Crazy Chick's Thoughts Chapter 30

WELCOME

Have you ever read the entire Bible at least once? If you have, share how this experience affected your relationship with God & others . If you have not share what hinders you from doing so & what will you do to overcome that starting this week .

WORD

Acts 17:1-15 New International Version (NIV) says

In Thessalonica

17 When Paul and his companions had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a Jewish synagogue . 2 As was his custom, Paul went into the synagogue, and on three Sabbath days he reasoned with them from the Scriptures, 3 explaining and proving that the Messiah had to suffer and rise from the dead . "This Jesus I am proclaiming to you is the Messiah," he said . 4 Some of the Jews were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, as did a large number of God-fearing Greeks and quite a few prominent women .

5 But other Jews were jealous; so they rounded up some bad characters from the marketplace, formed a mob and started a riot in the city . They rushed to Jason's house in search of Paul and Silas in order to bring them out to the crowd . [a] 6 But when they did not find them, they dragged Jason and some other believers before the city officials, shouting: "These men who have caused trouble all over the world have now come here, 7 and Jason has welcomed them into his house . They are all defying Caesar's decrees, saying that there is another king, one called Jesus . " 8 When they heard this, the crowd and the city officials were thrown into turmoil . 9 Then they made Jason and the others post bond and let them go .

In Berea

10 As soon as it was night, the believers sent Paul and Silas away to Berea . On arriving there, they went to the Jewish synagogue . 11 Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true . 12 As a result, many of them believed, as did also a number of prominent Greek women and many Greek men .

13 But when the Jews in Thessalonica learned that Paul was preaching the word of God at Berea, some of them went there too, agitating the crowds and stirring them up . 14 The believers immediately sent Paul to the coast, but Silas and Timothy stayed at Berea . 15 Those who escorted Paul brought him to Athens and then left with instructions for Silas and Timothy to join him as soon as possible .

One can make an eternal impact in the lives of others by studying the Bible, applying what you learned & teaching this to others .

2 Timothy 3:16-17 New International Version (NIV) says

16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the servant of God[a] may be thoroughly equipped for every good work .

that all Scripture is inspired by God & is useful teaching, rebuking, correcting & training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be equipped for every good work . This is why we need to study God's word, not merely for knowledge but for transformation .

STUDY GOD'S WORD

As we continue to study the Book of Acts, we follow Paul into chapter 17 where he engaged with all kinds of people that he encounters in his travels . The first place that Paul often went to in different cities was the synagogue . Here in Thessalonica, he gives an account of the Messiah, the promised deliverer of the Jews . Paul refers to the Old Testament to create a 'dialegomai'(Greek) or dialogue from the Scriptures . He explains that the Jesus Christ had to suffer & rise again, as written

in Isaiah 53:5 New International Version (NIV) says

5 But he was pierced for our transgressions,

he was crushed for our iniquities;

the punishment that brought us peace was on him,

and by his wounds we are healed .

& in Psalm 16:10-11 New International Version (NIV) says

10 because you will not abandon me to the realm of the dead,

nor will you let your faithful[a] one see decay .

11 You make known to me the path of life;

you will fill me with joy in your presence,

with eternal pleasures at your right hand .

Obviously, Paul studied Scriptures & knew what it says about the promised Messiah . Paul related ancient prophesy from Scripture to the historical event of Jesus death on the cross & His resurrection . Paul proclaimed Jesus with boldness & trusted the Lord for the outcome . Indeed, Paul would preach in the synagogue & would get beaten up after, yet he would do the same thing in the next city they would go to . He was not discouraged even if he faced opposition . He knew what his calling was, to preach the good news first to the Jews & then to the Gentiles . His calling was sure & getting beaten up & opposed to his face did not stop him from continuing on his mission . When you have an impact, you will have an uproar . In the things you are doing for God, are you experiencing an "uproar"? Doing God's work might mean facing hostility from the very people you are trying to reach out to .

APPLY GOD'S WORD

We must also check our eagerness in approaching God's word . Do you find the Bible bland & boring? Are you excited to encounter God in His word?

Psalm 1:1-2 New International Version (NIV) says

BOOK I

Psalms 1–41

Psalm 1

1 Blessed is the one

who does not walk in step with the wicked

or stand in the way that sinners take

or sit in the company of mockers,

2 but whose delight is in the law of the Lord,

and who meditates on his law day and night .

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Though the Bible does not promise a life without problems it is a deep source which God uses to guide you in making wise decisions as you face life's difficulties & challenges . Apply what you learn from the Bible in your life even before you attempt to share it with others!

TEACH GOD'S WORD

The next group of people that Paul engages within Acts 17, were the Bereans who were more open to Paul's teaching compared to the Thessalonians . In matters of discernment, we must be like the Jews in Berea who not only studied the Scriptures but also used this to examine what was being preached to them . In listening to preachers, we must have an unbiased eye & be opened to the truth that a preacher teaches but always go back to Scripture & check for ourselves what we heard from the preacher against what the Bible says . Is this how we view the speakers we encounter? With an unbiased eye but a discerning spirit? We need to be careful because there are many false teachers & many more will arise . Like Paul, are you willing to take a beating for something you believe in? It is so hard to teach what you do not believe in, so make sure that you know why you believe what you believe & teach . One of the greatest hindrances to God using you to teach others about the Bible is your unwillingness to apply God's word . Have a self-check, is your Bible knowledge making you arrogant? Beware that it does not, as

1 Corinthians 8:1 New International Version (NIV)

Concerning Food Sacrificed to Idols

8 Now about food sacrificed to idols: We know that "We all possess knowledge . " But knowledge puffs up while love builds up .

As one grows deeper in the knowledge of Christ & the Bible, one should be more understanding, loving & humble . Is this true for you? The Thessalonians did not accept Paul's teaching the first time & yet even with the initial resistance, a church was established in Thessalonica . Paul's commitment to teach God's word no matter the personal consequence to him, eventually bore much fruit . The Thessalonians became an example of how lives surrendered to Jesus can become a vibrant church . We too can be an example of how a surrendered life that studies, applies & teaches the Bible can be transformed because of Jesus Christ .

DISCUSSION QUESTION (PLEASE DO NOT INCLUDE ANYMORE HERE YOUR PAST EXPERIENCE, BECAUSE WE ARE NOW AT THE PRESENT TIME)

1 . Which part in this process you excel in & where you need help to improve on?

Mia's answer: In this process I excel in teaching God's word, I need to help to improve in my studying God's word

Kathy's answer: I would excel in encoding in QuickBooks and Excel . I also excel in issuing invoices . I also excel in following up dues from the customers or clients . I need to improve my character skills . I should be more patient towards other people . I should learn to control my emotions .

2 . How will you apply our lesson STUDY, APPLY & TEACH to your next week of your life?

Mia's answer: i will apply our lesson to my next week of my life

Kathy's answer: I would apply my lesson to my next week of my life by first reviewing my lessons and then study what's my weaknesses and strengths so I could improve them .

3 . To whom will you teach the Bible this week?

Mia's answer: I will teach the Bible this week to the workshop I will volunteer

Kathy's answer: I would teach Bible to my online network in Toluna PH and webnovel by sharing our own ideas in this Devotional Time Session .

. . .

-END-

Chapter end