TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
From Miletus, Paul sent to Ephesus for the elders of the church. When they arrived, he said to them: “You know how I lived the whole time I was with you, from the first day I came into the province of Asia.” Acts 20:17-18
Read: Acts 20:17-21
Listen: Acts 20
TODAY’S MESSAGE
Paul lives in Ephesus for almost three years helping the Jesus community get up and going. He is a spiritual father for this group before moving on to influence other cities. While on his way to Jerusalem, he decides to meet the leaders of this Ephesian church in a nearby city, Miletus. Paul believes this will be his last chance to speak with them and wants to officially pass along the spiritual torch. In this conversation, Paul draws on their time together in Ephesus to talk about how they can influence the church and the city toward Jesus.
This week, we will look at this conversation and learn about spiritual influence. Whether we realize it or not, we each have spiritual influence. Our friends, families and coworkers are influenced in positive or negative ways by the way we live our lives. Our lives may either draw people to Jesus or push them further away from him.
It can be hard to imagine what God may choose to do through each of us individually and collectively as we seek to influence our homes, workplaces and city toward Jesus. So, let’s pull up a chair with these Ephesian leaders and learn from the Apostle Paul about how to use our influence to point people to Jesus. And let’s pray together for our homes, workplaces and city.
IN YOUR CHAIR TIME TODAY
Begin this week by asking God to open your heart to learn and be convicted by him. Ask God to help you use your influence to point people to Jesus.
2022 BIBLE MEMORY PRACTICE
Develop spiritual roots and tap in the power of God’s word by memorizing monthly a Bible verse!
PHILIPPIANS 1:6
Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
