Jesus, Israel's Messiah, was more than a little different than expected. While Jewish religious leaders expected him to compliment them on their devotion to the law and uphold their traditions, instead he further reveals the nature and character of the Father.

Jesus promises in John 10:27: “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow me.” In our reading today, Ananias will hear the Lord’s voice and immediately respond, “Here I am, Lord.” I pray that as we study His Word and listen for His voice, we will become as sensitive and responsive to the Lord as this early follower of Christ.

Take some time to read through all of Acts 9:1-30 before you begin your lesson.

Jesus promises in John 10:27: “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow me.” In our reading today, Ananias will hear the Lord’s voice and immediately respond, “Here I am, Lord.” I pray that as we study His Word and listen for His voice, we will become as sensitive and responsive to the Lord as this early follower of Christ.

Take some time to read through all of Acts 9:1-30 before you begin your lesson.

The grace of God is a free gift but there has always been a cost for following the Only Living God. Abraham, after years of habitually failing to trust in God, is presented with an unfathomable command from his Lord to offer his only son as a burnt offering. And Abraham's decision is not without consequence as its voice will ripple throughout the rest of redemptive history: obedience is costly, but God is worthy.

When Jesus Christ, the perfect Son of God, turns and labels someone as "the best man whoever lived", readers should take note. As the followers of John the Baptist approach the Christ, Jesus takes a second to point back to a man who has committed his life to radically following God in spite of the persecution that has stared him in the face.

Christ, being filled with compassion prepares to send his followers out to proclaim the Gospel of the Kingdom and to do mighty works and wonders. After giving them authority, he tells them: how to go, what to do, and what they can expect to happen. Let us gather together to study the story of the King who came to save.

Today we come across a curious passage about the "testimonies of Christ" - the Spirit, the water and the blood. What is this passage referring to and why does it call out these three elements that testify to Jesus Christ as the Son of God? More importantly, why is this information important to the edification of our souls?

This week we witness the evangelism of Philip. Wherever he goes and whomever he meets, Philip shares the Word of the Lord, the good news of Christ. Let’s approach this week mindful that those we encounter might need to know the good news that has been entrusted to us. May our encounters with the Lord on the pages of His Word stir in our hearts until our feet and hands and mouths are stirred to action, too.

This week we witness the evangelism of Philip. Wherever he goes and whomever he meets, Philip shares the Word of the Lord, the good news of Christ. Let’s approach this week mindful that those we encounter might need to know the good news that has been entrusted to us. May our encounters with the Lord on the pages of His Word stir in our hearts until our feet and hands and mouths are stirred to action, too.

As Jesus continues to minister to the broken and the downcast, he repeatedly bestows kingdom blessing on the sick and the hurting. Without becoming tainted by the brokenness around him, he condescends to extend mercy. There's a common denominator here: Christ's compassion compels him to act.