September Devotional Journal 2018

SEPTEMBER DEVOTIONAL JOURNAL 2018

One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision: “Do not be afraid; keep on speaking, do not be silent. For I am with you, and no one is going to attack and harm you, because I have many people in this city.”

ACTS 18:9-10 (NIV)

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SEPTEMBER DEVOTIONAL JOURNAL 2018

One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision: “Do not be afraid; keep on speaking, do not be silent. For I am with you, and no one is going to attack and harm you, because I have many people in this city.”

ACTS 18:9-10 (NIV)

Also available at www.cefc.org.sg and “Covenant EFC” mobile app.

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MEMORY VERSES 2018 JANUARY But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.

ACTS 1:8 (NIV)

FEBRUARY They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.

ACTS 2:42 (NIV)

MARCH Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts.

They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favour of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

ACTS 2:46-47 (NIV)

APRIL Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.

ACTS 4:12 (NIV)

M AY

So the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, “It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables. Brothers and sisters, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom.

We will turn this responsibility over to them…

ACTS 6:2-3 (NIV)

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JUNE While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off.

ACTS 13:2-3 (NIV)

J U LY They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved — you and your household.”

ACTS 16:31 (NIV)

AUGUST Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.

ACTS 17:11 (NIV)

SEPTEMBER One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision: “Do not be afraid; keep on speaking, do not be silent. For I am with you, and no one is going to attack and harm you, because I have many people in this city.”

ACTS 18:9-10 (NIV)

OCTOBER Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which He bought with His own blood.

ACTS 20:28 (NIV)

NOVEMBER “Now I commit you to God and to the word of his grace, which can build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified.”

ACTS 20:32 (NIV)

DECEMBER He proclaimed the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ − with all boldness and without hindrance!

ACTS 28:31 (NIV)

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FOREWORD

BY S E N I O R PA S TO R S

As we lead Covenant EFC towards Vision 2028 and our 50th Jubilee Anniversary, God has given us Acts 20:28 as our spiritual anchor:

“PAY CAREFUL ATTENTION

to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood.” As church leaders and members, we are to pay careful attention to our hearts’ condition and to our triune God. At last year’s Listening Retreat, God impressed a spiritual burden upon us for 2018: WE ARE CHURCH: PRAY AND REPENT! We are CHURCH We believe God has called us to be One Church with Multiple Centres and pursue the A.D.I.D. of A Certain Kind within each local centre through small groups. We will enhance the small group strategy so that we can make disciples who make disciples. This year, we were led to preach on the book of Acts, as we rediscover what the Church is all about.

We Are Church: PRAY! I (Rev Tan Kay Kiong) received a distinct picture of Moses praying in the mountain with his hands supported by Aaron and Hur. As I read the account in Exodus 17, the burden was clear:

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“Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which He obtained with His own blood.”

ACTS 20:28

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1. We Are Under Attack (Exo 17:8) Many of us are living defeated lives stained by sin and the affairs of this world. The devil has launched his arsenal of attacks against every possible area of our lives.

2. We Must Fight with the Weapons of God (Exo 17:9b) The staff in Moses’ hand was the staff of God. Formerly used to goad sheep, this once ordinary staff became God’s weapon to fight spiritual battles. We must put on God’s spiritual armour so that we can stand against the devil’s schemes.

3. We Must Fight with the Weapons of God and Hold Up Our Hands (Exo 17:11a) Joshua and his troops were fighting with all their might against the enemies, but the secret to their victory was Moses’ hands raised to God in desperate intercession. Aaron and Hur helped Moses keep his hands up. We must hold up our hands in intercession for spiritual victory in our lives.

We Are Church: Pray and REPENT! There is no true prayer without REPENTANCE. “Bring forth fruits in keeping with repentance.” − Luke 3:8. God spoke to me (Rev Tony Yeo) through the book of Joel: 1. Repent humbly – put on sackcloth, wail before the altar, declare a holy fast and call a sacred assembly (Joel 1:13-14).

2. Repent wholeheartedly – rend your heart and not your garments (Joel 2:12-13). Return to God with all our hearts for He is gracious and compassionate!

3. Repent urgently – in the light of the day of the Lord and His coming judgement (Joel 3:3-14).

We believe that God will speak to each of you personally as you spend daily devotional time with the Lord in His Word and in prayer. This Devotional Journal (DJ) has been designed to help you in this. We pray and trust that God will greatly bless you as you use this DJ daily, and His Spirit will guide and direct your prayers such that God will be pleased to answer them and display His glory in you and in our church for the advance of His Kingdom in Singapore and beyond.

In Christ, Rev Tony Yeo and Rev Tan Kay Kiong

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GUIDE TO USING THIS

DEVOTIONAL JOURNAL

1

Prepare your heart in God’s presence

■ Select a fixed time (preferably in the morning before you begin your day) and a quiet place where you can be alone and undisturbed.

■ Observe a moment of silence as you acknowledge God’s presence. Centre down.

■ Begin with a song of worship.

Meditate on the lyrics even if you are unfamiliar with the tune. (Refer to the list of worship songs provided.)

■ Ask God to open your heart to hear Him.

SOMETHING TO PONDER...

Examining your life is essential in your faith journey. Your redeemed life as a disciple of Christ deserves careful examining. May you take root and bear fruit in Him!

The English Standard Version (ESV) is the default Bible version translation unless otherwise specified.

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9

Allow God to S.O.A.P. you

with His Word and Spirit

■ Scripture – Take your time to meditate on the Scripture passage for the day. Pause and mull over words and phrases that stand out to you.

■ Observation – Jot down significant insights and reflections from the passage you have read. You may use the guiding questions provided. The “Deeper Reflection” section is to aid your contemplation of the Scripture. It is not to replace your own observation, for the Holy Spirit illuminates the Scripture to you as you seek Him earnestly.

■ Application – Note down a specific and practical commitment to God’s Word for you. Is there a command to obey, a sin to avoid, an example to follow, or a principle to live out? Where appropriate, share your devotional entry with someone.

■ Prayer – Bring your heartfelt response to God in prayer.

P R AY E R P O I N T E R S F O R 2 0 1 8 Prayer pointers for Pastors and Staff are included every Tuesday. On each Friday, there is a prayer pointer for Lay Leaders (e.g. Zone Mentors, CG Leaders, Assistant CG Leaders and Ministry Leaders). A prayer pointer for Church Board Members is included every Saturday.

Please pray for each group as well as any specific individuals whom God may bring to your mind.

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SEPTEMBER–OCTOBER

WORSHIP SONGS GREAT ARE YOU LORD Verse You give life, You are love You bring light to the darkness You give hope, You restore Every heart that is broken And great are You, Lord Chorus It’s Your breath in our lungs So we pour out our praise We pour out our praise It’s Your breath in our lungs So we pour out our praise to You only Bridge And all the earth will shout Your praise Our hearts will cry, these bones will sing Great are You, Lord (Repeat) David Leonard | Jason Ingram | Leslie Jordan © 2012 Integrity’s Alleluia! Music (Admin. by CopyCare Asia Ltd (Singapore Branch)) Integrity’s Praise! Music (Admin. by CopyCare Asia Ltd (Singapore Branch)) Open Hands Music (Admin. by Essential Music Publishing LLC) So Essential Tunes (Admin. by Essential Music Publishing LLC) For use solely with the SongSelect Terms of Use. All rights reserved. www.ccli.com CCLI Song # 6460220 CCLI License # 324618

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BE THOU MY VISION Verse 1 Be Thou my vision, O Lord of my heart; Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art Thou my best thought, by day or by night, Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light.

Verse 2 Be Thou my Wisdom, and Thou my true Word; I ever with Thee and Thou with me, Lord; Thou my great Father, and I Thy true son, Thou in me dwelling, and I with Thee one.

Verse 3 Riches I heed not, nor man’s empty praise, Thou mine inheritance, now and always, Thou and Thou only, first in my heart, High King of heaven, my treasure Thou art.

Chorus Oh, God, be my everything, be my delight Be, Jesus, my glory My soul’s satisfied Oh, God, be my everything, be my delight Be, Jesus, my glory My soul’s satisfied Verse 4 High King of heaven, my victory won, May I reach heaven’s joys, O bright heaven’s Sun! Heart of my own heart, whatever befall, Still be my vision, O Ruler of all.

Eleanor Henrietta Hull | Mary Elizabeth Byrne © Words: Public Domain CCLI Song # 30639 CLCI License # 324618

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WHEN WE WALK WITH THE LORD (TRUST AND OBEY) Verse 1 When we walk with the Lord In the light of His Word What a glory He sheds on our way While we do His good will He abides with us still And with all who will trust and obey Chorus Trust and obey For there’s no other way To be happy in Jesus But to trust and obey Verse 2 Not a shadow can rise Not a cloud in the skies But His smile quickly drives it away Not a doubt nor a fear Not a sigh nor a tear Can abide while we trust and obey Verse 3 Not a burden we bear Not a sorrow we share But our toil He doth richly repay Not a grief nor a loss Not a frown nor a cross But is blest if we trust and obey Verse 4 But we never can prove The delights of His love Until all on the altar we lay For the favor He shows And the joy He bestows Are for those who will trust and obey

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Verse 5 Then in fellowship sweet We will sit at His feet Or we’ll walk by His side in the way What He says we will do Where He sends we will go Never fear, only trust and obey Daniel Brink Towner | John Henry Sammis © Words: Public Domain Music: Public Domain For use solely with the SongSelect® Terms of Use. All rights reserved. www.ccli.com CCLI Song # 22094 CCLI License # 324618

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‘TIS SO SWEET TO TRUST IN JESUS (TRUST IN JESUS) Verse 1 ‘Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus Just to take Him at His word Just to rest upon His promise Just to know, “Thus saith the Lord!”

Chorus Jesus Jesus how I trust Him How I’ve proved Him o’er and o’er Jesus, Jesus precious Jesus!

O, for grace to trust Him more!

Verse 2 O how sweet to trust in Jesus Just to trust His cleansing blood Just in simple faith to plunge me ‘Neath the healing, cleansing flood Verse 3 Yes, ‘tis sweet to trust in Jesus Just from sin and self to cease Just from Jesus simply taking Life and rest, and joy and peace Verse 4 I’m so glad I learned to trust Thee Precious Jesus, Savior Friend And I know that Thou art with me Wilt be with me to the end Louisa M. R. Stead | William James Kirkpatrick © Words: Public Domain Music: Public Domain For use solely with the SongSelect® Terms of Use. All rights reserved. www.ccli.com CCLI Song # 22609 CCLI License # 324618

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BUILD MY LIFE Verse 1 Worthy of every song we could ever sing Worthy of all the praise we could ever bring Worthy of every breath we could ever breathe We live for You Verse 2 Jesus, the name above every other name Jesus, the only one who could ever save Worthy of every breath we could ever breathe We live for You We live for You Chorus Holy, there is no one like You There is none besides You Open up my eyes in wonder Show me who You are and fill me With Your heart and lead me In Your love to those around me Bridge I will build my life upon Your love It is a firm foundation I will put my trust in You alone And I will not be shaken Brett Younker | Karl Martin | Kirby Elizabeth Kaple | Matt Redman | Pat Barrett © 2016 Martin, Karl Andrew (Admin. by Arkyard Music Services Limited) Capitol CMG Genesis (Admin. by CopyCare Asia Ltd (Singapore Branch)) Housefires Sounds (Admin. by CopyCare Asia Ltd (Singapore Branch)) Said And Done Music (Admin. by CopyCare Asia Ltd (Singapore Branch)) sixsteps Music (Admin. by CopyCare Asia Ltd (Singapore Branch)) Thankyou Music (Admin. by CopyCare Asia Ltd (Singapore Branch)) worshiptogether.com songs (Admin. by CopyCare Asia Ltd (Singapore Branch)) Bethel Music Publishing (Admin. by SHOUT! Music Publishing) Kaple Music (Admin. by SHOUT! Music Publishing) For use solely with the SongSelect® Terms of Use. All rights reserved. www.ccli.com CCLI Song # 7070345 CCLI License # 324618

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WHO YOU SAY I AM Verse 1 Who am I that the highest King Would welcome me I was lost but He brought me in Oh His love for me Oh His love for me Chorus 1 Who the Son sets free Oh is free indeed I’m a child of God Yes I am Verse 2 Free at last He has ransomed me His grace runs deep While I was a slave to sin Jesus died for me Yes He died for me Chorus 2 In my Father’s house There’s a place for me I’m a child of God Yes I am Bridge I am chosen, not forsaken I am who You say I am You are for me, not against me I am who You say I am (Repeat) Oh yes I am who You say I am Ben Fielding | Reuben Morgan © 2017 Hillsong Music Publishing For use solely with the SongSelect® Terms of Use. All rights reserved. www.ccli.com CCLI Song # 7102401 CCLI License # 324618

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PREPARE THE WAY Verse 1 He has come to bring light into the darkness He has come to bring freedom to the captives He has come to restore the brokenhearted It’s time to proclaim the year of the Lord Chorus Prepare the way Prepare the way for our Redeemer Prepare the way Prepare the way for our Restorer Make ready your heart Make ready your home Make ready the people of God Prepare the way Verse 2 He has come to bring hope to the hopeless He has come to comfort all who mourn He has come to heal our every sickness It’s time to proclaim the year of the Lord Darrell Evans | Eric Nuzum © 1999 Integrity’s Hosanna! Music (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing) CCLI Song # 2791649 CCLI License # 324618

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ANCIENT OF DAYS Verse Blessing and honour, glory and power Be unto the Ancient of days From every nation, all of creation Bow before the Ancient of days Chorus Every tongue in heaven and earth shall declare Your glory Every knee shall bow at your throne in worship You will be exalted, O God And Your Kingdom shall not pass away Oh, Ancient of days Bridge Your kingdom shall reign over all the earth Sing unto the Ancient of days For none can compare to Your matchless worth Sing unto the Ancient of days Gary Sadler | Jamie Harvill © 1992 Integrity’s Hosanna! Music (Admin. by CopyCare Asia Ltd (Singapore Branch)) For use solely with the SongSelect Terms of Use. All rights reserved. www.ccli.com CCLI Song # 798108 CCLI License # 324618

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YOUR NAME Verse 1 As morning dawns and evening fades You inspire songs of praise That rise from earth to touch Your heart And glorify Your Name Chorus Your Name is a strong and mighty tower Your Name is a shelter like no other Your Name, let the nations sing it louder ‘Cause nothing has the power to save But Your Name Verse 2 Jesus, in Your Name we pray Come and fill our hearts today Lord, give us strength to live for You And glorify Your Name Glenn Packiam | Paul Baloche © 2006 Integrity Worship Music (Admin. by CopyCare Asia Ltd (Singapore Branch)) Integrity’s Hosanna! Music (Admin. by CopyCare Asia Ltd (Singapore Branch)) For use solely with the SongSelect® Terms of Use. All rights reserved. www.ccli.com CCLI Song # 4611679 CCLI Licence No. 324618

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HALLELUJAH TO THE LAMB Verse 1 Lord, I stand in the midst of a multitude Of those from every tribe and tongue We are Your people, redeemed by Your blood Rescued from death by Your love There are no words good enough to thank You There are no words to express my praise But I will lift up my voice and sing from my heart With all of my strength Chorus Hallelujah hallelujah hallelujah to the Lamb Hallelujah hallelujah by the blood of Christ we stand Every tongue, every tribe, Every people, every land Giving glory, giving honour Giving praise unto the Lamb of God Verse 2 Lord, we stand by grace in Your presence Cleansed by the blood of the Lamb We are Your children, called by Your name Humbly we bow and we pray Release Your power to work in us and through us Till we are changed to be more like You Then all the nations will see Your glory revealed And worship You Bridge Every knee shall bow Every tongue confess That You are Lord of all Ending Giving praise unto the Lamb of God Giving praise unto the Lamb of God Jesus Christ, Lamb of God! Debbye Graafsma | Don Moen Š 1997 Integrity’s Hosanna! Music (Admin. by Crossroad Distributors Pty. Ltd.) CCLI Song # 2316323 CCLI License # 324618

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Notes

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01

SATURDAY

SEPTEMBER

Disciple Now! For a Growing Global Intentional Disciplemaking Church (IDMC) Movement

S CRIPTURE

Matthew 28:18-20; 1 Peter 2:9-10; Matthew 16:18

O BSERVATION What is at the heart of the Great Commission of Jesus Christ (vv.18-20)?

Deeper Reflection THE ORIGINAL GREEK imperative translated as “make disciples” (v.19) is the main verb in verses 19 to 20. Therefore, disciplemaking is the central focus of the Great Commission. The Greek participles translated as “go”, “baptising” and “teaching” describe aspects of this discipleship and disciplemaking process.1 In 1 Peter 2:9, the descriptions, “a chosen race”, “a royal priesthood”, “a holy nation” and “God’s own possession” were exclusive Old Testament terms used for the people of Israel (e.g. Exo 19:5-6), but now they were used to describe the Church and its relationship with God!2 Across nations and generations, all people who call Jesus Christ their Lord and Saviour constitute His Church, which is built upon Himself. Jesus’ command is “go therefore and make disciples of all nations”. Intentional disciplemaking on a global scale is at the heart of the Great Commission and the Church is God’s chosen agent for this mission!

The IDMC movement must be about all local churches everywhere making disciples! This global movement should seek to produce disciples who will observe all that Jesus has commanded (v.20) and is only possible because Jesus promised us His presence and power for the task: “And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age” (v.20). So let’s disciple now for a growing global IDMC movement!

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A PPLICATION

What is one practical thing that I can do to personally contribute to Covenant EFC’s calling to be a catalyst for the global IDMC movement?

P RAYER

Prayer Pointers

Dear LORD, thank You for calling Covenant EFC to be a local church with a global

■ Give thanks:

impact. Please help every Covenanter to grow in authentic discipleship and intentional disciplemaking.

Transform us by Your love, grace and power, so that we will submit fully to You and increasingly become an IDMC

■ Pray for church board: To see God as the Light in their dark circumstances ■ Pray for significant people:

that glorifies You! In Jesus’ name, amen.

■ Pray for those in need:

■ Pray for self:

1 2

Crossway Bibles, The ESV Study Bible (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2008), 1888.

Douglas J. Moo, “The Letters and Revelation,” in NIV Zondervan Study Bible: Built on the Truth of Scripture and Centered on the Gospel Message, ed. D. A. Carson (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2015), 2542.

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02 SUNDAY

Sunday Journal

SEPTEMBER

S CRIPTURE

O BSERVATION

A PPLICATION

P RAYER

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THE PAST WEEK

Review What was my high point and my low point for the week?

What gave me life and what drained me?

How was the Spirit of God at work?

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Reflect What is one key thing that God said to me this week in light of what has happened?

Respond What is one thing I need to do in light of what God is saying?

COMMIT IN PRAYER.

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FAMILY DEVOTIONAL WEEK 1 SEPTEMBER 2018

WILL GOD BE WITH ME ALWAYS? * God has promised to be with me always.

Scripture: Exodus 3; Psalm 118:6 ACTIVITY BITE Have someone take 10 similar coins and hide them in different parts of the room. Ask everyone else to find all 10 of them. Tell them that all the coins must be found and that they can keep the coins at the end of the activity.

CHAT TIME Q1: How badly do you want to find all the coins? Why? Q2: If the coins were replaced by 10 pieces of torn paper, would you still be as excited to find them?

Q3: What is more valuable to God, you or the coins? Why? LEARNING POINT In Exodus 3, God shares with Moses about His desire to save the Israelites from Egypt so that the people can be with Him again.

Out of His love for them, He sends Moses to deliver them from slavery. God has not forgotten His people. In fact, God has never left them even during the 400 years of slavery in Egypt. The Israelites are valuable to God and He wants them to be free to worship Him. He wants to be close to them. God has promised to never leave us because we are valuable to Him. We can be sure that He is always there for us every second of every day.

ACTION POINT Paste the coins from the above activity on a card and write “Psalm 118:6 The Lord is with me; I will not be afraid”. Put it on your study table to remind you of His promise.

FAMILY PRAYER POINTS Pray that we will always know that God will keep His promise to be with us at all times. * Adapted from First Look, Sep 2018. www.ThinkOrange.com

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03 MONDAY

SEPTEMBER

Diverse Pictures of God’s Work (1)

S CRIPTURE

Acts 14:1-7

O BSERVATION What observations can you make about the work of God in Iconium in verses 1 to 2 in relation to Acts 13:48?

Deeper Reflection GOD IS GOD and God’s work is God’s work. Hence, we cannot stereotype God and His work. Acts presents diverse pictures of God’s work, one of which was in Iconium (vv.1-7). Having been driven out of Pisidia Antioch, Paul and Barnabas “went to Iconium” (Acts 13:50-51).

Speaking with power: Paul and Barnabas “spoke in such a manner” (v.1a) – with certain contents and approach, which the text does not tell us, that was certainly powerful, as “a large number of people believed” (v.1b). It appears as if this was a human achievement. But most certainly, it could not have happened without the divine part, which was a primary part at that. The “large number” who “believed” must be linked theologically to “as many as had been appointed [by God] to eternal life believed” (Acts 13:48). Meeting strong opposition: The divinely powerful Word of God and work of God did not stop the opposition against God Himself from rising. The “Jews who disbelieved stirred up the minds of the Gentiles and embittered them against the brethren” (v.2).

The all-powerful sovereign God can easily prevent opposition from rising, but He chooses to permit it according to His purpose and to His glory.

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A PPLICATION

How will I live by the theological principle of “God is God and God’s work is God’s work” in my life?

is no other.” You are the supreme sovereign God who does whatever

Gi

vin

g

th

an

lf

I, even I, am the Lord, and there

nee d

am God. Even from eternity I am He.

Se

Holy God, who alone can declare, “I

Tho se in

Leaders

God, You are God, the Holy, Holy,

Significant people

P RAYER

ks

You please, and no one can ask You, “What are You doing?” There is none who can deliver out of Your hand; You act and who can reverse it, O Most Glorious One?

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04 TUESDAY

SEPTEMBER

Diverse Pictures of God’s Work (2)

S CRIPTURE

Acts 14:1-7

O BSERVATION What observations can you make about the work of God in Iconium in verses 1 to 7?

Deeper Reflection THE OPPOSITION that Paul and Barnabas experienced after a fruitful ministry (vv.1-2) was followed by “Therefore” (v.3). Ministering with perseverance: Because of the strong opposition “they spent a long time there” (v.3a). In Greek, the emphasis is on “long time” – which could be “several months”3. Because of the opposition, “the missionaries felt they must stay as long as possible to consolidate the infant Christian community, and departed only when they were absolutely forced to do so”4. Ministering to people in difficulties and difficult people calls for loving perseverance. It is perseverance with reliance on God. As the missionaries were “speaking boldly with reliance upon the Lord”, God “was testifying to the word of His grace” by “granting signs and wonders” through His servants (v.3b). When we speak God’s Word, it goes forth “in power and in the Holy Spirit and with deep conviction” (1 Thess 1:5). When we “speak in Christ” (2 Cor 12:19), Christ “speaks in us” (2 Cor 13:3). While God was speaking and working mightily, His servants faced strong opposition that forced them to flee (vv.4-6). But it was not a defeat, for “they continued to preach the gospel” (v.7).

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A PPLICATION

In what areas of my life do I need to press on with perseverance with reliance on God?

P RAYER

Prayer Pointers

Write a prayer to God as your response from your meditation on and application

■ Give thanks:

of the Scriptures.

■ Pray for pastors and staff: To press on with perseverance with reliance on God

■ Pray for significant people:

■ Pray for those in need:

■ Pray for self:

3 4

Eckhard J. Schnabel, Acts, Zondervan Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament (Zondervan, 2012), 603 I. Howard Marshall, Acts, Tyndale New Testament Commentaries (IVP, 1980), 232-33

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05

WEDNESDAY

SEPTEMBER

Be Flexible in Evangelistic Approach

S CRIPTURE

Acts 14:8-18

O BSERVATION What observations can you make about Paul’s approach in evangelising to the pagans (vv.13-17)?

Deeper Reflection THE MIRACLE of Paul healing a lame man at Lystra (vv.8-10) had similarities with the one through Peter in Acts 3 (Acts 3:1-10), but with different effects. In Acts 3, Peter preached the Gospel (Acts 3:11-26) resulting in many being saved (Acts 4:4), but the miracle at Lystra created a misunderstanding. The people saw Paul and Barnabas as gods who had come to them in human form and sought to worship them (vv.11-13). They were seen as gods because Paul’s “gaze” and “loud voice” in healing the lame man (vv.9-10) were phenomena often found in Greco-Roman stories about the coming of the gods.5 Then Paul and Barnabas spoke a message to clear up the misunderstanding.

This was the first speech to purely Gentile pagans.6 They were flexible in their approach in pointing them to the one true God. They focused on the natural world around these pagans and tried “to enhance the people’s understanding” by “taking the people’s correct sense that the supernatural is present and pointing them in the right direction”7 – to turn from dead idols to “the living God” (vv.15-17). Jesus was not mentioned. “One cannot discuss Jesus without first establishing that God is one”8 (1 Cor 8:4).

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A PPLICATION

Who I am reaching out to that I need to be flexible in my approach and how will I go about it?

P RAYER

Prayer Pointers

Teach me and help me, Lord Jesus, what it means to be and how I can be all things

■ Give thanks:

to all people in reaching out to pre-believers, so that I may by all means be a channel of Your salvation

■ Pray for leaders:

to some.9 Grant me wisdom and understanding, Spirit of missions, to be flexible in my approach and speak the

■ Pray for significant people:

Word of God appropriately and relevantly. Amen.

■ Pray for those in need:

■ Pray for self:

5 6 7 8 9

Darrell L. Bock, Acts, Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament (Baker, 2007), 475 Darrell L. Bock, 477 Darrell L. Bock, 476 Darrell L. Bock, 478 1 Corinthians 9:22

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34

06 THURSDAY

SEPTEMBER

God Reaching the Pagan Nations

S CRIPTURE

Acts 14:14-18; Romans 1:18-23

O BSERVATION What observations can you make about God in verses 15 to 17 and Romans 1:18-23?

Deeper Reflection GOD HAD PURPOSED to reach and redeem the nations through Abraham and his descendants, Israel and ultimately, Jesus Christ (Matt 1:1; Gal 3:8-9, 14). However, “in past generations” before the new witness by God through the Gospel of Jesus Christ (v.15), God “allowed all the nations to walk in their own ways” (v.16). The implication is, God “did not regard their ignorance of Himself as culpable”10. But, the Creator God “did not leave Himself without witness” in that He did good to them, giving them rain, crops and food (v.17). Indeed, “that which is known about God is evident among them, for God made it evident to them”; for through His creation “His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature have been clearly seen” (Rom 1:19-20). This general revelation of God remains till today. Nevertheless, God did seek to reach and save pagans “in past generations” – like Rahab the harlot (Josh 2:8-14), whom God also chose to be in the messianic genealogical line (Matt 1:1, 5).

When the just, merciful and gracious God “chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless before Him” (Eph 1:4), pagans “in past generations” were not excluded.

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A PPLICATION

How does the way God reach the pagans affect my reaching out to pre-believers?

P RAYER

Prayer Pointers

Write a prayer to God as your response from your meditation on and application

■ Give thanks:

of the Scriptures.

■ Pray for leaders:

■ Pray for significant people:

■ Pray for those in need:

■ Pray for self:

10

I. Howard Marshall, 239

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07 FRIDAY

SEPTEMBER

A Die-hard Disciple of Jesus

S CRIPTURE

Acts 14:19-21; 2 Corinthians 4:8-10

O BSERVATION How did Paul’s experience in verses 19 to 21 reflect 2 Corinthians 4:8-10?

Deeper Reflection PAUL WAS A DIE-HARD DISCIPLE of Jesus. What characterises such a disciple? Struck down: Jews from Antioch and Iconium and the citizens of Lystra “stoned” Paul till he looked “dead” to them (v.19).

Imagine the multiple bloody injuries and excruciating pain that Paul suffered, and how his physical condition worsened after being “dragged out of the city”. Stand up: Paul “got up” (v.20a), having recovered from his unconsciousness. It was certainly God’s all-sufficient grace, power and deliverance. But the injuries and pains remained. However severe may be our sufferings, we can experience this discipleship power-paradox: “We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed” (2 Cor 4:8-9). Strive on: Having gotten up, Paul “entered the city” and “the next day he went away with Barnabas to Derbe” and “preached the gospel” there and “made many disciples” (vv.20-21a). This was a sign of Paul’s “indefatigable faith and loyalty”11. When we are struck down, we “share in the death of Jesus”, “so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body” (2 Cor 4:10) as we stand up and strive on.

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A PPLICATION

What changes do I need to make in my life to grow to be a die-hard disciple of Jesus?

P RAYER

Prayer Pointers

Write a prayer to God as your response from your meditation on and application

■ Give thanks:

of the Scriptures.

■ Pray for lay leaders: To seek and grow to be die-hard disciples of Jesus

■ Pray for significant people:

■ Pray for those in need:

■ Pray for self:

11

David G. Peterson, The Acts of the Apostles, Pillar New Testament Commentaries (Apollos, 2009), 412, footnote 36 – citing L. T. Johnson

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08 SATURDAY

SEPTEMBER

A Paradigm for Making Disciples

S CRIPTURE

Acts 14:21-28

O BSERVATION What observations can you make about Paul and Barnabas making disciples (vv.21-22)?

Deeper Reflection TOWARDS THE END OF THEIR ASSIGNED TASK (Acts 13-14), Paul and Barnabas “returned” to “Lystra, Iconium and Antioch” to nurture the new converts whom they won to Christ (v.21). In our discipleship and disciplemaking, we must emphasise on expecting sufferings: “Through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God” (v.22). The “tribulations” are “kingdom of God” sufferings, also called “the sufferings of Christ” (2 Cor 1:4-5), which come in all forms, like trouble, hardship, persecution, famine, nakedness, danger and sword (Rom 8:35). The word “through” suggests that suffering itself is a journey. Expect “many” tribulations. We should wonder why if we are not suffering much.

Kingdom sufferings are part of God’s kingdom plan as a divine necessity, as the word “must” indicates. Kingdom tribulations call for endurance: “to continue in the faith” (v.22). It is to “be faithful until death” (Rev 2:10).

This was the missionaries’ objective in “strengthening” and “encouraging” the disciples (v.22). And obviously, they did so by the Word of God, for it is “through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide that we might have hope” in God (Rom 15:4, NIV).

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A PPLICATION

What changes I need to make in my discipleship journey regarding expecting and enduring tribulations?

P RAYER

Prayer Pointers

Write a prayer to God as your response from your meditation on and application

■ Give thanks:

of the Scriptures.

■ Pray for church board: To have readiness of faith to endure expected tribulations ■ Pray for significant people:

■ Pray for those in need:

■ Pray for self:

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09 SUNDAY

Sunday Journal

SEPTEMBER

S CRIPTURE

O BSERVATION

A PPLICATION

P RAYER

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THE PAST WEEK

Review What was my high point and my low point for the week?

What gave me life and what drained me?

How was the Spirit of God at work?

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Reflect What is one key thing that God said to me this week in light of what has happened?

Respond What is one thing I need to do in light of what God is saying?

COMMIT IN PRAYER.

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FAMILY DEVOTIONAL WEEK 2 SEPTEMBER 2018

W H AT C A N STO P G OD ’ S PR OM I SE S ? * Nothing in the world can stop God from keeping His promises.

Scripture: Exodus 14 ACTIVITY BITE Scatter many small pieces of blue-coloured paper on the table.

Have two people stand facing each other, one at each end of the table. Give them 30 seconds to blow the pieces of paper towards each other. At the end, whoever has the least number of papers at his or her end wins.

CHAT TIME Q1. How difficult was it to keep blowing the pieces of paper for 30 seconds? Did you ever think of giving up?

Q2. What can stop God from keeping His promise to bless you?

Why? Q3. Jesus says He is our friend. But if you did something bad, would He stay away from you?

LEARNING POINT In the book of Exodus, God promised to save His people from Egypt. There were many obstacles however. The toughest was the Red Sea. How could they cross the sea when the Egyptian army was right behind them? God did a miracle when He parted the sea for His people to cross to safety. Nothing could stop God from keeping His promise to save them. He can do anything to make His promises come through for you.

ACTION POINT Paste the small pieces of blue paper (to represent the sea) on a card and leave a space down the centre. In this space, write “Exodus 14. God Keeps His Promises.” Stick it on your fridge door to remind you of His promises.

FAMILY PRAYER POINTS Pray for God’s safety for your family every day. Ask Him to help you know that you are safe in His hands. * Adapted from First Look, Sep 2018. www.ThinkOrange.com

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10 MONDAY

SEPTEMBER

Theological Issues: Developing Theology

S CRIPTURE

Acts 15:1-6

O BSERVATION What observations can you make about theology in the early Church (vv.1-6)?

Deeper Reflection PAUL AND BARNABAS returned to Antioch and reported how God “had opened a door of faith to the Gentiles” (Acts 14:26-27). But soon, the church in Antioch was hit by a theological crisis. Some Jewish Christians insisted that the Gentiles “cannot be saved” unless they keep the Law of Moses (v.1). The truth of the Gospel that salvation is by grace through faith apart from keeping the Law (Rom 3:28; Eph 2:8-9) was in dispute. The very foundation of the Christian faith was being undermined. This led to “great dissension and debate” between Paul and Barnabas, and these Jewish Christians (v.2a). The theological issue was unresolved, so Paul and Barnabas were sent to Jerusalem to consult “the apostles and elders” (v.2b). Then, the church in Jerusalem was hit by the same theological crisis (vv.4-5). The apostles and the elders looked into the matter (v.6). Despite Jesus’ three-year training of the apostles some 20 years ago,12 the apostles were still grappling with major theological issues. They had to go through the process of developing theology, which is still needed and going on today under the Holy Spirit. It is something we cannot afford to belittle, ignore or neglect.

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45

A PPLICATION

What changes do I need to make in my perspective and posture towards the importance of theology in the Christian life?

P RAYER

Prayer Pointers

God, I recognise that I can have zeal for You that is not according

■ Give thanks:

to the knowledge of truth.13 Keep me from belittling, ignoring and neglecting the vital

■ Pray for leaders:

importance of knowing and understanding Your Word properly and correctly, and to be sound

■ Pray for significant people:

in biblical doctrine and able to navigate through the complexities of life with wisdom from above. Amen.

■ Pray for those in need:

■ Pray for self:

12 13

The Jerusalem conference in Acts 15 took place about 20 years after Pentecost.

Romans 10:2

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11

TUESDAY

SEPTEMBER

Theological Issues: Theological Debate

S CRIPTURE

Acts 15:1-7

O BSERVATION What observations can you make about how the early Church dealt with theological issues?

Deeper Reflection PAUL (WITH BARNABAS) was unable to resolve the theological issue in the Antioch theological crisis (vv.1-2), even though he had been a Christian and an apostle for some 15 years.14 The Christ-centred, Spiritfilled and intellectually brilliant Paul, who would be “the first and greatest Christian theologian”15, was still in the process of learning and growing in theology. In Jerusalem, “the apostles and the elders came together to look into this matter” (v.6) as a theological community. We learn and do theology through community interaction and not independently. Prayer had a vital place in the early Church (Acts 1:14; 4:23-31; 6:4; 12:5; 13:3).

But prayer was not mentioned in the apostolic council resolving a very critical theological issue. However, we can take it as a given within the larger context that these leaders did pray. But they did not just pray and wait for God to give them the solution. They engaged in “much debate” (v.7a) – theological debate. Debate is intellectual and verbal in nature. It involves thinking, listening to one another, discerning, arguing and having differing views. The word “much” indicates that the debate was “extensive and profound”16.

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A PPLICATION

How do I want to grow in theological learning and thinking as a spiritual-intellectual discipline?

P RAYER

Prayer Pointers

Write a prayer to God as your response from your meditation on and application

■ Give thanks:

of the Scriptures.

■ Pray for pastors and staff: To have discipline to grow in theological learning and thinking

■ Pray for significant people:

■ Pray for those in need:

■ Pray for self:

14 15 16

Paul was converted and called in A.D. 33/34 (Acts 9), and the Jerusalem conference (Acts 15) took place in A.D. 49.

James D. G. Dunn, The Theology of Paul the Apostle (T & T Clarke, 1998), 2 Eckhard J. Schnabel, 632

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12

WEDNESDAY

SEPTEMBER

Theological Issues: Experiential Approach

S CRIPTURE

Acts 15:7-12

O BSERVATION How did Peter give his theological perspective in countering the view of salvation by keeping the Law of Moses (Acts 15:1, 5) in verses 7 to 11?

Deeper Reflection THE APOSTOLIC COUNCIL in Jerusalem demonstrated a holistic threefold approach in looking at a theological issue: experiential approach, Scriptural approach and practical approach. Peter used the experiential approach. He gave his theological perspective by looking back at the conversion of Cornelius some 10 years ago (vv.7-11; cf. Acts 10). Based on that experience, Peter made the theological conclusion that God saved both Jews and Gentiles in the same way. God saved them “through the grace of the Lord Jesus” and by faith in Him (v.11), and He gave them the Holy Spirit as a seal of that salvation (v.8; cf. Eph 1:13-14). He debunked the theological belief that salvation was by keeping the Law of Moses (Acts 15:1, 5), by pointing to how the Jews themselves had been unable to do that throughout their history (v.10). It is important that we interpret our experience theologically by the Scriptures. But our experience helps us to understand the Scriptures in a real and relevant way. We look at an experience and ask: “What does Scripture say concerning this?” And we also ask: “What does this text of Scripture mean in real life?” And biblical truths are internalised and personalised through experience actively and passively.

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A PPLICATION

How do I go about relating Scripture and experience in my spiritual growth?

P RAYER

Prayer Pointers

God, the reality of You in our lives takes place in our understanding and

■ Give thanks:

experience. And we cannot separate understanding and experience. Help us to be devoted, disciplined

■ Pray for leaders:

and diligent in getting into the living Word of God and to let Your Word form our understanding and inform

■ Pray for significant people:

us about our experience in following the Word made flesh. Amen.

■ Pray for those in need:

■ Pray for self:

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13

THURSDAY

SEPTEMBER

Theological Issues: Scriptural Approach

S CRIPTURE

Acts 15:13-19

O BSERVATION What observations can you make when comparing Peter’s (Acts 15:7-11) and James’ (vv.13-18) approaches in looking at the theological issue at hand?

Deeper Reflection JAMES USED the Scriptural approach to look at the theological issue at hand. His response to Peter’s theological argument based on experience (v.14) was, citing Amos 9:11-12 (vv.16-18): “With this the words of the Prophets agree” (v.15), that is, fulfilment of a prophecy (v.18).

The prophecy was fulfilled in Jesus Christ. The rebuilt and restored “tabernacle of David which has fallen” (v.16) – the Davidic kingdom disappeared and the temple destroyed at the exile to Babylon − is the church of the ultimate King David, Jesus Christ. The church of Christ – the new covenant people of God − includes the Gentiles (v.17). And this church is “the new place of divine worship which replaced the temple”17 (cf. Eph 2:19-22). To be able to look at issues in life through the Scriptures, we need to grow in biblical literacy and competency. Biblical literacy is on the decline today. A common problem among Christians is that we hardly read the Bible; and even if we do, we read it haphazardly.

Make time – not find time, to read the Scriptures. Develop the skills in reading the Scriptures properly and correctly. Books on how to study the Bible18 can help us in acquiring biblical competency and literacy.

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A PPLICATION

How do I gauge myself in biblical literacy and competency, and what changes do I need to make?

P RAYER

Prayer Pointers

Write a prayer to God as your response from your meditation on and application

■ Give thanks:

of the Scriptures.

■ Pray for leaders:

■ Pray for significant people:

■ Pray for those in need:

■ Pray for self:

17 18

I. Howard Marshall, 252 Helpful books like Living by the Book (Moody Press, 1991), by Howard G. Hendricks & William D. Hendricks, and How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth, Fourth Edition (Zondervan, 1981, 1993, 2003, 2014), by Gordon D. Fee & Douglas Stuart

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14 FRIDAY

SEPTEMBER

Theological Issues: Practical Approach

S CRIPTURE

Acts 15:19-29

O BSERVATION Why did the church in Jerusalem instruct the Gentile Christians in Antioch to observe the four essentials in verses 19 to 20 and 28 to 29?

Deeper Reflection THE THEOLOGICAL DEBATE of the apostolic council (Acts 15:7-21) concluded with the practical approach. The church in Jerusalem wrote to the Gentile Christians, calling them to observe four practical essentials (vv.28-29). One essential of truth: Abstain from fornication. Essentials of truth are absolute in nature, which we must keep. Three essentials of love: Abstain from eating food offered to idols, meat of strangled animals and blood. Essentials of love are not absolute in nature, which we may keep. Under the old covenant, these three eating abstinences must be observed. But Christians under the new covenant in Christ are no longer bound by these ritual laws (Col 2:16-17). Jewish Christians who grew up keeping these laws would feel uncomfortable to see anyone eating these things, which was a non-issue for Gentile Christians. But the church comprised both Jews and Gentiles, who had table-fellowship together.

For the sake of harmony, the Gentile Christians were called upon to be lovingly sensitive to their Jewish fellow-believers. We are to “pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding”, “for the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking” (Rom 14:17, 19).

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A PPLICATION

What are some essentials of love that I should observe for the purpose of pursuing peace and mutual upbuilding in the Christian community?

P RAYER

Prayer Pointers

Write a prayer to God as your response from your meditation on and application

■ Give thanks:

of the Scriptures.

■ Pray for lay leaders: To have wisdom for practical outworking of truth in everyday life

■ Pray for significant people:

■ Pray for those in need:

■ Pray for self:

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15

SATURDAY

SEPTEMBER

Theological Issues: Divine-human Conclusion

S CRIPTURE

Acts 15:22-30

O BSERVATION What is the significance of Luke’s mention of the Holy Spirit in verse 28 in the context of the “much debate” (vv.6-7) of the apostolic council over the theological issue at hand?

Deeper Reflection THE CONCLUSION of the apostolic council’s theological debate was expressed, in their letter to the Gentile Christians (vv.22-29), as: “it seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us…” (v.28). The mention of the Holy Spirit in Acts 15, albeit only once, is very significant. All that Luke wrote about the “much debate” in Acts 15: 6-21 was purely human intellectual and verbal activity. But his mention of the Holy Spirit indicates that the “much debate” was a Spirit-directed and Spiritguided rigorous theological debate by Spirit-filled servants of God. Jesus promised to send His disciples “the Spirit of truth” (Jn 14:26; 15:26; 16:13) after His ascension, who “will teach you all things” (Jn 14:26), “will guide you into all truth” and “will disclose to you what is to come” (Jn 16:13). The conclusion made was a divine-human conclusion: “it seemed good to the Holy Spirit” – divine; “and to us” – human. This is applicable to understanding the Word of God. Prayerful dependence on the Spirit of truth does not exclude diligent (putting in effort) and patient (devoting time) digging into the Scriptures to mine its inexhaustible treasures.

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A PPLICATION

What does it mean for me to dig into the Scriptures with diligence, patience and dependence on the Spirit of truth?

P RAYER

Prayer Pointers

Write a prayer to God as your response from your meditation on and application

■ Give thanks:

of the Scriptures.

■ Pray for church board: To have diligence and patience in getting into God’s Word

■ Pray for significant people:

■ Pray for those in need:

■ Pray for self:

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16 SUNDAY

Sunday Journal

SEPTEMBER

S CRIPTURE

O BSERVATION

A PPLICATION

P RAYER

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THE PAST WEEK

Review What was my high point and my low point for the week?

What gave me life and what drained me?

How was the Spirit of God at work?

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58

Reflect What is one key thing that God said to me this week in light of what has happened?

Respond What is one thing I need to do in light of what God is saying?

COMMIT IN PRAYER.

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FAMILY DEVOTIONAL WEEK 3 SEPTEMBER 2018

DO I HAVE TO WAIT FOR GOD’S PROMISES? * God keeps His promises even if I have to wait.

Scripture: Genesis 12:1-9, 21:1-7 ACTIVITY BITE Put some jelly beans in a bowl. Flip a coin and cover it as it lands.

Ask someone to guess if it’s heads or tails. If he or she is correct, everyone gets to eat one jelly bean each. But if he or she guesses wrongly, everyone must wait for one minute before eating a jelly bean. Repeat this a few times.

CHAT TIME Q1: How did it feel to wait?

Q2: Why won’t God fulfil some of His promises immediately?

Does it mean He may have forgotten about you?

Q3: What can you do while waiting for God’s promises to come true?

LEARNING POINT Waiting for good things to come can sometimes be hard, especially when we want them fast. But God knows the best time to fulfil His promises. Just like your Mom’s cooking – it takes time to ensure the food is well cooked. If the cooking process is rushed, the food may not be well cooked and cannot be eaten. Waiting helps us to learn patience. It helps us to put our trust in God more, to know that His timing is the best. We may mess things up if we try to do it our way now instead of waiting for God. ACTION POINT Write down one of God’s promises to you on a card. Paste it on the door of your bedroom. When you look at it every morning, give thanks to Him for giving you this promise.

FAMILY PRAYER POINTS Pray for God to help you trust in His time to deliver His promises and ask Him to help you learn to be more patient. * Adapted from First Look, Sep 2018. www.ThinkOrange.com

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17

MONDAY

SEPTEMBER

Strengthening the Disciples

S CRIPTURE

Acts 14:21-22; 15:36, 41; 16:5

O BSERVATION What observations can you make about the ministry of Paul and Barnabas in verses 21 to 22, Acts 15:36, 41 and 16:5?

Deeper Reflection FOR PAUL AND BARNABAS, winning souls to Christ was not enough and incomplete. They sought to “return and visit” their converts “in every city” to “see how they are” (Acts 15:36), and to strengthen them in the faith (vv.21-22; Acts 15:41; 16:5). There was a time when Dawson Trotman, the founder of The Navigators, made it a rule in his life never to end the day without sharing Christ with someone,19 and he he won many to Christ. One day, he made a shocking discovery when he shared Christ with a man. He was “one of his ‘converts’ whose decision had not been followed up and had virtually died on the vine”20. Shaken, Dawson reasoned that there must be countless such persons who had sincerely received Christ, but whose lives had not been changed. Lost souls were saved, but became lost again. From that time on Dawson “resolved to follow up anyone he led to Christ – a work more difficult than winning souls”21. He said, “You can lead a man to Christ in 20 minutes to a couple of hours, but it takes 20 weeks to a couple of years to adequately follow him up.”22 Dawson began to put “less emphasis on getting the decision and more on growing up into Christ”23.

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A PPLICATION

Do I want to give of myself to help new and young believers to grow spiritually, and what action do I want to take?

P RAYER

Prayer Pointers

O Lord, when You give Your servants to endeavour any great matter, grant

■ Give thanks:

us to know that it is not the beginning, but the continuing of the same to the end, until it be

■ Pray for leaders:

thoroughly finished, that yields the true glory; through Him who for the finishing of Your work, laid

■ Pray for significant people:

down His life, our Redeemer, Jesus Christ. Amen.24

■ Pray for those in need:

■ Pray for self:

19

Betty Lee Skinner, Daws, A Man Who Trusted God (Navpress, 1974), 67 Betty Lee Skinner, 70 Betty Lee Skinner, 70 22 Betty Lee Skinner, 70 23 Betty Lee Skinner, 70 24 A prayer of Sir Walter Raleigh – quoted by Bruce Milne, Acts: Witnesses to Him, Focus on the Bible Commentaries (Christian Focus, 2010), 326 20 21

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18 TUESDAY

SEPTEMBER

Christ-centred Disciplemaking Paradigm

S CRIPTURE

Colossians 1:28-29

O BSERVATION What observations can you make about Paul’s disciplemaking ministry in verses 28 to 29?

Deeper Reflection VERSES 28 TO 29 highlight some fundamentals in Paul’s disciplemaking ministry. “We proclaim Him” (v.28): Disciplemaking is pointing others to Christ as the centre of all of life. The central emphasis is on knowing the person of Christ and growing in relationship with Him. Eternal life is to “know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ” (Jn 17:3). The disciplemaking process involves negatively “warning” against straying away from God and positively “teaching” the truths in God’s Word to live by (v.28). It requires “teaching” “with all wisdom” from the Scriptures and the Spirit, which implies that it is not easy. Paul’s teaching was life-to-life transmission: “Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ” (1 Cor 11:1). Disciplemaking is changing lives towards being “fully mature in Christ” (v.28). What does it take to change a life? Jesus died for the person’s sins. The Holy Spirit dwells in that person and does the work of sanctification. On top of these is the human intensive “labour” and “struggling” with dependence on “all His energy that He works powerfully in me” (v.29). Changing lives is the most difficult task in the world. Who are we to disciple? “Every person” (v.28 – repeated three times!).

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A PPLICATION

What does it mean to me personally to know that it takes so much to change a life?

P RAYER

Prayer Pointers

Write a prayer to God as your response from your meditation on and application

■ Give thanks:

of the Scriptures.

■ Pray for pastors and staff: To have spiritual empowerment, wisdom and perseverance in intentional disciplemaking

■ Pray for significant people:

■ Pray for those in need:

■ Pray for self:

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19

WEDNESDAY

SEPTEMBER

A Sharp Disagreement

S CRIPTURE

Acts 15:36-39

O BSERVATION What does the incident between Paul and Barnabas in verses 36 to 39 tell us about this closely bonded missionary pair?

Deeper Reflection THE CLOSELY BONDED MISSIONARY PAIR, “Paul and Barnabas” (the expression occurred nine times in Acts25), would break up. In planning to revisit their converts, Barnabas proposed to bring John Mark along, but Paul “kept insisting that they should not” (vv.36-38).

Paul took Mark’s desertion midway in the earlier work and “lack of perseverance”26 seriously (Acts 13:13). Barnabas, being the “Son of Encouragement” (Acts 4:36), insisted on giving Mark a second chance, but Paul did not want to take the risk. It ended in a “sharp disagreement” – which involved anger, irritation and exasperation,27 that led to them being “separated from one another” (v.39). It is a significant contrast to the unity of the early church (Acts 2:46; 4:32; 5:12; 15:25). This happened despite them being “set apart” by the Holy Spirit for the work (Acts 13:2). It was an act of the flesh, for we cannot say that it was of the Spirit. The issue here was not whether to place the interests of the individual or the work as a whole first. Paul and Barnabas could have agreed to disagree and act differently with a posture and process that was of the Spirit, “with all humility and gentleness, with patience, forbearing one another in love” (Eph 4:2).

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A PPLICATION

What changes do I need to make in the way I handle conflicts with people?

P RAYER

Prayer Pointers

Our Heavenly Father, we pray that according to the riches of Your glory, You will

■ Give thanks:

strengthen the Church of our Lord Jesus Christ with power through the Holy Spirit, that His Church may

■ Pray for leaders:

grow to be completely humble and gentle, patient and forbearing with one another in love, and make

■ Pray for significant people:

every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.28 Amen.

■ Pray for those in need:

■ Pray for self:

25

Acts 13:2, 42, 43, 46; 15:2, 22, 25, 35, 36 John Stott, 253 Darrell L. Bock, 519 28 Ephesians 3:16; 4:2-3 26 27

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20 THURSDAY

SEPTEMBER

Recovering from Rejection

S CRIPTURE

Acts 13:5, 13; 15:36-39; Philemon 23-24; 2 Timothy 4:11; 1 Peter 5:13

O BSERVATION What observations can you make about John Mark when stringing verses 5 and 13, Acts 15:36-39, Philemon 24; 2 Timothy 4:11 and 1 Peter 5:13 together?

Deeper Reflection JOHN MARK JOINED PAUL AND BARNABAS in their earlier work as a helper (v.5), but shortly after, he “left them and returned to Jerusalem” (v.13). Luke did not tell us why. But to Paul, that failure disqualified Mark from rejoining the team (Acts 15:38). Mark must have felt rejected. And the fact that Paul and Barnabas quarrelled and parted ways because of him must have made him feel terrible. But Mark’s story tells us that there is hope for failures. Mark was Paul’s fellow worker during his first imprisonment in Rome (Phm 24; Col 4:10).

And during his second imprisonment, Paul instructed Timothy to “pick up Mark and bring him with you, for he is useful to me for service” (2 Tim 4:11). And Mark wrote “The Gospel According to Mark”. He followed Peter (1 Pet 5:13) and “became Peter’s interpreter and wrote accurately all that he remembered…of the things said and done by the Lord”29. From being rejected as useless, Mark recovered to become useful. Let’s give hope to failures. Don’t be like Paul, but be like Barnabas, the Encourager. If not for Barnabas, who believed in Mark and took him in, at the expense of a close friendship and partnership (Acts 15:39), Mark might not have become what he would be, as the New Testament tells us.

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A PPLICATION

How will I respond to and deal with rejection by people?

P RAYER

Prayer Pointers

Write a prayer to God as your response from your meditation on and application

■ Give thanks:

of the Scriptures.

■ Pray for leaders:

■ Pray for significant people:

■ Pray for those in need:

■ Pray for self:

29

Eusebius’ Ecclesiastical History, Book 3, 39.15

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21 FRIDAY

SEPTEMBER

The Lord’s Grace

S CRIPTURE

Acts 15:22-23, 35-41

O BSERVATION How do verses 22 to 23 and 35 to 41 seem to show that Paul was on the right track and Barnabas was not in their separation in Antioch?

Deeper Reflection IN ANTIOCH, Paul and Silas were “committed by the brethren to the grace of the Lord” to the next missions work (v.40). But we can also see that same “grace of the Lord” was over the separation of Paul and Barnabas (vv.36-39). Paul seemed to be on the right track and Barnabas was not. Paul and Silas left Antioch with the blessing of the Antioch congregation (v.40). He fulfilled the assignment given by the apostolic council for “Syria and Cilicia” when he visited and strengthened the churches there (v.41 with vv.22-23). But all these activities of Paul “have no counterpart in Luke’s description of Barnabas in this passage”30.

However, God certainly overruled the quarrel and separation, since out of this, out of one pair two were made31 – Paul and Silas, and Barnabas and Mark. And we have seen what would happen to Mark in the future after Barnabas insisted on taking him.32 But this example of God’s providence must not be used as an excuse for Christian quarrelling.

In a way, it was God’s all-sufficient grace being perfected in human weaknesses and failures (cf. 2 Cor 12:9). There is a contrast in “the grace of the Lord” here (v.40): Paul did not show grace to Mark (v.38).

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A PPLICATION

How is the grace of the Lord shown to have a vital place in my life?

P RAYER

Prayer Pointers

Write a prayer to God as your response from your meditation on and application

■ Give thanks:

of the Scriptures.

■ Pray for lay leaders: To stand firm in the grace of God33

■ Pray for significant people:

■ Pray for those in need:

■ Pray for self:

30

Eckhard J. Schnabel, 662 John Stott, 253 See entry on September 20 33 1 Peter 5:12 31 32

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22 SATURDAY

SEPTEMBER

Following the Spirit

S CRIPTURE

Acts 16:1-10

O BSERVATION What characterised Paul’s missionary work in verses 6 to 10?

Deeper Reflection SANDWICHED IN BETWEEN “strengthening the churches” in Paul’s ministry (Acts 15:41; vv.4-5) is a story of investing in lives: Paul “wanted” Timothy “to go with him” (vv.1-3). Paul called Timothy “my beloved and faithful child in the Lord” (1 Cor 4:17), presumably he led him to Christ in his previous visit to Lystra (Acts 14:6).34 Disciplemaking is investing in lives to influence them for Christ through “my way of life in Christ Jesus” (1 Cor 4:17). The quality of the disciples we nurture is never all the same. Paul said of Timothy: “I have no one else like him, who will show genuine concern for your welfare” (Phil 2:19-20, NIV). As Paul’s team moved on in their missionary work, at two different locations, “the Holy Spirit” – also “the Spirit of Jesus” − “did not permit them” “to speak the word” (vv.6-7). In this whole journey of several hundred miles, there was “a prevailing uncertainty” among the missionaries, “without any clear sense of positive direction”35 from God, until they were at Troas (vv.8-10). And it wasn’t that God told them clearly to go to Troas. “Such would appear to be often the way when the mind of the Spirit is sought – a moving on even if only to explore and abandon false trails.”36

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A PPLICATION

What changes do I need to make in my understanding and perspective on the leading of the Holy Spirit in my life?

P RAYER

Prayer Pointers

Write a prayer to God as your response from your

■ Give thanks:

meditation on and application of the Scriptures.

■ Pray for church board: To faithfully follow in step with the Spirit ■ Pray for significant people:

■ Pray for those in need:

■ Pray for self:

34 35 36

John Stott, 254 James D. G. Dunn, The Acts of the Apostles (Eerdmans, 1996), 217 James D. G. Dunn, Acts, 217

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23 SUNDAY

Sunday Journal

SEPTEMBER

S CRIPTURE

O BSERVATION

A PPLICATION

P RAYER

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THE PAST WEEK

Review What was my high point and my low point for the week?

What gave me life and what drained me?

How was the Spirit of God at work?

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Reflect What is one key thing that God said to me this week in light of what has happened?

Respond What is one thing I need to do in light of what God is saying?

COMMIT IN PRAYER.

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FAMILY DEVOTIONAL WEEK 4 SEPTEMBER 2018

CAN I BELIEVE IN GOD’S PROMISES? * God can be trusted. I can believe in His promises.

Scripture: Genesis 6:9-22, 7:1-22 ACTIVITY BITE List down as many natural occurrences as you can, for example, the sun rises in the East every day or paper burns when it comes into contact with fire.

CHAT TIME Q1: Can some of these natural occurrences cease to exist? What happens if they do?

Q2: Do you think it was God who created them?

Q3: If God has control over them, will He also have control over His promises?

LEARNING POINT In Genesis, God destroyed the wicked people with the big flood.

But He saved Noah and his family and promised that the world would never be destroyed by such a flood again. He also said that the world will have more people living in it. The world now has billions of people, which shows that God has kept His promise. He is a God who keeps His promises and has proven it every time. You can trust Him. He will fulfil His promises to you.

ACTION POINT Write down 10 promises you can find in the Bible on a card and turn it into a bookmark. Keep it in your Bible. Pick a promise each day and say a thanksgiving prayer to God for that day’s promise.

FAMILY PRAYER POINTS Thank Jesus for being faithful in keeping His promises. Pray for your family that they will keep trusting God for the promises He will bring to pass. * Adapted from First Look, Sep 2018. www.ThinkOrange.com

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24 MONDAY

SEPTEMBER

God Unfolding His Purpose: Open Hearts

S CRIPTURE

Acts 16:6-15

O BSERVATION What observations can you make about the way God works in verses 6 to 15?

Deeper Reflection GOD DOES NOT ALWAYS SAY “YES” to us in everything that is good and right in God’s eyes, including evangelisation and saving souls.

Paul was “forbidden” by the Holy Spirit to “speak the word” in Asia and Bithynia (vv.6-7). God does lead us through saying “No”. Divine “No” can at times be hard to accept. This may mean great disappointment for us, especially when it has been disappointment after disappointment. But we are to wait on God, trusting in Him that He knows what He is doing and that He is working out His purpose. This happened to Paul, when at last he saw positive divine direction at Troas through a vision (vv.9-10).

God was leading Paul to a new frontier: Europe,37 beginning at Philippi (vv.11-12). There “the Lord opened the heart” of Lydia “to respond” to Paul’s message (vv.13-15). Paul’s preaching was not effective in itself; God worked through it. However, God’s work itself was not direct; He worked through Paul’s preaching. In the fuller picture of Paul’s journey from Asia to Philippi (vv.6-15), we see that closed doors (vv.6-7) and opened hearts (vv.13-14) are both the will and the work of the only wise sovereign God (cf. Rom 16:27).

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A PPLICATION

How do I respond to a divine “No” that comes in the form of disappointments?

P RAYER Lord, I thank You for the disappointments in my

Prayer Pointers

■ Give thanks:

life, and I keep entrusting them into Your hand, and acknowledge and bless You as the Lord of my

■ Pray for leaders:

disappointments. Give me Your grace and strength to accept the disappointments as divine appointments.

Lord, I anchor myself in

■ Pray for significant people:

Your words: “You don’t understand now what I am doing, but someday you will.”38 Amen.

■ Pray for those in need:

■ Pray for self:

37 38

Darrell L. Bock, 525 John 13:7 (NLT)

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25 TUESDAY

SEPTEMBER

God Unfolding His Purpose: Demonic Contribution

S CRIPTURE

Acts 16:13-34

O BSERVATION How did the demon inside the slave-girl (vv.16-24) contribute to the conversion of the Philippian jailer through Paul and Silas (vv.27-34)?

Deeper Reflection THE WHOLE STORY OF PAUL’S MINISTRY in Philippi in Acts 16 showed how God unfolded His purpose progressively. The phrase “the place of prayer” occurs twice (vv.13, 16). It was a marker of Divine Providence. It was at “the place of prayer” that Lydia was converted (vv.13-14). The events leading to the jailer’s conversion (vv.27-34) started with the missionaries “going to the place of prayer” (v.16). Then, “a slave girl having a spirit of divination … bringing her masters much profit by fortune-telling” “met” them (v.16). She was “following after” them and “kept crying out” that they were the Most High God’s servants proclaiming the way of salvation (vv.16-17). And she “continued doing this for many days” until Paul was so “greatly annoyed” that he cast the demon out of her (v.18). This resulted in Paul being thrown into prison for making the slave girl’s masters lose their “hope of profit” (vv.19-24), which led to the jailer’s conversion eventually. The demon contributed, unintentionally, to making this happen. Paul did not cast out the demon immediately; but the demon kept harassing him until it was cast out.

Divine Providence accomplished His purpose through this demon.

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A PPLICATION

How does the reality of Divine Providence behind demonic activity affect my discipleship journey?

P RAYER

Prayer Pointers

Write a prayer to God as your response from your meditation on and

■ Give thanks:

application of the Scriptures.

■ Pray for lay leaders: To stand strong in Divine Providence in spiritual warfare

■ Pray for significant people:

■ Pray for those in need:

■ Pray for self:

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26

WEDNESDAY

SEPTEMBER

God Unfolding His Purpose: Locked Up

S CRIPTURE

Acts 16:19-24

O BSERVATION How did Luke show the severity of the affliction that Paul and Silas suffered in verses 19 to 24?

Deeper Reflection AFTER HAVING CAST OUT THE DEMON from the slave girl, Paul and Silas were roughly handled by her masters, who “seized” and “dragged” them “into the market place before the authorities” (vv.18-19).

Then they were maliciously accused of breaking Roman criminal laws. The accusers’ real reason was economic: the loss of their source of income (v.19). But under Roman law, “loss of profit was not relevant to criminal law”39. Paul and Silas were accused of “throwing our city into confusion” (v.20), which meant punishment by the authorities, whose main responsibility, – particularly in a Roman colony – was to maintain order40. “Being Jews”, they were accused of “proclaiming customs” that were “not lawful” for the “Romans” (v.21), seeking to alter the ancestral customs of Philippi and the Romans’ way of living, and to influence them “to live like Jews, which in Roman eyes amounts to revolution”41.

Thus, they were severely punished: “beaten with rods” “with many blows” (vv.22-23a). After that, they were locked up (vv.23b-24). Closed doors (Acts 16:6-8), then opened hearts (Acts 16:9-14) and now locked up. Strange and surprising ways of God, whose sovereignty is often clothed with mystery!

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A PPLICATION

What does it mean for me to know God as the God of “closed doors, opened hearts and locked up?

P RAYER

Prayer Pointers

Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God!

■ Give thanks:

How unsearchable His judgments and His paths beyond tracing out! Who has known the mind of the

■ Pray for leaders:

Lord? Or who has been His counsellor? Who has ever given to God, that God should repay them? For from

■ Pray for significant people:

Him and through Him and for Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever! Amen.42

■ Pray for those in need:

■ Pray for self:

39

Eckhard J. Schnabel, 685 Eckhard J. Schnabel, 685 Eckhard J. Schnabel, 686 42 Romans 11:33-36 (NIV) 40 41

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27

THURSDAY

SEPTEMBER

God Unfolding His Purpose: Great Earthquake

S CRIPTURE

Acts 16:25-34

O BSERVATION What significant observations can you make about God from the experience of Paul and Silas in prison (vv.25-34)?

Deeper Reflection IN PRISON, Paul and Silas were “praying and singing hymns of praise to God” (v.25), while suffering in pain from being “beaten with rods” “with many blows” (v.23). This narrative must be counterbalanced by: “Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray.

Is any cheerful? Let him sing praise” (Jas 5:13). We should worship God in suffering, like Job (Job 1:20-21), but not necessarily by singing praise. Then, “suddenly came a great earthquake” (v.26).

Was this the effect of the “praying and singing of hymns of praise to God”? Probably. However, we cannot build a theology out of this that becomes a methodology. It is divine prerogative to respond with “great earthquake” or not. The great earthquake resulted in “all the doors were opened” (v.26), which was both literal and symbolic.

The great earthquake not only opened the doors of the jail, but also opened the doors for the preaching of the Gospel to the jailer, leading to his conversion with his household (vv.27-34). It is belief in “the Lord Jesus” that brings salvation (v.31). Paul knew no separation between receiving Jesus as Saviour and following Him as Lord, as many Christians subscribed to (cf. Rom 10:9-10).

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A PPLICATION

How can I go about learning and growing in worshiping God in adverse circumstances?

P RAYER

Prayer Pointers

Write a prayer to God as your response from your meditation on and application

■ Give thanks:

of the Scriptures.

■ Pray for leaders:

■ Pray for significant people:

■ Pray for those in need:

■ Pray for self:

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28 FRIDAY

SEPTEMBER

God Unfolding His Purpose: “We’re Romans!”

S CRIPTURE

Acts 16:19-24, 35-39

O BSERVATION How is Divine Providence evident in the imprisonment (vv.19-24) and the release of Paul and Silas (vv.35-39)?

Deeper Reflection THE WORD “ROMANS” occurs three times in the story of Paul and Silas being thrown into prison (vv.21, 37, 38), through which the idea of Divine Providence is developed. The day after the missionaries were jailed, the magistrate wanted to release them (v.35). It could be that the magistrate assumed that the great earthquake was the wrath of the Jewish Most High God (cf. v.17) incurred for beating and imprisoning the two Jews, and that the safest course of action was to release them and move them out of the city as quickly as possible.43 But Paul raised a strong protest against being “beaten in public without trial” and “thrown into prison” as “Romans” and demanded the magistrate and police to release them personally (vv.36-39). But why didn’t Paul raise an objection as a Roman citizen when he and Silas were about to be “beaten with rods” (vv.22-23)? Luke did not tell us the reason. But it is evident that Divine Providence was behind this. If Paul had objected then, they would not have been imprisoned. But it was through their imprisonment that led to a great earthquake that the jailer and his family heard the Gospel and were converted.

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A PPLICATION

How has Divine Providence been evident in my life and how does this personal reflection help me in my discipleship journey?

P RAYER

Prayer Pointers

Write a prayer to God as your response from your meditation on and application

■ Give thanks:

of the Scriptures.

■ Pray for lay leaders: To trust in God who leads step by step

■ Pray for significant people:

■ Pray for those in need:

■ Pray for self:

43

Eckhard J. Schnabel, 693

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29 SATURDAY

SEPTEMBER

Presuppositions Behind Understanding Biblical Truths

S CRIPTURE

Acts 16:16-18

O BSERVATION What can you learn about demons in the encounter between Paul and the slave girl with a spirit of divination (vv.16-18)?

Deeper Reflection THE DEMON IN THE SLAVE GIRL acknowledged the true identity of Paul and Silas (“these men are bondservants of the Most High God”, v.17) and the true nature of their mission (“proclaiming to you the way of salvation”, v.17). “The Most High God” and “the way of salvation” from the demon’s mouth are terms of truth. But, the same words of truth could be understood differently. To the monotheistic Jews “the Most High God” – a Supreme Being − refers to the one true God, Yahweh; but to the polytheistic Gentiles it could refer to whatever deity they considered as supreme,1 and Paul’s God might be perceived as such. In the Greco-Roman world, “salvation” in material and spiritual ways was the object of vows and prayers to many gods2, and not as in the Gospel of Christ. Truths in Scripture can mean different things to different people subjectively. We all have our own presuppositions and preunderstandings that influence and form our understanding of truths. We cannot be totally objective.

Self-awareness of our presuppositions and preunderstandings is critically necessary in our understanding of the Scriptures, along with interaction and consultation with fellow learners of truth.

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A PPLICATION

How can I cultivate self-awareness of my presuppositions and preunderstandings in relation to my understanding of the Scriptures?

P RAYER

Prayer Pointers

Write a prayer to God as your response from your meditation on and application

■ Give thanks:

of the Scriptures.

■ Pray for church board: To have self-awareness of their presuppositions in reading the Scriptures ■ Pray for significant people:

■ Pray for those in need:

■ Pray for self:

44 45

William J. Larkin Jr., Acts, IVP New Testament Commentary (IVP, 1995), 238 David G. Peterson, 464

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30 SUNDAY

Sunday Journal

SEPTEMBER

S CRIPTURE

O BSERVATION

A PPLICATION

P RAYER

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THE PAST WEEK

Review What was my high point and my low point for the week?

What gave me life and what drained me?

How was the Spirit of God at work?

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Reflect What is one key thing that God said to me this week in light of what has happened?

Respond What is one thing I need to do in light of what God is saying?

COMMIT IN PRAYER.

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FAMILY DEVOTIONAL WEEK 5 SEPTEMBER 2018

ARE GOD’S PROMISES GOOD? * All of God’s promises are made to bless His children.

Scripture: Romans 8:28 ACTIVITY BITE Walk down the produce section of a supermarket and, in your notebook, draw the different types of healthy food. These can be different types of vegetables or fish. Then do some research on their health benefits.

CHAT TIME Q1: Can you name some processed foods that can be harmful to you if you eat them too often? Why are they harmful?

Q2: Why does God create produce with all the vitamins in it?

Q3: Are the things that God created meant to harm His children?

Why or why not?

LEARNING POINT God created us and He loves us a lot. He will never do things that will harm His children. Instead, He gives us good food, air to breathe and water to drink. He gives us shelter from the sun and rain. He gives us families and friends to love and play with. All that He does is meant to be good for us. He will never leave us nor be uncaring towards us. All His promises are meant to be good for us.

That is why you can trust Him. ACTION POINT Talk to your parents about the things that cause you to be worried or anxious. Think of God’s promises or blessings in the Bible. Use these Bible verses to pray over your worries.

FAMILY PRAYER POINTS Thank Jesus for all of His good promises. Pray that we will all receive God’s promises with gladness instead of worrying all the time. * Adapted from First Look, Sep 2018. www.ThinkOrange.com

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Notes

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© 2018 COVENANT EVANGELICAL FREE CHURCH T: (65) 6892 6811 • E: mail@cefc.org.sg • W: www.cefc.org.sg

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