SCRIPTURE UNION DAILY DEVOTIONAL NOVEMBER 16, 2021 (NEAR DISASTER)
TOPIC: NEAR DISASTER
Opening Prayer: Oh Lord, fill me with the power of the Holy Ghost as I study your word.
Scripture: Acts 20:1-16
Question(s) for Reflection
• What does the passage teach about God the Father, God the Son or God the Holy Spirit?
• Is there any example for me to follow or not to follow?
Outline:
Paul concluded he had to leave Ephesus and move on. Before leaving, he encouraged the believers and throughout his travels, he had words of encouragement for the new Christians (vs.1-2). With all the opposition to the gospel Paul had seen and was facing (v.3), believers needed encouragement to grow in their faith and love for their new Lord and Master, Jesus Christ. Christian leaders should always encourage their congregation by word and action to grow in the Christian faith.
Read vs.7-12 again. What can you learn from this incident? Paul apparently had much to share with them within the limited time span available, so he engaged the brethren in an unplanned all-night meeting. We should recognize that people have limited capacity to take in messages. Notice that Eutychus was a young man whose attention span and strength were different from those of adults (v.9). If our preaching extends over too long a period, people tend to fall asleep physically or in the mind. Our all-night meetings, whether for teaching or prayer, are good, but to yield spiritual blessing, there must be careful planning and the audience prepared mentally and physically.
Thank God for saving Eutychus’ life and averting a disaster.
Practice/Word Application
• So? You want to preach for hours on end, then be prepared to raise the dead.
• Any new insight or reinforcement of what you already know?
Closing Prayer
• Pray that your words and actions become an encouragement to other believers.
• Pray for the Church to spend money in a way that will best honour God.
Offer a prayer of faith in line with Genesis 49:25;1 Chron. 16-18; Luke 2:1-24
Scripture Union Daily Guide 16 November 2021. Scripture Union is an international, interdenominational, evangelical Christian organization. It was founded in 1867, and works in partnership with individuals and churches across the world. The organization’s stated aim is to use the Bible to inspire children, young people and adults to know God.
