Arise and Abide

Reading from James 2:1-13 NLT ~ A Warning Against Prejudice~ Scripture reading followed by discussion looking at showing favoritism, bias, selfish ambition, feeling condemnation, and the Grace and Goodness of God.

Reading from James 1:19-27 NLT ~ Listening and Doing~ Scripture reading followed by discussion looking at being slow to anger and quick to listen. Fooling ourselves by not putting Jesus’ words into practice and by being “religious” but not using our words to speak life and encouragement over other.

Reading from James 1:1-18 NLT ~ Greetings from James, Faith and Endurance~ Scripture reading followed by discussion looking at James’ encouragement to people going through troubling times.

Reading Acts of the Apostles Chapter 18:1-28 NLT ~ In Corinth, Priscilla, Aquila, Apollos~ Scripture reading followed by discussion looking at the pattern and big picture of what God was accomplishing through Paul and the other disciples.

Reading Acts of the Apostles Chapter 17:16-34 NLT ~ Paul Preaches in Athens~ Scripture reading followed by discussion looking at the people of Athens and Paul’s engagement with them as he shares the Gospel.

Reading Acts of the Apostles Chapter 17:1-15 NLT ~ Paul Preaches in Thessalonica, Paul and Silas in Berea~ Scripture reading followed by discussion looking at the pattern Paul finds himself in. Crowds being manipulated. Using charges of crimes against Caesar, as a weapon against the preaching of the Gospel.

Reading Acts of the Apostles Chapter 16:20-40 NLT ~ Paul and Silas in Prison~ Scripture reading followed by discussion looking at the miracle for the jailor, and Paul identifying as a Roman citizen.

Reading Acts of the Apostles Chapter 16:11-19 NLT ~ Lydia of Philippi Believes in Jesus, Paul and Silas Dragged Before the Authorities~ Scripture reading followed by discussion. The apostles obeying the city ordinance. The frustrating presence of the demonic and how Jesus responded to the demonic.

Reading Acts of the Apostles Chapter 15:1-21 NLT ~ Paul’s Second Missionary Journey, A Call from Macedonia~ Scripture reading followed by brief discussion and encouragement.

Reading Acts of the Apostles Chapter 15:1-21 NLT ~ The Letter for Gentile Believers, Paul and Barnabas Separate~ Scripture reading followed by discussion. Recap of the council at Jerusalem. The prophets, Judas and Silas. The disagreement of Paul and Barnabas and what we can take away from their division.