The Acts of Jesus: Continued - Transformation
Opening Prayer:
Lord God,
Thank You for loving us too much to allow us to remain still and unchanged.
Shape us the way You want us, move us to where You want us.
Give us the humility to allow You to change us, and to allow You to do it through others.
May we not be arrogant or stubborn, but open and grateful.
Through Your Spirit, transform us into Your likeness so the world sees more of You and knows more of You.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen.
Key Scriptures:
Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples. He went to the high priest 2 and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem. 3 As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. 4 He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?”
5 “Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked.
“I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” he replied. 6 “Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”
7 The men traveling with Saul stood there speechless; they heard the sound but did not see anyone. 8 Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could see nothing. So they led him by the hand into Damascus. 9 For three days he was blind, and did not eat or drink anything.
10 In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord called to him in a vision, “Ananias!”
“Yes, Lord,” he answered.
11 The Lord told him, “Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying. 12 In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on him to restore his sight.”
13 “Lord,” Ananias answered, “I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your holy people in Jerusalem. 14 And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name.”
15 But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel. 16 I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.”
17 Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord—Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here—has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” 18 Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized, 19 and after taking some food, he regained his strength.
Acts 9:1-19
Sermon Summary
Our series “The Acts of Jesus: Continued” carries on this week. Below is a summary of this week’s sermon from Erin White:
Questions to Consider:
Why was Paul persecuting the followers of Jesus? What had they done wrong?
What did Paul think of what he was doing? Why?
Why did Jesus send Paul to Ananias? Why was this important?
Why did Jesus choose to include Ananias (and others) in Paul’s rehabilitation? What does this tell us about Jesus and his church?
How was Paul different after his encounter with Jesus? What changed?
How has Jesus transformed you? What has He done? How has He done it? How have others been involved in this process?
How is Jesus calling you to help transform the world and its people?
Practices to Consider:
Ask like Saul did “Lord, what would you have me do?”
Sit in silence and just listen. Don't force answers.
Ask for the courage to respond like Saul: to rise, go, and be led — even without full understanding.Often we are quick to try and identify with Paul, but could God be asking us to identify with Ananias? Could God be inviting us into relationship with the most unlikely of people, even those hostile to Jesus, to join with the Spirit in their transformation? Make a list of people for whom you could be an Ananias.
Prayer Prompts:
Pray for the places and people in the world where you see change is needed.
Additional Resources:
Find the full sermon recording here
For a printable version of this guide click here
If you are interested in going deeper the bible project have a helpful guide to the book of Acts, you can find it here