Week: Holy Spirit Adventures - the Book of Acts
Each day we will simply pray (P.R.A.Y.) together.
P: PAUSING to be still.
R: REJOICING with a Memory Verse and REFLECTING on some verses from the Bible.
A: ASKING God to help us and others.
Y: saying YES to God’s ways.
We start by pausing and taking a deep breath:
In and out.
In and out.
We remember that God is here, and so together we prepare ourselves to be with God.
Pause
Holy Spirit, like the disciples in the upper room on the day of Pentecost, we’re patiently waiting for You to fill us with Your power and with Your presence. We’re ready for You to send us on new adventures
We REJOICE and celebrate God’s goodness with this week’s memory verse:
Read by Jackson J
Acts 1:8
But when the Holy Spirit comes to you, you will receive power. You will be my witnesses – in Jerusalem, in all of Judea, in Samaria, and in every part of the world.
Acts 1:8 (NCV)
God, help us to remember Your Word.
When Stephen told the religious leaders that they needed to open their hearts to God (Acts 7:51), they were furious. Today we’re REFLECTING on what happened next.
Read by Jackson J
Acts 7:57-60
(The religious leaders) shouted loudly and covered their ears and all ran at Stephen. They took him out of the city and began to throw stones at him to kill him. And those who told lies against Stephen left their coats with a young man named Saul. While they were throwing stones, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” He fell on his knees and cried in a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” After Stephen said this, he died.
Acts 7:57-60 (NCV)
This is a really awful story. If this scene was a video, it wouldn’t be allowed on social media because it would be too horrible to watch.
But here’s the incredible thing: Stephen doesn’t seem to be angry with the religious leaders because of what they’re doing, and he doesn’t seem to be afraid either. It’s hard for us to imagine what Stephen was going through at that moment, but the Bible says he did two surprising things: 1) he prayed, and 2) he asked Jesus to forgive those who were throwing the stones at him.
Let’s press pause and talk about today’s question, which is a bit of a difficult one, so we might need a couple of minutes to think first: When was the last time we forgave someone? How did it feel?
And now let’s ASK God to help us, using some words from the Lord’s Prayer.
Loving Father, we ASK You to help us forgive others who have sinned against us – those who have done and said things that have upset us.
If a particular person or a particular situation comes into our minds, let’s quietly talk with God about it now.
Stephen wasn’t the only follower of Jesus to be killed because of what he believed. In some parts of the world today, it is still dangerous to be a follower of Jesus.
Lord Jesus, we ASK You to be with those who risk their lives every day to follow You. Give them strength and courage, and we ASK You to protect them and their families too.
As we read the Bible again, let’s listen for a word or a phrase that the Holy Spirit might want to say to us from today’s verses.
Acts 7:57-60
(The religious leaders) shouted loudly and covered their ears and all ran at Stephen. They took him out of the city and began to throw stones at him to kill him. And those who told lies against Stephen left their coats with a young man named Saul. While they were throwing stones, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” He fell on his knees and cried in a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” After Stephen said this, he died.
Acts 7:57-60 (NCV)
What word or phrase stood out from today’s Bible verses?
And now, let’s say YES to God together.
Holy Spirit, we say YES to going on adventures with You. We say YES to following Stephen’s example; the way he spoke boldly about Jesus, the way he forgave those who hurt him, and the way he trusted God to the very end.
After enjoying this time with God and each other, let’s say our memory verse together:
Acts 1:8
But when the Holy Spirit comes to you, you will receive power. You will be my witnesses – in Jerusalem, in all of Judea, in Samaria, and in every part of the world.
Acts 1:8 (NCV)
Let’s put a hand on our heart.
Father God, fill us with Your love. Help us to love You, and everything that You’ve made.
Let’s point to our eyes.
Lord Jesus, help us to see You, and to see others the way that You see them too.
Let’s point to our ears.
Holy Spirit, help us to hear You, and give us courage to do what You say.
Unathi lives in Johannesburg, South Africa, with her husband and 5 kids; and has a passion for seeing families thriving.
You’ll most likely find her homeschooling the tribe, reading, writing, or dreaming about the next DIY project.
She also loves good coffee, dark chocolate and hiking.
Jackson is 11 and he lives in Chichester, on the south coast of England, with his parents and his sister. He loves Pokemon (who doesn’t?), music and having fun with his friends.
