call of these blind men who said, “Lord,
have mercy on me!” And His mercy and grace
do, indeed, give me everything I need each
day.
But
sometimes, I wonder if He’s waiting for
me to stop and tell Him what I want Him
to do. We shy away from this, especially
when we feel we don’t deserve anything more
than He’s already given us. But today, He
reminded me that He is the giver of every
good gift and desires to give unto His children.
This
doesn’t mean every want will be fulfilled
when we ask, but how many wants may go unfulfilled
simply because we don’t? Heart Check.
What
do you want Him to do for you? Have you
asked?
Deep
Dive
What
individual lessons can be drawn from these
parables?
What
character traits or heartbeats of God can
be found in them?
How
does our sense of fairness compare to God’s?
How does this compare to justice?
How
can we be more mindful of Jesus’ su£ering
and sacrifice during challenging times?
How
do we strengthen our faith so that it is
not fickle or wavering?
Heavenly
Father,Thank
you for your endless grace and generosity.
Thank you for giving us, the Gentiles, the
entry ticket of grace into heaven. Thank
you for blessing us abundantly, not according
to what we deserve, but apart from it.
You
bless us because you simply love us. I pray
that we can cultivate a heart of gratitude
so that instead of looking at what others
are getting, we will simply be grateful
for what we have. Help us to let go of any
jealousy or desire to compare ourselves
with others, and I pray that we will overfiow
with joy when others are blessed as well.
We never want to begrudge your generosity
in any way.
Lord,
we know that the harvest is ripe and that
your Spirit is raining down. Help us to
enact the workers to gather it in, all the
way to the eleventh hour. We know there
is much work to do, and there is an endless
amount of grace available to the workers,
so I pray that hearts will be willing to
put in the work, not for payment, but for
the sake of others’ salvation. Help us to
be selfiess in our service to both you and
others, knowing that you generously reward
those who give. We don’t give to receive,
but when we are blessed, may we desire to
bless it forward. Help us to lead with humility,
not seeking position or prestige, but rather
opportunities to be able to reflect your
compassion and love.
Please
open our spiritual eyes today so that we
can see where we were once blind. I pray
that we will be persistent in our faith,
just as the blind men were, always seeking
you in all things. I pray that as you give
us more clarity and revelation, we will
become more aware of those around us who
are in desperate need of a healing touch.
May we be the conduits through which you
work in their lives. Use us however you
need to.
Thank
you for meeting every one of our needs.
Help us to move beyond a limited view of
who you are and how much you love us. We
know that you are the giver of every good
gift and that you do desire to bless us.
I pray that we will be even more honest
in our wants and desires, surrendering them
to you instead of harboring them in our
own unworthiness. May we never allow that
to stand in the way of what you are wanting
to do in and through us. Jesus, as we rewatch
your triumphal entry into Jerusalem, it
breaks out hearts, knowing what is to come.
But
in hindsight, it also helps us to be even
more grateful for what you’ve done. Thank
you for showing us what true humility, faith,
and holiness looks like.
I
pray that we will honor you daily, not just
through lip service, but with steadfast
faith that does not waver. I pray that we
will not be fickle, bowing down to the crowds
or the popular opinion. May you be the only
person we ever bow down to. We know that
when we fully surrender our lives to your
will, we will be able to walk into opposing
situations with confidence and authority
while still maintaining a humble heart.
Cleanse
our hearts today and may we keep our temples
clear of any impurity or corruption. Remove
anything in our lives that may be distracting
us from living our lives in reverence to
you. We are the church. So may we be a people
of prayer, and a safe place where others
will come for healing and encouragement.
May we live lives of exuberant praise, in
the good times and in the bad, and I pray
that your love and Presence will be evident
in everything we do. Show us how to be your
hands and feet Jesus so that we will never
be found like the withering fig tree. I
pray that we will, instead, bear an abundance
of fruit that can feed others. When we fall
short, I pray that we will immediately repent
and return to you.
Father,
you are the true authority in our lives.
May we respond to your teaching with honesty
and obedience, walking out your will on
a daily basis. We fall upon you, our Chief
Cornerstone, in full and humble surrender.
Luke
19, Zacchaeus the Tax Collector (Luke 19:1-10):
Jesus encounters Zacchaeus, a wealthy tax
collector in Jericho who eagerly seeks to
see Him. Jesus acknowledges Zacchaeus’ faith,
prompting Zacchaeus to repent and o£er
restitution to anyone he has wronged. This
encounter exemplifies Jesus’ mission to
“seek and save the lost.”
The
Parable of the Ten Minas (Luke 19:11-27):
Jesus shares this parable to illustrate
the importance of using God-given gifts
faithfully. In the story, a nobleman entrusts
his servants with money to invest while
he is away, rewarding those who wisely invest
and holding accountable those who do not.
The
Triumphal Entry (Luke 19:28-40): Jesus enters
Jerusalem on a colt, fulfilling the prophecy
of Zechariah 9:9. Crowds praise Him as the
Messiah, laying their cloaks and shouting,
“Blessed is the King who comes in the name
of the Lord!”
Jesus
Weeps Over Jerusalem (Luke 19:41-44): As
He nears the city, Jesus weeps, foreseeing
Jerusalem’s destruction because of its failure
to recognize His visitation time.
Cleansing
of the Temple (Luke 19:45-48): Jesus drives
out merchants from the temple, declaring
it a “house of prayer” rather than a marketplace.
This act reinforces the temple’s purpose
as a place of worship, not profit.
RESTITUTION
| Luke 19:8
When
Zacchaeus committed to repaying anyone he’d
wronged, he was embracing a principle straight
from the Old Testament about making things
right—returning fourfold to those he cheated.
This wasn’t just about the money; it was
about a transformed heart stepping into
action.
So
here’s the question for us: is there anything
we need to make right in our lives, even
from before we came to know Jesus? If so,
there’s both an opportunity and a responsibility
to seek out anyone we may have wronged and
make things right.
This
act of restitution isn’t about dwelling
in guilt; it’s about inviting the Holy Spirit
to bring conviction in a freeing way—helping
us clear our conscience and restore a good
reputation before God and others.
Just
as Jesus looked up and saw Zacchaeus in
that sycamore tree, He sees us too, knowing
exactly where we are. And He wants to come
close, bringing healing and restoration
to our lives, our homes, and our hearts.
Heart Check:
Is
there someone we need to reach out to and
make amends with today, allowing God’s grace
to restore what was lost? Are we willing
to step into the same kind of joy Zacchaeus
felt by responding to Jesus’ call for restitution?
SEEKER
| Luke 19:1-10
Here,
we dive into the theme of seeking and being
sought. Zacchaeus, a man who was outwardly
wealthy but inwardly searching, demonstrates
a bold, almost childlike pursuit of Jesus.
Despite his position and stature, Zacchaeus
ran ahead, climbed a tree, and sought a
view of the Savior. His eagerness shows
us a heart longing for something beyond
his wealth and lifestyle. And while he was
seeking Jesus, it’s clear that Jesus was
already seeking him out. Just as Zacchaeus
was searching for a glimpse of hope, Jesus
was actively seeking him, ready to bring
salvation to his house.
This
passage beautifully illustrates God’s “seeking
love”—a love that pursues us first. Zacchaeus's
pursuit of Jesus is ultimately a response
to God’s pursuit of him. We love and seek
Him only because He first loved and sought
us (1 John 4:19). This mutual seeking is
a beautiful dance of divine grace and human
response, where Jesus draws near, inviting
us to respond. Zacchaeus didn’t realize
how deep God’s love and pursuit for him
were until that encounter, but the transformation
that followed made it clear. Heart Check:
Are
we truly seeking after God, responding to
His pursuit of us, or are we waiting for
Him to make the first move?
GOOD
SERVANT | Luke 19:11–27
When
we look at the servant praised with "Well
done, good servant," we’re reminded
of the call to be faithful stewards of what
God has entrusted to us. Jesus’s message
here is an encouragement to use the gifts,
opportunities, and the gospel itself, not
for personal gain but to bring glory to
God by letting His light shine through us.
This is echoed in the song This Little Light
of Mine: just as we’re meant to let God’s
light shine, we’re called to multiply His
gift within us by investing in others, bringing
people closer to Christ.
The
faithfulness of the "good servant"
isn’t measured by perfection but by genuine
commitment to the Lord's purpose—whether
that’s through acts of service, sharing
the gospel, or being a light in our everyday
lives. So, as we refiect on this parable,
let’s ask ourselves: are we hiding or sharing
the gift of salvation? Are we living as
"good servants" by letting our
faith impact others? Heart Check.
Are
we letting our light shine and using our
lives to multiply the gift of salvation
we've been given, or are we hiding it away?
PURPOSE
OVER PROFIT | Luke 19:45-48
In
Luke 19, Jesus calls out those who turned
the temple, a sacred space meant for prayer
for all nations (Isaiah 56:7), into a marketplace.
His powerful condemnation of the “den of
robbers” reminds us that faith must never
be sacrificed for financial gain. At Heart
Dive, we honor this call by freely o£ering
our full 365-day Bible reading plan and
devotionals—available to everyone, without
barriers. Just as Paul “built tents” to
support his ministry (Acts 18:3), we recognize
that small support sustains our e£orts,
but our mission remains clear: teaching
God's Word is not about profit; it’s about
purpose.
Heart
Check:
Is
my faith driven by seeking God’s heart,
or do I sometimes let worldly pursuits cloud
my commitment?
Deep
Dive
How
does Zacchaeus’ repentance show us the power
of encountering Jesus?
What
can we learn about faithful stewardship
from the parable of the ten minas?
Why
did Jesus weep over Jerusalem, and what
does it reveal about God’s compassion?
How
does Jesus’ fulfillment of Old Testament
prophecy confirm our faith?
What
does the cleansing of the temple teach us
about the importance of pure worship?
Heavenly
Father,Thank
You for Your seeking love and for the gift
of salvation.
We
praise You for coming to seek and save the
lost, for seeing our brokenness, and for
meeting us with open arms. As we refiect
on Jesus’ journey to Jerusalem, we’re grateful
for His unwavering purpose, that He ran
His race knowing the cost, and willingly
bore the burden of our sin.
Lord,
as we witness His compassion in lamenting
over Jerusalem, soften our hearts to grieve
for the lost in our own lives. May we not
take for granted the truth You’ve revealed,
and may our hearts echo Your urgency for
those who have yet to turn to You.
Help
us to be faithful stewards of all You’ve
entrusted to us—whether gifts, resources,
or opportunities to share the gospel. Let
us serve You with boldness, investing in
Your Kingdom rather than hiding our light
out of fear. We are reminded through prophecy
and fulfillment that Your word is steadfast;
let it be the foundation on which we stand,
guiding us toward righteousness.
As
we pray, “Blessed is the King who comes
in the name of the Lord, peace in heaven
and glory in the highest,” fill our hearts
with a spirit of praise and purpose. May
we worship You freely and sincerely, never
placing profit over purpose or allowing
worldly gain to eclipse our devotion.
Forgive
our transgressions, Lord. Protect us from
the schemes of the enemy and help us live
in a way that refiects Your glory in all
we do. To You alone be all glory, honor,
and praise, now and forever.
Mark
11, Mark gives his account of Jesus' entrance
into Jerusalem as the people proclaim Him
the promised Messiah. Jesus curses a fig
tree for its deceptive nature. Jesus clears
the temple of God of all business and rebukes
the merchants who have set up their tables
inside. Jesus provides a valuable lesson
on prayer and forgiveness. The religious
leaders ask Jesus about the source of His
authority.
John
12, Jesus shares a meal with Lazarus and
his two sisters. Mary washes Jesus's feet
in the presence of His astonished disciples.
Mary is rebuked for wasting precious, expensive
oil for Jesus. The religious leaders plot
the deaths of Jesus and Lazarus. John provides
his account of the Messiah's glorified entrance
into Jerusalem.
Jesus
explains He is willing to lay His life down
for the Father, and receives confirmation
from Him as a testimony of His will. Jesus
speaks of His coming death. Old Testament
prophecy is recalled about the destiny of
the Messiah.
FULLY
SURRENDERED | Mark 11:3
I
love this phrase, “He will send it back,”
because it shows the Lord’s heart and how
He always repays. He is a debtor to no man,
meaning He will never take from you or ask
something of you that He will not restore,
and many times, He will restore beyond the
lack.
But
many people don’t want to fully surrender
their lives to Christ because they think
they will miss out on something or that
their lives will somehow be less fun, less
exciting, and less enjoyable.
They
come under this idea that God will take
all those exciting things away. But that’s
the twisted lie that the enemy wants us
to believe. He wants us to think that our
sin is more enjoyable than the abundant
life that Christ has to o£er.
But
we’ve got to remember that he’s the real
thief. A life lived in the world, and for
oneself, it is the life that one actually
lacks because the enemy will now have an
open door to take what he wants. Keeping
you in that mindset that living for Christ
is “no fun” is a win for him because he
hates when God gets glory. Heart Check.
What
kind of fruit does your tree have? Is it
life-bearing or bitter? Are you sitting
by the wayside and in need of fellowship?
BY
THE WAYSIDE | Mark 11:12-14
I
believe the Lord comes by our tree each
morning to look at our fruit.
There
are several fruits that we could potentially
bear according to scripture: the fruit of
the Spirit, which includes love, joy, peace,
patience, kindness, faithfulness, gentleness,
and self-control (Gal. 5:22-23); the fruit
of the conversion of souls (Jn. 4:36), the
fruit of the works of righteousness (Phil.
1:22), the fruit of financial giving (Rom.
15:28), the fruit of praise (Heb. 13:15).
If
you remember from Matthew 21:19, this particular
tree was found by the wayside, meaning it
was all alone. One of the best ways to bear
fruit is to gather in the grove with the
other trees. Being in fellowship with other
believers will inevitably increase fruitfulness
because the Presence of God by His Spirit
is exponentiated and is simply contagious.
This
is why we are told in Proverbs that bad
company corrupts good character, who you
hang out with matters in the kind of fruit
that you will produce. Heart Check.
What
kind of fruit does your tree have? Is it
life-bearing or bitter? Are you sitting
by the wayside and in need of fellowship?
MOUNTAIN
MOVING PRAYER | Mark 11:20-26
Jesus
declares that faithful prayer can change
what may seem impossible. But He points
out two things that can hinder our prayers:
unforgiveness and unbelief.
If
you think about it, unforgiveness is rooted
in pride and a form of unbelief because,
on the one hand, when you sincerely humble
yourself in prayer before the Lord, there
is no way that pride can still exist. If
it does, the sincerity isn’t there.
On
the other hand, if we believe we are truly
forgiven, we will consider that others can
also be forgiven. If we say we cannot forgive,
then we don’t honestly believe in the forgiveness
we have been given.
Our
prayers must also be rooted in faith, meaning
if we pray and believe that God can do the
impossible and still walk away from our
prayer full of worry and doubt, we have
more faith in the mountain than we do in
our God. If that happens, my advice is to
go back to the Father until that mountain
shrinks in your mind because the kind of
prayer that moves mountains is rooted in
faith. And a person with true faith will
pray prayers that align with God's will.
Heart Check.
Are
your prayers more focused on the mountain
or the One who can move it? Is there any
unforgiveness or areas of unbelief in your
life that need to be worked through?
FRAGRANT
& COSTLY WORSHIP | John 12:1-3
Here,
we see this beautiful, sincere, and humble
act of worship by sweet Mary.
Whether
she knew it or not, she was taking the first
step in preparing Jesus for His burial by
anointing His head. She was also taking
on the lowest position of washing the feet
of the guest. While this was a typical act,
it was not usually done during the meal,
nor was hair to be used in place of a towel
or expensive perfume in the place of anointing
oil. This shows the radical worship that
cost Mary a year’s wages, yet it was far
more than worth it.
She
was in a place where she counted the cost
and was willing to lay it all down for the
Messiah. And because she did, the oil's
fragrance filled the room, just like the
sweet essence of the Spirit will fill any
room we walk into when we live our lives
this way. Heart Check.
How
costly and fragrant is your worship? Have
you counted the cost and are you willing
to give it all? Can others sense it when
you walk into a room?
Deep
Dive
What
does the triumphal entry say about the deity
and authority of Jesus? How do we see His
authority challenged in today’s society?
What
ministry is found in the cursing of the
fig tree?
What
does Jesus’ response in the temple say about
His view of worship?
As
you think about your life in retrospect,
can you see how you have gained more understanding
the more you become obedient to Christ?
How
does the metaphor of the grain of wheat
illustrate the impact of Jesus’ death on
all of humanity?
What
practical lessons can we apply from Jesus’s
call to hate this life in order to gain
eternal life?
Heavenly
Father, Oh
how we long to fully welcome you in to our
lives with exuberant praise as we acknowledge
you as the King of Kings and Lord of Lords!
Just
as the people laid down their cloaks, the
very thing that kept them warm and comfortable
at night, I pray that we will lay down our
own lives of comfort and security and live
our lives fully surrendered and humble before
you. I pray that we will not be ashamed
of the gospel but declare publicly that
you are our Savior. May we be unafraid to
declare our love and devotion to you. We
cry out, “Hosanna in the highest,” for you
are worthy of the highest praise.
Thank
you for showing us what true humility looks
like. You didn’t roll in with a private
jet—you chose a humble colt, something that
would surprise the masses. I love that you
work that way, because it makes life exciting.
What a joy it is to live for you! You were
never boring and you still aren’t. Contrary
to popular belief, a life lived for you
is an abundant life. You always send back
whatever you ask us to sacrifice. I pray
for the eyes of the world to be opened to
see it too.
As
we walk with you each morning, I pray that
we will be found fruitful, bearing the fruit
of the Spirit in everything we do. We pray
for an increase in fellowship with others
who can help cultivate fruitfulness as your
Presence is exponentiated when we are around
those who are faithful. Thank you for the
church that you have built on a solid rock.
I pray that we will not forsake it. If there
are any areas of our lives that may appear
fruitful but lack true devotion, I pray
that you will reveal it to us. May our hearts
be sincere in our commitment to you and
in our actions so that we are not a fraud.
We
pray for the church today, that it will
be a house of prayer. May it be a safe place
where people can gather to pray, worship,
and fellowship. Let there be unity within
it and not division. We pray against corruption
and the watering down of the truth of your
Word. Strengthen our pastors and leaders
so that they will be faithful shepherds
who lead us by your Spirit. I pray that
our personal homes will be a place that
that honors you. May prayer and praise rise
up out of them as we raise children who
are faithful. If there is anything that
needs to be cleansed from our temples, personally
or corporately, please remove it today.
We want to be free of distraction so that
we can focus on you alone.
Increase
our faith today so that our prayers can
move mountains. I pray that we will align
our hearts with yours so that when we pray,
we know that we are praying your will and
that the impossible will be done. We don’t
want to focus on the mountain but rather
focus on the mountain mover. Give us the
words to speak, knowing that by your authority,
they will shake the ground on which they
land.
Thank
you for the reminder that if we truly believe
that we are forgiven, then we have no choice
but to forgive others as well. Give us the
strength today to release bitterness or
unforgiveness so that our prayers will not
be hindered. Increase our capacity for grace
and mercy, so that we can o£er it
to others just as you have done for us.
Thank you for the scrutiny that you endured
as the perfect spotless lamb, so that we
wouldn’t have to.
Thank
you for the working heart of Martha, the
worshipping heart of Mary, and the witnessing
life of Lazarus. These are the aspects of
the church, so I pray that we will envelop
all of them in the way that we live. I pray
we give you the best of everything and that
everything we do, in work and deed, will
bring you glory. We know our worship is
precious to you, so I pray that we will
be unashamed as we radically devote our
lives to you. We want to honor you openly
and without fear. Give us the courage to
boldly proclaim our faith and to seek your
approval alone. In doing so, we will shine
brightly as your light bearers.
We
surrender everything in our lives to you
today. Every plan, every desire, every dream,
every worry, we place at your feet and under
your authority, knowing that your ways are
higher and your wisdom is greater than all.
No matter the cost here on earth, the eternal
reward far surpasses even the greatest of
gifts that we could ever receive.
Matthew
22, Jesus compares those who will enter
the kingdom of heaven to a king who prepares
a wedding feast and his invited guests.
The Pharisees and Sadducees press Jesus
on whether taxes should be paid to Caesar
and the state of relationships in the kingdom
of God. The discussion arises regarding
the greatest of God's commandments and the
status of the Messiah.
Mark
12, Jesus foils the plans to arrest Him
when He speaks a parable. Mark provides
his witness of how Jesus dealt with paying
taxes, the relationships at the resurrection,
the greatest of God's commandments, and
the lineage of the Messiah. A word of warning
to beware of the scribes is declared, and
a widow becomes a righteous example when
she presents her offering.
INVITATION
| Matthew 22:1-3
Breaking
down the roles of this parable, the King
is God the Father, the son or groom is Jesus,
and the servants giving out the invitations
could be the prophets, people like John
the Baptist, the disciples, and even us,
depending on how far out you zoom.
It’s
anyone who leads others to the kingdom of
heaven. This means that despite what you
believe about free will vs. election, there
is still a responsibility to call or invite
others to the feast.
Holy
Spirit will work in people's hearts, but
we, as shepherds, lead the sheep to the
water. This is why we do the salvation prayer
at the end of every video. It’s our way
of helping to lead others in their faith
and invite them to receive Jesus as their
Savior.
This
doesn’t mean we will lead every person in
a salvation prayer, but it could be as simple
as telling your testimony, inviting them
to church or Bible study, or even praying
for them. Heart Check.
Have
you sent out an invite? Are you helping
to lead others to Christ?
LOVE
PIPELINE | Matthew 22:24-40
When
Jesus says that the second greatest commandment
is like the first, He isn’t implying that
it’s merely similar. “Like it” translates
to “linked to it,” meaning they are inseparable.
If
we claim that we love God, then it will
show in the way we love people. When He
says that we must love our neighbor as ourselves,
He isn’t saying to love ourselves first,
but rather treat others as you would want
to be treated. It’s the Golden Rule once
again.
We
all innately desire to be loved and cared
for, and therefore we should be givers of
that love and care, just as the Father is.
If we are not loving toward people, then
there is a clog somewhere in the pipleline
of love between us and the Father, and it
isn’t on His side.
Either
we haven’t truly received His love and grace,
or we are failing to respond to it. We cannot
separate His love from ours. Genuine love
for God should naturally fiow into a love
for people. Heart Check.
How
well do you love people, both good and bad?
Does it reflect the love of the Father? Or
do you have a clog in your pipeline?
GENEROUS
GIVING & SACRIFICE | Mark 12:41-44
Through
this parable, Jesus is displaying the heart
of generosity and sacrifice. While the rich
may have given significant amounts, they
were much smaller in comparison to the poor
widow, who gave everything she had out of
a heart of gratitude. Our generosity stems
from our gratitude.
If
we truly recognize God as the giver of every
good gift, then we will have no problem
giving generously and sacrificially. Heart
Check.
Are
you giving your all or giving crumbs off
the top of your daily provision? How can
you give of yourself more generously and
sacrifcially?
Deep
Dive
What
are some of the “invitations” we receive
from the Holy Spirit today? How can we ensure
we are not ignoring them?
When
we clothe ourselves in righteousness, what
does that look like practically?
How
can we balance our earthly responsibilities
with our Godly devotion? Is there a struggle
between the them?
Break
down the elements of heart, soul, mind,
and strength. How do we love God in these
four areas?
How
can we bridge the gap between loving God,
ourselves, and people?
Are
there are any areas where you are tempted
to seek recognition or approval from others
rather than from God?
Heavenly
Father, Thank
you for inviting us into your kingdom.
We
are humbled by this invitation, knowing
how truly unworthy we are, yet you loved
us enough to continually pursue us with
a daily invite. Thank you for the persons
who may have helped lead us to you. Whether
they are still on this earth or not, I pray
that they know what impact they had for
the kingdom and that they are rewarded for
it.
I
pray that we will never take these invitations
for granted by ignoring them in any way,
but may every conviction and prick in our
spirit be heeded as we bring it before you
in prayer. Help us to extend the invitation
to others so that they can experience the
beautiful gift of grace and mercy that you
have poured out into our lives. May we all
wear the robes of righteousness well, as
we take on your character and shine your
light to the rest of the world.
Please
teach us to live with integrity in the way
that we balance our earthly responsibilities
as sojourners in this world. There is a
price to pay for the benefits we receive,
and may we never neglect those duties. But
I pray that it is always done with our true
citizenship in mind. Our ultimate commitment
and devotion is always to you, under the
authority of heaven. We belong to you, so
I pray that every aspect of our lives refiect
that.
Please
strengthen our hope in the resurrection
today. I pray that our faith and belief
in the eternal with help us to rise above
any worries or anxieties we have in this
life. Instead of allowing those things to
weigh us down, I pray that we will instead
anchor ourselves in your love and your promises
so that we know that we cannot be shaken
when the tempest rages.
Please
continue to deepen our understanding of
who you are, and I pray that this knowledge
will help to guide our every thought, decision,
and action that we take as we walk with
you. Help us to love you with all our heart,
soul, and mind. And in doing so, we will
naturally love others as we love ourselves.
Reveal to us where we may be struggling
to love as you do, and fill us with your
Spirit so that we can love selfiessly and
unconditionally with the same agape love
you offer to us.
Thank
you for the reminder of what a great privilege
it is to be a part of your kingdom. We know
that with that privilege comes a responsibility
to honor you with the fruit of our lives.
Help
us to surrender all things for the purpose
of your glory. Give us discernment as we
navigate, showing us where we can be of
assistance to those around us, and how we
can lend freely and give generously. May
our priorities refiect our belonging to
you above all else. I pray that our o£erings,
no matter how big or small, will come from
a place of gratitude, sacrifice, and true
devotion, as we know that even the little
we have can be used for your greater purpose.
Let it be done.
Matthew
23, In this chapter, Jesus issues a series
of “woes” against the scribes and Pharisees,
condemning their hypocrisy, legalism, and
self-righteousness. He critiques their focus
on outward appearances and heavy religious
burdens they place on people.
Jesus
laments over Jerusalem, expressing sorrow
for its resistance to God's messages and
forewarning the consequences of rejecting
God’s prophets.
Luke
20, The religious leaders question Jesus
about His authority, which He challenges
in return, exposing their intentions. He
shares a parable against the religious leaders,
symbolizing their rejection of God’s messengers.
Jesus
responds to questions about paying taxes
to Caesar and addresses issues of resurrection
and the nature of marriage in the afterlife.
He also warns against following the hypocritical
ways of the scribes.
Luke
21, Jesus foretells the future destruction
of the temple and prophesies signs of the
end times, including wars, natural disasters,
and persecution of believers.
He
urges His followers to remain vigilant,
faithful, and prayerful in the face of coming
trials. The chapter closes with Jesus’ admonition
to avoid being caught off guard, warning
of the consequences of a complacent or unprepared
heart as these events unfold.
FIGHTING
FOR HONOR | Matthew 23:1-12
This
last line that Jesus speaks in this introduction
is the point He is trying to make. The works,
the preaching, the honor, the titles, the
greetings—none of that is bad.
In
fact, we know He loves these things. But
when they become more important than loyalty
to God, pride creeps in, and therein lies
the problem. So Jesus is saying that if
we exalt ourselves in any way, there will
come a day when we will be humbled.
But
if we humble ourselves first, He will lift
us up in honor. You don’t have to fight
for it or fake it ‘til you make it. Heart
Check.
Are
there any areas in your life where you are
fighting for honor, position, or admiration?
Or does humility precede everything you
do?
RELIGIOUS
STANDARDS | Matthew 23:13-15
Every
woe that Jesus speaks should be an opportunity
for us to check our hearts, knowing that
it grieves His. In these first two woes,
Jesus is calling the scribes and Pharisees
hypocrites, which translates to “actors.”
They
were so zealous in evangelism and getting
people converted, but because they were
so religious and legalistic, they were shutting
people out of the kingdom with their false
teaching and human rules that they would
add to God’s Word. Heart Check.
Are
you more concerned about your religious
standards than your relationship with Christ?
PROJECTING
SPIRITUALITY | Matthew 23:14
This
woe is not found in the earliest manuscripts
of Matthew but it does appear in Mark 12
and Luke 20, so Jesus did indeed pronounce
it. Calling them hypocrites once again,
Jesus condemns the way the scribes and Pharisees
have this pseudo-spirituality in hopes of
taking advantage of the widows, when they
were supposed to be caring for their financial
security.
Instead,
they would project spirituality on them
and solicit donations. Heart Check.
Do
you ever project spirituality as a cover
to try to take advantage of the unsuspecting?
Or do you care for the vulnerable?
SPEAKING
WITH INTEGRITY | Matthew 23:16-22
In
this woe, Jesus criticizes the intricate
and distorted oath system that the scribes
and Pharisees created. Instead of operating
in integrity, they would find loopholes
to avoid fulfilling any oaths they didn’t
want to.
This
would be like a child saying, “I was just
joking,” or “I had my fingers crossed behind
my back.” In doing this, they promoted dishonesty
through technicality rather than genuine
commitment to truth. Heart Check.
Do
you speak with integrity and simplicity?
Or do you try to find loopholes to avoid
full responsibility?
BIGGER
PICTURE | Matthew 23:23-24
Jesus
uses another humorous phrase to illustrate
how the scribes and Pharisees focused more
on emphasizing minor intricacies of the
Law while completely neglecting its core
values and principles.
In
other words, they lost sight of the heart
of God because they became so legalistic.
They were obsessed with minor details while
missing the bigger picture. Heart Check.
Are
you more focused on the minor details or
legal imperfections while neglecting the
bigger picture and overall value of God’s
heart?
BEHIND
THE CURTAIN | Matthew 23:25-28
Jesus
uses these metaphors of the dishes and whitewashed
tombs to expose the scribes’ and Pharisees’
misplaced focus on outward appearance rather
than inner transformation.
They
were doing all the good deeds but meanwhile,
their hearts and character were corrupt.
In other words, they lacked spiritual integrity,
because their intentions didn’t align with
their outward appearance. So Jesus tells
them to clean up their act because true
faith isn’t about putting on a show—true
faith is based on what takes place behind
the curtain. Heart Check.
What
takes place behind the curtain of your heart?
Does your performance match your character?
Or is there some inner cleaning that needs
to take place?
SELF-EVALUATION
| Matthew 23:29-33
This
last woe is probably the most intense rebuke,
as Jesus condemns the scribes and Pharisees
for hypocritically distancing themselves
from their ancestors’ failings while failing
themselves to recognize their own guilt
in the same matters.
Jesus
tells them to fill up the measure of their
fathers, which foreshadows their ultimate
judgment as they continue in their fathers’
sins. Their self-evaluation was skewed based
on their self-righteousness. In other words,
they had a higher view of themselves than
they should’ve. Heart Check.
How
do you rank in your self-evaluation? Do
you think you are above making mistakes
that others do?
TRUST
| Luke 21:34-36
I
don’t find this to be a coincidence that
the day we are reading this very scripture
is November 5, 2024, the day of the most
contentious presidential election that we
have ever seen in our lifetime. Jesus is
urging His followers to stay vigilant and
prayerful, especially in times of uncertainty.
He warns against both overindulgence and
excessive worry because both of them can
blind us to the move of the Spirit. If we
live as we please or are so caught up in
the turmoil around us, we just might miss
His coming. So we need to be in the Word
and know the signs. We need to live in a
state of readiness as if He is returning
at any moment. We must pray for wisdom and
strength to persevere during the hard times.
And we must live faithfully with an eternal
perspective so we don’t get lost in the
temporary. Heart Check.
Are
there any anxieties or pleasures of life
that are pulling your focus away from God
and what He is doing? Do you trust Him in
times of uncertainty?
Deep
Dive
Compare
the woes with the Beatitudes in Matthew
5. Which Beatitude contrasts with each woe?
How
can we ensure we are leading others toward
genuine faith and not legalism?
What
are the gnats and camels of faith that we
see emphasized today?
How
can we strengthen our faith in times of
uncertainty?
How
does the hope of God’s kingdom change your
perspective when the future seems grim?
How does Jesus’ words to “raise your heads”
encourage your faith?
What
does it mean to live with a sense of urgency?
Heavenly
Father, We
seek your guidance and grace today.
Thank
you for the warnings and convictions that
you give to us each day through your Word
and by your Holy Spirit. Thank you that
each one is an opportunity to look within
and check our hearts. We are grateful that
we are still in your good graces. But we
also recognize that time is running out,
and that there is an urgency to get our
hearts right before you. We can never do
that on our own, and this is why we need
you Jesus. We need your mercy, forgiveness,
and grace. Thank you that there is nothing
that we have done that operates outside
of your willingness to forgive when we repent.
Please forgive us where we have had any
pride, self-righteousness, legalism, hypocrisy,
greed, or anything else that that the scribes
and Pharisees projected. Please cleanse
our hearts today and make them pure. May
our hearts, instead, refiect your love,
compassion, and truth.
Please
help us to face the hard truth and give
wisdom in how to deal with them. I pray
that we will care more about what your heart
says than what we think others will say.
May our actions fiow from a genuine place
of love and devotion to you rather than
a desire to appear righteous. And may we
not operate from a place of self-righteousness,
but rather from a heart of compassion and
understanding. I pray that our lives will
be marked by integrity and honesty so that
we will be a true refiection of your light.
May we not live lives full of empty religion
but instead fill us with a faith that is
vibrant and real. Let our roots grow down
deep so that our relationship with you matters
more than anything else, but from it will
fiow healthy relationships with others.
We want the depths of our hearts to honor
you inwardly and outwardly. So continue
to transform us into your likeness.
We
acknowledge and honor your ultimate authority
in our lives and also recognize that you
are on the throne despite the state of the
world. I pray that we never reject this
authority by our own unbelief, doubt, or
worry about what is happening. We want to,
instead, be a people who are faithful, steadfast,
and persevering. I pray that our faith is
so deeply rooted that people will look at
us and say, “How are they still standing?
Where does their hope come from.” The world
will look in every direction for hope, but
let us be those who stay awake and look
up. We know that you have always been in
control, so that does not change by worldly
circumstances. When we begin to get anxious
about the future, I pray that you will remind
us of your promise that you are with us
and that you will keep us under the protection
of your wings.
We
pray today for the wisdom to know and understand
the signs of the times. As they begin to
be revealed to us, let us not lose heart
but rather stay focused on you as we behold
your glory and look forward to your return.
May your peace guard every heart today as
you fill their lives with comfort, faith,
and reassurance that your redemption is
drawing near. Until then, may we continue
to walk out our calling for the rest of
our days here on this earth.
Mark
13, Jesus prophesies the future destruction
of the Temple of God in Jerusalem. Jesus
discusses the end of the age with His disciples
on the Mount of Olives and the signs that
will be visible to all the world of its
coming destruction.
A
warning is prophesied to beware of the abomination
of desolation and to be prepared for the
undisclosed arrival of the Son of Man. Jesus
illustrates the vigilance needed to discern
the times with the example of a fig tree.
GREATER
CONCERN | Mark 13:37
We
see all across the different denominations
and systems of belief, di£ering views
on eschatology or end times. People will
get into heated debates about when, where,
why, and how things will happen. But the
truth is, none of us really know. So, the
best thing we can do is listen to what Jesus
said when He told His people to “stay awake.”
Be vigilant. Be prayerful. Be watchful.
And stop looking for the antichrist—yes,
we should be aware of what this person will
look like, but Jesus told us to watch for
Him, not the devil. If we keep our eyes
peeled on Jesus, we won’t need to worry
about who the antichrist is because He will
let us know. We won’t need someone else
to point him out. The last thing the enemy
wants us to have is hope. Whereas Jesus
wants us to be prepared for His arrival,
and not so much worried about and focused
on the Tribulation. Heart Check.
What
are you more concerned about? The End Times
and the Tribulation? Or the glorious coming
of Jesus?
IN
BETWEEN | Mark 13
Secondly,
until Jesus returns, we are living in the
in-between and must fully acknowledge that
we live in a broken world. And as we draw
nearer to the end, tensions will only continue
to rise. But there’s this beautiful teaching
of “already” but “not yet” that can help
shape our hope as we navigate through the
turbulence. The “already” portion means
that Jesus’ redemptive work has already
begun through His death and resurrection.
Therefore, we can experience His grace,
forgiveness, and transformative work in
us so that we can live as a kingdom people.
And while the kingdom is here now, it hasn’t
fully arrived yet. And therefore, the “not
yet” portion is what we hold on to. We look
forward to the day when all sin, death,
su£ering, and injustice are eradicated,
and the peace, love, and rule of Christ
will perfectly reign. So until then, we
live with an active expectation of what
is to come. Heart Check.
How
are you living in the in between? What keeps
you grounded in hope, even in the midst
of turbulence?
Deep
Dive
Why
does Jesus use such vivid and sometimes
jolting language to describe future events?
How is it similar to Old Testament prophecy?
What
do Jesus’ predictions reveal about His omniscience?
Why does He say He does not know the time
of His return?
How
should we respond to what may seem like
“birth pains” without succumbing to fear?
How
can we cultivate spiritual discernment to
resist teachings that might lead us astray?
In
what ways do we see Christians su£ering
persecution today?
How
can we loosely hold on to the prophetic
so that we don’t try to manipulate them
to fit our idea of what is to take place?
Thank
you, Jesus, for these powerful words that
you spoke on the mount. These were not only
words that were o£ered for the hope
of your people then, but they still ring
true today, as we know that there is still
so much yet to be revealed. We hold on to
the hope of your second coming, knowing
that it will be the most glorious day. Help
us to stay awake, to remain vigilant, and
to always be prayerful and watchful so that
we are not caught o£ guard. Open our
hearts and minds to understand and embrace
every one of your teachings so that our
faith can be strengthened through each and
every word.
I
pray that we will never be led astray by
misinterpretations or miscalculations. Let
us not become so anxious that we look for
signs that you never intend for us to see
as such. I pray that we will be firm and
secure in our faith so that we don’t go
o£ looking for someone else to bring
us comfort and potentially be led astray
in the process. Close our ears to any false
voices or lies, and help us to overcome
any fears or uncertainties that we may have
of the future.
We
know what you’ve spoken about the birth
pains, and we can look at these things and
think that we are right in the thick of
it. But we ask for increased discernment
and endurance. May we be resilient when
these things begin to take place. But let
us not be so hyperfocused on the signs that
we forget where we are supposed to be in
our hearts and minds. Let us not lose sight
of you because we are looking everywhere
else. You told us to watch for YOU, so I
pray that we will stay focused on your Word
and by your Spirit. In doing so, I pray
that we will bear witness to your truth
with courage, and may our love remain steadfast,
especially when we are tested.
Thank
you that your Word will never pass away.
We need it more than ever. So as we live
in this time of the in between, may we be
found faithful as we stand strong in your
love and ready for the fullness of your
kingdom to arrive.
Matthew
24, In Matthew 24, Jesus prophesies the
destruction of the Jerusalem Temple, warning
His disciples of challenging times ahead.
He describes signs of the end of the age,
including false prophets, wars, natural
disasters, and persecution.
He
emphasizes vigilance and discernment, urging
His followers to remain faithful as they
await the coming of the Son of Man. He likens
His return to lightning seen from east to
west. Jesus calls for readiness and endurance,
as no one knows the exact day or hour.
Matthew
25, In Matthew 25, Jesus shares parables
illustrating the importance of preparedness
for His return. The Parable of the Ten Virgins
highlights the need to stay spiritually
ready, while the Parable of the Talents
encourages faithful stewardship of God’s
gifts.
Jesus
concludes by describing the final judgment,
in which people are divided like sheep and
goats based on their compassion and service
to others. This chapter underscores the
importance of living a life of active faith,
compassion, and readiness for the Day of
Judgment.
ARE
YOU READY | Matthew 25:1-13
This
parable focuses on the readiness or preparedness
for Jesus’ return. Five of the virgins were
prepared, and five only appeared to be ready
but had no oil.
We
know that oil in scripture often refers
to the Holy Spirit, and when we make the
spiritual comparison, oil removes friction,
is healing, is the fuel source that will
bring warmth or comfort, removes grime,
helps the metal shine, and provides light
for the lamps.
If
we call ourselves Christians but do not
have the Holy Spirit, we are not truly Christians.
And if we do have Him living in us, we must
make an e£ort to keep our lamps filled
with that oil so that we do not become lethargic
or weary. Spiritual preparedness is not
something that can be bought or borrowed
at the last minute. Heart Check.
Do
you have oil in your lamp? Are you ready
for His return?
BURYING
THE TALENT | Matthew 25:14-20
In
this parable, Jesus is zoning in on personal
responsibility. We may not all have the
same things or opportunities, but the master
didn’t ask these servants what someone else
had or did. He asked them to give an account
of what they did personally with what he
gave them. It’s really easy to look at what
everyone else is doing and to hold them
responsible, but in the end, that won’t
matter.
When
we stand before Jesus, He is not going to
ask about what the church did, nor will
He be concerned about the billionaire who
didn’t pay higher taxes or the person who
sat next to you at work and put in less
e£ort. He will only ask you about
your stewardship and faithfulness in what
He entrusted you. Resources, gifts, talents,
abilities, relationships, time, infiuence,
and unique opportunities could be this.
We cannot allow fear of failure to keep
us paralyzed or complacency to keep us from
living in our purpose. Heart Check.
Is
there anything that you may be underestimating
or even hiding, like the servant who buried
his talent? How are you stewarding what
the Lord has given to you?
MEETING
NEEDS | Matthew 25:31-40
There
are some who will sit and debate over the
“these” are in this section. But when you
look at heart of the matter, Jesus is saying
that we are all responsible for meeting
the deepest needs of people.
Many
times we think that this is only the responsibility
of churches or organizations and we will
turn a blind eye to it. We know we can’t
single-handedly cure homelessness, drug
problems, or hunger, but there are needs
all around us on a daily basis that we can
meet simple acts of service or mercy.
They
are not dependent upon wealth, intelligence,
or status. There is always someone who is
worse o£ than we are, and we all have
the responsibility to care for another in
some way. Heart Check.
How
are you caring for others? What needs can
you identify around you that could possibly
be met?
Deep
Dive
What
patterns can we see in the Bible that help
us to understand prophecy in both the literal
and figurative sense? How does this help
to interpret Jesus’ warnings here?
What
characteristics does the Bible highlight
regarding false teachers? How will this
help us to identify deception? What can
we do to strengthen our discernment?
What
role does personal responsibility play in
these teachings? How do we reconcile this
with the teaching of salvation by grace?
How
might we interpret signs without obsessing
over predictions?
What
does spiritual complacency vs. spiritual
vigilance look like? How will this shape
our readiness for Jesus’ coming?
What
challenges does the modern church face in
teaching about eschatology?
Heavenly
Father, Thank
you again for the urgent reminder to stay
focused on you.
Anytime
there is a stirring in the world, we as
believers, should know that there is a very
real possibility of being distracted, either
by victory or by loss. I pray that we never
lose sight of you.
Help
us to remain vigilant in every waking moment.
We know that our time is in your hands,
and we trust in your sovereign plan, but
we also recognize the urgency that is at
hand. Let this not make us fearful in any
way but rather excited, knowing that your
return is imminent.
Help
us, in the meantime, to remain steadfast
as we study your Word and live prayerful
lives so that we will not be deceived by
any misleading or misinterpretation of your
truth and your character. May we hold firm
to the gospel as we guard our hearts and
minds from anything that might lead us astray.
Holy Spirit, fill us afresh with discernment
and wisdom, and please keep us grounded
in humility and strength.
I
pray that as we grow more firm in our faith,
that we will continue to remain faithful
in every season. We know that we will all
struggle at some point, so help us to stand
firm as we lean on your promises. Give us
the courage and the words to speak to people
who don’t know you. I pray that we will
be the mouthpieces through whom you do a
great work in bringing the good news to
the world, through our workplaces, our schools,
and in our homes.
I
pray that when you do return, we will be
found ready. May our lives be marked by
truth, love, compassion, grace, and righteousness
as we commit ourselves to live according
to your purpose and mission for our lives.
Teach us to be wise and faithful servants,
honoring you in every word, every relationship,
and every action.
Help
us to be spiritually prepared, keeping the
oil in our lamps full with your Spirit,
and always watching for the return of the
bridegroom. We are eager for that day, but
in the meantime, we are grateful that we
have your Presence with us daily. May we
never forsake or neglect that beautiful
gift.
We
also thank you for every gift you’ve entrusted
us with to steward. I pray that we can shift
our perspective from thinking that everything
we have is ours to realizing that it is
all a gift from you.
We
are just caretakers. I pray that we will
steward them well as we look for ways that
we can meet needs, serve others, and bring
you glory in everything we do. Give us the
courage so that we do not fear failure and
therefore bury our talents.
If
you’ve given it to us, and if we are faithful
in doing what you want us to do with it,
we will not fail. So help us to use all
that we have wisely, investing it back to
the kingdom and finding ways to bless others.
Help us to live with a deep sense of accountability
so that when we give account to you, we
will be ready.
Thank
you for choosing us as your people. What
an honor it is to live in such a time as
this. Give us compassionate hearts and open
hands so that we can love and care for the
“least of these” and in turn, bless your
heart. We look forward to the day that we
stand face to face with you and are able
to hear, “Well done, my good and faithful
servant.” Thank you for that promise.
Matthew
26, Jesus prophesies His betrayal and crucifixion,
is anointed with perfume, and institutes
Communion at the Last Supper. In Gethsemane,
He prays while the disciples sleep. Judas
arrives with soldiers, leading to Jesus’
arrest and Peter’s denial.
Mark
14, The story includes Jesus' anointing,
the Last Supper, Gethsemane, and His arrest.
Mark emphasizes His distress in the garden,
the betrayal, and the fulfillment of Peter's
denial.
Luke
22, Luke adds details about the Passover
preparations, Jesus' teachings on servanthood,
and Peter’s denial. Jesus prays with intensity
in Gethsemane, strengthened by an angel
before His betrayal.
John
13, John focuses on the Last Supper as a
demonstration of servanthood, with Jesus
washing the disciples' feet and giving a
“new commandment” to love one another. He
also foretells Judas’s betrayal and Peter's
denial.
Each
Gospel provides unique perspectives:
Matthew
and Mark emphasize Jesus’ fulfillment of
prophecy, Luke highlights servanthood, and
John showcases humility and love as central
to Jesus' message. Together, these chapters
form a comprehensive view of Jesus’ final
hours with His disciples.
JESUS,
THE PASSOVER LAMB | Matthew 26:1-5, 14-16,
Mark 14:1-2, 10-11
This
chapter reveals Jesus as the ultimate Passover
Lamb, whose sacrifice fulfills the centuries-old
Jewish Passover tradition. Just as the Passover
Lamb was a symbol of God’s deliverance for
Israel, Jesus becomes our deliverer, taking
on sin's penalty for us. The religious leaders
and Judas plot against Him in secret, but
God’s plan is never hidden from Him. Heart
Check:
Are
there areas of our lives where we struggle
with hypocrisy or hidden motives? Do we
invite God’s light into every corner of
our hearts?
EXTRAVAGANT
WORSHIP | Matthew 26:6-13, Mark 14:3-9
In
Bethany, a woman anoints Jesus with costly
perfume—a beautiful act of devotion that
others criticize. This anointing shows deep
love for Christ, even when misunderstood.
Jesus
honors her sacrifice, revealing that true
worship often looks “wasteful” to the world
but is precious to God. Heart Check:
Do
we worship extravagantly, even when others
might not understand? Are we willing to
sacrifice what’s valuable to us for Christ’s
sake?
BETRAYAL
AND FORGIVENESS | Matthew 26:14-16, 21-25,
Mark 14:10-11, 18-21
Judas’s betrayal shows the depth of human
brokenness and the wickedness that can exist
even close to Christ. Yet, in knowing this, Jesus still chooses
forgiveness over bitterness. This betrayal
reminds us that we, too, are vulnerable
to turning against God, but Christ’s forgiveness
remains steadfast. Heart Check:
How do we respond when we feel betrayed?
Do we carry Jesus’s forgiving heart even
toward those who hurt us?
GETHSEMANE’S SURRENDER | Matthew 26:36-46,
Mark 14:32-42
In Gethsemane, Jesus submits to the Father’s
will, accepting the “cup of wrath” meant
for us. His anguish shows the weight of
what He bears for humanity. Here, we are
invited to bring our struggles to God, surrendering
as Jesus did. Heart Check:
Are we willing to surrender our will
to God’s, especially when it’s hard? Do we bring our burdens to Him in prayer
as Jesus did?
FAILURE AND REDEMPTION | Matthew 26:69-75,
Mark 14:66-72
Peter’s denial of Jesus stands in stark
contrast to Judas’s betrayal. Though both
fail, Peter returns to Christ, showing that
our failures don’t define us—our response
does. With Peter’s story, Jesus reminds
us that redemption is always within reach.
Heart Check:
When we stumble, do we come back to Christ
like Peter, seeking redemption, or do we
distance ourselves? Are we willing to let
Jesus’s love cover our failures?
THE LAST SUPPER: REMEMBERING THE NEW
COVENANT Luke 22:14-23; John 13
Jesus establishes the New Covenant in
His blood, transforming the traditional
Passover into a remembrance of His sacrifice
for all humanity.
This covenant—prophesied in Jeremiah
31:31-34—shows Jesus as the ultimate Lamb,
given for our sins. In celebrating communion,
we’re called to actively remember Christ’s
sacrifice, refiecting on His redeeming love
poured out for us. Heart Check:
How often do we engage in true remembrance,
fully acknowledging the deliverance He has
won for us?
THE FINAL MIRACLE: A HEALING IN THE MIDST
OF VIOLENCE Luke 22:49-51
In the garden, Peter impulsively strikes
a servant, cutting off his ear. Yet,
Jesus heals him, illustrating that the “sword”
of God’s Word should be used to restore,
not wound. When we misuse scripture to hurt
others, we hinder God’s healing work, just
as Peter did. Heart Check:
Are we wielding God’s Word to uplift
and heal, or do we sometimes misuse it to
judge or criticize others?
MOCKERY AND BLASPHEMY: STAYING TRUE IN
SUFFERING Luke 22:63-65
As Jesus endures mockery and abuse, He
remains silent, bearing humiliation with
grace. This mockery shows how His love endures
even in the face of rejection and scorn—a
powerful model for us as His followers.
Heart Check:
Do we reflect Christ’s grace and love
when faced with criticism, or are we tempted
to respond in anger?
HUMILITY AND SERVICE: WASHING OF FEET
| John 13:1-17
Jesus models humility by washing His
disciples’ feet, teaching us the power of
servant leadership. In this act, He imparts
lessons on humility, grace, and cleansing.
He calls us to serve others, not as a performance
but from a place of genuine love and humility.
● Humility
and Grace: Letting go of pride and letting
others serve us.
● Cleansing:
While salvation cleanses us, we need daily
repentance and renewal.
● Servanthood:
True service isn’t about recognition but
sacrificial love.
● Exhortation:
Jesus blesses those who serve others selfiessly.
Heart Check:
Are we willing to let others serve us
and admit our own need for help? Do we approach
service with humility, or do we seek recognition?
NEW COMMANDMENT: LOVE ONE ANOTHER | John
13:34-35
In His final teachings, Jesus commands
us to love one another as He has loved us.
This radical love marks us as His disciples,
extending beyond our comfort zones to even
our enemies. Christ’s love transforms us
and calls us to mirror that love in our
relationships with others. Heart Check:
Does our love for others reflect Christ’s
unconditional love, especially toward those
who may be difficult to love?
Deep
Dive
In
what ways does Jesus’s role as the Passover
Lamb impact our understanding of His sacrifice?
How
does the woman’s act of anointing Jesus
inspire us to worship with our whole hearts?
What
lessons can we draw from Judas’s betrayal
and Peter’s denial about human nature and
God’s grace?
When
we face our “Gethsemane moments,” are we
ready to surrender fully to God’s will?
How
do we respond to our own mistakes—do we
turn back to Jesus or hide in shame?
When
we take communion, how can we ensure it’s
an active remembrance and not just a ritual?
In
what ways do we misuse scripture, like Peter
with the sword, and how can we correct this?
Are
we truly allowing God to cleanse us daily
from the “dust” of this world?
How
can we live out the “new commandment” to
love others, especially those who challenge
us?
Our
hearts are filled with awe, reverence, and
humility as we remember the sacrifice Jesus
made for us. Lord, Jesus knew He was stepping
toward death. He knew He would be mocked,
abandoned, humiliated, and betrayed—even
by those He loved. Yet, He chose to love,
to forgive, to press on for our sake.
God,
awaken us to the depth of this love! Open
our eyes to see the cost, to remember with
unshaken gratitude. Let the weight of His
sacrifice fall upon our hearts, that we
may live lives worthy of the gift He has
given.
Help
us, Lord, to be vigilant and watchful, to
stay awake to Your calling, to live as people
marked by Your love and grace. Let our faith
move us to action—to be doers of Your word,
steadfast in hard times, reaching out with
the love that You poured so freely over
us. May we love others with the same relentless
grace You showed to us.
Father,
as we take communion in remembrance of Christ,
cleanse our hearts. Give us humble spirits,
so that this sacred act never becomes routine
but remains a holy, living remembrance of
the love that su£ered so we could
be free.
Let
our lives refiect that love in every interaction,
every decision, every step we take. We belong
to You, Lord, and we trust Your perfect
plan. Thank You, thank You for the gift
of Jesus, our Redeemer, our Hope. We pray
all of this in the powerful, life-giving
name of Jesus.
John
14, Jesus introduces Himself as "the
Way, the Truth, and the Life," explaining
that no one can come to the Father except
through Him. In this powerful chapter, Jesus
emphasizes that knowing Him is the path
to knowing God and to reaching the kingdom
of God. He highlights the importance of
obedience as an expression of love for the
Father and promises the arrival of the Holy
Spirit, or the "Helper," who will
remain with His followers to teach, guide,
and remind them of His words. Jesus also
o£ers them a peace that the world
cannot give, encouraging them not to be
afraid or troubled.
John
15, Using the image of a vine and branches,
Jesus explains that He is the true Vine,
and His followers are the branches that
must remain connected to Him to bear fruit.
Abiding in Him is essential for spiritual
life and growth, and without this connection,
they can do nothing of lasting value. Jesus
calls them to love one another as He has
loved them, establishing love as the defining
mark of His disciples. He also warns of
the world’s opposition and hatred toward
His followers, explaining that their separation
from worldly desires is necessary to follow
the Father’s will. Jesus promises that the
Holy Spirit will testify about Him and empower
them to be His witnesses.
John
16, Jesus prepares His disciples for the
trials and persecution they will face as
His followers. He reveals that He will soon
leave them, but assures them that His departure
is for their benefit, as it will bring the
arrival of the Holy Spirit. This “Helper”
will guide them into all truth, convict
the world of sin, and reveal the things
to come. Jesus speaks of a time when their
sorrow will turn to joy, comparing it to
a woman’s joy after childbirth.
Despite
the challenges ahead, He assures them of
the victory that has already been won, encouraging
them to take heart because He has “conquered
the world.”
John
17, This chapter, known as the "High
Priestly Prayer," records Jesus’ intimate
prayer to the Father, where He expresses
gratitude and lifts up His disciples and
future believers. First, Jesus prays for
His own glorification so that He may glorify
the Father through His coming sacrifice.
Then, He prays specifically for His disciples,
asking for their protection, unity, and
sanctification as they continue His work.
Finally, He prays for all future believers,
desiring unity among them, so that the world
may know God’s love.
Jesus’
prayer is filled with hope, thanksgiving,
and a heartfelt desire for God’s blessing
on His followers as He prepares to rejoin
the Father.
TRUST
| John 14:1
Jesus
just washed all the dirt from the disciples’
feet, told them that one of them would betray
Him, and told Peter that he would deny Him
three times. I don’t blame them for feeling
a little anxious.
But
don’t you just love how Jesus immediately
quiets their hearts and tells them not to
let them be troubled? The only prescription
we need for anxiety is to believe in Him.
This isn’t just a fairytale belief, but
fully trusting that what He says is true.
It knows how much He loves you that He will
never leave you, that He is sovereign and
in control of all things, and that He is
working all things for your good. Heart
Check.
Are
there any areas in your life where you are
anxious or struggling to trust Him?
CONFIDENT
PRAYER | John 14:14
Some
people get tripped up on this verse because
they may have seen prayers go unanswered.
But
the key phrase here is “in my name.” This
isn’t “name it and claim it,” nor is it
some sort of magic formula to get God to
do what you want Him to do. When He says
to pray in His name, He is saying to pray
according to His will and for His glory.
Anything outside of that is a selfish prayer,
and He is not obligated to answer it.
But
when you truly desire His will and glorify
Him, your prayers will align with that,
and you will begin to see His glory manifested
through the answers that He gives. Heart
Check.
How
confdent are you in what you ask for in
prayer? Do you believe they are aligned
with His will?
LOVE
& OBEDIENCE | John 14:23
This
love that Jesus speaks of is very personal,
reverent, and obedient. He is saying that
if we truly love Him, we will obey Him.
And if we love and obey Him, He will dwell
within us. It’s so important for us to catch
this because a lot of Christians struggle
with this aspect and don’t know why. They
will say the salvation prayer but never
move into a deeper relationship through
fellowship with Christ, and this just might
be the very answer for it. Heart Check.
Are
you in fellowship with Christ? Are you confident
that His Presence dwells within you? If
not, is there a lack of obedience or love
that you may be struggling with?
ABIDE
| John 15:1-11
Jesus
uses the word abide ten times in this passage.
He uses this word to say that He wants us
to dwell, to remain, to stay, to trust in,
to be united with, to depend on, or to sink
deeper with Him. He is the vine, which means
He is our life source. If we fall away from
Him, we will wither and die.
When
we abide in Him and He abides in us and
then we will bear much fruit. But look at
the process—if He sees us struggling a bit,
He will first lift us up o£ the ground
so that we can get a little more light.
Then there might be pruning season, where
something that is sucking the life out of
us needs to be cut away so that we can gain
back our vitality and bear fruit.
He
says that our fruit will be the proof that
we are His disciples, and it all goes back
to loving and obeying Him. When we do this,
our joy will be complete; this is how we
will know that we truly abide in Him. This
doesn’t mean we are always happy or never
sad. It’s a deep-rooted contentment that
comes from trusting that He’s carrying you.
Heart Check.
Are
you abiding in Him? Are you bearing fruit
and is your joy complete? Or is there a
pruning that needs to take place?
PEACE
& JOY | John 16
Jesus
has made it very clear that this life won’t
be easy. There will be struggles, there
will be trials, and there will be a sense
of division between us and the world. Yet
He tells us to take heart and to be of good
cheer. We can be confident and at peace,
even in the middle of heckling and opposition,
because He has overcome the world, meaning
evil has lost the battle.
Jesus
walked into His death as a conqueror, not
as a victim. Therefore, we too, can fight
every battle from that same victory that
Jesus had on the cross! This is where our
peace and joy come from. Heart Check.
Do
you have peace and joy? Or are you wrestling
with your belief in what Jesus said and
did?
GOD’S
WORK | John 17:4
I
woke up this morning with such a heavy burden
and weariness, and I knew IT was not of
the Lord. I was feeling the weight of being
a good mother, trying to finish well in
this Bible study while also looking toward
what is coming next, and worried about failing
people’s expectations.
But
that’s when the Lord stopped me and asked,
“Who gave you this work that you are trying
to do?”You see, if the work is His, the
yoke will be easy, and the burden will be
light. But if we start carrying everyone
else’s burdens and expectations and doing
everyone else’s work, we will begin to slack
in our purpose.
On
the fiip side of that, we also need to be
aware of the burden and expectation we place
on others, because it might be at the expense
of what God has called them to do. Heart
Check.
Whose
work are you doing? Is the burden heavy
or light? Will you fnish well? What expectations
do you put on others, and do you consider
if it is God’s purpose for them to fulfll
it?
GLORIFYING
GOD | John 17:1-5
In
this first section of His prayer, Jesus
asks the Father to glorify Him, not out
of selfishness but because He knows that
if His glory is seen, then the Father’s
glory is seen, and that was His goal.
Everything
He did and everything He said was for this
purpose. It’s as if He was saying to His
Father, “Show them what they haven’t yet
seen.” Jesus’ entire life was a continuous
refiection of God’s character, but now in
His death and resurrection, they will get
to experience His love and mercy in a whole
new way. Our lives should be lived with
this in mind as well. Heart Check.
How
much do you think about glorifying God in
the words that you speak and in your everyday
decisions and actions?
UNITY
| John 17
This
whole prayer had a mega theme of unity.
Jesus emphasized that He is united with
the Father, and we are united with Him;
therefore, the church is to be one. I have
never seen division in the church like that
which we see today.
If
we work against the unity of the church,
we are doing the enemy's work in tearing
it down. We need to be people who fight
for unity by praying for, encouraging, building
up, and giving to other believers while
avoiding gossip, contention, and useless
arguments. All of that is a distraction
that keeps us from bearing witness and glorifying
the Lord. Heart Check.
Do
you fght for unity in the church? Or do
you look to argue or debate about religious
and political differences?
Deep
Dive
What
are the assurances that Jesus gives the
disciples? How do these promises impact
your outlook on life here on earth?
Compare
“world peace” with the peace that Jesus
promises. What is the di£erence?
Break
down “I am the way, the truth, and the life.”
How does this shape your understanding of
salvation and evangelism?
Is
there a di£erence between being a
follower, a disciple, and a friend of Jesus?
In what ways?
How
do you understand the role of the Holy Spirit
in your life today?
How
does Jesus’ prayer aid in understanding
the distinct roles of the Father, Son and
Holy Spirit while being one God?
Heavenly
Father,Thank
you for being our Blessed Assurance.
Through
you, Jesus, we find comfort, rest, peace,
and joy, knowing that the gift of your Holy
Presence dwells within us. We humble our
hearts before you today with so much gratitude
for what you have done, and we declare that
we fully trust in all that you are.
Thank
you for the assurance of heaven, knowing
that this life is just a temporary home.
But this doesn’t mean that we mope around
until we get there—we can live a beautiful
abundant life while we are here. So if anyone
is struggling to trust you today, help them
to cast their cares and anxieties on to
you, knowing that this is all preparation
for us to be able to dwell eternally with
you.
Jesus,
thank you for revealing the Father to us
and for being the way, the truth, and the
life. Help us to fully know you so that
our hearts can beat in step with yours.
I pray that our lives will refiect your
truth and love so that we can draw others
closer to you as well. Help us to be obedient
and to align our hearts with yours so that
when we pray, we will see your glory revealed.
Thank
you, Jesus, for what you have done so that
we can be set free from the devil’s claim
on our lives. We may not be without sin,
but we are covered by the blood of Jesus,
and there is nothing that you will not forgive
when we come to you in true repentance.
Hallelujah! We could never thank you enough
for that mercy and grace.
Thank
you, Father, for being the Gardener who
tends to our souls. Jesus, you are the true
Vine, our life source, and the place where
we find purpose and strength. Teach us what
it means to truly abide in you so that we
can rest in your Presence and draw from
your Spirit in everything we do. If there
are any areas that need pruning in our lives,
we trust you, even if it’s a little painful
or uncomfortable. We know that it’s always
done out of love for us so that we can become
more fruitful.
Give
us the courage to surrender anything that
we may be holding on to that you are asking
us to let go of and help us to trust that
it is for our best and for our growth, and
ultimately to bring you glory.
Help
us to love others as you do. Jesus, you
love us with such a selfiess, patient, and
sacrificial love. I pray that we will do
the same so others can see you in us. Help
us to especially love the unlovable or those
who make it di£icult. Keep us humble
and dependent on your strength as we seek
to know you deeply and to truly become your
friend. This is the greatest gift we could
ever know, especially when the world comes
against us. We know that we have the greatest
friend on our side and therefore do not
need to fear. Let us always bear witness
about you with the help of your Spirit.
Thank
you, Holy Spirit, for dwelling within us.
Thank you for being our Helper, our Comforter,
our Advocate, our Defender, and our Intercessor.
Please fill us afresh with your Presence
and guide us into all truth, always reminding
us of your Word. And please let your peace
that surpasses our understanding, guard
our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. This
world is full of anxiety, so I pray that
we do not add to it. But instead, may we
walk into every situation with a victorious
heart, knowing that you have overcome the
world. I pray that we usher in your peace
into every room that we walk into, carrying
your heart and truth, everywhere we go.
Please
continue to sanctify us in your truth as
we fight for unity in the church. We need
to, now more than ever, stand together as
one as we live out your truth.
Refine
our hearts and minds and shape our character
to refiect Christ. Help us to be peacemakers
so that our unity can be a testament to
the whole world and so that others will
know the depth of your love and come to
believe in you. May we focus on that all
the rest of our days as we shine your light
to the whole world.
In
Matthew 27, Jesus faces a harsh inquisition
before Governor Pilate, who struggles with
the choice of condemning an innocent man.
Judas, stricken by overwhelming guilt and
despair, ultimately takes his own life after
realizing the weight of his betrayal. Meanwhile,
the Jewish crowd is given the choice to
free either Barabbas, a known criminal,
or Jesus, and they choose Barabbas, leading
to Jesus’s condemnation. Jesus then endures
brutal torture, public ridicule, and crucifixion,
where He su£ers deeply before ultimately
giving up His spirit.
After
His death, Jesus is laid in a tomb, and
the Pharisees, fearing His prophecy of resurrection,
request that Pilate have the tomb secured
with guards to prevent any possibility of
tampering.
In
Mark 15, Mark narrates the agonizing events
of Jesus’ trial before Pilate, describing
how Pilate hesitates yet ultimately yields
to the crowd's cries. Mark recounts the
intense physical su£ering and public
humiliation Jesus endures on His way to
the crucifixion site, where He is nailed
to the cross. Even in His final moments,
Jesus faces taunts and ridicule.
Following
Jesus' death, Joseph of Arimathea, a respected
council member, courageously requested Jesus'
body from Pilate. He ensured that it was
respectfully laid to rest in a tomb, symbolizing
a glimmer of reverence amidst the tragic
events.
GENUINE
REPENTANCE | Matthew 27:1-10
Judas
deeply regretted his decision to betray
Jesus, as he realized that Jesus was indeed
innocent and everything that He claimed
to be. But sadly, he was only sorry about
his sin and not necessarily sorry for it.
So
this was remorse but not repentance because
he never turned to God (as far as we know)
for forgiveness and ended up taking his
life so he wouldn’t have to deal with that
condemnation. Heart Check.
How
do you deal with regret or remorse? How
can we practice genuine repentance so that
we don’t get caught in the trap of condemnation?
WITHSTANDING
PRESSURE | Matthew 27:11-26, Mark 15:1-15
Just
like Judas, Pilate knows that Jesus is innocent,
but because he fears man and has a greater
devotion to the world and his position than
to God, he succumbs to the public pressure
to crucify Jesus.
This
is so sad because it’s a cowardly trap of
compromise that we, too, can get caught
in when we fear man or think the personal
cost of our image is too great for us to
take a stand for what is right. Heart Check.
Are
you able to withstand the pressure when
it goes against popular opinion?
Deep
Dive
How
do we reconcile free will with the foreknowledge
of Judas’ betrayal?
How
do we see truth and justice thwarted when
subjected to public opinion? How can we
avoid letting cultural or political pressure
override our moral convictions?
Consider
the symbols of mockery. How does this refiect
the inverse nature of the kingdom of God?
How
does Simon’s carrying of the cross refiect
our calling to take up our cross and bear
one another’s burdens? How does this refiect
the cost of discipleship?
How
does this narrative affect your view of
God’s love and justice? How does it impact
the way you approach God?
Heavenly
Father, We
are truly overwhelmed by the depth of your
love and sacrifce that you made, our King
Jesus.
The
way you took on our sin and shame, endured
betrayal, beatings, injustice, and excruciating
su£ering for our sake is incomprehensible.
And even in the midst of it all, you still
chose humility and obedience. We stand in
awe of you today with hearts full of gratitude.
We will never understand the full magnitude
of it, but even getting a small glimpse
breaks our hearts.
Let
us be inspired by this today to follow your
example when we face opposition, misunderstanding,
hardship, or persecution. Give us the strength
to endure and respond to others with that
same grace and humility that you did. I
pray that we will trust you, in every situation,
knowing that your purpose is greater and
higher than anything we could ever muster
up in our own imaginations.
Thank
you, Jesus, for enduring the wrath that
we deserved. You took it on so that we would
never have to be separated from you. What
an unfathomable love.
Thank
you for the incredible privilege of now
being able to enter into the holy of holies.
You tore the veil so that we could come
freely to the throne room of grace. I pray
that we never take this for granted as we
continue to earnestly seek you on the daily.
When
we go through seasons of darkness or when
we are feeling defeated, may your power
and love prevail. Help us to trust in your
resurrection power, knowing that you are
working all things together for our good.
I pray that we will stand boldly in our
faith, even if it costs us everything on
this earth. We will not live in fear of
man or the popular opinion, for the only
opinion that matters is yours.
Help
us to see beyond ourselves, always focusing
on eternity as we walk through this life.
Thank you for walking with us every step
of the way. I pray that others will see
you walking beside us, and may they come
along with us so that we can all grow in
our faith, humility, and devotion to you.
In
Luke 23, Luke recounts the final day of
Jesus’ earthly life leading to His crucifixion.
Jesus is brought before both Pilate and
Herod to face charges from the religious
leaders, who accuse Him of blasphemy and
inciting rebellion. Though both Pilate and
Herod find no fault in Him, Pilate ultimately
succumbs to the crowd’s demand to release
Barabbas, a convicted criminal, while condemning
Jesus to death. As Jesus carries His cross
toward Golgotha, Simon of Cyrene is compelled
to help Him along the way. At the crucifixion
site, Jesus is placed between two criminals
with di£ering responses—one mocks
Him, while the other expresses faith, and
Jesus promises him paradise. His plea marks
Jesus’ final moments for forgiveness for
His persecutors before He breathes His last.
After His death, Joseph of Arimathea, a
secret follower, requests Jesus' body to
provide Him with a respectful burial before
the Sabbath.
In
John 18, John provides a detailed account
of the events leading to Jesus’ arrest and
trial. Jesus willingly surrenders Himself
to the soldiers in Gethsemane, fulfilling
the Scriptures, and even protects His disciples
by ensuring their release. In the ensuing
confusion, Peter denies Jesus three times,
as foretold. Jesus is taken before Annas
and Caiaphas, the high priests, who question
Him about His teachings. Brought to Pilate,
Jesus enters into a profound dialogue about
His kingdom, revealing that His rule is
not of this world. Pilate, perplexed and
pressured by the leaders, finds no guilt
in Jesus yet is caught in the political
tension between truth and public opinion.
John
19 describes the intense final moments of
Jesus’ life, from His scourging to His crucifixion.
Pressured by the chief priests, Pilate finally
capitulates and hands Jesus over for execution.
Mocked and crowned with thorns, Jesus carries
His cross to Golgotha, where He is crucified
alongside two others. John emphasizes numerous
details of Jesus’ su£ering, such as
the soldiers casting lots for His clothing,
fulfilling Old Testament prophecy. Jesus
speaks significant words from the cross,
including “It is finished,” marking the
completion of His earthly mission. After
His death, Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus,
both secret followers, prepare His body
for burial according to Jewish customs,
laying Him in a nearby tomb before the Sabbath
begins.
Deep
Dive
How
does Jesus’ fulfillment of prophecy shape
your understanding of God’s will and sovereignty,
even through human (and sometimes evil)
actions?
What
greater symbolism can be found in the details
of these accounts?
What
lessons can we draw from Peter’s denial
of and later restoration by Jesus?
How
does the scene with the two criminals deepen
your understanding of God’s mercy, forgiveness,
and salvation?
What
is the significance of Jesus’ final words
of “It is finished” and what implications
are there for believers?
Heavenly
Father,We
are moved, once again, by the depth of your
love that is shown through the sacrifice
of Jesus and a love that is given to us
on a daily basis.
Thank
you, Jesus, for willingly laying your life
down for our sake. You didn’t deserve any
of the suffering you went through, yet you
took the beatings, the nails in your hands
and feet, and endured the most excruciating
pain, all in the name of love. It wasn’t
the nails that kept you on the cross, it
was your love for us. Help us to grasp the
significance and weight of this moment,
and may it be etched on our hearts forever.
Thank you for this beautiful gift of being
able to be reconciled to the Father.
Please
continue to strengthen our faith so that
if we ever come face to face with opposition
or persecution, we will not waver the way
Peter did. Give us the strength to always
stand firm in our convictions. Please forgive
us if we’ve ever denied you in any way or
if we have ever chosen convenience or image
over our commitment to you. But we humbly
thank you for the grace, mercy, and restoration
that you have waiting for us when we fall
short but return back to you.
We
are humbled by your acts of mercy, not only
on us, but also the way you constantly contend
and intercede for those who may not realize
what they’re doing. Help us to forgive those
who know not what they do. Perhaps they
don’t know their words carry bitter poison
or they don’t realize they are shooting
arrows of fire, so please soften our hearts
and help us to see them through your eyes.
Let us always be a refiection of your grace
and mercy.
I
pray that we always recognize our need to
be known by you. Like the thief on the cross,
we so desire to be with you for eternity.
Thank you for making your mercy available,
even in moments of our greatest weaknesses
and failures. Give us the courage to trust
in your promises as we cling to you in faith.
We
know that your kingdom is not of this world,
so let us not be swayed by its values but
instead seek first the kingdom of God and
your righteousness. Teach us what truth,
power, and authority are and may they be
manifested through our lives.
May
we always live out our faith publicly and
boldly. If there are ever moments where
we need to allow our faith to whisper, please
give us that discernment. We never want
to overshadow what you are doing or scream
above your voice. May our lives always be
a living testimony of your great name, unashamed
and unafraid.
Matthew
28, Two women encounter an angel at Jesus'
tomb who shares the incredible news of His
resurrection.The chief priests and elders
conspire with the Roman guards to cover
up the events surrounding the empty tomb.
The eleven disciples meet the risen Jesus
in Galilee, where He commissions them to
spread the good news of God's kingdom to
all nations.
Mark
16, Mark recounts the resurrection of Jesus
with Mary Magdalene and Mary, the mother
of James, finding a man in a long white
robe at the tomb who announces that Jesus
has risen. The women face disbelief when
they share their message about the risen
Lord. The disciples receive instructions
from Jesus and witness His ascension into
heaven, affirming their mission to carry
out His work.
BEARING
WITNESS | Matthew 28:6-7
Notice
the order of the directive here. If they
wanted to see Jesus, they would first have
to come and see and then go and tell. If
we try to go out and do ministry without
first coming and seeing where He once was,
we may end up doing the work, but it won’t
be as effective as it would be if we spent
that time with Him first. We have to be
a witness to what He has done before we
can bear witness to who He is.
Otherwise,
we will put the cart before the horse and
stall out. But if you spend time with Him
in His Word and in prayer, and when you
begin to witness what He has done, you will
see Him in ways like never before. Heart
Check.
What
have you witnessed? Are you going and telling
others about it? Do you see Him?
GREETINGS
| Matthew 28:8-10
I
love how Jesus so casually greeted these
women. When he said, “Greetings,” this would
be like us saying, “Hey guys!” or “What’s
up?” He could greet them this way because
they had a special relationship with Him.
They may have come to the tomb with the
wrong doctrine (in thinking they needed
to anoint his dead body), but their devotion
was on point, and Jesus honored this because
He is always after our affection more than
our doctrine. He wants our love more than
our legalities and a relationship with us
more than religion.
This
doesn’t mean we throw doctrine out the window,
but if we lack devotion, we may not see
Him the way these women did. Heart Check.
If
Jesus showed up in your room, how would
He greet you? What takes precedence in your
life? Religion, doctrine, and legalities?
Or relationship, devotion, and love?
Deep
Dive
In
what ways did the women at the tomb display
greater faith than others? How does this
inspire your faith?
How
does the reality of the resurrection impact
your view on life, death, and eternity?
How does this affect how you live daily?
Why
did the guards choose to lie with absurdity
instead of sharing the truth openly? What
would they gain?
Break
down the Great Commission. How can we do
this practically with those around us?
How
are disciples made?
What
does “I am with you always” truly mean and
how does it help you navigate through life?
Heavenly
Father, We
stand in awe of the empty tomb and the power
that it still holds for us today.
I
pray that we will be like the women at the
tomb, who came with such pure devotion to
honor you, even after your death. Even if
they didn’t fully understand what was taking
place, they chose to trust you anyway, and
because so, they had the privilege of seeing
you first. What an honor! I pray that we
will live our lives this way, always seeking
to love, honor, and devote our entire lives
to you. Help us to rise early and seek you
and to hear your voice every single day,
so that we can go out and bear witness to
others. I pray that we will follow your
lead and go where you call us, sharing the
good news boldly and without hesitation.
Remove any fear or hesitation that we might
have and fill us instead with courage and
wisdom.
Thank
you for the beautiful gift of grace and
mercy, especially as it is shown through
the life of Peter. We are so grateful that
no matter what we might do in our darkest
days of failure or weakness, you can still
restore us to greatness. Help us to trust
that you can still use us despite what we
may have done in our past.
Our
imperfections are often the beauty spot
on the masterpiece that you create. Thank
you for taking the tattered canvas of our
lives and painting a marvelous piece of
artwork.
Thank
you for promising to be with us to the end
of the age. That means that you are with
us in the good times and in the bad, always
guiding, comforting, empowering, and strengthening
us as we walk out our faith. I pray that
we will live out the Great Commission, making
disciples and sharing your love with others.
Give us the courage to step out of our comfort
zones so that we can teach others about
you, but more than anything, may the way
we live reflect your grace and truth.
Luke
24, Luke records the testimony of Jesus'
resurrection based on accounts from witnesses.
Some women arrive at Jesus' tomb to find
it empty and are reminded by two men of
Jesus' words that He would rise again.
Later,
two disciples encounter Jesus on the road
to Emmaus but do not initially recognize
Him. Jesus explains how the Old Testament
Scriptures foretold the Messiah, and the
disciples share this revelation with the
remaining eleven. The chapter concludes
with Jesus appearing to His disciples and
ascending into glory, leaving them as witnesses
to His resurrection and promise.
John
20,Two disciples visit Jesus' tomb and find
it open and empty. Mary Magdalene encounters
the risen Jesus and shares the news.
Later,
Jesus appears to His disciples, bringing
peace and the Holy Spirit. Thomas, who initially
doubts, is invited to see and touch Jesus'
wounds, leading to his declaration of faith.
John concludes by calling readers to believe
in Jesus as the Savior and find eternal
life in His name.
John
21, Peter receives redemption from Jesus
after his earlier denial. Following a miraculous
catch of fish, Jesus and His disciples share
a meal.
Jesus
commissions Peter to care for His fiock,
reaffirming his role in the church. John
closes the book by certifying the truth
of his testimony, ensuring its reliability
for all who read it.
ALIVE
| Luke 24:5
I
love this phrase spoken by the angel, saying
that Jesus will never be found among the
dead. But sadly, many people shy away from
Christianity because they perceive it as
“boring,” “restrictive,” or “lifeless.”
If our churches have no life in them, then
something is missing because where Jesus
is, there is supposed to be vitality. If
reading the Bible feels like a chore rather
than a privilege, then some resuscitation
may need to be in our hearts. Heart Check.
Is
your faith alive? Is there vitality in your
devotion to Him or does it feel lifeless?
WITNESS
| Luke 24:48
Sometimes,
the word “witness” gets watered down in
our minds, or we misapply it because of
the context in which we hear it.
But
when you think about what a witness is in
the context of judgment, they are the people
who have seen or experienced something and,
therefore, provide firsthand accounts of
it. Or they give testimony about what they’ve
seen, heard, or known to be true. And Jesus
declares that we are witnesses. We are not
the judge, we are not the jury, nor are
we the prosecutor or defender. All of those
roles are His, so we don’t need to be in
a seat of judgment. We simply need to share
the truth and leave the rest to Him. Heart
Check.
How
are you fulfilling your role as a witness?
PROCLAIMING
FORGIVENESS | John 20:22-23
It’s
in this moment of Jesus breathing on the
disciples that they are born again. They
are receiving a new life, the same way He
gave life when He breathed on Adam.
They
are now being empowered to go out and fulfill
the mission He is calling them to. When
He speaks about forgiveness, this is not
Jesus giving them authority to provide forgiveness,
for only God can do that, but to proclaim
it. One of the best ways we can proclaim
forgiveness is by offering it to others.
Heart Check.
How
well do you practice and proclaim forgiveness
in your daily life?
THE
RIGHT SIDE | John 21:6
I
don’t know whether Jesus was telling them
to throw their nets on the starboard side
or simply to cast them on the accurate side,
according to His command.
Either
way, this directive would require their
obedience if they wanted the results that
He promised.
The
implication here is that when we try to
do things our own way, in the way we think
is right, we may end up frustrated in the
end. But when we align with His will and
do take the steps that He tells us to take,
even when it challenges our own understanding
or experience. We have to be willing to
do it His way which is always the right
way. Heart Check.
Are
you willing to follow His guidance when
it goes against the way you typically operate?
Deep
Dive
How
can we become more aware of Jesus’ true
Presence in our lives?
What
can strengthen our faith to recall and apply
what He has previously spoken to us?
What
are you doing with the gift of the Holy
Spirit?
In
what ways can you intentionally refiect
on the hope of the Risen Christ with others?
What
does Jesus’ response to Thomas’ unbelief
say about His grace? How does this help
you to be honest with Him about your own
faith?
How
does Peter’s restoration encourage you?
What
part of the gospel resonates most with your
current situation?
Heavenly
Father,
Thank you again for the beautiful gift of
the resurrection.
Help
us to rise early to seek you each day, ready
to bless you, knowing that you will be present
with us and bless us back when we come with
pure hearts. We are so blessed that we do
not have to come to an empty tomb with uncertainty
as to what happens, for we know what happened.
We know that you defeated the grave and
proved to us that there’s nothing you can’t
do and that you can and will overcome the
impossible. So when we face moments of doubt
or fear, I pray that we will be reminded
of the empty tomb. Let our faith arise today
and be evident of the everlasting life that
you have given to us.
Help
us to remember your words in every circumstance
of our lives. Please open our eyes to be
able to see you in everything and open our
minds to understand where we may not. I
pray that nothing is ever too ordinary that
we fail to see your glory in it. We know
that all of history points to you, the same
way that today and tomorrow will as well.
Help us to find our place in your story
of redemption.
Use
us, Lord, to show others who you are as
well. I pray that their eyes will be open
to see your beauty and grace in us. We know
that we may be the only Jesus they ever
see, so I pray that we will do you proud
in the way that we refiect your character
from the depths of our hearts. Please continue
to reveal yourself to us through your Word
as you minister to us through it.
Forgive
us for any times that we may have struggled
with doubt or unbelief. But thank you for
always responding with such grace and kindness
when we do. Help us to trust you when we
can’t see or perhaps don’t know the full
story. Strengthen our faith so that we can
lead others in your truth.
Thank
you for meeting us in our weariness and
disappointment. Help us to see you on the
shoreline when we are struggling on the
hamster wheel of life. I pray that we will
be like Peter and rush to you in those times
with the same kind of fervor and love.
Thank
you for the way that you restored His heart
and calling. It’s no wonder that he jumped
out of the boat! I pray that when we are
restored in your love and grace, that we
will not take it for granted but once and
for all move in our calling and mission
that you have given to us specifically.
Help
us to stay focused on our task and not worry
about others’ around us and what you’re
doing with their lives. We know that you
have a unique plan for our lives, so help
us to fully embrace it without hesitation.
May
our hearts burn for you, even in the darkest
hours. We surrender every worry, doubt,
hope, and desire to you. Please continue
to give us peace so that we can share it
with others. May we be faithful witnesses
in boldly proclaiming your truth to others
so that we can help to usher in hope where
hope may seem to be lost. Fill us with your
power, your Presence, and your purpose,
and equip us to carry out the mission you’ve
entrusted to us. I pray that we will shout
from the rooftops with our actions and words
that you are indeed alive, and you reign
forevermore as our Savior and King.
Acts
1,Luke records the moments after Jesus’
resurrection in his sequel book, continuing
the story of Jesus’ ministry through His
disciples.
Jesus
begins with a promise that the disciples
will soon be baptized with the Holy Spirit,
empowering them for the mission to spread
the gospel to the ends of the earth. After
His ascension into heaven, the disciples
return to Jerusalem in obedience, devoting
themselves to prayer as they wait. Seeking
unity and restoration, they appoint Matthias
to replace Judas, ensuring that the group
of apostles remains complete at twelve,
representing the twelve tribes of Israel.
Acts
2, A miraculous supernatural event occurs
with the disciples on the day of Pentecost
as they are filled with the Holy Spirit.
The
Spirit descends with the sound of a rushing
wind, and tongues of fire rest upon them,
enabling them to speak in different languages.
This event symbolizes the presence of God
with His people and the spread of the gospel
to all nations. Peter boldly preaches to
the crowd, connecting these events to Old
Testament prophecy and calling them to repentance
and baptism in the name of Jesus. Thousands
respond, joining the growing fellowship
of believers.
Acts
3, Peter and John encounter a lame beggar
at the temple gate called Beautiful as they
walk to the temple for prayer.
Through
faith in Jesus’ name, Peter heals the man,
causing amazement among the people as the
once-lame man leaps and praises God. Seizing
the opportunity, Peter preaches the gospel
to the gathered crowd, emphasizing their
need for repentance and faith in Jesus,
whom they had rejected and crucified. He
calls them to turn from their sins so that
times of refreshing may come from the Lord,
showcasing the power of Christ's name to
transform lives both physically and spiritually.
Acts
4, Peter and John are brought before the
council of the Sadducees for their bold
preaching of Jesus’ resurrection.
Despite
threats and interrogation, the apostles
confidently proclaim that salvation is found
in no one else but Jesus. The council is
astonished by their courage, recognizing
them as ordinary men who had been with Jesus.
Upon their release, the disciples gather
with other believers to pray, praising God
for His sovereignty and asking for boldness
to continue proclaiming His Word. Their
prayers are answered as the Holy Spirit
fills them anew, empowering them to speak
the Word of God with boldness and unify
the growing community of believers.
Acts
5, The sudden deaths of Ananias and Sapphira
for their dishonesty in withholding part
of their offering instills reverent fear
among the growing church.
This
event underscores the seriousness of integrity
and honesty in their commitment to God and
the Spirit’s presence within the church.
Despite the fear, the apostles continue
to perform signs and wonders, attracting
even more believers to the faith. However,
the high priest and the council arrest the
apostles for their preaching, attempting
to silence them. Undeterred, the apostles
rejoice that they are considered worthy
to suffer for the name of Jesus, setting
an example of unwavering faith amidst persecution.
Acts
6, Seven men, including Stephen, are elected
to oversee the distribution of food to widows,
ensuring fairness and care for the vulnerable
among the believers.
This
decision allows the apostles to focus on
prayer and the ministry of the Word, demonstrating
the importance of leadership roles in a
growing church. Stephen, full of faith and
the Holy Spirit, performs great wonders
and signs among the people, provoking opposition
from some members of the synagogue. Unable
to counter his wisdom and Spirit-filled
speech, they falsely accuse him of blasphemy
and bring him before the council, setting
the stage for his powerful testimony in
the next chapter.
THE
GIFTS | Acts 1
Acts
1 sets the foundation for the early church
as Jesus ascends into heaven and commissions
His disciples to wait for the gift of the
Holy Spirit. This chapter challenges us
to refiect on the gifts left by Jesus, including
His teachings, the empowerment of the Holy
Spirit, and the mission to be His witnesses
to the ends of the earth. As we wait and
trust, how do we prepare ourselves for His
direction and empowerment? Heart Check.
Are
you fully embracing the gifts Jesus has
given you, and how are you using them to
live as His witness?
CHURCH
GROWTH | Acts 2
The
day of Pentecost marks the beginning of
the church's explosive growth as the Holy
Spirit fills the believers. The imagery
of tongues of fire above their heads shows
God's presence resting upon them individually,
signaling that each believer is now a living
temple. As we experience the Spirit's presence
today, we are reminded of our role to be
vessels of His work and to carry the message
of salvation boldly. Heart Check.
How
are you allowing the Holy Spirit to work
through you to build up the church and share
the gospel with others?
HEALING
| Acts 3
In
Acts 3, Peter and John heal a lame man at
the temple gate in Jesus' name. This miracle
is a demonstration of faith and the authority
given to believers through Christ. The healed
man leaps with joy, and the event opens
the door for Peter to preach about Jesus'
resurrection and call the people to repentance.
This reminds us that our actions can point
others to Christ when done in faith. Heart
Check.
Do
your words and actions reflect the power
and authority of Jesus, pointing others
toward Him?
BOLDNESS
| Acts 4
The
early church faces opposition from authorities,
yet Peter and John boldly proclaim the truth
of Jesus Christ. When commanded to stop
speaking in His name, they respond with
obedience to God over man. The church’s
prayer for boldness teaches us to rely on
God in the face of opposition and to pray
instead of protest. Heart Check.
When
faced with challenges, are you bold enough
to stand for God’s truth, even when it goes
against cultural or political pressure?
Special
Prayer | Prayer for boldness in Acts 4:29-30
for modern times:
“Lord,
grant us boldness to speak Your Word without
fear, and may Your Spirit work through us
to bring healing and hope to those around
us.”
HONESTY
& INTEGRITY | Acts 5
The
story of Ananias and Sapphira is a sobering
reminder of the Spirit’s role in church
accountability. Their deceit was judged
immediately, showing that God values honesty
and reverence in His people. While we may
not face the same immediate consequences,
we should not test the Spirit through dishonesty
or lack of integrity in our lives. Heart
Check.
Are
you being fully honest and transparent with
God and others, or are there areas where
you are testing the Spirit?
ROLES
IN THE CHURCH | Acts 6
Acts
6 highlights the growth of the church and
the need to establish clear roles, including
deacons to serve and apostles to teach.
This passage also distinguishes between
the voluntary sharing of resources among
believers and government-mandated redistribution,
showing the Spirit-led generosity of the
early church. It reminds us to serve willingly
in our God-given roles for the fiourishing
of the body of Christ.Heart Check.
Are
you staying faithful to your God-given role,
and how are you serving others in your church
community?
Deep
Dive
How
does the promise of the Holy Spirit in Acts
1:8 encourage us to fulfill the Great Commission
in our daily lives?
In
what ways does the imagery of fire and wind
at Pentecost connect to God’s presence in
the Old Testament?
How
does the healing of the lame man in Acts
3 illustrate the authority and compassion
of Jesus working through His disciples?
When
faced with opposition like Peter and John
in Acts 4, how can we pray for boldness
and discernment to stand firm in our faith?
What
lessons can we learn from the story of Ananias
and Sapphira in Acts 5 about honesty, accountability,
and the Holy Spirit’s role in church life?
How
does the appointment of deacons in Acts
6 challenge us to identify and fulfill our
own spiritual calling to serve the body
of Christ?
Heavenly
Father, Thank
You for the incredible gift of the Holy
Spirit, sent to us as a counselor, guide,
and source of power.
We
are in awe of the death and resurrection
of Jesus Christ, which made this gift possible.
Without His sacrifice, there would be no
gospel, no reconciliation, and no empowerment
to live for You. We thank You that through
salvation, we receive this gift freely,
and it is available to all who call upon
Your name.
Lord,
we pray that the Holy Spirit would go before
us, guiding our words, actions, and deeds,
and nudging us to share Your truth with
a world in need. We ask that hearts of stone
be transformed into hearts of fiesh, open
to the nudging and calling of Your Spirit.
Let us never be indifferent or stubborn
in rejecting Your guidance. Protect us from
blaspheming the Spirit by closing off our
hearts to You.
We
are deeply grateful for the example set
by the early church, as recorded in Acts.
Their boldness, generosity, and reliance
on the Spirit inspire us to live with the
same zeal and commitment. Lord, may we embrace
radical generosity, whether through our
time, finances, skills, or talents, and
use everything we have to steward well the
gifts You have given us. Help us to discern
how to best serve Your kingdom, not for
fame or recognition, but to bring glory
to Your name.
Teach
us to approach You with integrity of heart,
as we remember the sobering lesson of Ananias
and Sapphira. Let us live honestly before
You, knowing that nothing is hidden from
Your sight. May we seek to please You above
all else, rejecting the temptation to deceive
or seek the approval of man.
Father,
we acknowledge the importance of roles and
structure within Your church. Help us to
embrace the opportunities to serve in ways
that lift up and strengthen the body of
Christ. Let us see growth and organization
not as a burden, but as a refiection of
Your order and purpose. May we trust in
Your sovereignty and wisdom as we work together
to further Your kingdom.
Finally,
Lord, we ask for boldness. Just as the early
disciples prayed in Acts 4, grant us the
courage to speak Your Word without fear,
even in the face of opposition. Let us burn
with a holy passion to proclaim Your truth,
regardless of the cost, knowing that we
are empowered by the Spirit who raised Christ
from the dead.
We
offer this prayer with hearts full of gratitude,
love, and surrender.
Acts
7, Stephen delivers a bold and convicting
speech to the council, recounting Israel’s
history and their repeated rejection of
God’s messengers.
He
rebukes them for their stubbornness and
resistance to the Holy Spirit, drawing parallels
to their ancestors' disobedience.
The
council, enraged by Stephen’s accusations,
stones him to death, making him the first
martyr of the Christian faith. Stephen’s
final moments echo Jesus’ words as he prays
for forgiveness for his persecutors.
Acts
8, Saul intensifies his persecution of the
church, scattering believers and fueling
the spread of the gospel.
Philip
preaches in Samaria, where many believe,
including a man practicing magic who marvels
at the power of God. Later, Philip encounters
an Ethiopian eunuch struggling to understand
Isaiah's prophecy. Philip explains the Scriptures,
leading the eunuch to faith in Jesus and
baptism, illustrating the expanding reach
of the gospel.
REPRESENT
| Acts 7:54
The
Word of God did what scripture says it would
do—it cut straight to these men’s hearts.
The Word of God will be offensive where
sin reigns.
But
instead of allowing that conviction to bring
these men to a place of humility, they became
enraged. Instead of being a representation
of heaven and humbly submitting, they represented
the gnashing of teeth in hell. Our reaction
to offense will display what is in our hearts.
If we claim that the Holy Spirit dwells
within us, then out of our hearts should
come words of love, grace, and kindness.
But if there is constant bitterness, anger,
and criticism fiowing from our mouths, we
may want to ask ourselves who dwells within
and what we’re representing. Heart Check.
Who
do you represent? How do you respond when
you’re offended? Is it heavenly or hellish?
ABILITY
| Acts 8:18-21
Because
of this incident, many have questioned whether
Simon was ever truly saved. He had the head
knowledge, but his heart was still mixed
up. He wanted to purchase this power so
that he could use it for his own glory.
But
we know that God doesn’t share His glory,
and He doesn’t give us abilities so we can
get rich or so we can be put into the limelight.
If that is our goal, we really should check
our hearts. Heart Check.
Are
you wishing or asking for abilities or opportunities
so you can gain recognition or glory? Or
are you using the gifts you already have
for the sake of His glory?
STEPS
OF OBEDIENCE | Acts 8
I
love Philip’s journey because we see how
he fiowed with God. He didn’t stay stuck
but rather took obedient steps that led
him through different seasons.
Sometimes,
we can get so hellbent on a specific part
of our calling that we will ignore the voice
of the Holy Spirit that tells us to arise
and go. As a deacon, Philip went from waiting
tables to becoming an evangelist to raising
four prophetic daughters.
But
imagine if he didn’t take what seemed like
a demotion and go down to the desert. If
he had instead decided to stay where it
seemed easy and fruitful, he may have never
crossed the border, which would have led
to spreading the gospel to all nations.
Heart Check.
Are
you stuck in your journey? Have you taken
the steps that the Lord has been telling
you to take?
CONFINING
GOD | Acts 7:44-50
Stephen
is now confronting their idol worship of
the temple. Because they felt God’s Presence
was confined to the temple only, they would
worship Him there and then go out and live
as they pleased. Today this would be called
“Sunday morning Christianity.” But God is
no respecter of places and times, so if
we confine Him to one place only, we are
setting ourselves up for lukewarm living.
We will call Him Lord, but not actually
give him lordship over our lives. Heart
Check.
Do
you confne God to a certain place or time?
Or does He have full reign over your life?
Deep
Dive
Where
can you find Jesus in Stephen’s historical
account?
Why
is Stephen emphasizing God’s Presence outside
the temple?
How
does Stephen’s critique of the Sanhedrin’s
hardened hearts and resistance to the Holy
Spirit resonate today?
How
does this great persecution set the stage
for the early church and the spread of the
gospel? How does this link persecution and
evangelism?
Why
was it important for Philip to preach in
Samaria? What did the people’s response
reveal about the transformative power of
the gospel?
Where
does missionary work fall in terms of your
faith?
Heavenly
Father,Thank
you for this beautiful reminder of your
Presence and love all throughout history.
From
Abraham to Moses and through all your prophets,
you have revealed yourself and guided your
people in every season. We are so grateful
that you are not confined to a temple or
a specific place, and that you dwell within
us, leading us wherever we go. I pray that
we never forget this, even in the smallest
details. May we always be aware of your
presence so that we can refiect your heartbeat
in every word we speak and every step we
take.
Forgive
us for any times that we may have hardened
our hearts or resisted your call. We want
to live our lives in full surrender to you,
for we know that if we only partially obey,
the full promise for our lives will be on
hold. So keep us moving in our faith today,
because we know that you are not static.
You are constantly moving, so we want to
move with you in this pilgrimage of life.
I
pray that we will be like Stephen, who was
so bold in his faith, even when he faced
such grave opposition. Fill us with the
courage to speak your truth and to recall
scripture so that we can be on the offense
instead of the defense. Even if it comes
at a cost, I pray that we will not waver
but stand firm and hold our position. When
we do see the stones being hurled at us,
I pray that instead of looking down on people,
we will instead look up and see your glory.
May your grace shine upon us so that we
will respond with forgiveness and compassion
just as you do. Thank you, Jesus, for reigning
in power and for being our Advocate. I pray
that our lives always bear witness to your
glory, pointing them to the hope and salvation
that can only be found in you.
Thank
you for the life of Philip, who courageously
sacrificed his life so that the gospel could
go forth. May we be vessels of your message,
carrying it to the ends of the earth, and
running this race with a passion, knowing
that the reward of seeing you face to face
is drawing nearer.
While
it is hard to thank you for persecution,
we know that you will work all things for
good, so we thank you for the way you have
always used it to fulfill your greater purpose.
Thank you for the example of the early church
and the way they endured persecution while
boldly proclaiming the gospel wherever they
went.
Help
us to be this way as we trust in your sovereignty
and always look to glorify you in every
opportunity. Thank you for the way you have
always broken through religious and cultural
barriers. We heard your word that the gospel
should be preached to the ends of the earth
and we have seen you do it. Please open
our hearts to see every single person as
valuable to the kingdom, just the way that
you do.
Please
continue to guide us, Holy Spirit, and awaken
our spirits to your leading. I pray that
our ears will be in tune with your voice
so that we will not fear when you call us
into a new season. We know that there are
divine appointments on your calendar, so
let us be aware of those moments so that
we do not miss it. Let us be joy seekers
and joy carriers to everyone around us so
that they may know the transformative power
of your love. We are so grateful for the
way it has changed our lives.
Acts
9, Saul encounters the risen Lord Jesus
on the road to Damascus, a moment that dramatically
transforms his life and mission. Blinded
by the encounter, he is led into the city,
where Ananias restores his sight and baptizes
him following the Lord's command. Saul begins
proclaiming Jesus as the Son of God in the
synagogue, shocking many who knew him as
a fierce persecutor of Christians. His bold
preaching leads to threats against his life,
forcing him to fiee the city.
In
Jerusalem, believers are skeptical of Saul's
conversion until Barnabas vouches for him.
Meanwhile, Peter continues ministering in
the region, healing a paralyzed man named
Aeneas in Lydda and raising a beloved disciple,
Dorcas (Tabitha), from the dead in Joppa,
leading many to believe in the Lord.
Acts
10, Peter and Cornelius, a centurion, both
receive divine visions that reshape the
church's understanding of God’s impartiality.
Cornelius is instructed to send for Peter,
while Peter’s vision challenges Jewish dietary
laws, symbolizing that God does not show
favoritism between Jews and Gentiles.
When
Peter meets Cornelius and his household,
he preaches the Gospel, declaring that Jesus
is Lord of all. As Peter speaks, the Holy
Spirit falls upon the Gentiles, marking
their inclusion in God’s family. Witnessing
this, Peter orders them to be baptized,
emphasizing the universality of salvation
through Jesus Christ.
CONVERSION
STORY | Acts 9:1-19
This
is where we see the “official” conversion
of Paul, which models what every conversion
should look like. Jesus reveals Himself
in a personal way, He confronts their sin,
they respond to Him, they wait on His “next
steps,” and then as we will see Paul do,
they get into fellowship.
Not
every conversion will be a grand and spectacular
event like Paul’s. In fact, many will be
a quieter affair, but it doesn’t make it
any less significant. Heart Check.
What
is your conversion or salvation story? Would
you be able to communicate it to others?
TARSUS
| Acts 9:30
Paul
is sent back to his hometown of Tarsus and
will live there for a good 8-10 years. This
verse encouraged me for many years because
I knew I had a greater calling in my life,
but it wasn’t happening the way I knew it
should. After all, I was living my best
life as a TV host, traveling the world and
eating the best food, yet I knew there was
a greater promise that I would speak to
the nations.
So
I held on to this verse, knowing that Paul
had to live in obscurity for almost a decade
before he would become one of the most extraordinary
men of faith ever to live. This didn’t mean
he wasn’t doing anything in the process—Tarsus
was a university city. Paul likely had his
head in the books as God did some rewiring
before releasing him.
And
now in hindsight, I realize that God needed
to do some significant handiwork in me before
He could also send me out. I had some spiritual
and personal issues to deal with that went
all the way back to my childhood. He also
needed to teach me video editing and was
giving me more time in front of the camera
as well as more devotional time in His Word.
But
I had to first put away my agenda and literally
come to live in the desert before He would
give me the next steps. It took decades,
but He was faithful even when I wasn’t.
Heart Check.
Are
you wondering when the Lord will use you?
Do you feel like doors keep shutting or
that you aren’t in the right place? Do you
trust that you may be in your Tarsus?
PRACTICAL
CALLING | Acts 9:36
We
are about to see how this woman, who was
full of good works and acts of charity,
set forth a revival without even trying.
She wasn’t a preacher, evangelist, miracle
worker, or an apostle. She was a seamstress!
She didn’t have some grandiose spiritual
assignment, yet God would use her life in
an amazing way.
This
is so important for us to catch because
most of us are like Tabitha. We have helpful
gifts, but sometimes, we think they aren’t
valuable enough in the kingdom of God. Yet
I believe the Lord is showing us through
her life that we need more people like her,
who are simply using their practical gifts
for good. Heart Check.
Are
you using your gifts for good? Or are you
looking for some grandiose spiritual calling
while missing out on the practical purpose
for your life?
WILLING
AND ABLE | Acts 9
I
love this chapter because it shows us how
the power of God can work through “ordinary”
people who are faithful to God’s call. These
people ask, “What do you want me to do,
Lord?” they respond accordingly, from Ananias,
who courageously went to lay hands on Saul,
to Barnabus, who willingly took Saul in
when everyone else feared him.
We
even see how God worked through the big
dogs like Saul and Peter when they did what
He asked them to do. These men were all
like the most critical passengers in an
airplane—the ones who sit in the exit row.
They
must verbally respond to the fiight attendant’s
question, “Are you willing and able to assist
in the unlikely event of an emergency?”
If they don’t say, “Yes,” they can’t sit
there.
God
is calling on us today, as the most critical
people on His plane, to assist in what I
believe is now an emergency to prepare people
for Jesus’ return. Heart Check.
Are
you willing and able to assist in today’s
emergency? Have you opened yourself up to
the Lord to say, “Here I am. What do you
want me to do?”
CHALLENGING
GOD | Acts 10:14
Here
goes Peter, acting or speaking out before
stopping and thinking, and because so, he
ends up literally arguing with the Lord
here due to his own cultural and religious
biases.
He
was so convinced that he knew better concerning
both food and the Gentiles that he challenged
what God told him to do because he doubted
that God would call him out of his deeply
steeped tradition. It took a three-part
vision from heaven to finally get it through
his thick skull that what God was saying
was true. Heart Check.
Is
there something the Lord is trying to reveal
or make clear to you that is being hindered
by your own opinion about what He is saying?
Do you have any preconceived notions that
may be limiting your understanding of God’s
work?
Deep
Dive
Why
do you think God chose Saul for such a critical
mission?
How
does Saul’s conversion display the grace
of God? How does this shape your view of
who is redeemable?
How
does each person in Chapter 9 play a role
in the shaping of the Christian faith and
mission?
What
can we learn about the process of salvation
in Chapter 10, particularly through the
life of Cornelius?
In
what ways did Peter display the breaking
of barriers? Culturally, nationally, and
socially? How can we apply this to our lives?
Why
does Peter insist on being baptized immediately
after witnessing the work of the Holy Spirit?
Heavenly
Father, Thank
you that no one is out of the reach of your
love and transformative power.
Thank
you for calling us out of our own spiritual
blindness, the way that you did with Saul.
Thank you for saving us, Jesus, because
only you can do that by the convicting work
of your Holy Spirit. Please continue to
renew us daily, drawing us closer to you
with every step that you reveal to us. I
pray that our spiritual ears will be open
to hearing your voice that calls down from
heaven and reaches the depths of our souls.
And when we hear it, may we say, “Here I
am Lord, what do you want me to do?” We
are willing and able to assist, so use us
as you please, and for your greater purpose.
Forgive
us if we have continued to persecute you
in the way that we tear down other believers.
I pray that we will see this clearly today
so that we will be reminded of it if we
ever have that desire. I pray that we will,
instead, fight for unity among the church,
despite our differences. Let us be instruments
of healing and restoration, just as Ananias
was to Saul. I pray that we will move beyond
the fear of the challenge or opposition
that we may endure when we are bold to step
out in faith. And may we extend your love
and forgiveness, especially to those we
may fear or misunderstand.
I
pray that we will be those who welcome others
in and who encourage like Barnabus did.
Help us to see the potential in them and
advocate for them within the body of Christ.
I pray that we will be bridge builders and
conquer the divide once and for all as we
trust in your ability to work in every person,
even the most unlikely and undeserving.
May
we trust you in seasons of obscurity or
quietness, where it seems like we are not
getting very far or perhaps we are at a
standstill. Help us to see how you are,
perhaps, doing some rewiring or reworking
so that we can be renewed before we are
released. We know that we all have a great
calling on our lives, so may we never lose
heart when it isn’t going as we plan. Help
us to put away our agendas and simply be
obedient to your commands. Strengthen us
to live out our faith in way that draws
others closer to you so that your church
can grow in comfort and peace.
I
pray that we will all take inventory today
of the gifts and calling that you have placed
on our lives and may we use them for good.
Even what may seem like the smallest or
most practical of gifts, let us recognize
how incredibly valuable they are to you
and in the kingdom. I pray that we will
focus on our journey and not compare it
to others and how you are using them. We
know that you can take what may seem insignificant
and turn it into something extraordinary
without us ever striving. Help us to simply
fiow with you, knowing that you are working
all things for our good.
Thank
you for showing no partiality—your love
is truly boundless. If we seek you with
sincerity, you will hear us and respond
to us. May we be a people of fervent prayer,
generosity, and reverence for you, the way
Cornelius was. Help us to be ready to hear
you when someone comes to speak a word to
us. I pray that you will remove any preconceived
notions that may be limiting our view of
you and what you want to do. Break down
any barriers that may be keeping us from
sharing your love with others.
Thank
you for the gift of salvation that comes
only through the death and resurrection
that grants us forgiveness of sin when we
believe and repent. We ask for a fresh outpouring
of your Spirit so that we can be empowered
to live our lives for the sake of your glory.
Fill us with boldness to declare this Good
News to all so that the world can be filled
with this same eternal hope.
In
Acts 11, Peter faces criticism from Jewish
believers for eating with Gentiles, prompting
him to recount his vision and the outpouring
of the Holy Spirit on the Gentiles. This
moment highlights God’s impartiality and
the inclusion of all people in His kingdom.
As
persecution of Christ's followers spread
across the Roman Empire, the church grew
stronger and more determined. Barnabas,
seeing the great work being done in Antioch,
seeks out Saul to help teach and strengthen
the believers there.
Acts
12 details the increasing persecution of
believers under Herod’s rule. Herod has
James, the brother of John, put to death
and imprisons Peter to further suppress
the church. Miraculously, Peter is freed
by an angel, becoming a powerful witness
to God’s deliverance.
The
chapter ends with Herod’s downfall as he
dies under divine judgment, a stark reminder
of God’s sovereignty and justice
STANDING
IN THE WAY | Acts 11:1-18
Peter
repeats, in detail, everything that happened
in chapter 10, and Luke felt the need to
record this twice. Why?
Because
the Holy Spirit felt it was an important
message that needed to be drilled into the
reader's hearts. That would’ve been a huge
scroll! But the heart of the matter here
is that Jesus came and turned the world
and all of its traditions on its head. The
Jews thought they were the only ones who
were privy to His Presence and His leading.
Yet
through the vision of Peter, He made it
very clear that they were indeed set apart,
but for the sake of being an example to
all the nations. They were the original
witnesses but failed to do it. So now Peter
is tasked with the unconventional work of
ministering to the Gentiles, and he does
so without the fear that he once had of
people. Heart Check.
Have
you ever hesitated to follow God’s leading
because you were afraid of what others would
think? Are you trying to get Him to do things
your way? Or are you refusing to stand in
His way knowing that His ways are higher?
CELEBRATING
OTHERS | Acts 11:18
Secondly,
because Peter was obedient, his message
came across so clearly that the Jewish people
were literally silenced. Their mouths were
gaping as it all started to make sense,
and in response, they were able to praise
God for His work in the lives of the Gentiles.
This a beautiful thing when we can get to
a place where we are able to celebrate God
working in someone else’s life. Heart Check.
Are
you able to celebrate God working in others’
lives? Or does it create jealousy or anxiety?
VISION
STEPS | Acts 12:9
Peter
displays such incredible obedience. Even
though he thought he was dreaming, he followed
the directions he was given and took the
steps that ultimately set him free.
I
believe that some people stay stuck in certain
seasons of their lives because they think
that their dreams or desires are mere visions.
They think it’s too good to be true. But
what if God is trying to set us free through
those very dreams? Heart Check.
Do
you have a dream that the Lord has laid
on your heart? What step of faith can you
take to start moving forward?
TRUSTING
GOD’S SOVEREIGNTY | Acts 12:11
Peter
is being very honest as he boldly proclaims
that he knew it was the Lord who saved him.
In other words, he was declaring the sovereignty
of God.
Others
might say, “Why would God allow James to
be beheaded and Peter to be rescued?” much
in the same way that they ask today, “Why
would He protect some children while allowing
others to be brutally murdered?”
We
may never know the answer, but if we fully
trust in His sovereignty and goodness, then
we will have a peace that doesn’t make sense
when those questions arise. Heart check.
Do
you fully trust in the goodness and sovereignty
of God? Do you believe He is really in control?
Deep
Dive
How
does the outpouring of the Holy Spirit validate
God’s inclusive nature?
What
does this reading reveal about salvation
as a gift of grace for all people?
Why
was it significant for the disciples at
Antioch to be called “Christians”?
How
do you view the interconnection of the global
church? How can we be more intentional in
reaching others outside of our social and
cultural borders?
If
God is sovereign, why does He call us to
earnest prayer?
Why
does Luke emphasize angelic intervention?
Does it still exist today?
Heavenly
Father, Thank
you for being a God who breaks down barriers.
The
way you extend your love, grace, and salvation
to all people is such a beautiful thing.
I pray that we see it as such and never
limit it to our norms. Help us to see others
as worthy of your love and redemption, just
the same way that you see them. Please forgive
us if we have ever allowed prejudice, fear,
or tradition to stand in the way your work
and what you were doing in the lives of
others. I pray that we will instead bring
you glory as we celebrate your work in them
and through them.
I
pray that we will be open to seeing and
hearing your purpose, not only for ourselves,
but for the greater good of your people.
Use us as your instruments to carry the
Good News to others, not just within our
walls, but outside the boundaries of our
comfort zone. We ask that your Holy Spirit
will fall upon us, empowering us with spiritual
gifts and enacting them in us so that we
can use them for your greater purpose. Let
us remain faithful with steadfast purpose,
aligning ourselves with your Word and your
will, and may your hand be upon every work
that we do. You have made us glad, so I
pray that it will be evident in the joy
that is shown in our countenance.
I
pray that we will be like Barnabus, committing
ourselves to lifting others up, teaching
them, training them, and discipling them
so they can work with you to grow the church.
Inspire us to live with open hearts that
are generous. If we are able to help others
in need, I pray that you will show us where
to give.
Teach
us also to pray earnestly, especially when
it feels as though world is coming down
upon us. We know that your mighty hand is
at work, the same way that it was when Peter
was freed from prison. I pray that if we
ever become paralyzed in any way, that you
will break the chains that are holding us
down and free us up as we take steps of
obedience. Thank you for hearing our prayers,
even when they are offered up with a tiny
amount of faith. We know that you can and
will do exceedingly more than we could ever
ask for or imagine, so let us rise above
any doubt as we continue to trust in your
promises, especially when we face what seems
impossible. And help us to trust in your
sovereign will, knowing that you are always
working everything for good and for your
glory.
Please
guard our hearts against pride or self-glory
and may we always walk humbly before you
as we bring you glory in everything we do.
We know that every victory, every success,
and every good gift comes from above.
We
pray for the global church and ask that
you will continue to bring us together in
unity and love. Help us to overcome division
and to instead work together for the expansion
of your kingdom. Let us be a people who
bear good fruit and shine your light so
that others will be drawn in. May the Presence
that dwells within be evident to the whole
world.
Acts
13, Barnabas and Saul embark on their first
missionary journey, proclaiming the Gospel
of Christ.
In
Cyprus, they confront a false Jewish prophet,
Elymas, rebuking him and striking him with
blindness as a demonstration of God's power.
Saul, now referred to as Paul, preaches
boldly with Barnabas in the synagogue of
Antioch, sharing the message of salvation.
However, their ministry stirs opposition
among some Jews in the area.
Saul:
His Hebrew name is used primarily in a Jewish
context. It aligns with his Jewish heritage
and upbringing as a Pharisee. Paul: This
is his Roman (or Greek) name, used in Gentile
contexts, mainly as he ministered to non-Jewish
audiences across the Roman Empire.
This
dual naming practice was common among Jews
living in the Greco-Roman world, where they
often had both a Hebrew and a Roman/Greek
name. In Acts, the shift from "Saul"
to "Paul" occurs as he begins
his ministry to the Gentiles, signifying
his broader mission as the Apostle to the
Gentiles (Acts 13:9). The name "Paul"
helped him relate more effectively to the
diverse, non-Jewish communities he was reaching.
Acts
14, Paul and Barnabas continue their mission,
preaching the Gospel in the synagogue of
Iconium and performing miracles. In Lystra,
the people mistake Paul and Barnabas for
Greek gods after witnessing a miraculous
healing, attempting to offer sacrifices
to them. Paul is later stoned by a hostile
crowd and left for dead but miraculously
survives.
Upon
returning to Antioch, the church celebrates
with Paul and Barnabas, praising God for
opening the door of salvation to the Gentiles.
PRAISE
& ADULATION | Acts 14:8-14
Some
may look at all the opposition Paul and
Barnabus faced and never consider that this
incident could’ve very well been the most
dangerous situation for them personally
and ministerially. Because they were being
lifted up and honored as if they were gods,
that fiattery could’ve so easily distracted
them from their original purpose.
Thankfully,
they did the right thing and corrected this
misunderstanding. But imagine if they had
taken this opportunity to live it up in
this newfound glory. Heart Check.
Do
you give the glory back to God when you
are faced with praise and adulation?
Deep
Dive
Why
did the Holy Spirit speak to the church
community in Antioch as a whole rather than
to Paul or Barnabus individually?
How
does fasting, praying, and laying on of
hands emphasize the importance of community
and discernment in mission work?
How
does the retelling of the history of Israel
connect the promises of God to the coming
of Jesus?
What
can confirm the message of the gospel if
we can’t see signs and wonders?
How
can we contribute to developing and supporting
godly leaders in our local churches?
Why
was it important for Paul and Barnabus to
return to the cities where they faced opposition?
Heavenly
Father, Thank
you for teaching us about the foundation
of the early church.
We
know that there is power when we minister
to you first and foremost before we try
to minister for you.Worship, prayer, and
fasting is so critical in ensuring that
our relationship with you is solid and that
we will be able to hear and receive our
calling from you.
Teach
us to continually seek you with earnestness
and to always heed the work of the Spirit
in our lives. Please give us courage and
boldness to go out and proclaim the gospel,
even in informal settings. We don’t need
to stand at a pulpit to have a massive impact
on people, so show us who to speak to and
what to say.
Help
us to trust in your power to overcome any
resistance or opposition and give us greater
discernment to know when there is a spiritual
battle at hand. Ultimately, your message
cannot be stopped, and neither can we when
we trust in you. Strengthen us to stand
firm and speak truth with love, just as
Paul did with Elymas.
Help
us to build the bridge between your truth
and people’s lives so that they can understand
it. May we be bearers of your revelation
but also teachers to help them apply your
Word and live out their purpose. May we
never grow wear in sharing your love, even
if we face rejection or opposition.
Please
give us a heart for the nations, being a
beacon of hope and bearers of light in the
darkness. I pray that we will display the
joy that comes when we continue in your
grace so that it will be something that
is desired by others. Break down any barriers
in our hearts that may be keeping us from
loving others the way you do.
Continue
to reveal yourself to us through history,
through your Word, and through fellowship
with one another. We know that you can show
yourself in so many ways, but we have to
be open to seeing it, so let the scales
fall from our eyes today. And may we keep
our eyes fixed on you, especially in times
of success or victory. I pray that we always
use those moments to bring you glory and
point others to your grace and kindness.
We
pray for leaders in the church today, both
present and future. May we raise up faithful
leaders who will shepherd your people with
faithfulness. Give them increased wisdom
and love and may they lead us in contending
for unity and focusing on the mission you’ve
given to us.
Thank
you for opening the door of faith to every
person. Help us to carry this message to
every person we meet, trusting you in those
moments to give us the words to speak and
knowing that you will use our efforts for
your glory. Fill us with your Spirit now
so that we may continue in the world of
building your kingdom.
James
1, James writes to believers about the testing
of their faith. He encourages them to continually
ask for wisdom and to be joyful in their
moments of trial. He says that once a believer
is born, faith is evident in all manners
of life. The believer's speech, self-control,
and actions will match what they profess.
James
2, James tells the believer to remember
that the Lord does not view man as the world
views him. Partiality should not be evident
in the believer's life, nor should the desire
for true justice toward the law and our
Lord. The believer is reminded that just
professing one's faith is not enough because
even demons believe God exists. Faith is
lived out as one loves the Lord and one's
neighbor.
James
3, James writes about the power of the tongue.
He warns the believer that the tongue will
reveal the nature of the heart and carry
blessings or curses with it. When the believer
lacks wisdom in situations, he points out
that true wisdom comes from God, and they
must understand the difference between true
wisdom and wisdom of the world.
James
4, James continues to write about avoiding
becoming worldly. They must submit themselves
fully to the Lord and resist the devil and
his schemes to draw them away from the Lord.
He asks that the believer stay focused on
the present and be cautious when planning.
They must trust that only the Lord knows
what will face them tomorrow.
James
5, James warns those who put their souls
into temporary earthly treasures. These
treasures do not last and distract them
from loving their neighbor. The Lord sees
all and will vindicate those harmed during
selfish earthly pursuits. The believer is
asked to be patient with the Lord and stay
strong in their faith in Him. Blessings
come to those who remain steadfast in their
faith and continue to work for the Lord.
James
reminds the believer to be consistently
unwavering in prayer to the Lord, no matter
the circumstances. The believer's prayer
will praise the Lord in all situations,
whether through blessings or suffering.
He asks the believers not to be shy about
seeking accountability for things they may
be struggling with. In prayer, the faith
of the believers will strengthen as they
seek to fiourish together.
TRIALS
| James 1:2-3
The
Greek word for trials is peirasmos which
has two meanings depending on the context.
In this case, it implies a trial that will
test our faith. It can also mean temptation,
which is different from testing as we will
see later in the text.
One
comes from God and one comes from the devil.
Testing or trials are never intended to
destroy us, because that is Satan’s job—he
comes to steal, kill, and destroy. Testing
is for the strengthening of our faith, but
it’s going to take some work. It’s kind
of like going through school. For most of
us, we didn’t enjoy the loads of homework
and projects and papers we had to write.
But
when you do the homework, projects, papers,
and study for your tests, you usually get
a good grade, you become smarter, and you
grow in your ability to do more things and
hopefully live a decent life.
But
there’s a test that is required to prove
that you really learned the material. That’s
what testing does in our lives—we can read
the Bible all year long, but if we never
have anything to apply the “how to,” there
will never be proof that this Word had an
effect on our lives.
Job
was tested so God could prove how faithful
both He and Job were in the end. God didn’t
allow any of that just to make him miserable.
He chose Job because He knew that Job would
pass the test, and this would prove that
what the enemy meant for evil, God would
turn for good.
So
anytime we face difficulty or trials, know
that the devil will be there trying to get
you to fail, but God is also right there
promising to give you the strength you need
and promising to see you through. So there
is an opportunity to either become stronger
in your faith or to fold and let it destroy
you. The difference will come in the studying
and applying of the material (the Word)
and seeking help from the Teacher. Heart
Check.
How
do you deal with testing or trials? Do you
go to the books (the Word) or the Teacher
to draw strength? Or do you fold under the
enemy’s desire to destroy you?
DOUBLE-MINDED
| James 1:5-8
This
double-mindedness describes a person who
has a divided loyalty, meaning they aren’t
completely sold out on Christianity. They
take the parts of God’s Word that they like
while reserving the right to either follow
the rest of it or not. They are on a seesaw,
with their feelings and the teachings of
culture or society on one side and devotion
and God’s commands on the other. Depending
on the day, they will choose which side
they want to sit on. Heart Check.
Are
you double-minded? Or have you committed
wholeheartedly to what the Lord has spoken?
REACTION
| James 1:19-20
This
means that acting out in anger will never
produce the right thing, whereas holding
your tongue, listening, and trusting God
to do His thing will. And this isn’t easy
to do. It is more natural for us to complain
and get defensive when someone comes against
or offends us. It is not natural to keep
our mouths shut and to hear them out.
That
takes major restraint and control that is
beyond our own ability. This is why we need
the supernatural strength of the Lord to
help us do this. I implore you to try it
and see how it will produce more good than
anger ever will. Heart Check.
Do
you react “naturally” and in anger when
you’re confronted? Or are you supernaturally
quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow
to anger?
DOERS
OF THE WORD | James 1:22-24
We
have a lot of hearers of the Word but not
a whole lot of doers. Millions of people
go to church every weekend but head back
into Monday unchanged.
Imagine
if we were all doing the work that is spoken
by the Word-- the world would be a very
different place! But sadly, that isn’t the
case. But we can only worry about ourselves
and whether we are doing what we are told.
And we can measure the effectiveness of
our devotional time by the effect that it
has on our attitude and actions. Heart Check.
Are
you putting into action what you have studied?
Are you a doer of the Word or just a hearer?
IMPRESSION
| James 2:1-7
Something
we can tell about James is that he ain’t
impressed.If you come rolling into church
with your Louis Vuitton bag and Christian
Louboutin shoes (nothing wrong with those),
it won’t change how he thinks about you.
He
will treat them the same as someone who
walks in dressed in rags. Like the Lord,
he is more concerned about the heart of
a person than the brand of their wallet
or what is or isn’t in it. Heart Check.
What
impresses you? Wealth and status? Or character
and heart?
FAITH
ALIVE | James 2:14-26
The
great reformer Martin Luther didn’t like
this chapter very much, because he preached
salvation through faith alone, which he
is not wrong about. We are saved by grace
through faith alone. Our works alone could
never save us. However, what we must understand
about what James is saying is that faith
and works are friends, not enemies.
There’s
no such thing as faith without works—they
go hand in hand.
If
we have true faith, it will be proven by
our works. Dead faith is believing in God
and what His Word says but never doing it.
Faith will brings us to salvation but works
will bring us to faithfulness. Faith is
the cause and works are the effect, so both
are necessary. Heart Check.
Is
your faith alive? Is it proven by your works?
UNCHECKED
DESIRES | James 4:1-2
James
sees what is causing the fighting within
the church—it’s discontentment stemming
from unchecked desires. We want someone
else’s gifts, favor, infiuence, or blessings,
and because we can’t get them, we find reasons
to belittle them. Heart Check.
Do
you have any unchecked desires that need
to be surrendered to the Lord?
SATISFYING
THE LAW | James 4:11-12
We
fully satisfy God’s law when we demonstrate
love instead of judgment or criticism. He
says to us, “You love them and I’ll judge
them.” We can easily ask ourselves if we
do this. Heart Check.
Do
you build people up or tear them down?
SUBMITTING
PLANS | James 4:13-16
This
is not a message against making plans. We
can make plans, but we know the scripture
also says that He will direct our steps,
meaning if we make plans apart from the
General Contractor, we are presuming that
we know better and we may not be building
something that has proper permitting. So
make the plan but then commit it to the
Lord, so that if He doesn’t issue the permit,
we won’t be so discouraged or thrown off
course. Heart Check.
Do
you submit your plans to the Lord?
Deep
Dive
How
can we find joy in trials and what role
does perseverance play in spiritual maturity?
How
does temptation come from within? What implication
does that have for our sin?
What
is the royal law and how do we fulfill it
practically?
How
do we reconcile “saved by grace” and “faith
without works is dead”?
Compare
heavenly and earthly wisdom and what it
looks like. How can we pursue heavenly wisdom?
How
does planning and order align with God’s
character? How do we reconcile that with
His sovereignty?
Heavenly
Father, Thank
you for this powerful Word today that challenges
us in so many ways.
We
are grateful because we recognize how this
is indeed for our strengthening and for
our good, so I pray that we will heed the
conviction of your Holy Spirit where necessary,
repent and confess, as we do what we can
to live out our faith with integrity.
Help
us to find joy in the trials we face, knowing
that you are using them to make us more
spiritually mature. This life is so short,
so may we live it in such a way that brings
you glory in every way. Remove any doubt
so we are not double-minded, tossed by the
wind and unstable in all our ways.
Keep
us steadfast when we are under trial and
let us not be deceived but keep us anchored
in righteousness so that we do not get lured
away because of any unchecked desires. Thank
you for every good gift that comes from
above. I pray that we never take it for
granted. Help us to be quick to hear, slow
to speak, and slow to anger. Give us the
supernatural ability to bridle our tongue
so that we do not add fuel to the fire.
And cleanse our hearts so that out of the
overfiow, we will speak words of love, grace,
and truth. We ask for continued wisdom today
and the know how to be doers of your Word
and not just hearers, so that we can live
in freedom and be blessed.
Forgive
us if we have ever shown any kind of partiality
to anyone for any reason. Help us to see
beyond wealth, race, social or cultural
differences, and anything else that causes
divisiveness in our society. Help us to
look at the heart the way you do and treat
all people the same. I pray that we will
extend forgiveness and mercy so that we
do not put ourselves in a place to be judged
for the lack thereof.
I
pray that you will awaken our faith today
and may it be on display through our works.
We know that even the devil has faith in
you, but his works are for evil and destruction.
So may our works be useful for building
up your church and your people. Please don’t
allow any bitter water to fiow from our
mouths but rather words of refreshment.
We
know that every word we speak and every
action will be judged one day.
Thank
you for this gift and opportunity of teaching
your Word. We pray for all teachers and
ministers today and ask that you will strengthen
them in their faith and resolve so that
they will remain strong and prove faithful
in their times of testing. Give them wisdom
from heaven as they serve you, and remove
any jealousy, selfish ambition, or unrighteous
thoughts or behavior. I pray that they will
be filled with righteousness and wisdom
that is pure, peaceable, gentle, reasonable,
merciful, fruitful, impartial, and sincere.
And may a harvest of righteousness spring
up from their ministry.
We
pray for unity within the church and among
believers. Instead of quarreling with one
another or being critical, I pray that we
will instead bring our opinions and issues
to you in fervent prayer. We want to continue
to draw near to you, getting ourselves right
first, before we try to go out and correct
someone else.
Purify
our hearts so that can position ourselves
to be recipients of your gift of grace.
As
we plan for our futures, I pray that we
keep you at the center of it all. We submit
all of our plans to you, knowing that you
are sovereign and will direct our steps.
I pray that we never try to overstep our
General Contractor in the permitting process.
We know we are much better off when we leave
things in your hands.
I
pray that we will also be ones who are seen
as trustworthy so that when we speak, people
can take us at our word. If anyone has wandered
from the faith, may we restore them gently
and love them through their return.
As
we wait for your return, Jesus, increase
our patience and endurance, knowing that
your promises are sure. We trust in you
to bring healing, restoration, and forgiveness.
Please keep us humble but also steadfast
so that we can see you.
Acts
15, The Council at Jerusalem addresses the
confiict arising from some Jewish believers
insisting that Gentile converts must follow
the Mosaic Law, particularly circumcision,
to be saved. Paul and Barnabas argue that
salvation comes through grace, not law,
and seek guidance from the apostles and
elders in Jerusalem.
Peter
affirms that God makes no distinction between
Jews and Gentiles, having given the Holy
Spirit to both. James, the brother of Jesus,
supports this by referencing prophecy and
proposes a resolution. The council agrees
to send a letter to the Gentile believers,
instructing them to abstain from certain
practices while reaffirming their freedom
from the Law of Moses. Paul and Barnabas
return to Antioch with the letter, bringing
unity and encouragement to the Gentile believers.
Later,
Paul and Barnabas have a sharp disagreement
about bringing John Mark on their next missionary
journey. They part ways, with Barnabas taking
Mark to Cyprus and Paul choosing Silas to
accompany him.
Acts
16, Paul begins his second missionary journey
with Silas, traveling through Derbe and
Lystra, where they meet Timothy, who joins
their mission. To avoid unnecessary offense
to the Jews, Paul has Timothy circumcised,
demonstrating a balance between cultural
sensitivity and the freedom of the Gospel.
The
Holy Spirit prevents Paul and his team from
preaching in Asia, instead directing them
to Macedonia through a vision. In Philippi,
they meet Lydia, a wealthy merchant who
becomes the first European convert. Her
hospitality sets a model for early Christian
fellowship.
Paul
and Silas are later imprisoned for casting
out a spirit from a slave girl, disrupting
her owners' profits. In jail, they pray
and sing hymns, leading to a miraculous
earthquake that opens the prison doors.
The jailer, moved by their faith, asks how
to be saved and becomes a believer along
with his household. Paul and Silas are released
the next day after revealing their Roman
citizenship, which causes the magistrates
to release them with apologies.
WISE
COUNSEL | Acts 15:1-21
So,
the context here is that the church is growing
and expanding—it's going out into the world.
We've already had some of Paul's missionary
journeys, and I would recommend getting
a map of his missionary journeys to see
where little churches have sprouted up as
he continues to reach the nations, specifically
the Gentiles.
Now,
they're being followed by this group of
people known as Judaizers. The word "Judaizer"
isn't explicitly in the Bible, but the verb
“to Judaize” means to push the Jewish lifestyle
onto others. These Judaizers were following
the church and adding requirements to the
gospel, saying, “You must do this to be
saved” or “You must follow this tradition
to be right with God.”
Naturally,
this led to a big argument, and Paul and
Barnabas were very upset about it. They
took this issue to the apostles in Jerusalem
to seek wise counsel. This is extremely
important for us to take heed of and incorporate
into our own practices. When we come up
against opposition or doctrinal issues,
it's crucial to have mentors or people we
can turn to for guidance. We receive a lot
of emails and comments challenging us, and
thank goodness we have the time to research
and address them. But here's the real question:
Do
you have a mentor, tutor, or a church group,
Bible study group, that you can go to, dive
into these issues, and seek wise counsel?
DIFFERENCES
| Acts 15:36-41
Now,
the second disagreement we see here in Acts
is about opinions, and let's face it—we’re
all different. We don’t all share the same
views. I can tell you right now that so
many of the differing opinions I’ve faced
have led me to this ministry. How many times
have I wanted to do something in the church,
lead something for the women, or pursue
a specific job? There were always differing
opinions and closed doors saying, “No, not
that direction.” But instead of letting
that discourage me, I just kept putting
one foot in front of the other. I stayed
in step with the Spirit. I stayed obedient
to God.
Sanctification
means being set apart, and as I drew closer
to God, I naturally moved farther from the
world. That’s what I’ve been doing—sanctifying
myself. And here in Acts, we see disagreements
happening, but notice something: they’re
not condemned or rebuked. I believe this
is in the Bible for a reason—to show us
that good things can still come from disagreements.
Paul
and Barnabas went on to preach in entirely
different areas, and because they went their
separate ways, they were able to cover more
territory. They were sent out two by two—Paul
with Silas, and Barnabas with John Mark.
This resulted in exponential growth and
the training of even more people to spread
the gospel.
We
can have different visions, different assignments,
and even disagreements, but what’s key is
this: they still agreed on one vital truth.
They agreed that circumcision and the law
of Moses were not needed for salvation.
This reminds us that while disagreements
over opinions are natural, we must remain
united on doctrinal truths. Heart Check.
How
can differences in opinions and interpersonal
conficts be used to further the Kingdom
of God?On the other hand, how can we discern
when disagreements—especially over doctrinal
versus personal opinions—risk causing division
instead of unity in the body of Christ?
DISCERNMENT
| Acts 16:6-10
I
know I was emphasizing a lot there, but
sometimes the Holy Spirit closes a door.
Yes, it’s the Holy Spirit. Other times,
it could be the devil. Honestly, we often
give the devil way too much credit, especially
when we’re in motion and unsure if we’re
acting in the Spirit or our own will. That’s
why discernment is so important. For instance,
perhaps it was Silas who felt the Spirit
saying, “No, don’t go that way,” or maybe
Paul had the vision.
Either
way, circumstances prevented them from entering
Asia at that time. But here’s the thing—just
because a door is closed now doesn’t mean
it won’t open later. Paul eventually went
to those regions, but in God’s timing.
I’ve
often been told that these moments can either
be God’s divine appointments or the devil’s
deceptive opportunities. Sometimes, something
shiny and beautiful comes along that seems
like a blessing. It looks like favor on
your life, so you think, “This must be from
the Lord.” But we must be cautious.
Some
ministries or evangelists will portray the
Holy Spirit as only giving blessings or
manifestations of favor, but that’s not
the whole picture. From personal experience,
when something shiny shows up in my life
during a season when I’m doing meaningful
work for the Lord, I have to pause and evaluate:
is this a fieshly blessing, or is it spiritual
favor? For me, it’s almost always clear.
The shiny, easy option often isn’t from
the Lord. The harder path—the one with less
recognition, less money—has always been
where I’ve found overfiowing peace, joy,
and fruit.
I
remember turning down a job at a church
when I felt called elsewhere. Kanoe told
me, “I don’t know how you’re going to make
it,” but I felt so strongly in my spirit
that I needed to stay the course. And so
we went all in. Since then, the fruit, peace,
and joy I’ve experienced have confirmed
it was the right decision. That closed door
wasn’t rejection—it was a redirection to
God’s divine appointment. Heart Check.
Are
you going to the Lord when opportunities
arise? How are you discerning if it’s a
divine appointment from God or a deceptive
opportunity from the evil one? Take time
to seek His guidance and move forward with
clarity and trust in His plans.
START
NOW | Acts 16:15
Lydia.
Oh, what a beautiful heart she had. Let’s
talk about Lydia for a moment. Lydia didn’t
wait until she “arrived” or had everything
perfect. She didn’t say, “When I’m ready,
I’ll do this or that.” She said, “Here’s
what I have, and I’ll use it for the Lord
right now.”
So
many believers think they need to wait for
the right moment, but the truth is, the
Holy Spirit often calls us to act with what
we have, right where we are. Heart Check.
Are
you listening to the nudges of the Holy
Spirit, even when one door closes and another
opens? How can you, like Lydia, use what
you have—your resources, time, or skills—right
now to further your own sanctification and
the faith of others, without waiting for
the "perfect moment"? Is there
something the Spirit is leading you to do
today?
Deep
Dive
Why
is it important to guard against adding
to the gospel? How can we recognize when
we might be falling into legalism?
How
can disagreements be used to further God’s
kingdom, and how can we ensure they don’t
cause division?
What
gifts, resources, or opportunities do you
have right now that you could use to serve
God, even if you don’t feel ready?
How
can we balance humility and boldness when
facing unjust treatment for our faith?
How
can believers discern the difference between
genuine teaching and those who might lead
them astray?
Heavenly
Father, Thank
You for the gift of salvation through Jesus
Christ.
We
acknowledge that He alone is enough. Nothing
we do or add can ever surpass the sacrifice
You’ve already given. Your grace is sufficient,
and we are humbled by the freedom You offer
through faith in Christ.
Lord,
we lift up new believers today. This walk
of faith is not easy, and the world is full
of distractions, false teachings, and moments
of discouragement. Strengthen them to stand
firm in the truth of Your gospel. Remind
us all that sanctification is a journey—not
perfection from the start—and encourage
us to use what we have now to glorify You.
May
we have hearts like Lydia’s, open to Your
call and eager to serve. Let us be bold
like Paul and Silas, singing Your praises
even in the darkest trials, knowing that
You are always working for good. Help us
trust that even in disagreements and challenges,
You are moving to further Your kingdom.
Protect
us, Lord, from false prophets and deceitful
teachings. Lead us with the wisdom of Your
Holy Spirit, and grow in us discernment,
humility, and boldness as we live out Your
Word. Thank You, Father, for the unshakable
hope we have in Jesus Christ. We love You
and commit our lives to You.
Galatians
1, Paul writes a letter to the church in
Galatia with guidelines to follow as a believer
in Christ. He is troubled that they have
accepted another teaching of the Gospel
from man. He recalls to them the manner
of his conversion, and the Gospel he preached
was from the revelation given to him personally
by the Lord Jesus Himself.
Galatians
2, Paul continues to explain to the church
in Galatia how the Lord had called him to
preach to the Gentiles. He speaks about
how he publicly confronted Peter on his
hypocrisy.He pleads with them to understand
that because of Jesus Christ's work, humanity
is no longer under the burden of works but
is now justified through faith in Christ.
Galatians
3, Paul elaborates more on the doctrine
of being saved by faith through Christ Jesus
and how God always planned to not only justify
the Jews first but also bring the Gentiles
under the same justification.
He
pleads his case to them using the example
of Abraham's counted righteousness. He explains
how Christ redeemed all from the curse and
captivity the law placed upon all mankind.
He declares that the New Covenant made by
God through Christ can never be annulled.
ONE
TRUE GOSPEL | Galatians 1:6-7
Paul's
astonishment at the Galatians turning to
a distorted Gospel reminds us to guard against
false teachings. The true Gospel centers
on Christ's death and resurrection, not
human additions or distortions. It is critical
to stay anchored in God’s Word to discern
truth from error. Heart Check.
Are
you discerning the Gospel you hear or share
with others? How can you ensure it aligns
with the truth of Scripture?
FAITH
OVER WORKS | Galatians 2:16
Paul
reminds the Galatians that salvation comes
by faith, not by works of the law. He rebukes
them for abandoning the true Gospel for
a distorted one, emphasizing that faith
in Jesus, not adherence to the law, is what
justifies us before God. We cannot earn
salvation—it is a gift of grace. Heart Check.
Are
there areas in your life where you rely
on your own works or effort to feel justifed
before God instead of fully trusting in
His grace?
SPIRIT-LED
LIVING | Galatians 3:3
Paul
rebukes the Galatians for starting their
faith journey in the Spirit but attempting
to perfect it through human effort. This
refiects the importance of living a Spirit-led
life, relying on God’s power rather than
our own strength. The Spirit sanctifies
and empowers us to live according to God’s
will. Heart Check.
Are
you leaning on the Holy Spirit for guidance,
growth, and strength, or are you trying
to rely on your own effort to live a holy
life?
Deep
Dive
How
can you cultivate a deeper reliance on the
Holy Spirit in your daily life?
What
are some ways the Holy Spirit equips and
empowers believers to live out the Gospel?
How
can you discern between Spirit-led conviction
and human-driven guilt?
What
does it mean to live by faith and not by
works in your daily walk with Christ?
How
can we recognize when we are slipping into
legalism in our relationship with God?
What
practical steps can you take to focus more
on the gift of grace rather than striving
to earn God’s approval?
What
are some modern-day distortions of the Gospel,
and how can we identify them?
Why
is it important to hold firmly to the true
Gospel even when it challenges cultural
norms?
How
can we lovingly correct others when we see
them straying from the truth of the Gospel?
Heavenly
Father, Thank
You for the gift of salvation through faith
in Jesus Christ.
We
are in awe of Your grace that frees us from
the burden of works and striving. Help us
to cling to the true Gospel and discern
truth from distortion in a world filled
with distractions. Holy Spirit, teach us
to rely on Your power to guide, sanctify,
and strengthen us as we live out our faith.
May
we walk boldly in the freedom You have given
us, sharing Your love and truth with others.
Let our lives be a testimony to the grace
of the Gospel and a refiection of Your goodness.
Galatians
4, Paul emphasizes the believers’ adoption
into God’s family through faith in Christ.
He explains that before faith, they were
like children under the guardianship of
the law, but now they are sons and heirs
of God through the Spirit, crying out “Abba,
Father.” Paul then contrasts the slavery
of the law with the freedom of grace, using
the allegory of Hagar and Sarah. Hagar,
the slave woman, represents the covenant
of Mount Sinai and bondage, while Sarah,
the free woman, symbolizes the covenant
of grace and the promise of God. Paul urges
the Galatians to live as children of the
promise, not as slaves to the law.
Galatians
5, Paul exhorts the Galatians to stand firm
in the freedom Christ has given them and
warns against being burdened again by the
yoke of the law, particularly circumcision.
He explains that faith working through love
is what truly matters, not adherence to
the law. Paul contrasts the works of the
fiesh, which lead to destruction, with the
fruit of the Spirit, which produces Christlike
character. He urges believers to walk by
the Spirit, live in harmony, and avoid conceit
and envy.
Galatians
6, Paul calls the Galatians to live a life
of service and restoration. He encourages
them to gently restore those caught in sin,
bear one another’s burdens, and sow to the
Spirit rather than to the fiesh. Paul warns
that sowing to the fiesh will lead to corruption,
but sowing to the Spirit will lead to eternal
life. He reminds the Galatians not to grow
weary in doing good, for in due season they
will reap a harvest. Paul concludes by emphasizing
that boasting should only be in the cross
of Christ, not in works of the law, and
that true transformation comes through faith
in Jesus.
HEIRS
| Galatians 4: 6
This
section encapsulates our adoption into God's
family and His kingdom. We are no longer
slaves to sin, nor are we slaves to the
law. This intimate relationship allows us
to cry out to God as our Heavenly Father.
It’s a relationship that not only portrays
but reveals the depth of His love for us.
It reminds us of a simple truth, one many
of us have heard before: Jesus loves me,
this I know, for the Bible tells me so.
As
I refiect on this, I think about my own
testimony. This verse speaks volumes to
me—from being a young girl to a grown woman.
I still carry unseen wounds and scars from
not having that father figure in my life
the way we think it’s supposed to be. Maybe
a father who would show up, love us, care
for us, be our security, and pour into us.
Someone
who would be proud of us. I know I’m not
alone in this. Even the pastor I heard recently
shared his own scars from not having a father
figure in his life. But let me tell you
about my God. He sweetly spoke to my broken
heart as a college student and said, I am
your Father.
The
Spirit in us cries out, “Abba, Father.”
We are adopted heirs—sons and daughters—into
His family. Let’s take a moment to check
our hearts. Heart Check.
How
does your daily life reflect your identity
as a child of God? Are you living as a slave
to sin, or are you walking in the freedom
of being His heir?
EXHORTATION
| Galatians 4:16-20
Truth
can often sting, but those who love us will
speak truth for our growth and protection.
We must be careful not to view those exhorting
us as enemies but as instruments of God’s
grace. Paul also highlights the need for
personal fellowship over screens and tools,
which cannot replace face-to-face relationships.
At
Heart Dive, we challenge believers to build
in-person connections and foster meaningful
fellowship. Heart Check.
How
do you respond to correction or truth-telling?
Are you quick to take offense, or do you
see it as an act of love?
Who
is your Mother?|
Galations 4:21:31
Verse
Hagar(SlaveWoman)
Sarah(FreeWoman)
Galatians 4:22
Representstheslavewoman,meaningher son (Ishmael)
is also a slave according to cultural norms of inheritance.
Representsthefreewoman,meaningher son (Isaac) inherits freedom and the promises of God.
Galatians 4:23
Gave
birth according to the fiesh (human effort),symbolizingslaverytothelawand
self-reliance.
Gavebirththroughthepromise(God's power),symbolizingfreedomthrough grace and
faith.
Galatians 4:24
SymbolizestheoldcovenantatMountSinai, which
brought slavery to the Mosaic Law.
Linked to
Mount Sinai in Arabia, representingbondageandseparationfrom the promises of God.
RepresentstheheavenlyJerusalem,a place of spiritual freedom and the ultimatefulfillmentofGod’spromise.
Galatians 4:25-26
Corresponds
to present-day Jerusalem, enslavedunderthelaw,boundbyheritage
and the limitations of the fiesh.
Linked to
the heavenly Jerusalem, free andthespiritualmotherofallbelievers inChrist.
Galatians 4:27
Refiects
barrenness without promise, referencingIsaiah54:1,symbolizinghuman
inability to bring about God’s promises.
Symbolizes
fruitfulness through God’s promiseandthemiraculousworkofHis
Spirit.
Galatians 4:28
Representsthosebornofhumaneffort(like Ishmael),enslavedtothelawandexcluded from the inheritance.
Represents
believers born of the Spirit (likeIsaac),childrenofthepromiseand heirs to God’s kingdom.
Galatians 4:29
Persecution
of those born of the Spirit by thosebornofthefiesh,symbolizingconfiict
between law and grace.
Victimofpersecution,butrecipientsof God’s eternal
covenant and blessing.
Galatians 4:30
Cast out,
as there is no inheritance for childrenoftheslavewoman(symbolizing
rejection of the law’s bondage).
Inherits
the promise as children of the freewoman,symbolizingfullinclusionin God’s
grace through Christ.
Galatians 4:31
Symbolizesbondagetothelaw,slaveryto sin, and striving through human effort.
SymbolizesfreedominChrist,liberation from sin, and the joy of
living under God’sgrace.
Who
is your Mother?|
Galations 4:21:31
This
passage contrasts slavery to the Mosaic
Law (Hagar) with freedom under the Covenant
of Grace (Sarah). The allegory highlights
God’s promise fulfilled through faith, not
works. The question here is:
Who
is your spiritual mother? Are you living
like Ishmael, relying on human effort, or
like Isaac, walking in God’s grace? Do you
identify with the freedom of Isaac or the
bondage of Ishmael?
WALKING
IN FREEDOM AND SPIRIT | Galatians 5:9-11
False
doctrine, like leaven, can spread and corrupt
the entire church. Paul urges believers
to guard against teachings that compromise
the truth of the gospel. Be discerning and
align every teaching with Scripture. Heart
Check.
Are
you actively testing what you hear at church
or online against the truth of God’s Word?
WALK
BY THE SPIRIT | Galatians 5:16-26
Paul
provides practical advice on living in step
with the Holy Spirit. The works of the fiesh
are destructive, but the fruit of the Spirit
is life-giving. This singular fruit is unity
in action, refiecting Christ in our lives.
When we fully surrender, the Holy Spirit
produces visible transformation. Heart Check.
Is
your life bearing the fruit of the Spirit?
In what areas might you still be walking
in the flesh instead of by the Spirit?
LIFE
OF SERVICE | Galatians 6
Paul
calls believers to serve one another, carrying
each other’s burdens and doing good in humility.
He warns against pride and placing undue
burdens on others for selfish gain. Service
is an overfiow of love and grace. Heart
Check.
Are
you serving out of love or obligation? How
can you help carry the burdens of those
in your faith community?
Deep
Dive
How
does understanding your status as an adopted
child of God impact your daily life and
relationship with Him? What specific ways
can you live out your identity as an heir
of God’s promises?
Why
is it difficult to accept truth from others,
even when it comes from a place of love?
How can you cultivate a heart that receives
correction with humility and grace?
How
can you identify "leaven" in your
life or community, such as false doctrines
or unhealthy practices? What steps can you
take to prevent it from spreading?
What
are some practical ways to actively “walk
in the Spirit”? Reflect on how each fruit
of the Spirit is interconnected and vital
to a Christ-centered life.
How
does carrying one another's burdens reflect
Christ’s love? What barriers prevent you
from helping others or seeking help when
needed, and how can you overcome them?
Heavenly
Father, Thank
you for teaching us about the foundation
of the early church.
We
come before You with hearts full of gratitude
for the incredible gift of Your grace and
the love You’ve shown us through Jesus Christ.
Thank You for adopting us into Your family
and giving us the privilege to call You
Abba, Father. What a joy and blessing it
is to know that we are no longer slaves
to sin, but sons and daughters, heirs of
Your promises through Christ.
Lord,
we ask that You help us truly grasp the
depth of this identity. May we walk boldly
in the freedom You’ve given us, unshackled
from the burdens of legalism, pride, or
fear. Teach us to embrace Your truth, even
when it’s hard to hear, and guide us to
be vessels of grace and love to others.
Let us never see correction as condemnation
but as an act of love meant to refine us
into Your image.
Father,
we pray for the strength to walk in the
Spirit daily. Help us surrender our fieshly
desires and seek the fruit of the Spirit:
love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness,
faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
Let these traits overfiow in our lives as
evidence of Your transforming work in us.
We know that apart from You, we can do nothing,
but through Your Spirit, we can be more
like Christ and refiect His love to the
world.
Lord,
as we serve others, remind us that true
service comes from a place of humility and
love, not obligation or pride. Help us to
carry one another’s burdens, to sow seeds
of kindness and faith, and to trust You
for the harvest. Give us discernment to
identify and reject false teachings, and
keep our hearts firmly rooted in Your Word.
We
pray for unity in Your body, the church,
and for hearts softened by the gospel. May
we be steadfast in spreading Your truth,
rejoicing in the salvation and freedom You
offer to all who believe. Empower us to
live lives that honor and glorify You in
every way.
Acts
17, Paul preaches in the Thessalonica synagogue
that Jesus is their awaited Messiah. Large
numbers of Jews are persuaded to become
believers, and a riot breaks out in the
city. Paul and Silas escape Thessalonica
and enter the city of Berea. Paul, Timothy,
and Silas are separated when Paul immediately
departs for Athens. Paul uses the statue
of the unknown God as an opportunity to
preach to the Athenians about the One True
God.
1
Thessalonians 1, Paul writes a letter to
the Thessalonians about their spiritual
walk with the Lord. He encourages the body
of believers to be faithful and bear witness
to those around them.
1
Thessalonians 2, Paul recalls his and Silas'
witness to the church and the character
and determination with which they presented
it. He commends them for their sacrifices
for the Lord's Kingdom and speaks of his
longing to see them again.
1
Thessalonians 3, Paul writes of how encouraging
and helpful Timothy has been in the work
he and Silas are burdened with for the kingdom
of God. Paul is thankful that Timothy brings
an excellent report to him on how their
church is thriving.
1
Thessalonians 4, Paul writes to the Thessalonians
to remember to live a life that is pure
and pleasing to the Lord. He writes to those
who are troubled by the thought of their
deceased loved ones missing the Lord when
He comes back.
1
Thessalonians 5, Paul writes a final message
to the Thessalonians to keep watch and stay
alert for the Lord's second coming. He pleads
for them to remain faithful to that day.
He encourages them to continue in their
work for the Lord, live at peace with one
another, and continue to pray for him and
his companions as they spread the Gospel.
2
Thessalonians 1, Paul writes another letter
to the church in Thessalonica to thank them
for their loyalty to the faith and continual
growth of the Lord's church. Paul reminds
them that their present suffering is temporary
and they will be rewarded for their faithfulness
on the day of judgment.
2
Thessalonians 2, Paul warns the man of lawlessness
that he is to come and deceive many, explaining
how he will claim himself to be God. He
urges them to stand firm in their faith,
watch for signs, and not believe the strong
delusion that the Lord will send to the
world.
2
Thessalonians 3, Paul asks for continued
prayers for himself and his companions as
they continue to work to spread the Gospel.
He writes to them regarding idleness in
the church and hopes that he and others
will be an example of the labor that is
needed.
RIGHT
SIDE UP | Acts 17:6-7
I
have to laugh at these accusations because,
to the Jewish leaders, this wasn’t a compliment,
yet we know it is. Imagine having “she turned
the world upside down for Jesus” written
on your tombstone. That would be the best
inscription ever!
The
other thing I find a little funny is that
in turning the world upside down, they were
actually turning it right side up, because
the world was fiipped when Adam sinned in
the Garden of Eden, and only through Jesus
can it be made right. Paul and Silas knew
this, and that is why they took the gospel
to as many places as they could. They knew
what the gospel did for them and they wanted
to see others’ lives turned right side up
as well. Heart Check.
What
has the gospel done for you? Has it turned
your life around? What are you doing with
it?
SUPPORTING
ROLE | Acts 17:6-7
Secondly,
Jason is one of the unsung heroes in the
Bible. We don’t know much about him outside
this incident, yet he played such a huge
role in holding down the fort so that Paul
and Silas could do their thing. Jason is
one of us! Most of us will not be a Paul
or Silas, but we will be the supporting
cast, doing our small and what may sometimes
feel like insignificant roles.
But
God made it a point to name him in the Bible,
and I believe it’s because He wanted us
to pay attention to the fact that every
person matters in the building of the kingdom.
Heart Check.
How
does Jason’s role challenge or encourage
you and the way you support others in ministry?
FOLLOW
ME | 1 Thes. 1:6
Paul
was so confident in the Thessalonians’ imitation
of what he did, because Paul imitated Christ.
He knew what he was doing and where he was
going, so he could confidently say, “Follow
me guys!” This is what personal discipleship
looks like. It doesn’t just teach and preach,
but it shows and models. Heart Check.
Are
you able to confidently tell people to follow
you? Are you imitating Christ? What are
you modeling to others?
JUDGING
THE WORD | 1 Thes. 2:13
Paul
reiterates that what he is preaching comes
from God, not man. There are still some
people who are skeptical that the Bible
really is the Word of God. They will argue
that it has been infiltrated by man’s ideas
and opinions to control the people, and
therefore, they pick and choose which parts
they are going to believe as truth.
In
other words, they put themselves in the
seat of the judge to determine what is truth
rather than allowing the Bible to be the
judge of them. This is a really dangerous
thing to do if we say things like, “I will
never believe that God would do that,” because
you are rejecting His Word and therefore
rejecting Jesus Himself, who is the Word-made
fiesh.
Not
only did the Word line up between the different
authors across hundreds of years, but there’s
also archaeological proof, prophetic fulfillment,
the credibility of Jesus, and the transformative
power that all proves the Word of God to
be true. Heart Check.
Do
you believe that the Word of God really
is the Word of God? Or are you sitting in
the judgment seat, determining which parts
are true?
Deep
Dive
Acts
17
How
did the responses differ between the Jews
and the Greeks? What does this say about
human nature when confronted with the truth?
What
practices can you adopt to be a good Berean?
How does this challenge you in your own
studies?
What
can we learn from Paul, Silas, and Timothy
about discipleship and leadership?
How
can we use cultural touchpoints as a jumping
off point to connect with those who don’t
know the gospel?
How
important is it for us to know our audience
and engage appropriately?
What
aspects are necessary in sharing the gospel?
1
Thess. & 2 Thess.
How
do we reconcile God’s election and our free
will to choose Him?
Why
did Paul emphasize Jesus’ return?
How
are the virtues of faith, hope, and love,
interconnected in the life of a believer?
Why
is sexual purity so vital to pleasing God?
How can we uphold this standard today?
How
can we lead a “quiet” life and still be
successful in a fast-paced, high-energy
world?
Heavenly
Father, Thank
you for continuing to show us the importance
of the gospel and the power that it holds.
Everywhere
the gospel went, the world was turned upside
down, and therefore, lives were turned right
side up. Thank you for people like Paul
and Silas, who were the church planting
trailblazers, showing us what true evangelism
looks like. They didn’t take some cookie
cutter plan, but found common ground with
the people they encountered, and it happened
naturally because of the way they cared
for people. May we be like that.
I
pray that people will not just be a subject
in our mission, but will be the center of
it. May our hearts be burdened when we see
anything surrounding them that is outside
your truth. Help us to see the needs in
our communities and meet them both practically
and spiritually. Give us words of wisdom,
compassion, and clarity, and I pray that
we will be able to conversationally point
them to Jesus. That’s our main goal. And
we can’t worry about the outcome—we simply
need to be faithful.
Lord,
teach us to be a good Berean, who hungers
for and eagerly receives your Word. And
as others teach us, I pray that we will
examine the truth for ourselves, not with
cynical or skeptical hearts, but affirming
ones. Ultimately, we want to know you more
deeply, and we will find that in the truth
of your Word.
We
pray for anyone who still doubts or maybe
even mocks the message of the gospel. Soften
their hearts and open their eyes to the
beauty of your love and grace. I pray that
we will not hinder that image in any way
by judgment, condemnation, or self-righteousness.
We trust that your Spirit is always at work,
and as long as we are faithful, fruit will
be born, even if it’s small.
Use
us as your instruments to proclaim the truth.
May everything we do testify to the hope
that we have in you, so many will come to
know and worship you in spirit and in truth.
You are our Creator, our Provider, our Father,
and our Savior, and we praise you for being
near to us today. In you, we live and move
and breathe, so until our last breath, we
will keep pressing forward to bring you
glory.
Thank
you for the work of faith, hope, and love
in the church of Thessalonica. We are so
grateful to be chosen to be a part of your
church that still thrives today. Help us
to live in a way that always serves as an
example of your Spirit in us. We bear your
name with honor, and we never want to misrepresent
your character. I pray that we walk in all
holiness as you continue to sanctify us
daily as we take up our cross and walk with
you. Empower us to love one another more
and more deeply.
I
pray that we live our lives only to honor
you and not to please man. I pray that our
conduct will be worthy of the calling and
a pillar for others to look to and to be
imitators of. And as we eagerly await your
return, help us to live as children of the
light, always remaining alert and watchful.
May we not be caught sleeping or idle, but
always prepared. If we live with that hope
of glory, we won’t need to worry about the
when and how. We can just focus on the assurance
that it will happen. Until then, fill us
with your Presence, and may we continue
to build others up and get them ready so
they can be found blameless as well.
Acts
18, Paul leaves Athens, travels to Corinth,
and is reunited with Timothy and Silas.
Paul preaches Jesus as the Christ in the
synagogue, and a dispute arises with his
message. Paul's travels for the Gospel led
him to Syria, Caesarea, Antioch, and the
regions of Galatia and Phrygia. A Jew named
Apollo becomes a valuable asset to the church
in Ephesus when he is taught how Jesus fulfilled
the Scriptures he has been preaching.
Acts
19, Paul leads more to the belief in Jesus
while he is in Ephesus. A dispute in the
local synagogue provides an opportunity
for all the residents of Asia to hear the
Gospel of Jesus Christ. Many citizens witnessed
Paul's amazing miracles and casting out
demons. Reverence for the Lord prompts the
burning of all books of witchcraft.
A
riot breaks out in a theater when the validity
of the local gods of the people is called
into question. The town clerk pleads with
the people to stop the unrest before further
actions are taken on the citizens.
GLORY
WORK | Acts 18:1-4
Just
as we see with many pastors or ministers
today, Paul had a second job. He was a tentmaker,
and because of this, he was able to take
his trade and livelihood on the road to
minister. No matter what kind of job we
have, there is some way we can use it to
glorify God, whether we use our skills to
serve others or use our infiuence to share
the gospel. Heart Check.
What
skills, abilities, or infuence do you have,
and how are you using it for the Lord? How
can we balance work life and spiritual life
in a way that honors God?
PROMISES
| Acts 18:9-11
Because
the Lord told Paul not to fear, we know
he had fearful thoughts running through
his head. But the beautiful thing is that
the Lord gave him three things here— encouragement
to keep going, the promise that He was with
Him, and the promise that no one’s attacks
in Corinth would succeed.
Because
of this, Paul could continue doing the work
he was called to do. We have been given
the same things—God’s commands, His Presence,
and many promises. Heart Check.
What
promises are you holding on to for this
season of your life?
COPYCAT
ANOINTING | Acts 19:11-16
Whether
these exorcists were sincere in their attempts
or simply trying to make a quick buck in
their collection for the exorcisms, either
way, their “ministry” was unfruitful because
they were copycats. They were doing what
Paul did, hoping their results would be
the same as his. They never spent time with
the Lord and, therefore, didn’t really know
Him.
This
is why the demons said, “Who are you,” because
they weren’t a real threat.
You
see, we are uniquely anointed, meaning we
are not all called to do things the same
way. And if we try to copy someone else’s
anointing rather than going to the Lord
and seeking His guidance, we won’t be merely
as effective as we would if we operated
in our full anointing and authority. Heart
Check.
Are
you trying to copy someone else’s anointing?
Or are you seeking the Lord and doing what
He has uniquely anointed you to do?
OVERWEIGHT
LUGGAGE | Acts 19:18-20
This
was true repentance. These believers were
getting rid of anything that had demonic
infiuence. When we hear the term “demonic,”
we sometimes assume that if it doesn’t have
devils and demons attached to it, it isn’t
from the devil. But if we know real spiritual
warfare, we understand that demonic infiuence
will often be painted as something exciting
or fun. It’s not just things that will make
you sin. It’s anything that will hold you
back from glorifying God in any way.
This
could be where we go on the weekends, the
friends we hang out with, what we look at
on the internet, or what we do in secret.
It could even be old photos or things from
your past that you don’t want to let go
of. But what we have to understand is that
all of that “stuff” that we carry around
or refuse to get rid of is just more weight
that we are stuffing into our luggage, holding
us back from being able to get on the fiight
to our future because we are stuck at the
ticket counter with overweight baggage.
Heart Check.
Is
there anything in your bags of life that
you need to get rid of?
Deep
Dive
What
was the significance of Paul, Priscilla,
and Aquila’s relationship?
How
does Paul’s response to opposition inspire
or encourage you?
What
lessons from Paul can we learn about disciple-making
and how can we invest in the spiritual growth
of others?
How
does Gallio’s dismissal of Paul’s case refiect
the separation of church and state? How
does this change your view of it?
How
does Paul emphasize the importance of the
Holy Spirit? Why is this important in a
believer’s life?
What
relationship can be seen between belief,
baptism, and the Holy Spirit?
Our
gracious Heavenly Father, Thank you for
Paul’s unwavering commitment to labor and
toil in the effort of sharing the gospel.
No
matter what opposition or criticism he faced,
and regardless of any fear that crept in,
he listened for your voice and trusted in
your promises. Help us to do the same, for
we desire to walk out our faith boldly,
but it can sometimes be a little scary,
especially when it is countercultural or
goes against the grain that surrounds us.
I pray that we will see each day and everything
we do as an opportunity to bring you glory
in some way. Show us how we can use our
skills and talents to serve others, and
I pray that if there is any way to allow
our work to supplement ministry, please
open those doors. Let us create space in
our lives to lift your name on high.
Thank
you for the promise that we have of your
Presence and protection. Fill us with boldness
and courage to speak your truth and to trust
that you are indeed always with us. Open
our mouths and let us not be silent. Even
if we cannot see the evidence that you are
working, I pray that we will press on anyway.
We pray for Godly friendships today, seeing
just how valuable they are. There truly
is power in numbers, so I pray that you
will surround us with others who are on
the same mission as we are.
Help
us to be the type of people who will form
partnerships and be encouragers in the faith,
guiding or mentoring others where we can.
We don’t need to be Bible experts to do
this—we can start right where we are with
what we do know the way that Apollos did.
We trust that you will correct and give
the proper understanding where necessary.
So
I pray that we will have teachable hearts
that are willing to grow so that we can
serve you effectively. But whatever we do,
I pray that it always points to you, Jesus.
Thank you for your sovereignty, especially
over governments and legal systems. Help
us to trust that you truly are in control
of all events and decisions, knowing that
nothing takes you by surprise, that your
promises don’t change, and that nothing
can thwart your plans.
Father,
we ask for a fresh filling of your Holy
Spirit today so that we can live in your
power and never relying on our own strength
or understanding. May the fruit of your
Spirit be evidence of your transformative
power so that others will see something
different in us and desire the same thing.
Use us to draw others closer to you Jesus.
If
there is anything in our lives that may
be weighing our luggage down or that may
have a demonic infiuence over us in any
way, please give us the strength to get
rid of it. Just as the believers in Ephesus
confessed their sins and burned their books,
please help us to let go of anything that
is hindering us from walking closely with
you. We don’t want a superficial faith.
We want to have a deep and intimate relationship
with you.
Please
give us the courage and boldness to confront
any personal, cultural, or societal idols
or systems that oppose you. We know that
is the spirit of the Antichrist at work,
so help us to discern where it is and to
stand up against it.
Give
us the wisdom we need to face any opposition
or confiict and help us to respond with
grace and reason. Give us the fuel we need
to be bright lights in dark places, standing
firm in the faith, and spreading your love
and truth everywhere we go.
1
Corinthians 1, Paul writes a letter to the
church in Corinth to encourage and instruct
them on how to remain in the faith in their
daily lives. He begins by thanking God for
all He has done and provided for them while
Paul has been absent from their presence.
Paul has been alerted to the division among
the believers. He addresses the matter and
implores them to seek the Lord's wisdom
in all things.
1
Corinthians 2, Paul reminds the church that
he did not preach to them with all elegance
and confidence but in a manner that displayed
his love for the Lord Jesus. He gives an
in-depth explanation of the wisdom that
comes from the Holy Spirit compared to the
world's idea of wisdom.
1
Corinthians 3,Paul recalls how he began
his ministry with them as unbelievers and
writes about spiritual maturity. He writes
on the foundations of the faith and encourages
vigilance in their journey towards spiritual
maturity.
1
Corinthians 4, Paul writes about being a
steward of the Lord and explains that the
church must ensure that other stewards among
them remain faithful to the Lord. They have
all they need in the Lord, and he writes
to remind them their desires should no longer
be according to the world's reward system.
He implores them to be wise in whom they
receive spiritual guidance.
SPIRITUAL
FOOD | 1 Corinthians 3:1-3
Paul
describes several people in these first
verses as he addresses the church’s spiritual
immaturity. He first says that he can’t
call them spiritual because they are not
living like the Spirit dwells among them.
Instead, he says they are people of the
fiesh, meaning they are saved and call themselves
Christians, yet they are behaving like children.
Their appetites were unsatiable for the
healthy food because they were filling up
on spiritual junk food. They are more enamored
with the speakers' eloquence than the Word's
simple power.
Therefore,
Paul can’t move beyond the basics of the
gospel message with them because they aren’t
mature enough to handle it. They are likely
doubting some of the message and only accepting
certain parts, or perhaps they don’t want
to change, so the Word is offensive to them.
At the same time, those more mature in their
faith can handle the more advanced teachings,
as they have grown to resist their fieshly
desires and apply what they have already
learned to their lives.
We
are all called to move beyond basic teachings
to grow and move with the Spirit. If you’re
new to this, it is not a word of condemnation.
This is an opportunity for all of us to
evaluate if we are growing in our wisdom,
understanding, and application of the Word.
Heart Check.
Are
you actively seeking to move beyond the
basics of spiritual milk? Are you feasting
on junk food from the world? Do you crave
the Word?
ROW
YOUR BOAT | 1 Corinthians 3:5-9
Paul
is saying, “Listen, we are all in the same
boat, rowing to go in the same direction.
Everyone has their own job, and every single
role matters if we want to get to our destination
safely.”
Essentially,
this is a call to unity, echoing Jesus’
prayer for unity in John 17. No matter what
denomination you belong to or what your
calling is, we are on the same team, so
there’s no room for competition. The Lord
ultimately decides the end result of the
work we do. We just need to row our boat.
Heart Check.
What
is your role in the boat? Are you rowing?
Or are you worried about someone else’s
job that you would prefer to have?
BUILDING
MATERIALS | 1 Corinthians 3:10-15
Paul
emphasizes that the only true foundation
for faith and life is Christ alone. A life
built upon our Solid Rock is built with
gold, silver, and precious stones, as opposed
to wood, hay, and straw. When we stand before
the bema seat of Christ one day, everything
we ever did is going to be thrown into fire
to test its purity of it.
Whatever
was done out of selfish ambition, superficially,
or for self-glory will be burned up. Anything
that was done for His glory will be able
to withstand the high temperatures of the
purification process, and we will be rewarded.
Heart Check.
What
foundation are you building your life upon?
What kind of materials are you using?
Deep
Dive
What
causes division in today’s church?
How
might the gospel be a stumbling block to
those who are in the world?
How
can we better rely on the Spirit when sharing
our faith?
What
do you think are the things God has “prepared”
for those who love Him?
How
might we put too much emphasis on pastors,
teachers, or spiritual leaders? How can
we learn from them while focusing more on
Jesus?
How
do we live as both servants and stewards
in God’s kingdom?
Our
gracious Heavenly Father, Thank
you for the foundation that has been laid
for us in Jesus.
Because
we call upon your name, Jesus, we recognize
our place in the church of God. We are one
church with one purpose. We are in the same
boat. I pray that we will live more intentionally
with that in mind so that we will help to
strengthen the church. Thank you for your
grace that has been freely given to us,
both in seasons where we may have needed
it to cover our mistakes but also the grace
that gives us our spiritual gifts. Please
continue to sustain us to the end as we
walk with you until that day of glory.
Forgive
us if we have ever allowed jealousy, envy,
or a divisive spirit to creep into our relationships
or work spaces. Help us to rely on you alone,
putting our hope, trust, and faith in you
rather than human leaders. We know that
we have the right to use our discernment
in productive and honorable ways, but it
is never to be used as a means to divide.
Let us never forget where we came from and
allow that to keep us humble. If we boast
about anything, let it be in you alone.
We praise you for every gift, knowing that
it all comes from above.
Help
us to share the gospel to those around us,
never overcomplicating it, but simply using
your Word and plainly presenting it so that
you can come in and put the power on it,
allowing it to fiourish in people’s hearts.
Thank you for the revelation that you give
to us – what an honor it is to know you
more. I pray that we will be good stewards
of your mysteries as we continue to honor
you in everything we do. I pray that we
do not live for the approval of people,
nor do we crumble under their failed judgment,
but simply look to your approval alone.
Help us to be imitators of Christ so that
we can bring you glory as people see your
Presence within us.
We
pray for those who may be struggling to
move on to more solid food. Give them wisdom
and understanding. Let the scales fall from
their eyes, and may their hearts be softened
to the richness of your Word and the truth
it embodies. May they not continue to reject
your Word and therefore reject you, Jesus,
for in doing so, they will be deceived by
the enemy who stands on the outside lying
to them. Give us all discernment to be able
to test the spirits and to know what is
of you and what isn’t. I pray that we will
all become fools so that we can become wise.
And in the end, when we stand before the
bema seat, I pray that we will hear the
words, “Well done, my good and faithful
servant.” That’s the only judgment that
matters to us.
1
Corinthians 5, Paul chastises the Corinthian
church for allowing sexual immorality to
exist among their body of believers. He
provides instructions on how to purge the
sexual immoral from the church and how to
doing an a loving manner so one might turn
from their sin and no longer defile the
body of believers. The illustration of leaven
and its correlation to how quickly corruption
can spread throughout the church is utilized.
1
Corinthians 6, Paul writes to them regarding
matters of justice and sexual immorality,
and how to treat a fellow believer when
disputes arise. Paul desires them to understand
their attitudes and actions should be carried
out in love so they may be an example to
the world and not stumble into sin along
the way. He reminds them they have been
justified before the Lord and provides a
list of sins to abstain from to ensure they
will still inherit the kingdom of God.
Paul
exclaims that their bodies are the temple
of the Lord and they should treat them as
such. He explains the reasoning of why they
should fiee from all things sexually immoral.
1
Corinthians 7, Paul continues in his letter
to the church in Corinth about the spiritual
nature of marriage and the urgency they
must have to spread the Gospel and make
disciples. He provides guidance for how
a husband and wife should navigate their
sexual relationship in their marriage, and
speaks a command from the Lord to the members
of the church who have unbelieving spouses.
Paul
desires to encourage each member to recognize
their assignment from the Lord, and not
to entangle themselves with duties beyond
which the Lord has personally called them
to. He knows spreading the Gospel should
take priority over desires of this world,
and provides guidance to those who are single
and able to prioritize that goal over the
desire for marriage.
1
Corinthians 8, Paul provides guidance on
matters of conscience in their spiritual
walk. He speaks on matters of food sacrificed
to idols, how to avoid causing a stumbling
block to other brothers and sisters in the
faith, and how to navigate differences of
opinion in love.
PUFFED
UP TOLERANCE | 1 Cor. 5:1–13
Paul
rebukes the Corinthians for their arrogance
in tolerating public sexual immorality within
the church. Instead of mourning the sin
and addressing it with loving correction,
they became prideful, masking tolerance
as love. This “puffed-up” attitude risked
corrupting the church’s foundation in the
gospel.
Paul
reminds them that just as a little leaven
affects the whole dough, unchecked sin can
spread and harm the body of Christ. As believers,
we must seek to be new creations in Christ,
living in holiness and obedience, not abusing
our freedom as a license to sin. Heart Check:
Are
you calling tolerance the love of God when
it may be pride in disguise? How can you
lovingly confront sin while upholding the
gospel?
MARRIAGE
| 1 Cor. 6:12–7:40
In
Corinthian culture, marriage took many forms—ranging
from arranged marriages for the elite to
informal unions among slaves. Paul’s teaching
radically elevated the concept of marriage
by placing both husband and wife on equal
footing in their duties to love and serve
one another. He instructed that the husband
owes affection to his wife and vice versa,
prioritizing mutual selfiessness over selfish
desires.
In
marriage, the focus is not solely on one’s
personal fulfillment but on honoring God
by honoring one’s spouse. The concept of
one partner for life—rooted in covenantal
love—stood in stark contrast to the casual
and transactional view of marriage in Roman
society.Heart Check:
Are
you seeking to serve your spouse and honor
God in your marriage? How does your relationship
reflect Christ’s sacrificial love?
LOVE
OVER KNOWLEDGE | 1 Cor. 8:1–13
Paul
reminds the Corinthians that knowledge,
without love, can lead to pride and harm
others. While some believers had the freedom
to eat meat sacrificed to idols without
spiritual harm, others struggled with this
liberty. Exercising freedom without considering
its impact on weaker believers could lead
them into sin.
Paul
challenges believers to prioritize love
over liberty and avoid actions that might
cause others to stumble in their faith.
True maturity in Christ is shown not in
fiaunting freedom but in building others
up. Heart Check:
Is
there something in your life that could
cause others to stumble? How can you prioritize
love for others over your own freedoms?
Deep
Dive
Why
does Paul emphasize purging sin from the
church community, and how does this refiect
God’s holiness?
How
does the concept of mutual affection in
marriage challenge cultural norms then and
now?
How
can we discern the difference between exercising
liberty and abusing it in a way that dishonors
God?
In
what ways can we love and serve others by
surrendering personal freedoms?
How
does the gospel call us to view relationships—whether
marital, friendships, or within the church—as
opportunities to refiect Christ’s love and
grace?
Our
gracious Heavenly Father, We
come before You with grateful hearts, remembering
the incredible price You paid for our redemption
through Jesus Christ.
Thank
You for the freedom we have in You—freedom
from sin, death, and the law. Help us, Lord,
to never take this freedom for granted or
use it as an excuse to indulge in sin. Remind
us that we are called to live as new creations,
set apart for Your glory.
Lord,
give us humility and wisdom to navigate
our relationships, whether in marriage,
friendships, or within the church. Help
us to serve one another selfiessly, seeking
reconciliation and peace above all else.
Teach us to honor our spouses with love,
affection, and respect, refiecting the covenantal
love You have for us. For those struggling
in their marriages, we pray for clarity,
healing, and wise counsel.
Father,
give us hearts that prioritize love over
knowledge. Let us not fiaunt our freedoms
but use them to edify and strengthen those
around us. Help us to be mindful of our
actions and their impact on others, choosing
to build up rather than tear down. Reveal
to us any areas where we might be leading
others into sin and give us the courage
to change.
We
also lift up those who are enslaved today—whether
physically, spiritually, or emotionally.
May we never forget those who suffer and
use our freedom to advocate, serve, and
love in Your name. Let us live with hearts
full of gratitude, refiecting Your holiness
in our lives. Thank You, Lord, for the unshakable
foundation of Your Word and for the grace
that sustains us daily. May we honor You
in all we do, living as ambassadors of Your
love and truth.
