Study Guide and Daily Devotion
Monday, May 23
This week we will be studying Paul’s dramatic conversion and his early
years as a Christian. You are in for a treat as you read one of the greatest
stories in the Bible. Today we begin with the story of the death of Stephen.
Try to picture this story in your mind as you read Acts chapter 6 and 7. Our
Stephen Ministry at Carson City 1st is named after him, the first Christian
martyr. Notice the harsh judgment in his accusation against the authorities.
Look at the last of chapter 7 and the beginning of 8, how would you describe
Saul (whose Greek name was Paul)? What characteristics of Stephen would you
like to see displayed in your won life? How does Stephen’s actions and
words in versus 59-60 speak to you?
Tuesday, May 24
Read Acts 8:1-4. How is this an example of the way in which God uses evil
things that happen to accomplish his purposes? Let’s read the story
of Paul’s conversion in Acts 9:1-19. Why did God choose Paul and reveal
himself to Paul in such a dramatic way? How would you have felt if you were
Ananias, being asked to go and find the man who had been imprisoning and killing
Christians? Would you be willing to befriend a new visitor to our church to
help them come to faith in Christ even if it were someone you had known and
did not care for in the past?
Wednesday, May 25
Begin your study of the 17-year period of time between Paul’s conversion
and his first missionary journey. Read Acts 9:19b-31. Write on a piece of
paper a timeline of Paul’s activities. We will be reading another account
of this period and you will want to try to reconcile the two accounts. Note
how powerful Paul’s witness is on account of his former way of life.
Were you converted from being a non-Christian or have you always been a Christian?
If converted how is your life different because of Christ? If you have always
been a Christian, how has Christ blest you? Notice the price Paul is willing
to pay for his witness? What role does Barnabas play in Paul’s life?
Notice where the apostles send Paul after the second death threat. This was
Paul’s home.
Thursday, May 26
Today we will read another account of what happened after Paul’s conversion.
This is from Paul’s own hand. Look at your outline from yesterday and
see how these two might be reconciled. Read Galatians 1:11-2:10. Note Paul’s
interaction with the apostles in Jerusalem. Paul mentions that he set before
them the gospel he had been preaching, that he is to be sent by God to the
Gentiles. He preached that they did not have to become Jews in order to follow
Christ. They did not have to be circumcised and follow the Law. They simply
had to trust in Christ, seek to follow him, in order to find salvation. The
Law was then a guide to know God’s will, but salvation was through faith
in Christ, not by striving to fulfill the Law. This was a radically new approach
to the gospel, one which allowed Christianity to move beyond the walls of
the synagogue, but also one which upset many in the fledgling church.
Friday, May 27
End your week by reading an account of Paul giving testimony, this time before
King Agrippa II, the ruler of the northern part of Palestine. Read Acts 26:1-29.
Write down your own story of your faith and role Christ has played in your
life, as you would share it if your were asked to give an account of why you
believe and the difference Christ makes in your life. As you write this down,
consider how you might share your faith with others in the spirit of Christ’s
love?
First
United Methodist Church 