Beyond the Weekend

October 7 | Endure Faithfully

October 7, 2021

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

So Paul left them. He took the disciples with him and had discussions daily in the lecture hall of Tyrannus. Acts 19:9b

Read: Acts 19:9-10
Listen: 
Acts 19

TODAY’S MESSAGE

The Jesus-message upsets people so much that they begin to publicly oppose the newly forming Jesus-community in Ephesus. Their obstinance makes Paul pivot. He moves from the synagogue to the lecture hall. It’s significant opposition, but it also presents an opportunity for growth. God uses Paul’s resiliency in the midst of persecution to spread the good news of Jesus around the city and the entire Roman province. Spiritual growth surprisingly surfaces even in the face of opposition.

Sometimes our greatest growth opportunities are simultaneously our greatest seasons of difficulty and pain. This is a phenomenon observed by Christians throughout history. Breakthroughs often happen when we faithfully keep leaning into Jesus, even when times get hard. There is something about difficulty that refines our faith. Many of us feel like we are facing some kind of difficulty in this season. But each difficulty presents an opportunity to grow if we are willing to focus on God instead of our circumstances. Paul endured the opposition to see the spiritual breakthrough. Spiritual breakthroughs await us as we continue to trust in Jesus and pursue him.

IN YOUR CHAIR TIME TODAY

Open your journal to page 31. Rewrite the following prayer in your own words. “Loving Father, I want to grow more like you. I want to be the type of person who trusts in you no matter what is happening around me. Paul didn’t give up, and I don’t want to give up either. __________________ feels really hard right now. Give me the resiliency to faithfully endure it so that it points the people around me to you. Help my life make a difference for you in the community.”


NEW TESTAMENT READING PLAN

Join us this year as we read through the New Testament.

Today’s reading is 2 Timothy 3.


Download a printable PDF of the BTW week here.

You Might Also Like