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Friday, April 20, 2018

Scripture & Questions for Sunday (4/22/18)

We are collecting gift cards for places like Subway, Whataburger, Starbucks, etc. for our college students as a final exam encouragement. If you would like to donate, please bring them to church on Sunday or take them to Lisa Sandlin at JNB.

Scripture for Sunday
Acts 9:1-19
1 But Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest 2 and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. 3 Now as he went on his way, he approached Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. 4 And falling to the ground he heard a voice saying to him, "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?" 5 And he said, "Who are you, Lord?" And he said, "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. 6 But rise and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do." 7 The men who were traveling with him stood speechless, hearing the voice but seeing no one. 8 Saul rose from the ground, and although his eyes were opened, he saw nothing. So they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. 9 And for three days he was without sight, and neither ate nor drank. 
10 Now there was a disciple at Damascus named Ananias. The Lord said to him in a vision, "Ananias." And he said, "Here I am, Lord." 11 And the Lord said to him, "Rise and go to the street called Straight, and at the house of Judas look for a man of Tarsus named Saul, for behold, he is praying, 12 and he has seen in a vision a man named Ananias come in and lay his hands on him so that he might regain his sight." 13 But Ananias answered, "Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he has done to your saints at Jerusalem. 14 And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on your name." 15 But the Lord said to him, "Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel. 16 For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name." 17 So Ananias departed and entered the house. And laying his hands on him he said, "Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus who appeared to you on the road by which you came has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit." 18 And immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and he regained his sight. Then he rose and was baptized; 19 and taking food, he was strengthened. For some days he was with the disciples at Damascus.

Questions for Reflection
1.    What was the most unusual experience that ever happened to you when you were growing up?
2.    What was Saul doing against the Lord’s disciples? (9:1-2)
3.    What was “the Way”? (9:2)
4.    In what ways do we sometimes hold back from doing what God wants?
5.    Why do we sometimes resist what God asks of us?
6.    What happens when we resist doing what God wants?
7.    If you were temporarily disabled, how might it benefit your spiritual life?
8.    What do older, more mature Christians have to offer younger, less mature Christians?
9.    How can you be a guide and help to younger Christians in your church?
10. How can you lean on another Christian to help you uncover God’s will for your life? Who is this person?