3 Day Bible Reading Plan - “Telling Your Story: After”
“After the police came and I gave my report, a month or so later, I appeared in court and stood before a judge and gave my testimony of what I saw. The young man’s lawyer tried to discredit my report, but I know what I saw with my own two eyes. The judge asked me a few questions, and the boy was charged with the crime.
What did I do? I testified as a witness. I told the judge what I had seen and heard. It wasn’t much, it wasn’t dramatic, and I didn’t even know the complete story—but I didn’t have to. All I had to do was tell him what I had seen and heard and leave it to the judge to determine if my testimony was credible or not. I was a witness to a crime, and my eyewitness testimony helped convict this young man.
That’s what I want to talk about today: Witnesses don’t need to know everything; they simply testify to what they have seen and heard.” - Pastor James Gleason
Day 1
Featured Verse: Acts 22:15 - "For you will be a witness for him to everyone of what you have seen and heard."
Cross References:
Acts 1:8 - "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth."
Matthew 28:19 - "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,"
Mark 16:15 - "And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to every creature."
Reflection:
Sharing Your Story: Acts 22:15 emphasizes the importance of being a "witness" - someone who shares what they have seen and heard. Think about a time in your life when you witnessed something significant (an event, an action, a transformation). How did your testimony or perspective impact the situation? How can you apply this concept of sharing your story to your faith journey?
The Power of Witness: Acts 1:8 connects the power of the Holy Spirit with being a witness for Christ. Consider times when someone else's faith journey or testimony has impacted you. How did their witness influence your own understanding or beliefs? How can you, in turn, empower others through your own witness?
The Great Commission: The Cross References (Matthew 28:19, Mark 16:15) highlight the call to share the gospel message. Does the idea of witnessing or sharing your faith make you feel anxious or uncomfortable? If so, why? How can these verses, alongside Acts 22:15, encourage you to overcome these anxieties and boldly share your story?
Day 2
Featured Verse: Acts 22:17-21 - “When I had returned to Jerusalem and was praying in the temple, I fell into a trance and saw him saying to me, ‘Make haste and get out of Jerusalem quickly, because they will not accept your testimony about me.’ And I said, ‘Lord, they themselves know that in one synagogue after another I imprisoned and beat those who believed in you. And when the blood of Stephen your witness was being shed, I myself was standing by and approving and watching over the garments of those who killed him.’ And he said to me, ‘Go, for I will send you far away to the Gentiles.’”
Cross References:
Acts 26:16-18 - “But rise and stand upon your feet, for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to appoint you as a servant and witness to the things in which you have seen me and to those in which I will appear to you, delivering you from your people and from the Gentiles—to whom I am sending you to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’”
2 Corinthians 1:8-11 - “For we do not want you to be unaware, brothers, of the affliction we experienced in Asia. For we were so utterly burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of life itself. Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death. But that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead. He delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will deliver us again. You also must help us by prayer, so that many will give thanks on our behalf for the blessing granted us through the prayers of many.”
Philippians 1:6 - “And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.”
Reflection:
Change of Direction: In Acts 22:17-21, Paul receives a seemingly sudden instruction from the Lord to leave Jerusalem. Reflect on the turning points in your own life's journey. Have you ever experienced a dramatic shift in direction or calling? If so, how did you respond? What role did faith or trust play in your decision?
Past & Present: Paul acknowledges his past role in persecuting Christians (v.19). Consider your own past actions or beliefs. How do they differ from your present understanding or faith? How can you use your past experiences to connect with others on their journeys?
Fear & Faith: Imagine being sent away from familiar surroundings to preach to a new audience (v.21). What fears or anxieties might arise in this situation? How can faith and trust in God help overcome these fears and motivate you to share your message?
Day 3
Featured Verse: Acts 20:24 - "But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.”
Cross References:
Romans 1:16 - "For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek."
2 Corinthians 5:17-19 - “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation.”
Reflection:
Purpose and Passion: In Acts 20:24, Paul emphasizes finishing his "course" and the "ministry" he received from Jesus. What is your current "course" in life? What drives your passion and purpose? How does your faith or beliefs influence your goals and priorities?
Sacrifice and Service: Paul declares his life as "of no value" compared to completing his ministry. Consider the sacrifices you've made or are willing to make in service of something bigger than yourself. How can you balance personal desires with serving others or a higher purpose?
Sharing the Gospel: Paul's ministry focused on "the gospel of the grace of God" (v.24). This aligns with Romans 1:16, which highlights the gospel's power for salvation. How do you feel about sharing your faith with others? What are some effective ways to share the message of grace found in the gospel? (Consider the Cross References - 2 Corinthians 5:17-19)