Religion & Spirituality:Christianity
Acts 13:13-31 (NIV)
What answer comes to mind when you hear the question: what do you believe?
Today on Daily Read, Paul finds himself with an opportunity to exhort the people in Pisidian Antioch. And he uses this opportunity to tell the story of God’s people and how it leads to Jesus. Now some of us listening are leaders in ministries or we are following Jesus and we desire to be able to share our faith. For others, your faith might be just beginning to blossom or may even be in recovery, and the question of what you believe is one that you’re actively pursuing.
So, when you think about that question, what do you believe? What comes to mind? Is it a sequence of statements that present a rational argument, is it an "if-then" statement about God’s act of salvation in Jesus… or is it more? Our hope for each of you is that when you think of the answer to that question a story comes to mind—that you don’t just see yourself with a simple "yes/no" choice to make that punches a ticket to the good place, but a grand narrative to step into and in which to live your life.
Today Paul presents a summary of that story that centers around King David and the resurrection of Jesus. David said in Psalm 16, that God will “not allow [his] Holy One to undergo decay.” Paul demonstrates how that was pointing to Jesus. As you listen today, consider how much of this is included in YOUR sense of the Story of God’s faithfulness to us.
----------REFLECT----------
1. What part of the story that Paul tells stands out to you?
2. As we hear of the failure and stubbornness of Israel in the wilderness and remember the moral failing of King David, we realize the graciousness in the gift of Jesus. God is faithful in the face of our failure. How do you need God’s faithfulness today as you consider ways that you have failed?
3. It was customary in synagogues to allow visitors to give a fresh word of exhortation because of the familiarity that Jews naturally had. Paul knew this opportunity to share was likely and he positioned himself there intentionally to have an opportunity. What spaces do you naturally have that might open up moments where you might be invited to share the good news?
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Bible Project: Acts 13-28 Overview >>
InterVarsity Press Selections: Acts >>
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