Bible Readings 2024, Week 50; Dec. 9-15
Dec.9; Rom 13-16
1. Rom. 13:1; “Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.”
Can we be subject to evil and ungodly authorities?
2. Rom. 13:11-14; “And do this, understanding the present time: The hour has already come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh.”
What did Paul mean by “night” and “day”?
3. Rom. 15:30; “I urge you, brothers and sisters, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to join me in my struggle by praying to God for me.”
What was Paul’s struggle?
Dec. 10; Acts 20-21
1. Acts 20:7; “On the first day of the week we came together to break bread. Paul spoke to the people and, because he intended to leave the next day, kept on talking until midnight.”
Did the first church participate in the Holy Communion every week?
2. Acts 20:29; “I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock.”
What did Paul mean by savage wolves?
3. Acts 21:29; “(They had previously seen Trophimus the Ephesian in the city with Paul and assumed that Paul had brought him into the temple.)”
Who was Trophimus”
Dec.11; Acts 22-24
1. Acts 22:9-11; “And those who were with me indeed saw the light and were afraid, but they did not hear the voice of Him who spoke to me. So I said, ‘What shall I do, Lord?’ And the Lord said to me, ‘Arise and go into Damascus, and there you will be told all things which are appointed for you to do.’ And since I could not see for the glory of that light, being led by the hand of those who were with me, I came into Damascus.”
compare this passage with Acts 9:7; “And the men who journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice but seeing no one.”
How do you understand the conflict between the two stories?
2. Acts 22:27; “The commander went to Paul and asked, “Tell me, are you a Roman citizen?”
Paul was a Roman citizen. Did Paul become a Roman citizen by paying for it or by birth?
3. Acts 23:6-7; “Then Paul, knowing that some of them were Sadducees and the others Pharisees, called out in the Sanhedrin, “My brothers, I am a Pharisee, descended from Pharisees. I stand on trial because of the hope of the resurrection of the dead.” When he said this, a dispute broke out between the Pharisees and the Sadducees, and the assembly was divided.”
What was the difference between Pharisees and Sadducees regarding the resurrection of the dead?
Dec.12; Acts 25-27
1. Acts 25:1; “Three days after arriving in the province, Festus went up from Caesarea to Jerusalem.”
Who was Festus?
2. Acts 26:1; “Then Agrippa said to Paul, “You have permission to speak for yourself.” So Paul motioned with his hand and began his defense:
Who was Agrippa?
3. Acts 26:15; “Then I asked, ‘Who are you, Lord?’ ‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,’ the Lord replied.”
How did Paul persecute Jesus?
Dec.13; Acts 28; Col 1-2
1. Acts 28:1; “Once safely on shore, we found out that the island was called Malta.”
Where was the island of Malta in Paul’s time?
2. Acts 28:30-31; “For two whole years Paul stayed there in his own rented house and welcomed all who came to see him. He proclaimed the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ—with all boldness and without hindrance!”
What do we learn from the life of the Apostle Paul?
3. Col. 1:1-2; “Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother. To God’s holy people in Colossae, the faithful brothers and sisters in Christ: Grace and peace to you from God our Father.
Where was the church of Colossae?
Dec.14; Col 3-4; Phlm; Eph 1
1. Col. 3:22; “Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to curry their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord.”
Did Paul encourage people to enslave people?
2. Philemon 1:1; “Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, To Philemon our dear friend and fellow worker.”
Who was Philemon?
3. Eph. 1:3; “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.”
What are the spiritual blessings?
Dec.15; Eph 2-5
1. Eph. 2:1; “As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins.”
What did Paul mean by “you” in this passage?
2. Ehp. 3:1; For this reason, I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles.”
How did Paul become a prison for the sake of Gentiles? Please refer to Acts 21
3. Eph. 4:30; “And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.”
How do we grieve the Holy Spirit?