Check out all the previous Acts readings here.
Acts Reading Plan | Week 15 | Day 1
Announcement
Before we get into today’s reading, we wanted to let you know that beginning next week (Acts Week 16), notifications about the Bible Reading Plan will happen through the Crossroads app, rather than through texts. This will not only save the church money, but will also enable us to reach more people with the Bible plan. Watch this video to see how to subscribe to receiving Bible Plan notifications:
If you have any questions, contact Ed Applegate.
Prayer
As you come to spend time with Jesus, calm your mind and body until you feel fully present.
Psalm 40:1-2 says, “I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry.
He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand.”
Open your time with Jesus in prayer. You might praise Him for hearing your cry and lifting you up, or you might still be in the mud, and need to ask Him to hear your cry and give you encouragement.
Bible Reading: Acts 20:1-12
Read these verses three times slowly.
When the uproar had ended, Paul sent for the disciples and, after encouraging them, said goodbye and set out for Macedonia. He traveled through that area, speaking many words of encouragement to the people, and finally arrived in Greece, where he stayed three months. Because some Jews had plotted against him just as he was about to sail for Syria, he decided to go back through Macedonia. He was accompanied by Sopater son of Pyrrhus from Berea, Aristarchus and Secundus from Thessalonica, Gaius from Derbe, Timothy also, and Tychicus and Trophimus from the province of Asia. These men went on ahead and waited for us at Troas. But we sailed from Philippi after the Festival of Unleavened Bread, and five days later joined the others at Troas, where we stayed seven days.
On the first day of the week we came together to break bread. Paul spoke to the people and, because he intended to leave the next day, kept on talking until midnight. There were many lamps in the upstairs room where we were meeting. Seated in a window was a young man named Eutychus, who was sinking into a deep sleep as Paul talked on and on. When he was sound asleep, he fell to the ground from the third story and was picked up dead. Paul went down, threw himself on the young man and put his arms around him. “Don’t be alarmed,” he said. “He’s alive!” Then he went upstairs again and broke bread and ate. After talking until daylight, he left. The people took the young man home alive and were greatly comforted.
Reflection & Questions
Throughout Acts we’ve been reading of the unceasing words of strengthening and encouragement that the apostles were giving. In today’s reading Paul is at it again. Luke tells us that Paul was traveling throughout the area “speaking many words of encouragement to the people.” In fact in one area, we get this story of Paul speaking so long, Eutychus fell asleep as Paul “talked on and on.” It’s funny, until we read that Eutychus fell out of the window and died! No fear, Paul went to him and raised from the dead! Then Luke tells us Eutychus simply went back upstairs and ate – can you imagine?! Acts has some funny stories!
But what we take from Paul’s many words, is that people are in need of constant reminding of the truth. People need encouragement in what is true. That Jesus is who he says He is, that He has a plan, that He is faithful and true and will never let us down. No one has received enough words about Jesus. We haven’t. The people we come across haven’t.
One of the reasons we need to constantly be in the Word is to encourage ourselves and to be able to encourage others.
- Who around you is suffering and could use encouragement today?
- Are you receiving encouragement? If not, what do you need to do about it?
Prayer
Pray in response to today’s reading.
Worship Song
You might use this song today to worship Jesus today:
Check out more Bible Reading Plans here.
Questions?
Ed Applegate
