Not-So-Quiet-Time: Acts 11
At-Home Bible Guide for the Week of 11/16
Day 1: Verses 1-10
Even among believers, there can be disagreements. So Peter went and reported what had happened. But he didn’t appeal to his standing as an apostle. And he didn’t try to use power politics to silence his critics. Instead, he reported what God had said and done. In the same way, we want the Word of God to be the final authority. The Bible is the decider of disputes. Pray that God would help you trust and follow the Bible wherever it leads.
Day 2: Verses 11-18
When God’s Word is spoken and his actions are remembered, the right response is to glorify Him (11:18). The outcome of hearing from and about God should be to worship Him, not to “stand in God’s way” (11:17). God doesn’t always work as we expect, and some early Christians may have been surprised at how God included the Gentiles. They may have even been threatened by it. But the right response was to humbly fall silent and worship the God who does as He pleases. Ask God to give you a humble spirit that wants to follow and worship Him.
Day 3: Verse 19-21
As you were reading the last couple chapters, it might have been easy to forget about all the persecution the believers were experiencing. But it was still going on. The church had been scattered. Some of these Christians were not willing to include Gentiles. It seems that they were still standing in God’s way (11:17). But others trusted what God had said, and God used them powerfully: “the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number who believed turned to the Lord.” The hand of the Lord is with those who trust his Word. Are you trusting what God has said in the Bible? How is it shaping what you do and care about?
Day 4: Verses 22-26
Barnabas saw what God was doing and it made him glad (11:23). And he encouraged God’s people to keep going. We should want to be like that. Does God’s work bring joy to your heart? And do you encourage your people to remain faithful and steadfast?
Day 5: Verses 27-30
A famine was coming, and it was going to be especially hard for the persecuted Christians in Judea. So the church decided to act. One of the leaders in this church would later write, “If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, ‘Go in peace, be warmed and filled,’ without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that?” (Jas 2:15-16). The church understood believing in Jesus means loving like Jesus. Who is someone in need that you can help this week?
Catechism Connection: WSC 85-87
One of the best things about the Westminster Standards is that they are so biblical. In this passage, the apostles said, “Then to the Gentiles also God has granted repentance that leads to life” (11:18). Faith and repentance are “saving graces” (WSC 85-87). In other words, God graciously gives repentance and faith. He gives true repentance. He gives faith. He gives life.
Day 1: Verses 1-10
Even among believers, there can be disagreements. So Peter went and reported what had happened. But he didn’t appeal to his standing as an apostle. And he didn’t try to use power politics to silence his critics. Instead, he reported what God had said and done. In the same way, we want the Word of God to be the final authority. The Bible is the decider of disputes. Pray that God would help you trust and follow the Bible wherever it leads.
Day 2: Verses 11-18
When God’s Word is spoken and his actions are remembered, the right response is to glorify Him (11:18). The outcome of hearing from and about God should be to worship Him, not to “stand in God’s way” (11:17). God doesn’t always work as we expect, and some early Christians may have been surprised at how God included the Gentiles. They may have even been threatened by it. But the right response was to humbly fall silent and worship the God who does as He pleases. Ask God to give you a humble spirit that wants to follow and worship Him.
Day 3: Verse 19-21
As you were reading the last couple chapters, it might have been easy to forget about all the persecution the believers were experiencing. But it was still going on. The church had been scattered. Some of these Christians were not willing to include Gentiles. It seems that they were still standing in God’s way (11:17). But others trusted what God had said, and God used them powerfully: “the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number who believed turned to the Lord.” The hand of the Lord is with those who trust his Word. Are you trusting what God has said in the Bible? How is it shaping what you do and care about?
Day 4: Verses 22-26
Barnabas saw what God was doing and it made him glad (11:23). And he encouraged God’s people to keep going. We should want to be like that. Does God’s work bring joy to your heart? And do you encourage your people to remain faithful and steadfast?
Day 5: Verses 27-30
A famine was coming, and it was going to be especially hard for the persecuted Christians in Judea. So the church decided to act. One of the leaders in this church would later write, “If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, ‘Go in peace, be warmed and filled,’ without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that?” (Jas 2:15-16). The church understood believing in Jesus means loving like Jesus. Who is someone in need that you can help this week?
Catechism Connection: WSC 85-87
One of the best things about the Westminster Standards is that they are so biblical. In this passage, the apostles said, “Then to the Gentiles also God has granted repentance that leads to life” (11:18). Faith and repentance are “saving graces” (WSC 85-87). In other words, God graciously gives repentance and faith. He gives true repentance. He gives faith. He gives life.
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