Not-So-Quiet-Time: Acts 26
At-Home Bible Guide for the Week of 3/29
Day 1: Verses 1-3
Paul had been treated unjustly and had been in danger for a long time. However, he remained kind and patient in how he dealt with others. It would have been easy for him to lash out and complain, but he didn’t. And it is likely that those who heard his message were more open to what he said because of how he said it. He married charity with clarity. Would people describe you as a patient and kind person even in the face of adversity or frustration? Who we are has a lot to do with how people hear what we say.
Day 2: Verses 4-8
In Paul’s time and place, the supernatural was an assumed part of life. Everyone believed in God or gods. Therefore, Paul could ask, “Why is it thought incredible by any of you that God raises the dead?” (26:8). Every culture has certain shared beliefs, and Christians are wise to be aware of what those beliefs are. This allows us to find real common-ground as we share the truth about Jesus. What areas of common ground do we share with non-Christians in our culture?
Day 3: Verses 9-11
Though Paul knew the sinfulness of his past, he was not shy about sharing his story. He was open about his past sins because he wanted to make clear how God had changed him. In the modern church, there can be pressure to pretend to be perfect. However, the gospel is that Christ came into the world to save sinners. And Paul knew that it glorified God to be able to share that he was the worst of sinners (1 Tim 1:15), but God had changed him. Pray that God would make you appropriately transparent about how He has changed your life.
Day 4: Verses 12-23
Again, Paul shared the story of his conversion. And he openly shared the reason for his life now: to share the hope of Jesus with others. The purpose of his life was “to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in [Christ]” (26:18). That is the purpose of each of our lives. Pray that God would help us to live according to our mission.
Day 5: Verses 24-32
The defense that Paul was giving was actually a defense of the gospel. Instead of looking to free himself, he was seeking to free the souls of those who imprisoned him. And Agrippa could see that Paul was evangelizing. He asked Paul, “In a short time would you persuade me to be a Christian?” (26:28). And Paul wasn’t shy in answering that he wanted all those who heard his message to become followers of Christ (26:29). There is no better time than now for each of us to live like this ourselves. Who can you share the Good News with today?
Catechism Connection: 35
One of the most compelling kinds of evidence of God’s work in the world is how He changes us. We are not who we used to be. “Sanctification is the work of God’s free grace by which we are renewed in our whole person in the image of God and by which we are enabled more and more to die to sin and live to righteousness” (WSC 35). When others see you being changed by Christ, they have good reason to believe in Him.
Monthly Memory: Romans 5:8
But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Day 1: Verses 1-3
Paul had been treated unjustly and had been in danger for a long time. However, he remained kind and patient in how he dealt with others. It would have been easy for him to lash out and complain, but he didn’t. And it is likely that those who heard his message were more open to what he said because of how he said it. He married charity with clarity. Would people describe you as a patient and kind person even in the face of adversity or frustration? Who we are has a lot to do with how people hear what we say.
Day 2: Verses 4-8
In Paul’s time and place, the supernatural was an assumed part of life. Everyone believed in God or gods. Therefore, Paul could ask, “Why is it thought incredible by any of you that God raises the dead?” (26:8). Every culture has certain shared beliefs, and Christians are wise to be aware of what those beliefs are. This allows us to find real common-ground as we share the truth about Jesus. What areas of common ground do we share with non-Christians in our culture?
Day 3: Verses 9-11
Though Paul knew the sinfulness of his past, he was not shy about sharing his story. He was open about his past sins because he wanted to make clear how God had changed him. In the modern church, there can be pressure to pretend to be perfect. However, the gospel is that Christ came into the world to save sinners. And Paul knew that it glorified God to be able to share that he was the worst of sinners (1 Tim 1:15), but God had changed him. Pray that God would make you appropriately transparent about how He has changed your life.
Day 4: Verses 12-23
Again, Paul shared the story of his conversion. And he openly shared the reason for his life now: to share the hope of Jesus with others. The purpose of his life was “to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in [Christ]” (26:18). That is the purpose of each of our lives. Pray that God would help us to live according to our mission.
Day 5: Verses 24-32
The defense that Paul was giving was actually a defense of the gospel. Instead of looking to free himself, he was seeking to free the souls of those who imprisoned him. And Agrippa could see that Paul was evangelizing. He asked Paul, “In a short time would you persuade me to be a Christian?” (26:28). And Paul wasn’t shy in answering that he wanted all those who heard his message to become followers of Christ (26:29). There is no better time than now for each of us to live like this ourselves. Who can you share the Good News with today?
Catechism Connection: 35
One of the most compelling kinds of evidence of God’s work in the world is how He changes us. We are not who we used to be. “Sanctification is the work of God’s free grace by which we are renewed in our whole person in the image of God and by which we are enabled more and more to die to sin and live to righteousness” (WSC 35). When others see you being changed by Christ, they have good reason to believe in Him.
Monthly Memory: Romans 5:8
But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
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