Acts - Week 29

Week 29 Acts 9 

Day 1 

READ 

Acts 9:5-6 

5 “Who are you, lord?” Saul asked. And the voice replied, “I am Jesus, the one you are persecuting! 6 Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.” 

When a voice from heaven asked Saul, “Why are you persecuting me,” this was Saul’s answer. 

His use of the term “lord” was not recognizing it was God but was a customary address of respect in Saul’s day. He soon learned who was speaking when the answer came, “I am Jesus.” Again note that even though Saul thought he was persecuting Christ-followers, he was really persecuting Jesus. Now he was instructed to go into Damascus for more instructions.  

REFLECT 

Think of all you have to be grateful for as you see Jesus working in the heart of one of the worst sinners of all time. 

RESPOND 

Talk with your disciple about what is being seen in this ninth chapter of Acts. This was the beginning of a key turning point in the history of the Christian Church. 

Day 2 

READ 

Acts 9:7-9 

7 The men with Saul stood speechless, for they heard the sound of someone’s voice but saw no one! 8 Saul picked himself up off the ground, but when he opened his eyes he was blind. So his companions led him by the hand to Damascus. 9 He remained there blind for three days and did not eat or drink. 

None of Saul’s companions saw anything. Even though they heard the sound of the voice, they did not understand it (see 22:9). Saul was now blind and had to be helped to the city by his companions. This fearless Pharisee was now helpless. He was blind for three days and did not eat or drink anything. What was going to happen now to this persecutor of believers? 

REFLECT 

Think on many of the blessings you have from God. It was not necessary that He appeared to you as He did to Saul. What individual told you the story of Jesus? What caused you to see the need to believe in Him? 

READ 

To see how the apostle Paul later told the story of his conversion, you and your disciple need to read Acts 22:1-11.  

Day 3 

READ 

Acts 9:10-12 

10 Now there was a believer in Damascus named Ananias. The Lord spoke to him in a vision, calling, “Ananias!” “Yes, Lord!” he replied. 11 The Lord said, “Go over to Straight Street, to the house of Judas. When you get there, ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul. He is praying to me right now. 12 I have shown him a vision of a man named Ananias coming in and laying hands on him so he can see again.” 

God spoke to Ananias in a vision and gave him directions where he would find Saul so he could help him. Note that even then God said Saul was praying to Him. God also gave Saul a vision of what to expect. A visitor named Ananias would come and lay hands on him so he could see again. What do you think was the reaction of Ananias when he was told to go do something for the one known for persecuting every follower of the Way that he could? Would he want him to stay blind? 

REFLECT 

What do you think of when you hear enemies of the gospel?  Do you want God to punish them or to bring them to Himself? Remind yourself that Jesus died for them also. 

RESPOND 

Read 2 Peter 3:8-9 and pray with your disciple that others would come to Jesus before it is eternally too late. 

Day 4 

READ 

Acts 9:13-14 

13 “But Lord,” exclaimed Ananias, “I’ve heard many people talk about the terrible things this man has done to the believers in Jerusalem! 14 And he is authorized by the leading priests to arrest everyone who calls upon your name.” 

Ananias did not like what he heard from the Lord. He was like Moses in the Old Testament (see Exodus 4:1-10) and began to make excuses. “But Lord,” he began, which is not the best way to begin a conversation with God. Then, as if God didn’t know everything about Saul, Ananias reminded Him about Saul. Ananias thought he might be walking into a trap. How could this be if the vision was from God? 

REFLECT 

Have you sometimes doubted God when you have felt the nudge to tell someone about Jesus? As you learn about how He turned around Saul of Tarsus you will be encouraged. 

RESPOND 

Talk with your disciple about being hesitant at times even though you believe God wants you to do something. Encourage each other in this regard.  

Day 5 

READ 

Acts 9:15-16 

15 But the Lord said, “Go, for Saul is my chosen instrument to take my message to the Gentiles and to kings, as well as to the people of Israel. 16 And I will show him how much he must suffer for my name’s sake.” 

This was the Lord’s answer to Ananias. Up to this point in the book of Acts, the gospel had been going to the Jewish people. Now the scene will shift because God has chosen Saul to take His message to the Gentiles as well as to the Jews. Saul would someday stand before kings, but God also wanted to show him what he would suffer for the sake of His name. This would be a difficult message to take to one just beginning a new life in Christ. 

REFLECT 

Think about how sometimes the gospel message is made easy to unbelievers. If they come to Jesus they also may have to suffer some things for Jesus’ sake.  

RESPOND 

 With your disciple, read John 16:32-33 to see what Jesus told His followers. Discuss these verses and encourage each other.