Questions for Reflection for Study of Acts 13-15

Posted on May 30, 2016 by Mark Shields

As we head into summer, I thought it would be a good time to get back into the Study of the Book of Acts. In previous posts, I have shared some thoughts from the study of the first 12 chapters. Here is a link that list all previous studies: link. During the first 12 chapter of Acts, I learned that the Holy Spirit is a divine resource God has provided for us. A resource of instruction and empowerment to help us live a reinvigorated life of firm witness of Christ.

A while back, I made this video poem: This Day with God to inspire us toward the thought that God has a great plan for each of us. It all starts with receiving that plan through faithful, consistent, and powerful prayer.



The objective of any Bible study should be to not only learn the main principles of the Word but to keep the Word in our thoughts in order to apply them in our life. I will continue this objective with a study over the next few weeks of Acts 13-15. The aim is to plant the seeds of faith, hope, and love in order to yield fruit that nourishes others.

I invite you to join me over the next few weeks as I step ahead using the questions below to inspire thoughts and ideas. God will give us the upper hand by producing in us the heart of a champion.

Acts 13:1-3
Describe the church at Antioch. How similar to this church is your Christian group? Has the Lord called you to be a leader of a group, good cause, or other ministry? Do you feel you are being guided from the Holy Spirit or is this ministry one you have thought up?

Acts 13:4-12
How do Paul and his company make their initial contacts in each town? How can you have the courage to stand up against those that oppose everything that is right? Do you think that Satan is still trying to stop the gospel from being preached? What can be done about it?

Acts 13:13-41
Visualize this situation. To whom is Paul speaking? What is the main point of Paul’s sermon? Is your message to those about you good news to them?

Acts 13:42-52
What are the initial results of Paul’s witness in the synagogue at Antioch? How do Paul and Barnabas answer those who are opposing them? Am I willing to present Christ to others even though it could incite anger?

Acts 14:1-7
How is Paul and Barnabas received at Iconium and is it similar to their reception at Antioch? What is the source of the opposition? What specific help does God give Paul and Barnabas at Iconium?

Acts 14:8-28
What do the people of Lystra believe? What do they learn about the ONE true God? How important is follow-up to Paul?

Acts 15:1-21
What is the issue that occasions this conference? To whom and what should we appeal to when we cannot resolve controversies? What do you consider essential to being a Christian?

Acts 15:22-35
How do the apostles and elders carry out their solution to the problem confronting Gentile believers (See verse 5)? What are some burdens you lay on yourself and other Christians? The Devil tries to disrupt unity but can you think of ways to build unity among believers?

The above reading plan will be used as I share over the next few posts. It’s important to have a plan. I’m thankful that Jesus is God’s plan for us and by accepting Him as Savior; we have taken the steps necessary to make this day with Him amazing! At this link: God’s Plan for Us, is a post about accepting God’s plan or reaffirming our “YES” for Christ.

When we accept Christ as Savior, the Holy Spirit is our companion and it’s exciting to think about what the future holds. Last week, we celebrated the birthday of Jesus and now we will continue the celebration throughout upcoming year because of the gift God has given us.

With God, we can get through anything, we can patiently grind it out during difficulties or give Him credit when the impossible is made possible. Beyond that, we can celebrate because of the victory we will always have with Him.

Feel free to respond with a short note or a comment about any of the questions above. Also, I welcome any other thoughts or ideas, favorite inspirational videos, photos, or favorite Bible verses. Just add them to the comments or to a Facebook page I’ve set up at this link: This Day with God.

Resources and Supplementary Helps Used in Posts
Adeney, Carol. This Morning with God. Downer Grove Illinois: InterVarsity Press, 1978
First United Methodist Waco Podcast
Christ Notes
Family Times
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Potential

Posted on May 28, 2016 by Mark Shields

This poem was written to inspire one to dream about their potential for greatness. This is the time of the year when there are graduations from high school or college. We need to inspire the next generation to dream. We’ve seemed to reach a point in history when innovation has slowed and new innovation is needed to take on the challenges of the future.

Mark Shields's avatarStep Ahead

Christopher Columbus
Set out to find a way
But discovered a new land
Known as America today.
So as you go about this day,
Set out to do the same;
Discovering something new
Where your dream comes true
Or at least a new break through.
Act on belief with courage
Even if facing an obstacle
Try over and over again
Make the impossible possible.
Invent a new gadget
Like Thomas Edison.
Keep tying in defeat
Even if embarrassing.
Act on your ideas like
Leonardo De Vinci
Or on some fantasy
Like Mr. Walt Disney.
You have the potential
To do something great
So set your imagination free
Open the creative flood gates.
Free up your creative powers
For the sky has no ceiling
For our Creator made you
So extremely appealing.
Even after a bad day
Think up new ways
For someone else
To have better days.
Remember each morning

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Never Compare

Posted on May 27, 2016 by Mark Shields

The Eighth message in the sermon series titled “Never-Never Land” was presented last weekend at the church I worship at. The title of the sermon was “Never Compare”.

Comparing makes a person unhappy because there is always someone that seems to have more than we do. It may be a better house, car, or they may always take better vacations. Maybe they are smarter, slimmer, or better looking.

Instead of looking around at others and what they have, the Bible tells us to just focus on what God has given us in Christ. By believing in His Son, each of us are precious and have all that we need. God has given you certain skills from heaven that is your own race to win so concentrate on the best you and receive the reward.

To see the worship service live each Sunday morning, just click this link: Worship Service on Facebook. Then look for the latest post where it says Sermon Live. To watch a sermon anytime or place, type in “Sermon Live” in the “Search for posts on this Page” box on the upper left side.

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Choose Good News

Posted on May 26, 2016 by Mark Shields

In the post Creating Order, some thoughts were shared about the Ten Commandments. God wants the best for us but history tells us that humanity focuses more on the things of the world rather than the “Good News” of God. When we pay attention to the world, disorder expands to fill the void of human failure. When we pay attention to God, order fills the void with greatness.

Distraction steals our heart from God. Worry and the senseless noise of the phone, television, and the bad news of the world can get us down. Each of us could use more of God’s “Good News”. Here’s an uplifting video that inspires this thought: Stop the World – Matthew West.


Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. – Colossians 3:2

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Creating Order

Posted on May 25, 2016 by Mark Shields

We are at the point of our study where God has brought the people out of Egypt and now wants what was best for them. In Exodus 20, Moses goes upon Mt. Sinai to receive the Ten Commandments. The first commandment is “You shall have no other gods before me” (v. 3). Unfortunately, history has told us that this commandment has been disobeyed and instead the worship of things of this world is attended to with greater attention.

The Ten Commandments set up priorities and creates order in our lives. They tell us to focus on God. They set standards that everyone should pay attention to for proper family and community relationships.

The world tells us that God is not real and it’s not worth our time to pray and have Him in our thoughts. But as I go through each day; taking walks and feeling the fresh breeze hitting my face and hearing the sounds of night that sooths my soul, I know the world is telling a lie and the ONE who created the breeze and unique music of the night is telling the truth.

This day with You Lord, let us focus more on You by spending more time reading, sharing, and being nourished by Your Word. Let us keep Sundays as a day of worship and a time of rest. Help us to daily be in awe of You and spend time with You; feeling confident that following Your way will lead to a very rewarding day. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.

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