Yesterday was a great time of discussion and participation as we tackled Lesson 2 in our Acts study. As I thought more about the difficulties with grasping and understanding the presence and role of the Holy Spirit, it occurred to me that the disciples (several learned men in the Jewish faith who had memorized much of the Old Testament) struggled to process the truths that Jesus explained over…and over…and over again. So, I think it is safe to assume that we have permission from God to struggle with our understanding of the Holy Spirit that we cannot see when the disciples, a few of whom we will be studying in Acts as the Apostles, struggled with the Christ who they could see.
It is good to discuss and test our knowledge and understanding of the scriptures. It’s a process of iron sharpening iron (like Proverbs 27:17 mentions) and shows the profitability of scripture to teach us.
This week’s reading in Acts is chapters 3 and 4. For convenience in our ever-busy lives, you can access those chapters from our YouVersion group, www.a.youversion.com/groups/grace4njwomen, or from the workbook (if your Bible isn’t handy during a free moment).
And finally, here are a couple of extra resources if you are desiring even more content in the book of Acts:if you enjoy Bible accounts in video format, the
- if you enjoy Bible accounts in video format, the A.D. – The Story Continues series is a pretty good interpretation of the book of Acts. Episodes 1 and 2 can be watched from the NBC website, www.nbc.com/ad-the-bible-continues/video/the-body-is-gone/2856722?onid=227186#vc227186=1, and Episode 3 (which aired just last night) should appear sometime this week. Any attempt to produce a Biblical story leaves the door open for ‘creative license’ but the first 2 weeks have been respectful of the scriptural account (in my opinion).
- and Dr. David Jeremiah began a sermon series titled The Church in Action which are his companion teachings to the A.D. tv series. You can access week one at www.oneplace.com/ministries/turning-point/listen/the-pray-lude-to-power-part-1-453429.html and follow links to the subsequent daily sermons in this series.
Psalm 34:8 states to ‘taste and see that the Lord is good.’ How better to taste than to immerse yourself in His Word!
Elizabeth