Acts of the Apostles: Chapter 4 (Daily Devo)
We are grateful that there are families like yours that desire to be gospel-centered and gospel-grounded. We are grateful for a host of parents who desire to lead their families in the worship of God in their homes. We are grateful for parents that see dinners and bedtimes and car rides as an opportunity for "a declaration of war against all that is not true" (author unknown).
As the Kids and Family Pastor at the church I serve, I seek to stress and emphasize to parents that they are the "pastor" of their children. They are the shepherd in their homes and they are the ones primarily responsible for the discipleship of their children.
I emphasize the greater opportunity they have for impact. For example, on average, I'm only able to see their kids once a week. As parents they get to see their children seven days a week. Yes, I am the pastor, and I have been given to the church to minister. But my mission in my ministry is to equip the saints (parents) for ministry in their homes (adapted from Ephesians 4:12). So that their children may not stay children "tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine," but would grow to mature man and womanhood (again, adapted from Ephesians 4).
But are you able? Are you equipped? Are you educated enough, holy enough, pastoral enough? According to yourself, no. You are not enough of all of these things on your own. But good news! The apostles weren't either.
Acts 4 labels the apostles as uneducated, common men, yet thousands of people were coming to Jesus through their witness. The religious leaders were astonished. And though they didn't fully understand, they recognized that they had been with Jesus. Not only had they been with Jesus, but there was a deeper truth here. They were in Jesus, and the Holy Spirit dwelled in them!
The apostles were charged to make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28), and they were given everything they needed to do this. We have the same orders as disciples of Jesus today, but we also have a call to make disciples in our homes.
You're reading this because you have a desire to lead your family in the daily worship of God. You're reading this because you may need help. You're reading this because you may not feel _______ enough.
But two things make you effective...
- Your relationship with Jesus and
- the indwelling Holy Spirit.
Because of these two things, your home can be turned upside down.
John Rogers attends Connection Community Church (C3) in Rowlett. John serves as the Children's and Family Pastor and as an elder. John and his wife Chassidy are passionate about teaching good doctrine and stumbling along side parents to make disciples of children. They have two children: Sophia and Josiah.
Day 1: Acts 4:1-4
Weekly Catechism: (www.newcitycatechsim.org)
- Q43: What are the sacraments or ordinances?
- A: The sacraments or ordinances given by God and instituted by Christ, namely baptism and the Lord’s Supper, are visible signs and seals that we are bound together as a community of faith by his death and resurrection. By our use of them the Holy Spirit more fully declares and seals the promises of the gospel to us.
READ:
[1] And as they were speaking to the people, the priests and the captain of the temple and the Sadducees came upon them, [2] greatly annoyed because they were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection from the dead. [3] And they arrested them and put them in custody until the next day, for it was already evening. [4] But many of those who had heard the word believed, and the number of the men came to about five thousand. -Acts 4:1-4 (ESV)
Teach/Talk: Talk about what you observe from this passage. What stands out to you? What can we learn?
- Suggested Question: What is the general feeling the religious leaders have towards the apostles? Why?
PRAY:
Pray through the text and for your family’s specific needs.
- Suggested Prayer: Lord, let us proclaim your name in a very respectful way and in a way that honors you.
SING:
Play or sing a family favorite worship song, hymn, or kids church song.
Day 2: Acts 4:5-12
Weekly Catechism: (www.newcitycatechsim.org)
- Q43: What are the sacraments or ordinances?
- A: The sacraments or ordinances given by God and instituted by Christ, namely baptism and the Lord’s Supper, are visible signs and seals that we are bound together as a community of faith by his death and resurrection. By our use of them the Holy Spirit more fully declares and seals the promises of the gospel to us.
READ:
[5] On the next day their rulers and elders and scribes gathered together in Jerusalem, [6] with Annas the high priest and Caiaphas and John and Alexander, and all who were of the high-priestly family. [7] And when they had set them in the midst, they inquired, “By what power or by what name did you do this?” [8] Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers of the people and elders, [9] if we are being examined today concerning a good deed done to a crippled man, by what means this man has been healed, [10] let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead—by him this man is standing before you well. [11] This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone. [12] And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” - Acts 4:5-12 (ESV)
Teach/Talk: Talk about what you observe from this passage. What stands out to you? What can we learn?
- Suggested Question: What is inside Peter that makes him speak so powerfully? What makes him so bold?
PRAY:
Pray through the text and for your family’s specific needs.
- Suggested Prayer: Father, thank you for the Holy Spirit that fills us as believers. He emboldens us for the ministry you have prepared for us.
SING:
Play or sing a family favorite worship song, hymn, or kids church song.
DAY 3: Acts 4:13-22
Weekly Catechism: (www.newcitycatechsim.org)
- Q43: What are the sacraments or ordinances?
- A: The sacraments or ordinances given by God and instituted by Christ, namely baptism and the Lord’s Supper, are visible signs and seals that we are bound together as a community of faith by his death and resurrection. By our use of them the Holy Spirit more fully declares and seals the promises of the gospel to us.
READ:
[13] Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus. [14] But seeing the man who was healed standing beside them, they had nothing to say in opposition. [15] But when they had commanded them to leave the council, they conferred with one another, [16] saying, “What shall we do with these men? For that a notable sign has been performed through them is evident to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it. [17] But in order that it may spread no further among the people, let us warn them to speak no more to anyone in this name.” [18] So they called them and charged them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. [19] But Peter and John answered them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge, [20] for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard.” [21] And when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding no way to punish them, because of the people, for all were praising God for what had happened. [22] For the man on whom this sign of healing was performed was more than forty years old. - Acts 4:13-22 (ESV)
Teach/Talk: Talk about what you observe from this passage. What stands out to you? What can we learn?
- Suggested Question: Peter knew the right chain of command. Was he to obey man or God?
PRAY:
Pray through the text and for your family’s specific needs.
- Suggested Prayer: Lord, let us be obedient to you above all things.
SING:
Play or sing a family favorite worship song, hymn, or kids church song.
Day 4: Acts 4:23-31
Weekly Catechism: (www.newcitycatechsim.org)
- Q43: What are the sacraments or ordinances?
- A: The sacraments or ordinances given by God and instituted by Christ, namely baptism and the Lord’s Supper, are visible signs and seals that we are bound together as a community of faith by his death and resurrection. By our use of them the Holy Spirit more fully declares and seals the promises of the gospel to us.
READ:
[23] When they were released, they went to their friends and reported what the chief priests and the elders had said to them. [24] And when they heard it, they lifted their voices together to God and said, “Sovereign Lord, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and everything in them, [25] who through the mouth of our father David, your servant, said by the Holy Spirit,
“‘Why did the Gentiles rage,
and the peoples plot in vain?
[26] The kings of the earth set themselves,
and the rulers were gathered together,
against the Lord and against his Anointed’—
[27] for truly in this city there were gathered together against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, along with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, [28] to do whatever your hand and your plan had predestined to take place. [29] And now, Lord, look upon their threats and grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness, [30] while you stretch out your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus.” [31] And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness. - Acts 4:23-31 (ESV)
Teach/Talk: Talk about what you observe from this passage. What stands out to you? What can we learn?
- Suggested Question: What did the disciples do in response to the religious leaders warnings and threats?
PRAY:
Pray through the text and for your family’s specific needs.
- Suggested Prayer: Thank you for hearing our prayers, Lord. Thank you for being there to pray to when we have great needs.
SING:
Play or sing a family favorite worship song, hymn, or kids church song.
Day 5: Acts 4:32-37
Weekly Catechism: (www.newcitycatechsim.org)
- Q43: What are the sacraments or ordinances?
- A: The sacraments or ordinances given by God and instituted by Christ, namely baptism and the Lord’s Supper, are visible signs and seals that we are bound together as a community of faith by his death and resurrection. By our use of them the Holy Spirit more fully declares and seals the promises of the gospel to us.
READ:
[32] Now the full number of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own, but they had everything in common. [33] And with great power the apostles were giving their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. [34] There was not a needy person among them, for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold [35] and laid it at the apostles' feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need. [36] Thus Joseph, who was also called by the apostles Barnabas (which means son of encouragement), a Levite, a native of Cyprus, [37] sold a field that belonged to him and brought the money and laid it at the apostles' feet.
-Acts 4:32-37 (ESV)
Teach/Talk: Talk about what you observe from this passage. What stands out to you? What can we learn?
- Suggested Question: What continued to happen through the early church in Acts?
PRAY:
Pray through the text and for your family’s specific needs.
- Suggested Prayer: God thank you for the movement of the gospel we see in Acts. Thank you for your mighty power to save.
SING:
Play or sing a family favorite worship song, hymn, or kids church song.