Each week, we offer daily Scripture readings and thoughts in our

Grow • Pray • Study (GPS) Guide. 

We Are Yours

St. Paul’s UMC

GPS: Grow, Pray Study Guide for the week of

May 16 – 22, 2021

Destination: 

To gain a deeper understanding of what it means to be a deeply committed follower of God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit.  To be able to recognize your experiences of God and to discover God in new and different ways.

Prayer:

Too often, Lord God, we are hesitant in our proclamation; seeking safe and suitable  opportunities to speak of our faith. Too often, Lord God, we are half-hearted in our service; reluctant to stand out from the crowd or to attract criticism. Too often, Lord God, we live as if dependent wholly on our own resources, relying on our perceived skills and modest insights. Too often, Lord God, we look to the clouds for our inspiration, in the vain hope of finding you there. Forgive the poverty of our efforts and the frailty of our faith and open wide our hearts and minds to the immanent presence of our Risen, Living and Ascended Lord Jesus Christ.

Monday, May 17, 2021 Read Luke 24:44-53.

When you read this passage of Scripture what stands out to you? What is happening in your life right now that helped that piece of Scripture stand out to you?

Tuesday, May 18, 2021 Read Luke 24:44-45.

I want to encourage you today to sit with Jesus for a while. Ask Jesus to help you see where you do not have an open mind to His teachings. Ask Jesus for forgiveness for not being more open…pray for Jesus to help you open more fully with wisdom and   discernment.

Wednesday, May 19, 2021 Read Luke 24:46-47.

According to Jesus’ interpretation of the Scriptures, all three things have been predicted: the suffering of the Messiah, the Messiah’s resurrection on the third day, and the subsequent proclamation to all nations.  What does it mean for you and how you live out your faith that the Hebrew Scriptures predicted the Messiah’s suffering, resurrection and the proclamation to all nations?

Thursday, May 20, 2021 Read Luke 24:49; Acts 1:4-5, 8; 2:33.

The cryptic reference from Jesus about what His father has promised is clarified in the passages from Acts. What does the Scriptures in Acts say and how do they relate to Luke 24:49?

Friday, May 21, 2021 Read Luke 24:50-53.

The ascension of Jesus is the final and ultimate affirmation of Jesus’ status before God. In Luke, Jesus encountered hostility, taught and healed, suffered and died. This is the Jesus who ascends to heaven with all authority and power. The ascension is the bridge between the ministry of Jesus and the mission of the church. Pray and listen for Jesus to speak into your life about your role in the mission of the church.

Saturday, May 22, 2021 Read Acts 2:14-36. In this passage one of Jesus’ disciples, Peter is talking to Jewish people. He begins with the Hebrew Scriptures, then moves to the stories of Jesus humanity and deeds of power. Peter says that the resurrection was God’s action of bringing forth new life. How does your faith in Jesus bring forth new life?

We Are Yours

May 16, 2021

Luke 24:44-53 CEB

Reverend Nancy Amos

Hymn:  Crown Him with Many Crowns (verses 1, 2, 4) Hymnal p. 327

Scripture: Luke 24:44-53 CEB

⁴⁴ Jesus said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you—that everything written about me in the Law from Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms must be fulfilled.” ⁴⁵ Then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures. ⁴⁶ He said to them, “This is what is written: the Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, ⁴⁷ and a change of heart and life for the forgiveness of sins must be preached in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. ⁴⁸ You are witnesses of these things. ⁴⁹ Look, I’m sending to you what my Father promised, but you are to stay in the city until you have been furnished with heavenly power.” ⁵⁰ He led them out as far as Bethany, where he lifted his hands and blessed them. ⁵¹ As he blessed them, he left them and was taken up to heaven. ⁵² They worshipped him and returned to Jerusalem overwhelmed with joy. ⁵³ And they were continuously in the temple praising God.

Hymn:  His Name is Wonderful  Hymnal p. 174

Sermon Notes:

It Is Not Enough to Simply Hear the Word of God

Paul reminds us that ¹⁶ But everyone hasn’t obeyed the good news. As Isaiah says, Lord, who has had faith in our message?   ¹⁷ So, faith comes from listening, but it’s listening by means of Christ’s message. (Romans 10:16-17 CEB)

The Resurrection Was Not Enough to Open the Disciples Minds

The disciples had been with Jesus since the beginning of his ministry. They had witnessed the miracles and now the resurrected Lord appears to them, but that alone   wasn’t enough to generate faith.

We Have Been Entrusted with a Treasure to Be Both Lived and Shared

Theologian, Soren Kierkegaard reminds us that a “witness for the truth” is one who is willing to be a martyr for Christ. It is not a title to be claimed glibly.

Steps of Faith:

How do you listen to God?

Who are you sharing your faith story with?

Put your GPS (Grow, Pray, Study) Guide into practice this week

Hymn:  Open My Eyes, That I May See  Hymnal p. 454

Resources: Bible by God, UMC Lectionary resources