Daily Reading Week 35
Sunday
Acts 2 (Scripture Focus 1–47)
Discover:
When God scattered the people at Babel by confusing their language (Genesis 11:1–9), it created barriers that made unity and understanding harder. But that wasn’t the end of the story.
From the beginning, God’s plan has been to gather people from every nation to glorify Him. Though humanity united in rebellion at Babel, God used that moment to spread people across the earth, preventing a single, defiant culture from forming.
Later, God chose Israel to be His witness to the world. Though Israel often fell short, the prophets looked forward to a time when people from every nation would worship God together. That vision began to unfold at Pentecost.
At Pentecost, the Holy Spirit was poured out on all people, and the miracle of speaking in different tongues showed that the divisions from Babel were being healed. The true people of God are now united not by language or culture, but by faith in Jesus.
While differences still exist, the Spirit empowers us to overcome them for the sake of the Gospel. The reversal of Babel has begun, and one day, believers from every nation will worship together before God’s throne.
What are you doing to help bring people together in Christ? Consider building a friendship with someone from a different background. If they don’t yet know Jesus, share the Gospel—they may be among those who will one day worship at His throne.
Respond:
1. Which part of Acts 2 stands out most to you and why?
2. What does it look like to live connected to Jesus and others in today’s world?
3. How has your life reflected or drifted from this early church model?
4. What’s one area where you want to grow in obedience?
Monday
Acts 2 (Scripture Focus 1–12) – The Presence of the Spirit
Discover:
Pentecost was set by God to be celebrated fifty days after the Sabbath during the Feast of Unleavened Bread (Leviticus 23:15), meaning it always fell on the first day of the week—a symbolic fresh start.
Jewish tradition holds that the first Pentecost was the day God gave the Ten Commandments at Mount Sinai. This idea fits well with the timeline in Exodus 19:1, which places Israel at Sinai about 45 days after the Exodus. Though Pentecost wasn’t formally established yet, the connection led Jews to celebrate it as the day God came near and gave His law.
In Acts 2, we see echoes of Sinai: thunder, fire, and wind marked God’s presence then, and now again as the Holy Spirit filled the apostles’ room. Just as the people gathered at Sinai, so Jerusalem gathered to witness this event. But this time, instead of receiving stone tablets, God gave His Spirit to empower obedience from the heart.
There are striking contrasts too. At Sinai, only Moses could enter God’s glory. In Exodus 40, even priests had to flee when God’s glory filled the tabernacle. But at Pentecost, all the apostles were surrounded by wind and fire—and they didn’t flee. They went out boldly to proclaim the Gospel.
Under the old covenant, fire symbolized judgment and separation—like the flaming sword guarding Eden (Genesis 3:24) or the altar fire that consumed unauthorized offerings (Leviticus 10:1–2). At Pentecost, however, tongues of fire rested safely on the disciples. Their tongues became instruments of truth and judgment, preaching the Gospel with power.
Respond:
1. How do I respond to God's presence—do I approach Him with confidence through the Spirit, or do I hold back out of fear or habit?
2. Am I using the gifts God has given me—like my voice, my relationships, or my cultural background—to share the Gospel boldly?
3. Do I see diversity in language and culture as a barrier or a blessing in the body of Christ?
tuesday
Acts 2 (Scripture Focus 22–24, 36–37) – The Power of the Gospel
Discover:
Acts 2 describes the powerful sights and sounds of Pentecost, Peter’s bold preaching, and the remarkable response. But beyond the awe-inspiring moment, Pentecost marks the arrival of God’s promised time of restoration.
While the Holy Spirit was active before Pentecost, His outpouring that day signaled the beginning of the “last days”—a new era of spiritual renewal. Peter’s sermon focuses not just on the Spirit, but on Jesus. Pentecost proves that Jesus is reigning at the right hand of the Father, having received and poured out the Spirit on His people. The age of promise has been fulfilled in Christ; the age of restoration has begun.
The world is now being restored in the same order it was broken. Adam’s spiritual fall led to physical death and brokenness across creation. In contrast, Jesus first restores us spiritually through His death and resurrection, and will one day renew our bodies and the entire world.
The Spirit’s arrival at Pentecost is the sign that this restoration is underway. And because of this hope, we do not lose heart.
Respond:
1. Do I live each day with the awareness that I’m part of God’s ongoing work of restoration in the world?
2. How does the truth that Jesus is reigning now shape my response to hardship, fear, or uncertainty?
3. Am I allowing the Holy Spirit to transform me and use me as an agent of healing in a broken world?
Wednesday
Acts 2 (Scripture Focus 37–41) – The Practice of Repentance and Baptism
Discover:
No one can turn to Christ without first being made new by the Holy Spirit. That’s what Jesus teaches in John 3—no one can see God’s kingdom without being born again by the Spirit. This new birth happens on God’s timing, not ours, because the Spirit moves as He wills.
While baptism is closely tied to this spiritual renewal—it’s a visible sign of God’s promise to make us new—it doesn’t guarantee that regeneration happens at the moment of baptism. The Spirit is sovereign, and His work isn’t limited to our rituals.
Baptism is also a sign of the forgiveness of sins, as seen in Acts 2:38, where Peter calls people to repent and be baptized for the forgiveness of their sins. Scripture often connects cleansing with forgiveness. Through Christ’s atonement, our guilt is removed, and we are made righteous in Him.
Water, which cleanses the body, is a fitting symbol of the spiritual cleansing God gives through Christ. But just like regeneration, forgiveness isn’t automatic with baptism. Peter links it with repentance. God’s promise of forgiveness in baptism is for those who turn to Him in faith. If we are living lives of repentance and trust in Christ, baptism assures us that we are truly forgiven and made clean.
Respond:
1. What does repentance look like in your life right now?
2. Have you been baptized as a response to your faith?
3. Is there a sin you need to turn from today?
4. Who needs to hear your baptism story?
THursday
Thursday Scripture: Acts 2 (Scripture Focus 42–43) Connect to Others by Studying Together
Discover:
If we want to worship in a way that truly honors God, it makes sense to look at how the Apostles and early church worshiped. Acts 2:42 gives us a snapshot of their worship after Pentecost, highlighting key elements we should still value today.
First, the early Christians were devoted to the Apostles’ teaching—what we now have in the Scriptures. This shows the importance of reading and teaching God’s Word in worship.
Second, they were committed to “the prayers.” Prayer was central to their gatherings, rooted in both synagogue and temple traditions. From Solomon’s temple prayer to the daily confessions of the people, prayer was always part of worship. The Psalms, many written for public worship, are essentially prayers—some even marked for the choir to sing.
That brings us to singing. In Scripture, singing is a form of prayer and also a way to teach. Paul reminds us in Colossians 3:16 to teach and encourage one another through psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. So when we sing with thankful hearts, we’re both praying and proclaiming truth.
In short, biblically faithful worship includes Scripture, spoken prayer, and sung prayer. These practices connect us to the heart of worship as modeled by the early church.
Respond:
1. Are you currently studying God’s Word in community?
2. How can you grow in your devotion to Scripture?
3. How can you help others engage more deeply in the Word?
Friday
Acts 2 (Scripture Focus 44–46) – Connect to Others by Serving Together
Discover:
Church leaders often face tough decisions that impact the health of their congregations. In times of crisis, wise and prayerful leadership is essential—not just to solve immediate problems, but to avoid creating bigger ones down the road.
The early church in Jerusalem offers a great example. Acts 2:42–47 shows a thriving community devoted to worship, discipleship, generosity, and evangelism. Even persecution couldn’t stop their growth. But in Acts 6:1–7, internal tensions arose when Greek-speaking believers felt their widows were being overlooked in daily food distributions—a serious accusation of favoritism.
The Apostles responded with wisdom. They recognized the issue wasn’t prejudice, but a lack of structure. With thousands of members and only twelve leaders focused on teaching and shepherding, mercy ministry had become disorganized. Rather than shifting their focus away from prayer and the Word, they appointed seven deacons to oversee practical needs. This allowed the Apostles to stay committed to spiritual leadership while ensuring fair and effective care for the congregation.
The result? The church embraced the solution, and both spiritual and practical ministries flourished. This moment reminds us that prayer and the Word are the lifelines of a healthy church—and that thoughtful leadership can resolve conflict without compromising mission.
Respond:
1. How connected do you feel to others at church?
2. Where are you currently serving—and where could you start?
3. How does serving build stronger relationships?
Saturday
Acts 2 (Scripture Focus 47) – Connect to Others by Seeking the Lost Together
Discover:
Acts 2:47 tells us that the early Christians had favor with the people, and the Lord was adding to their number daily. This shows that evangelism wasn’t just about teaching, fellowship, and worship—it was also about reaching the world outside the church.
First, we see that only the Lord can truly add someone to the Church. We can guide people, baptize them, and welcome them into our communities, but only Christ can write their names in the Book of Life.
Second, Jesus adds to the Church those He is saving. Salvation and church membership go hand in hand—they’re not separate experiences. This was true then and should still be true today.
Third, evangelism was a daily lifestyle, not a scheduled event. The early church didn’t rely on occasional revivals or outreach nights. Their everyday lives were so full of faith, love, and joy that people were drawn in naturally. Their witness was contagious.
To care about the lost, we need to shift our mindset. The non-Christian isn’t the enemy—they’re the victim of the enemy. They need compassion and truth from those who’ve found hope in Christ.
Respond:
1. Who are you praying for and pursuing right now?
2. How can your group be more intentional about reaching the lost?
3. Are you more focused on comfort or mission?