The Birth of the Church February â March Bible
ST. MATTHEW'S U.F.W.B. CHURCH 400 Dixwell Avenue New Haven, CT 06511
The Birth of the Church February – March Bible Readings
Elder Kevin C. Hardy, Pastor
February 1, 2018
Dear Church Family and Friends,
Lady Hardy and I are so happy to be embarking on this reading plan as a church family. Enclosed you will find it neatly organized by date, daily scripture and daily reflection. I pray you will commit to this daily process. Let's take this journey. To know God is to know His WORD. I am looking forward to us discovering new things about the Lord and His church as we read together. My prayer is that your faith and knowledge will increase and that you will grow greatly. Read and reflect and watch God show up more in your life. This is a wonderful way to spend time with God.
Encouragingly, Pastor Kevin C. Hardy
ACTS READING PLAN AND FOCUS QUESTION February 1
Theme – The Departure of Jesus Reading - Acts 1:1-11
FOCUS: What one thing would you be sure to do if you knew Jesus was coming back today? ____________________________________________________________________________________________________
February 2 FOCUS:
Theme – First Things First Reading – Acts 1:12-26
Who are people who you meet with and can be encouraged by in your
faith? ___________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
February 3 FOCUS:
Theme – An Amazing Gift Reading – Acts 2:1-13
What is the main purpose of any gift God might have given you?
____________________________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
February 4 FOCUS:
Theme – Peter's First Sermon Reading – Acts 2:14-40
How would you put this sermon into your own words? ______________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
February 5 FOCUS:
Theme – Life in the Early Church Reading – Acts 2:41 through 3:11
What part of these early days would you have enjoyed the most?
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
February 6 FOCUS:
Theme – Peter's Second Sermon Reading – Acts 3:12-4 through 4:4
If you were given three minutes to tell the story of your spiritual life
what would you say? ________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
February 7
Theme – Hostile Reactions Reading – Acts 4:5-22
FOCUS:
What excuses are you most likely to use to keep from sharing your
faith? _____________________________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
February 8 FOCUS:
Theme – Strange Events Reading – Acts 5:1-16
How often are you tempted to take God lightly? _______________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
February 9 FOCUS:
Theme – Arrested! Reading – Acts 5:17-42
How do you react when you are treated unfairly? _____________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
February 10 FOCUS:
Theme – Stephen: Special Events Reading – Acts 6:1-15
What specific places do you or could you serve at the bridge?
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
February 11 FOCUS:
Theme – History Review I Reading – Acts 7:1-29
How familiar are you becoming with "his story" in history? ________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
February 12 FOCUS:
Theme – History Review II Reading – Acts 7:30-60
In what ways would you want to be more like Stephen? ____________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
February 13 FOCUS:
Theme – Benefits of Persecution Reading – Acts 8:1-25
Which difficulties in your life has God used to help you grow spiritually?
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
February 14 FOCUS:
Theme – Unexpected Reading - Acts 8:26-40
What have you done about baptism? ______________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
February 15 FOCUS:
Theme – Paul Meets Jesus Reading – Acts 9:1-19
What unusual events has God used to catch your attention?
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
February 16 FOCUS:
Theme – Paul's New Life Reading – Acts 9:20-31
What are three ways that Christ has changed your life? _____________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
February 17 FOCUS:
Theme – God Uses Peter Reading – Acts 9:32-42
This past week, what special ability did you use to meet someone's
need? ____________________________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
February 18 FOCUS:
Theme – Peter Sees a Lesson Reading – Acts 10:1-23
What lessons has God had to repeat in your life? ____________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
February 19 FOCUS:
Theme – Peter Learns a Lesson Reading – Acts 10:24-48
How has God helped you change your mind about some attitudes?
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
February 20 FOCUS:
Theme – Gentiles Get a Chance Reading – Acts 11:1-18
On which of your prejudices is God still working? ___________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
February 21 FOCUS:
Theme – Christians Helping One Another Reading – Acts 11:19-29
What do you do when you hear stories of extreme poverty or hardship
among Christians in other parts of the world? _____________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
February 22 FOCUS:
Theme – A Great Escape and Capital Punishment Reading – Acts 12:1-25
How do you react when God answers your prayers? ________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
February 23 FOCUS:
Theme – Paul and Barnabas: Travel Preaching Reading – Acts 13:1-12
What Christians do you know who might help you discover more clearly
how God wants you to invest your time and abilities? _____________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
February 24 FOCUS:
Theme – Response and Reaction Reading – Acts 14:1-28
How does the gospel act like Good News in your life? _________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
February 25 FOCUS:
Theme – Church Conference Reading – Acts 15:1-21
How important is it for you to talk problems over with other Christians?
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
February 26 FOCUS:
Theme – The Gentiles are Accepted Reading – Acts 15:22-41
In what ways is God affecting the way you live and plan? ____________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
February 27 FOCUS:
Theme – Paul, Silas and Timothy Reading – Acts 16:1-15
How would you describe the spiritual team of which you are part?
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
February 28 FOCUS:
Theme – Adventures in Jail Reading – Acts 16:16-40
How would you react to God using a difficult situation of yours to help
another person discover him? ____________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
March 1 FOCUS:
Theme – Different Responses from Tow Cities Reading – Acts 17:1-15 What part does the Bible play in your evaluation of what you hear and
read? _____________________________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
March 2 FOCUS:
Theme – Paul in Athens Reading – Acts 17:16-34 What unconscious symbols of God's presence do you see around you in
society? __________________________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
March 3 FOCUS:
Theme – Paul on Journey Reading – Acts 18:1-28 What is the next stop in your journey? ___________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
March 4 FOCUS:
Theme – Paul in Ephesus Reading – Acts 19:1-20 In what situations are you most likely to become discouraged? __________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
March 5 FOCUS:
Theme – The Riot Reading – Acts 19:21-41 When are you most likely to forget that God is in control? ________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
March 6 FOCUS:
Theme – Sleeping in Church Reading – Acts 20:1-12 How does God respond to your human weakness? __________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
March 7 FOCUS:
Theme – Saying Good-bye to Ephesus Reading – Acts 20:13-38 When have painful good-byes worked for the best in your life?
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
March 8 FOCUS:
Theme – Difficult Decision Reading – Acts 21:1-17 What hard decisions do you have to make? ____________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
March 9 FOCUS:
Theme – Paul in Jerusalem Reading – Acts 21:18-36 How important is it to respect the consciences of others? __________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
March 10 FOCUS:
Theme – Paul Speaks Reading – Acts 21:37 through Acts 22:29 How can you relate what Paul is saying to what God has done in your
life? ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
March 11 FOCUS:
Theme – A Plan to Kill Paul Reading – Acts 22:30 through Acts 23:22
How well do you know your rights and fulfill your responsibilities as a
citizen of your country? ___________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
March 12 FOCUS:
Theme – Paul in Prison Reading – Acts 23:23 through Acts 24:27 What would be harder for you, the pressure or the prison? _______________
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
March 13 FOCUS:
Theme – Paul Speaks to Festus Reading – Acts 25:1-27 In Christianity were outlawed, what evidence could be brought against
you to prove you are a Christian? _______________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
March 14 FOCUS:
Theme – Paul Speaks to Agrippa Reading – Acts 26:1-32 How comfortable are you in explaining your faith? __________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
March 15 FOCUS:
Theme – The Storm at Sea Reading – Acts 27:1-26 What is your attitude when you are going through difficulties as part of
a group? _________________________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
March 16 FOCUS:
Theme – The Shipwreck Reading – Acts 27:27-44 What disasters in your life has God used to teach you? ______________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
March 17 FOCUS:
Theme – The Winter on Malta Reading – Acts 28:1-14 How often are you aware of God in everyday occurrences?
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
March 18 FOCUS:
Theme – Paul in Rome Reading – Acts 28:15-31 What would you most like to be doing when your time on this earth is
over? ____________________________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
OVERALL REFLECTION: __________________________________________________________________
Personal Notes ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
The Birth of the Church February – March Bible Readings
Elder Kevin C. Hardy, Pastor
February 1, 2018
Dear Church Family and Friends,
Lady Hardy and I are so happy to be embarking on this reading plan as a church family. Enclosed you will find it neatly organized by date, daily scripture and daily reflection. I pray you will commit to this daily process. Let's take this journey. To know God is to know His WORD. I am looking forward to us discovering new things about the Lord and His church as we read together. My prayer is that your faith and knowledge will increase and that you will grow greatly. Read and reflect and watch God show up more in your life. This is a wonderful way to spend time with God.
Encouragingly, Pastor Kevin C. Hardy
ACTS READING PLAN AND FOCUS QUESTION February 1
Theme – The Departure of Jesus Reading - Acts 1:1-11
FOCUS: What one thing would you be sure to do if you knew Jesus was coming back today? ____________________________________________________________________________________________________
February 2 FOCUS:
Theme – First Things First Reading – Acts 1:12-26
Who are people who you meet with and can be encouraged by in your
faith? ___________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
February 3 FOCUS:
Theme – An Amazing Gift Reading – Acts 2:1-13
What is the main purpose of any gift God might have given you?
____________________________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
February 4 FOCUS:
Theme – Peter's First Sermon Reading – Acts 2:14-40
How would you put this sermon into your own words? ______________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
February 5 FOCUS:
Theme – Life in the Early Church Reading – Acts 2:41 through 3:11
What part of these early days would you have enjoyed the most?
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
February 6 FOCUS:
Theme – Peter's Second Sermon Reading – Acts 3:12-4 through 4:4
If you were given three minutes to tell the story of your spiritual life
what would you say? ________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
February 7
Theme – Hostile Reactions Reading – Acts 4:5-22
FOCUS:
What excuses are you most likely to use to keep from sharing your
faith? _____________________________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
February 8 FOCUS:
Theme – Strange Events Reading – Acts 5:1-16
How often are you tempted to take God lightly? _______________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
February 9 FOCUS:
Theme – Arrested! Reading – Acts 5:17-42
How do you react when you are treated unfairly? _____________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
February 10 FOCUS:
Theme – Stephen: Special Events Reading – Acts 6:1-15
What specific places do you or could you serve at the bridge?
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
February 11 FOCUS:
Theme – History Review I Reading – Acts 7:1-29
How familiar are you becoming with "his story" in history? ________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
February 12 FOCUS:
Theme – History Review II Reading – Acts 7:30-60
In what ways would you want to be more like Stephen? ____________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
February 13 FOCUS:
Theme – Benefits of Persecution Reading – Acts 8:1-25
Which difficulties in your life has God used to help you grow spiritually?
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
February 14 FOCUS:
Theme – Unexpected Reading - Acts 8:26-40
What have you done about baptism? ______________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
February 15 FOCUS:
Theme – Paul Meets Jesus Reading – Acts 9:1-19
What unusual events has God used to catch your attention?
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
February 16 FOCUS:
Theme – Paul's New Life Reading – Acts 9:20-31
What are three ways that Christ has changed your life? _____________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
February 17 FOCUS:
Theme – God Uses Peter Reading – Acts 9:32-42
This past week, what special ability did you use to meet someone's
need? ____________________________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
February 18 FOCUS:
Theme – Peter Sees a Lesson Reading – Acts 10:1-23
What lessons has God had to repeat in your life? ____________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
February 19 FOCUS:
Theme – Peter Learns a Lesson Reading – Acts 10:24-48
How has God helped you change your mind about some attitudes?
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
February 20 FOCUS:
Theme – Gentiles Get a Chance Reading – Acts 11:1-18
On which of your prejudices is God still working? ___________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
February 21 FOCUS:
Theme – Christians Helping One Another Reading – Acts 11:19-29
What do you do when you hear stories of extreme poverty or hardship
among Christians in other parts of the world? _____________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
February 22 FOCUS:
Theme – A Great Escape and Capital Punishment Reading – Acts 12:1-25
How do you react when God answers your prayers? ________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
February 23 FOCUS:
Theme – Paul and Barnabas: Travel Preaching Reading – Acts 13:1-12
What Christians do you know who might help you discover more clearly
how God wants you to invest your time and abilities? _____________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
February 24 FOCUS:
Theme – Response and Reaction Reading – Acts 14:1-28
How does the gospel act like Good News in your life? _________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
February 25 FOCUS:
Theme – Church Conference Reading – Acts 15:1-21
How important is it for you to talk problems over with other Christians?
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
February 26 FOCUS:
Theme – The Gentiles are Accepted Reading – Acts 15:22-41
In what ways is God affecting the way you live and plan? ____________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
February 27 FOCUS:
Theme – Paul, Silas and Timothy Reading – Acts 16:1-15
How would you describe the spiritual team of which you are part?
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
February 28 FOCUS:
Theme – Adventures in Jail Reading – Acts 16:16-40
How would you react to God using a difficult situation of yours to help
another person discover him? ____________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
March 1 FOCUS:
Theme – Different Responses from Tow Cities Reading – Acts 17:1-15 What part does the Bible play in your evaluation of what you hear and
read? _____________________________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
March 2 FOCUS:
Theme – Paul in Athens Reading – Acts 17:16-34 What unconscious symbols of God's presence do you see around you in
society? __________________________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
March 3 FOCUS:
Theme – Paul on Journey Reading – Acts 18:1-28 What is the next stop in your journey? ___________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
March 4 FOCUS:
Theme – Paul in Ephesus Reading – Acts 19:1-20 In what situations are you most likely to become discouraged? __________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
March 5 FOCUS:
Theme – The Riot Reading – Acts 19:21-41 When are you most likely to forget that God is in control? ________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
March 6 FOCUS:
Theme – Sleeping in Church Reading – Acts 20:1-12 How does God respond to your human weakness? __________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
March 7 FOCUS:
Theme – Saying Good-bye to Ephesus Reading – Acts 20:13-38 When have painful good-byes worked for the best in your life?
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
March 8 FOCUS:
Theme – Difficult Decision Reading – Acts 21:1-17 What hard decisions do you have to make? ____________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
March 9 FOCUS:
Theme – Paul in Jerusalem Reading – Acts 21:18-36 How important is it to respect the consciences of others? __________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
March 10 FOCUS:
Theme – Paul Speaks Reading – Acts 21:37 through Acts 22:29 How can you relate what Paul is saying to what God has done in your
life? ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
March 11 FOCUS:
Theme – A Plan to Kill Paul Reading – Acts 22:30 through Acts 23:22
How well do you know your rights and fulfill your responsibilities as a
citizen of your country? ___________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
March 12 FOCUS:
Theme – Paul in Prison Reading – Acts 23:23 through Acts 24:27 What would be harder for you, the pressure or the prison? _______________
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
March 13 FOCUS:
Theme – Paul Speaks to Festus Reading – Acts 25:1-27 In Christianity were outlawed, what evidence could be brought against
you to prove you are a Christian? _______________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
March 14 FOCUS:
Theme – Paul Speaks to Agrippa Reading – Acts 26:1-32 How comfortable are you in explaining your faith? __________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
March 15 FOCUS:
Theme – The Storm at Sea Reading – Acts 27:1-26 What is your attitude when you are going through difficulties as part of
a group? _________________________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
March 16 FOCUS:
Theme – The Shipwreck Reading – Acts 27:27-44 What disasters in your life has God used to teach you? ______________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
March 17 FOCUS:
Theme – The Winter on Malta Reading – Acts 28:1-14 How often are you aware of God in everyday occurrences?
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
March 18 FOCUS:
Theme – Paul in Rome Reading – Acts 28:15-31 What would you most like to be doing when your time on this earth is
over? ____________________________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
OVERALL REFLECTION: __________________________________________________________________
Personal Notes ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
