Check out all the previous Acts readings here.
Acts Reading Plan | Week 13 | Day 5
Prayer
As you come to spend time with Jesus, calm your mind and body until you feel fully present.
Matthew 20:28 says that Jesus “did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” As you come to meet with Him, thank Jesus that He came to serve, to give. Ask Him to give to you from His word today.
Bible Reading: Acts 17:29-34
Read these verses three times slowly.
“Therefore since we are God’s offspring, we should not think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone—an image made by human design and skill. In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent. For he has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed. He has given proof of this to everyone by raising him from the dead.”
When they heard about the resurrection of the dead, some of them sneered, but others said, “We want to hear you again on this subject.” At that, Paul left the Council. Some of the people became followers of Paul and believed. Among them was Dionysius, a member of the Areopagus, also a woman named Damaris, and a number of others.
Reflection & Questions
We continue to read Paul’s speech in the Areopagus today. Paul has related to them through their idol (to an unknown god) and through one of their poets. He has got to the heart of their problem – putting something other than the true and living God at the center of their lives. And he has answered the cries of their hearts. They are exhausted in trying to satisfy the requirements of their idols. They need a giving, generous and gracious God.
Now Paul gets to what they need to do: Repent. He says, “[God] commands all people everywhere to repent. For he has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed. He has given proof of this to everyone by raising him from the dead.”
God will not look over our rebellious ways forever – whether they be sugar coated or deeply rotten. He calls everyone to repent. Repentance is changing our attitude and actions towards sin. It is turning away from our sinful ways and towards God. Repentance is the only logical step for someone who believes the gospel. God has proven his message in the resurrection of Jesus. We prove our belief in what God says through our repentance.
- It’s been said that repentance is a daily activity for Christ-followers. Do you agree? Why or why not?
- Think about your ONE. What would their response be to Paul’s speech (that God is a giver and we need to repent)? What would be their sticking point? Pray for them in that.
Prayer
Talk to God in response to the reading today. Repent of things in your life that the Spirit is convicting you of. And pray for your ONE that they would come to repentance and to know the true and living God!
Worship Song
You might use this song today to worship Jesus today:
Check out more Bible Reading Plans here.
Questions?
Ed Applegate
