Discipleship Point and Prayer
The Point: They had been with Jesus
Start by reading Acts 4:1-13 to lead into this powerful point: When they (the rulers, the elders and the teachers of the law) saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.
Acts 4:1-13
Peter and John Before the Sanhedrin
1 The priests and the captain of the temple guard and the Sadducees came up to Peter and John while they were speaking to the people. 2 They were greatly disturbed because the apostles were teaching the people, proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection of the dead. 3 They seized Peter and John and, because it was evening, they put them in jail until the next day. 4 But many who heard the message believed; so the number of men who believed grew to about five thousand.
5 The next day the rulers, the elders and the teachers of the law met in Jerusalem. 6 Annas the high priest was there, and so were Caiaphas, John, Alexander and others of the high priest’s family. 7 They had Peter and John brought before them and began to question them: “By what power or what name did you do this?”
8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them: “Rulers and elders of the people! 9 If we are being called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a man who was lame and are being asked how he was healed, 10 then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed. 11 Jesus is
“‘the stone you builders rejected,
which has become the cornerstone.’
12 Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”
13 When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.
The face of Moses radiated from time he spent before God; the disciples’ lifestyles and courage evidenced that they had been with Jesus. Ask yourself: How has my time with God changed the way I look, act, and talk? Can others tell that I’ve been with Jesus?
Any time with God in His Word or prayer provides opportunity for the Holy Spirit to disciple and teach us, but time intentionally “devoted” to God heightens the impact. Schedule time alone for prayer and reflection to hear from and yield to the Holy Spirit. Also devote time to be with God and others in His Word (micro and small group, worship), ways to be discipled by the Holy Spirit.
Journal Prompt:
What do these words from Acts stir up within you?
Write out your thoughts in your journal, then pray over it with the Lord, closing with the prayer that follows.
Prayer
Spirit of God, You are my primary teacher of God’s Word; I yield my heart and mind, my soul and spirit, my will and imagination to You as I immerse myself in the Word during these dedicated moments. I pray also that You use this time of devotion today to shape and influence my thoughts and emotions, actions and attitudes throughout the day. May all who encounter me also encounter You in me. Teach me in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Micro-Meditation
Psalm 100:1-5
A psalm. For giving grateful praise.
- Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth.
- Worship the Lord with gladness;
come before him with joyful songs. - Know that the Lord is God.
It is he who made us, and we are his;
we are his people, the sheep of his pasture. - Enter his gates with thanksgiving
and his courts with praise;
give thanks to him and praise his name. - For the Lord is good and his love endures forever;
his faithfulness continues through all generations.
Teaching or Command of God:
Psalm 34:8
- Taste and see that the Lord is good;
blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.
Psalm 86:5-6
- You, Lord, are forgiving and good, abounding in love to all who call to you.
- Hear my prayer, Lord;
listen to my cry for mercy.
Pondering Point
Thank God for His goodness. Thank God for His enduring love. Thank God for His faithfulness to you and the next generation.