We sometimes struggle to see how God’s love can be big enough to include some of those we know. In the story of Saul, it was probably hard to imagine a person less likely to become a witness to Jesus’ love, certainly others were like to see him as the enemy. But God’s grace transformed his life, and through him many other’s as well.
Worship with Holy Communion this week:
Saturday – 5:00 p.m. in the chapel
Sunday – 8:30 a.m. Traditional Worship
9:30 a.m. – Sunday School, Adult Bible Study and fellowship
10:30 a.m. – Contemporary Worship
Devotions for this week: Paul’s Conversion, Acts 9:1-19
SHARE: What was a high point of your day? What was a low point?
READ: Read the following daily readings to deepen your understanding
Sunday, Acts 9:1-19a, Paul’s Conversion
Monday, Acts 9:19b-22, Saul Preaches in Damascus
Tuesday, Acts 9:23-31, Saul Escapes from the Jews
Wednesday, Acts 9:36-43, Peter in Lydda and Joppa
Thursday, Acts 10:1-16, Peter and Cornelius
Friday, Acts 10:17-23a, Peter and Cornelius
Saturday, Acts 10:23b-33, Peter and Cornelius
TALK: Consider some of these ideas:
He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” 5He asked, “Who are you, Lord?” The reply came, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. (Acts 9:4-5)
Saul is one of the best-known—and feared—persecutors of the fledgling Christian church. If there’s anyone who knows, without a doubt, what he stands for and what he’s about, it’s Saul. Surely such a man couldn’t be thwarted by one unsettling journey?
- Tell of a time you thought you were headed in one direction, and then life threw you a curveball, and you found yourself headed in an entirely different direction.
- Wonder: What would you have done if you had been Ananias, called to go straight to a man known to persecute and kill Christians?
PRAY: Mysterious Lord, you choose and use the most unlikely people for your work. Show us the path you have prepared for us, and give us all your strength and courage to follow. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
BLESS: May God give you courage to face scary things. Amen
