Reading Guide – Page 7 – Just Keith Harris

Acts 15 on 10/24 | NT260 — Reading & Growing in Christ

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In Iconium, Paul and Barnabas boldly preached the gospel, and many Jews and Gentiles believed (v. 1). Yet opposition rose, and their enemies stirred up trouble against them. Even so, they stayed “for a long time,” speaking boldly for the Lord as He confirmed their message with signs and wonders (v. 3). When a violent plot formed, they fled to Lystra and Derbe, where they continued to preach (vv. 6–7).

In Lystra, God healed a man who had been crippled since birth (v. 8), and the people mistook Paul and Barnabas for gods, calling them Hermes and Zeus (vv. 11–12). The apostles tore their clothes and urged the crowd to turn from worthless idols to the living Creator (v. 15). But soon, Jews from other cities arrived, turned the crowd against them, and stoned Paul, leaving him for dead (v. 19). Miraculously, he got up and went back into the city before continuing to Derbe, where many more believed (v. 21). On their return journey, they strengthened the disciples, reminded them that following Jesus brings many trials (v. 22), and appointed elders in every church before returning to Antioch, giving God all the glory (vv. 23–27).

🌀 Reflection:
Faithfulness to Jesus often brings hardship, but God’s grace gives courage to keep going. Paul and Barnabas show us that ministry isn’t about comfort—it’s about obedience and perseverance for Christ’s sake.

💬 Mission Challenge:
Encourage someone who’s struggling in their faith this week. Send a message, make a call, or pray with them—remind them that God’s strength is made perfect in weakness.

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Acts 14 on 10/23 | NT260 — Reading & Growing in Christ

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Acts 13 on 10/22 | NT260 — Reading & Growing in Christ

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The church at Antioch was worshiping and fasting when the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them” (v. 2). After prayer and laying on of hands, the church sent them out, marking the start of Paul’s first missionary journey (v. 3). On the island of Cyprus, they preached in Jewish synagogues and encountered a magician named Elymas, who opposed them. Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, rebuked Elymas, and the proconsul Sergius Paulus believed in the Lord (vv. 4–12).

From there, they traveled to Pisidian Antioch, where Paul preached a powerful message showing that God’s promises to Israel were fulfilled in Jesus. He proclaimed that forgiveness and freedom from sin come not through the law but through faith in Christ (vv. 38–39). When many Gentiles believed, some Jews grew jealous and opposed them, but Paul and Barnabas declared that God’s salvation was for all nations (vv. 46–47). They left with joy, and the gospel continued to spread (vv. 48–52).

🌀 Reflection:
God often gives direction to those already serving faithfully. Like Paul and Barnabas, we’re called to share Christ boldly, even when facing resistance. The gospel frees us from sin and empowers us to live for God’s glory.

💬 Mission Challenge:
Pray this week for courage to speak about Jesus in everyday conversations. Look for one opportunity to tell someone how Christ has changed your life.

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Acts 12 on 10/21 | NT260 — Reading & Growing in Christ

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King Herod Agrippa I began persecuting the church, killing James, the brother of John, and imprisoning Peter during the Feast of Unleavened Bread (vv. 1–5). While Peter was kept under heavy guard, the church prayed earnestly for him. The night before his trial, an angel of the Lord woke Peter, released his chains, and led him past guards and through the iron gate to freedom (vv. 6–11). He went to Mary’s house, where believers were praying. At first, they didn’t believe the servant girl Rhoda who announced Peter’s arrival, but when they saw him, they rejoiced (vv. 12–17). Peter told them how the Lord had rescued him and went to another place.

Herod later faced judgment. After accepting worship as a god from the people of Tyre and Sidon, an angel struck him down because he did not give glory to God, and he died (vv. 20–23). Yet the word of God continued to spread and multiply (v. 24). When Barnabas and Saul finished delivering famine relief to Jerusalem, they returned to Antioch with John Mark (v. 25).

🌀 Reflection:
God’s ways are higher than ours. James was executed, but Peter was delivered; both were within God’s sovereign plan. Sometimes He rescues, sometimes He refines—but always for His glory and our good (Isa. 55:8–9; Rom. 8:28). Prayer remains powerful even when our faith feels small. God answers in His timing and His way.

💬 Mission Challenge:
Pray for someone facing hardship this week. Then reach out—call, visit, or write—to remind them that God sees, cares, and can deliver. Let your prayer become action, as faith works through love (Gal. 5:6).

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Acts 11 on 10/20 | NT260 — Reading & Growing in Christ

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News spread that Gentiles had received God’s word. Some in Jerusalem questioned Peter for eating with them, so he retold the whole story: the vision in Joppa, the Spirit’s command, Cornelius’s angel, and the Holy Spirit falling on the Gentiles just like at Pentecost. Peter concluded, “Who was I to stand in God’s way?” The church glorified God, saying He had granted repentance that leads to life to the Gentiles (vv. 1–18).

Meanwhile, scattered believers preached as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch. In Antioch, many Greeks believed. The Jerusalem church sent Barnabas, who encouraged them and then found Saul in Tarsus. For a year they taught the growing church, and the disciples were first called Christians there (vv. 19–26). When a prophet named Agabus foretold a famine, the Antioch believers gave relief according to their ability, sending it by Barnabas and Saul (vv. 27–30).

🌀 Reflection:
God’s grace breaks our boxes. When He moves, our job isn’t to gatekeep—it’s to rejoice, include, and encourage. Be a Barnabas today: look for God’s grace, call it out, and build others up.

💬 Mission Challenge:
Encourage and equip. Text or meet with one newer believer to cheer them on, and give (time, money, or a meal) toward someone in need—just like Antioch sending relief.

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Acts 10 on 10/19 | NT260 — Reading & Growing in Christ

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In Caesarea, a Roman centurion named Cornelius loved and feared God, prayed regularly, and helped the poor. One afternoon, an angel told him to send for Peter in Joppa (vv. 1–8). Meanwhile, Peter had a vision of a large sheet filled with clean and unclean animals. When told to eat, Peter protested—but God said, “What God has made clean, do not call common” (vv. 9–16). Soon, Cornelius’s men arrived, and the Spirit told Peter to go with them.

When Peter entered Cornelius’s house, he realized what God was showing him: the gospel is for everyone, not just Jews (vv. 27–29, 34–35). Peter preached that Jesus lived, died on the cross, and rose again—and that everyone who believes in Him receives forgiveness of sins through His name (vv. 36–43). Before Peter could even finish his message, the Holy Spirit fell on the Gentiles. They began praising God, and Peter commanded that they be baptized in Jesus’s name (vv. 44–48).

🌀 Reflection:
Thank God that His grace crosses every barrier. No one is too far, too different, or too unclean for His love. Ask Him to open your eyes like He did Peter’s—to see people as God sees them, not as the world labels them.

💬 Mission Challenge:
Reach across a line of difference this week—race, age, background, or status. Have a real conversation, share a meal, or pray with someone outside your usual circle. Let your actions say what Peter learned: the gospel is for everyone.

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Acts 9 on 10/18 | NT260 — Reading & Growing in Christ

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Saul was on his way to arrest followers of Jesus when a bright light from heaven stopped him. Jesus spoke, “Why are you persecuting Me?” Blinded and shaken, Saul was led into Damascus, where God sent Ananias to heal and baptize him. The persecutor became a believer, filled with the Holy Spirit and ready to serve Christ (vv. 1–19).

Right away, Saul began preaching that Jesus is the Son of God, amazing those who knew his past (vv. 20–22). When plots arose to kill him, believers helped him escape the city at night (vv. 23–25). In Jerusalem, believers feared him until Barnabas spoke up for him. Saul boldly preached again, but when threats returned, the church sent him to Tarsus. The result? The church across Judea, Galilee, and Samaria enjoyed peace and kept growing in the comfort of the Holy Spirit (vv. 26–31).

Meanwhile, Peter healed a paralyzed man named Aeneas and raised Tabitha (Dorcas) from the dead, leading many to believe in the Lord (vv. 32–43).

🌀 Reflection:
Ask Jesus to open your eyes to where He’s calling you to follow—just as Saul’s physical sight was restored to match his new spiritual vision (vv. 17–18). Also, consider how you can be like Barnabas, encouraging others in their faith journey (vv. 26–27).

💬 Mission Challenge:
Be a Barnabas this week. Welcome someone who’s new, overlooked, or uncertain in their faith. Offer a word of encouragement, invite them to church, or pray with them for courage and growth.

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Acts 8 on 10/17 | NT260 — Reading & Growing in Christ

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Persecution scatters the church from Jerusalem into Judea and Samaria (just like 1:8), and they keep sharing Jesus wherever they go (vv. 1–4). Philip goes to Samaria; God backs the message with healings and freedom from evil spirits, and there’s great joy (vv. 5–8). A famous magician, Simon, believes and is baptized, but then tries to buy the power to give the Spirit. Peter rebukes him and calls him to repent (vv. 9–25).

Next, an angel sends Philip to a desert road where he meets an Ethiopian official reading Isaiah 53 (vv. 26–33). Philip starts “with this Scripture” and tells him the good news about Jesus; the man believes and is baptized, then goes on his way rejoicing (vv. 34–39). Philip is carried to Azotus and continues preaching up the coast to Caesarea (v. 40).

🌀 Reflection:
Ask the Spirit to make you ready and obedient like Philip—willing to leave the crowd for the one (vv. 26–35). Also invite Him to check your motives so they’re not like Simon’s—seeking control instead of a clean heart (vv. 18–23).

💬 Mission Challenge:
Cross a line this week. Share Jesus with one person outside your usual circle (a neighbor from another background, a coworker you rarely talk to). Offer a simple ask: “Could we read one short passage (Isaiah 53/John 3) and talk about it?” Follow up with an invite to pray for a need.

Acts 7 on 10/16 | NT260 — Reading & Growing in Christ

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Stephen answers the high priest by retelling Israel’s story—Abraham, Joseph, and Moses—to show a pattern: God keeps His promises, but God’s people often reject His deliverers the first time (vv. 2–43). He reminds them that God isn’t limited to one place; even before the temple, God met His people and led them (vv. 44–50).

Then Stephen applies it: “You always resist the Holy Spirit,” he says, just as their ancestors did with the prophets—and now with Jesus, the Righteous One (vv. 51–53). Enraged, the council drags him out and stones him. Stephen, full of the Spirit, sees Jesus standing at God’s right hand, prays, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit,” and forgives his killers. A young man named Saul watches the coats (vv. 54–60).

🌀 Reflection:
Ask God to soften any place in you that resists His voice (v. 51). Pray to live with Stephen’s Spirit-filled courage, clear hope in Jesus, and a heart quick to forgive (vv. 55–60).

💬 Mission Challenge:
Reach out to someone you’ve had tension with—send a short message offering prayer and peace, or set up a quick call. If that’s not possible, take 10 minutes to write a encouraging note to a believer under pressure (missionary, pastor, or friend), and pray for the persecuted church this week.

Acts 6 on 10/15 | NT260 — Reading & Growing in Christ

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As the church grew, Greek-speaking widows were being overlooked in the daily help (v. 1). The apostles asked the church to choose seven men of good reputation, full of the Spirit and wisdom to lead this care so they could keep focusing on prayer and the Word (vv. 2–4). The church chose Stephen, Philip, and five others; the apostles prayed and laid hands on them. The result? God’s word spread and many priests believed (vv. 5–7).

Stephen, full of grace and power, did great signs (v. 8). Debaters from several synagogues couldn’t resist the wisdom and the Spirit in his words (v. 10), so they stirred up false charges against him—saying he spoke against Moses, the law, and the temple (vv. 11–14). As Stephen stood before the council, his face looked like an angel’s—God’s peace and presence were on him (v. 15).

🌀 Reflection:
Where is God asking you to serve so others aren’t overlooked (v. 1)? Pray to be full of the Spirit and wisdom (v. 3), faithful in “small” jobs, and steady under pressure like Stephen (vv. 8–10, 15).

💬 Mission Challenge:
Do one act of outreach to someone who’s often missed: bring a meal to a widow/single parent, help an immigrant neighbor with a task, or invite a different-background believer to your table. If your church has a benevolence or widow care team, offer your time this week.