Receive New Life

From Searching to Sharing Acts 16:13-15
What is the most exciting thing you have done or experienced? Did you share your excitement with others?

Paul and Silas were sharing with others the most wonderful thing ever, Jesus. Following God’s plan for them they came across Lydia. Lydia worshiped God but did not have a relationship with God. What’s the difference between worshiping God and having a relationship with God? Are there Lydia’s today?

Notice the immediate response of Lydia when God opens her heart to a personal relationship with Him. She goes and tells her family and friends her exciting news. When we are available and obedient to share our exciting news about Jesus we may not always see a Lydia response in the other person, but we have been obedient to share the exciting news so that others may hear.


On a piece of paper, draw a circle and around that circle draw 5 more circles. Draw a line between the middle circle and the 5 around it. Below each outer circle write a place you come in contact with other people (work, school, sports, etc.) Write the name of one person you come in contact with at each place inside the circle. Write your name in the middle circle. How can your life influence theirs? What changes can you make to share your excitement for Jesus with them?

Are you excited about Jesus or are you worshiping God? If your excitement has changed to just being comfortable – how do you get that excitement back that makes you want to call, email, test, and tell everyone about Jesus?


From Spiritual Bondage to Spiritual Freedom Acts 16:16-18
At first glance one might wonder why the slave girl’s proclamations were aggravating Paul so much. In this setting the proclamations of the girl would quite possibly have stirred up confusion in the gentiles Paul & Silas were witnessing to. Paul’s concern for the Gentiles stirred him to action. Notice that when Paul commanded the spirit to come out of the girl in the name of Jesus, the spirit had to obey immediately. What assurance does that give us?

From Destructive Fear to Joyful Faith Acts 16:25-34
Paul & Silas were toast. Beaten, chained, imprisoned. Yet they were praying and singing hymns to God. What is your response when placed in a bad situation? Do you pray and sing hymns to God?

God creates a situation for Paul & Silas to witness to the guard. Because of the guards excitement on being saved he shares his gift with his entire household. Do we allow God to work through us to reach our family? What can you do this week to share God with your family?

Write down the blessings God has given you. Write down the miracles you have witnessed. Write down the miracles others have shared with you. When you recall these things along with the Word your focus is on God and then you can sing hymns to God in bleak times and quite possibly be a witness to someone.

Challenge: Review your circles of influence. Renew your excitement for Jesus. Be available and obedient to share Jesus with those around you. Write your joy on your heart so that in bleak times you can pray and sing.

Show Fresh Respect

Recognize Life is a Gift Genesis 4:12

Even thought Adam and Eve sinned God still allowed them to fulfill their purpose and He was still a part of every day. This serves as a reminder for us that even though we sin God still allows us to fulfill our purpose and He is still intimately involved in every day.

These verses tell us that Cain and Abel grew up to do different jobs. Cain worked the ground and Abel the sheep. What jobs do we have represented here this morning? Does God favor one job over another? Is a doctor better than a trash collector?

Beware of Self-Centeredness Genesis 4:3-8

I read several ideas on why God favored Abel’s offering and not Cain’s. Some where quite interesting. Why do you think God accepted Abel’s offering and not Cain’s? What does that say to you about your offerings to God? (Cain’s relationship was not right with God.)

When our relationship is not right with God, who do we tend to focus on? (Self) When we a focused on ourselves, how does it affect our relationships with others? Through Cain and Abel we see a very dramatic result of the affect of self-centeredness, murder. Food for thought: What has your self-centeredness cost?

Notice in verse 7 that God reminds Cain that if he does right he will be accepted. He then warns Cain that sin is waiting and desires him and then includes a but, but sin must be mastered. This but changes the entire picture. With this we move from hopeless slave to sin to a master of sin when we allow God to live in and through us.

Accept Accountability for One Another Genesis 4:9-12

God gave Cain the opportunity to confess what he had done and seek forgiveness. Just as his father had done, Cain instead looked for a way to make his actions the responsibility of someone else. I can’t begin to tell you the number of times one of my boys has responded that he hit his brother but it was his brothers fault because he was calling him names. How often do we justify the wrong things we do by saying to ourselves and God that the person had it coming because _________ (fill in the blank)? Blaming others for our actions is yet another symptom of self-centeredness.

These verses show us the number of times God encourages Cain to change his heart and attitude. It also reminds us that when we refuse to redirect our focus to God from self, there will be judgment for our rebellion.

Turn to the Lord Genesis 4:13-16, 25-26

In verses 13-16 Cain continues to be self-absorbed. He never shows remorse for murdering his brother and instead complains about his punishment. Even through Cain’s continued whining and self-absorption God show mercy. God reassures Cain that he will not be murdered and marks Cain as a safeguard against harm. After all that God has done for Cain, he still chooses to leave God’s presence for good instead of seeking repentance. Notice Cain complained about his punishment but never once asked God how can I make things right.

God did not end the story of Adam and Eve but instead blessed them with another child so that they could fulfill their purpose. Notice that with the birth of their grandson the people began to call on the name of the Lord.

The recurring theme of this story, for me, was the fact that even when we sin, even when we are self-absorbed, God’s desire is to restore us first and foremost. The warning for us in this story is to check our focus.

Challenge: This week focus on seeing others through God’s eyes instead of our own. As we do so, pay attention to the changes that occur in our hearts and in our lives.

God's Guidance

Class this morning was great! It's always good to share God's blessings and praise what He has been doing in our lives. As you go through the week remember to focus on God's guidance. As you reflect daily on the events of the day, remember to share with God those moments you wish you had done better or differently. Ask for God's guidance, open your heart to Him. God desires an intimate relationship with you. As you develop the habit of sharing, listening, focusing on God, your relationship grows closer.

Praying God's guidance as you go through your week.

RC