Acts - Week 66

Week 66 Acts 20 

Day 1 

READ 

Acts 20:22-24 

22 “And now I am bound by the Spirit to go to Jerusalem. I don’t know what awaits me, 23 except that the Holy Spirit tells me in city after city that jail and suffering lie ahead. 24 But my life is worth nothing to me unless I use it for finishing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus—the work of telling others the Good News about the wonderful grace of God. 

Paul had asked the elders of the church of Ephesus to  come to Miletus to meet with him. This passage continues his message to them. He wanted to go to Jerusalem. The Holy Spirit had made him aware that persecution would be waiting for him in cities along the way. Nothing could deter him, however, from telling the gospel about the wonderful grace of God.  

REFLECT 

Have you spent time thinking about the grace of God? No human being, no matter how good, is deserving of God sending His only son to die on the cross in their place.  

RESPOND 

With your disciple read 2 Timothy 2:1-10 to see that grace was the chief motivator that Paul had and encouraged believers to have. There is no end to what grace compels a believer to do. 

Day 2 

READ 

Acts 20:25-27 

25 “And now I know that none of you to whom I have preached the Kingdom will ever see me again. 26 I declare today that I have been faithful. If anyone suffers eternal death, it’s not my fault, 27 for I didn’t shrink from declaring all that God wants you to know. 

Paul now gives the Ephesian elders some sad news. He does not expect that they will ever see him again. Because he had faithfully preached the gospel in their area, Paul believed it would not be his fault if anyone went to an eternal death. His reason: he did not shrink back in giving out what God wanted them to know. Imagine the peace this gave Paul. 

REFLECT 

Would you also like to live in a way that your loved ones would never have an excuse of not knowing the way of salvation? May God use you in this regard. 

RESPOND 

Visit with your disciple about the need to be faithful witnesses for Jesus with every opportunity you have. Pray that God will use both of you as a channel of His blessing. 

Day 3 

READ 

Acts 20:28-31 

28 “So guard yourselves and God’s people. Feed and shepherd God’s flock—his church, purchased with his own blood—over which the Holy Spirit has appointed you as leaders. 29 I know that false teachers, like vicious wolves, will come in among you after I leave, not sparing the flock. 30 Even some men from your own group will rise up and distort the truth in order to draw a following. 31 Watch out! Remember the three years I was with you—my constant watch and care over you night and day, and my many tears for you. 

Paul gives warnings to the elders of the church at Ephesus. He expects false teachers to be among them; some even rising up within their own group. Paul said they would do this to “draw a following.” To have followers would be more important to the false teachers than teaching the truth. Paul wanted these church leaders to be alert to any teaching different than what he did for three years with them. His care for them was seen in his reference to the tears he shed for them. 

REFLECT 

Be reminded that false teaching can arise within your group. This reveals the need to always be on the alert for those who would teach contrary to what the Bible says. 

RESPOND 

Read 2 Peter 2:1-3 to see what the apostle Peter warned about false teachers. Notice the reason for their greed. 

Day 4 

READ 

Acts 20:32 

32 “And now I entrust you to God and the message of his grace that is able to build you up and give you an inheritance with all those he has set apart for himself. 

Just as these words were what Paul expected to be his last ones to these elders, you can use them also. As you think of your family and saying goodbye to them—whether for a short time or when departing this life—you can entrust them to the grace of God that is able to build them up and give them a spiritual inheritance. All of this is possible through a right relationship with Jesus.  

REFLECT 

Consider expressions of faith that you can share with your loved ones. This was a practice during biblical times and would good to be followed today. 

RESPOND 

Read Colossians 3:23-24 to see what Paul wrote the church at Colossae about them receiving an inheritance. He wanted them to honor the Lord Jesus in all they did. 

Day 5 

READ 

Acts 20:33-35 

33 “I have never coveted anyone’s silver or gold or fine clothes. 34 You know that these hands of mine have worked to supply my own needs and even the needs of those who were with me. 35 And I have been a constant example of how you can help those in need by working hard. You should remember the words of the Lord Jesus: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” 

Paul reminded the Ephesian church elders about how he had lived among them. He was not motivated by greed and had worked to support himself and his companions. His lifestyle of working hard should have been an example to them. Then he reminded them of the Lord’s words, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” Paul’s life was about giving to others rather than focusing on what he could receive.  

REFLECT 

Has your lifestyle been about giving to others rather than about what you can receive from them? The giving can include more than finances; it can include encouragement and help when able to give. 

RESPOND 

Read Ephesians 4:28 to see what Paul told believers to do. Not necessarily having to do only with thieves but with all believers who need to be concerned about giving generously to help those in need.