Faith Promise - What's Next - Day 10
Reading
Acts 9:1-19; Acts 22:6-16
Highlight
The conversion of Saul is unique from the other conversion stories we have looked at during this Reading Plan. The main difference is that up until this point the examples that we have looked at largely fall into the category of people who knew they were sinners and found grace and acceptance in Jesus. But Saul was different in that he believed wholeheartedly that he was doing exactly what God wanted him to do! He believed himself to be aligned with Jewish heroes like Phinehas, whose story is found in Numbers 25. Phinehas put to death those who were tempting others into sin and idolatry and his actions were celebrated by God as just and appropriately zealous. So God’s grace to Saul is unique in that God is pursuing someone who doesn’t believe they need to be pursued. He is saving someone who doesn’t believe he needs to be saved from anything!
Yet when Jesus confronted Saul, Saul came to realize that Jesus of Nazareth, whose followers he had been persecuting, was alive and exalted. He has believed that the death of Jesus invalidated his claim to be the Messiah. The resurrection proved that Jesus was the Messiah and humanity’s Lord. The truly beautiful thing about this interaction with Saul is that Jesus did not knock Saul off of his horse just to get him to stop persecuting the church, but also to invite him to become a part of it!
Reflection & Prayer
For this reading plan we will be using a tool to guide our study of Scripture that’s called the S.O.A.P. Method. It stands for Scripture, Observation, Application, and Prayer. We recommend you use a journal with this method and write out your thoughts on each of these areas for each day of reading. It doesn’t have to be long-winded and you don’t need a fancy journal. But for anyone that has not journaled before, the benefit is that it often helps us focus and avoid distractions during prayer and Bible study.
S.O.A.P. Method
Scripture - Pick a verse or two that stood out to you and write it in your journal. Be looking for a “Holy Spirit Highlight.” What did you read and think “I needed to hear that” or felt like it was written just for you?
Observation - Now write some observations about the verse(s) or passage. What is this passage or verse saying? About God? About people? How is Jesus revealed in these verses?
Application - Now write a few sentences on how this passage applies to your life. Is there truth about God that you are to believe? A promise to receive? Is the Holy Spirit convicting you of something you need to do or stop doing in light of God’s truth?
Prayer - Now write out a prayer to God in response to this Scripture. This is a way to turn God’s Word to you back to Him. Be honest and express your heart to Him. God always listens and He delights in your prayers. (Psalm 34:15; Proverbs 15:8)
Acts 9:1-19; Acts 22:6-16
Highlight
The conversion of Saul is unique from the other conversion stories we have looked at during this Reading Plan. The main difference is that up until this point the examples that we have looked at largely fall into the category of people who knew they were sinners and found grace and acceptance in Jesus. But Saul was different in that he believed wholeheartedly that he was doing exactly what God wanted him to do! He believed himself to be aligned with Jewish heroes like Phinehas, whose story is found in Numbers 25. Phinehas put to death those who were tempting others into sin and idolatry and his actions were celebrated by God as just and appropriately zealous. So God’s grace to Saul is unique in that God is pursuing someone who doesn’t believe they need to be pursued. He is saving someone who doesn’t believe he needs to be saved from anything!
Yet when Jesus confronted Saul, Saul came to realize that Jesus of Nazareth, whose followers he had been persecuting, was alive and exalted. He has believed that the death of Jesus invalidated his claim to be the Messiah. The resurrection proved that Jesus was the Messiah and humanity’s Lord. The truly beautiful thing about this interaction with Saul is that Jesus did not knock Saul off of his horse just to get him to stop persecuting the church, but also to invite him to become a part of it!
Reflection & Prayer
For this reading plan we will be using a tool to guide our study of Scripture that’s called the S.O.A.P. Method. It stands for Scripture, Observation, Application, and Prayer. We recommend you use a journal with this method and write out your thoughts on each of these areas for each day of reading. It doesn’t have to be long-winded and you don’t need a fancy journal. But for anyone that has not journaled before, the benefit is that it often helps us focus and avoid distractions during prayer and Bible study.
S.O.A.P. Method
Scripture - Pick a verse or two that stood out to you and write it in your journal. Be looking for a “Holy Spirit Highlight.” What did you read and think “I needed to hear that” or felt like it was written just for you?
Observation - Now write some observations about the verse(s) or passage. What is this passage or verse saying? About God? About people? How is Jesus revealed in these verses?
Application - Now write a few sentences on how this passage applies to your life. Is there truth about God that you are to believe? A promise to receive? Is the Holy Spirit convicting you of something you need to do or stop doing in light of God’s truth?
Prayer - Now write out a prayer to God in response to this Scripture. This is a way to turn God’s Word to you back to Him. Be honest and express your heart to Him. God always listens and He delights in your prayers. (Psalm 34:15; Proverbs 15:8)
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