God has been working for a very long time. We just finished looking at the book of Daniel, and we saw how God worked in Daniel's life in a specific way that set him apart for a specific time in a specific place. The book of Acts will show our families how God continues to unfold his plan through the apostles. 

Jesus commands them to wait for power from the Holy Spirit, and then in the rest of the book we will see God do amazing things as he grows his church into a force that cannot be ignored. 

A few years ago I heard a teaching from a pastor (I can't remember his name) that talked about making Jesus "un-ignorable" in our city. He said it's possible to have Jesus become such a topic of focus and interest in a city that it would push Jesus to a level where the common everyday person would not be able to ignore him. That's essentially what happens in Acts. God does such amazing things through the life of the Apostles, and the early church, that Jesus could not be ignored. 

And the growth of the church did not slow down in any way. It only continued to move forward. Eventually this gospel even made its way into my life and caused me to stop ignoring Jesus, and that's why I'm writing this post today. 

A lot of people have talked about revivals or the idea of being like the church in Acts. But in order to understand what that means, we need to come to this book with our families with fresh eyes. We must ask God to humble us and make us teachable. To observe what Jesus did with the early church and to ask ourselves how we can apply it to our lives. 

In chapter 1 this week, we will see how the apostles followed Jesus' instruction to go and wait for the promised Holy Spirit. Jesus had just ascended into heaven, and I'm sure the disciples were anxious and reeling from all that had just happened. While they wait, they devote themselves to prayer and even choose a new apostle to replace Judas (who betrayed Jesus and later hung himself.) They know something amazing is on its way, but they have no idea just how amazing or what the journey ahead holds for them...stay tuned! 

Josh Walker (@joshdwalker) is the co-founder and owner of One Fifty Media House, a Houston, TX based Audio and Video Design Team. He is the writer and author of music products such as Family Devo, Grammar Time and Hymns For Selena. He is married to Angela and has two beautiful children: Nathan and Charity Joy.

Day 1: Acts 1:1-5

Weekly Catechism: (newcitycatechism.org)

• Q40: What should we pray?
• A: The whole Word of God directs and inspires us in what we should pray, including the prayer Jesus taught us.

READ:

[1] In the first book, O Theophilus, I have dealt with all that Jesus began to do and teach, [2] until the day when he was taken up, after he had given commands through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. [3] He presented himself alive to them after his suffering by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God.

[4] And while staying with them he ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, “you heard from me; [5] for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” - Acts 1:1-5 (ESV)

Teach/Talk: Talk about what you observe from this passage. What stands out to you? What can we learn?

• Suggested Question: Why did Jesus tell them to stay and wait for the Holy Spirit? Why was that important for what the apostles would do?

PRAY:

Pray through the text and for your family’s specific needs.

• Suggested Prayer: Thank you Holy Spirit for filling us with your power. Your power will give us confidence to do what you have called us to do. Give us more of your presence every day.

SING:

Play or sing a family favorite worship song, hymn, or kids church song.

Day 2:  ACTS 1:6-11

Weekly Catechism: (newcitycatechism.org)

• Q40: What should we pray?
• A: The whole Word of God directs and inspires us in what we should pray, including the prayer Jesus taught us.

[6] So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” [7] He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. [8] But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” [9] And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. [10] And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, [11] and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.” - Acts 1: 6-11(ESV)

Teach/Talk: Talk about what you observe from this passage. What stands out to you? What can we learn?

• Suggested Question: What was Jesus’ instructions to the apostles after they receive the power from the Holy Spirit?

PRAY:

Pray through the text and for your family’s specific needs.

• Suggested Prayer: Father, help us to be witnesses for your glory. Give us the love and passion for you that would cause us to shine in a dark world.

SING:

Play or sing a family favorite worship song, hymn, or kids church song.
 

DAY 3: ACTS 1:12-14

Weekly Catechism: (newcitycatechism.org)

• Q40: What should we pray?
• A: The whole Word of God directs and inspires us in what we should pray, including the prayer Jesus taught us.

READ:

[12] Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day's journey away. [13] And when they had entered, they went up to the upper room, where they were staying, Peter and John and James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot and Judas the son of James. [14] All these with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers. - Acts 1:12-14 (ESV)

Teach/Talk: Talk about what you observe from this passage. What stands out to you? What can we learn?

• Suggested Question: What does it look like for someone to be “devoted to prayer?”

PRAY:

Pray through the text and for your family’s specific needs.

• Suggested Prayer: Father, there is power in dedicated prayer. Help our hearts, in every situation, to make prayer an instinct.

SING:

Play or sing a family favorite worship song, hymn, or kids church song.

Day 4: ACTS 1:15-20

Weekly Catechism: (newcitycatechism.org)

• Q40: What should we pray?
• A: The whole Word of God directs and inspires us in what we should pray, including the prayer Jesus taught us.

READ:

[15] In those days Peter stood up among the brothers (the company of persons was in all about 120) and said, [16] “Brothers, the Scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke beforehand by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus. [17] For he was numbered among us and was allotted his share in this ministry.” [18] (Now this man acquired a field with the reward of his wickedness, and falling headlong he burst open in the middle and all his bowels gushed out. [19] And it became known to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, so that the field was called in their own language Akeldama, that is, Field of Blood.) [20] “For it is written in the Book of Psalms, “‘May his camp become desolate, and let there be no one to dwell in it’; and “‘Let another take his office.’ - Acts 1:15-20 (ESV)

Teach/Talk: Talk about what you observe from this passage. What stands out to you? What can we learn?

• Suggested Question: Who spoke the words in the Scriptures through David, in the book of Psalms?

PRAY:

Pray through the text and for your family’s specific needs.

• Suggested Prayer: Father, all scripture is breathed out by you and profitable for me and my family. Help us to know your word and to treasure your word as the source of our life.

SING:

Play or sing a family favorite worship song, hymn, or kids church song
 

Day 5: ACTS 1:21-26

Weekly Catechism: (newcitycatechism.org)

• Q40: What should we pray?
• A: The whole Word of God directs and inspires us in what we should pray, including the prayer Jesus taught us.

READ:

[21] So one of the men who have accompanied us during all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, [22] beginning from the baptism of John until the day when he was taken up from us—one of these men must become with us a witness to his resurrection.” [23] And they put forward two, Joseph called Barsabbas, who was also called Justus, and Matthias. [24] And they prayed and said, “You, Lord, who know the hearts of all, show which one of these two you have chosen [25] to take the place in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas turned aside to go to his own place.” [26] And they cast lots for them, and the lot fell on Matthias, and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.  - Acts 1:21-26 (ESV)

Teach/Talk: Talk about what you observe from this passage. What stands out to you? What can we learn?

• Suggested Question: How did the apostles make a the decision of choosing another apostle? How does that correspond with God’s sovereignty over the decision?

PRAY:

Pray through the text and for your family’s specific needs.

• Suggested Prayer: Father, we know that you control all things. All things are held together by the power of your word. Even the decision of a coin obeys your will. Enlarge our vision of your glory.

SING:

Play or sing a family favorite worship song, hymn, or kids church song.

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