Bookshelf and Bible Study: When Christ Lives in Us

Today’s Bookshelf pick is one that emphasizes the life and ministry of Jesus Christ. It’s a unique study in that it is written in both English and Spanish, making it a great resource for outreach or use in bilingual communities. What differences happen in our lives when Christ lives in us?

When Christ Lives in Us

by Justo L. González

We strive to live Christ-like lives. We know we should be kind, loving, and forgiving, but sometimes it’s hard to know how to walk with Jesus in a more exacting manner. This study by renowned author Justo L. González emphasizes Jesus’s life and ministry. González explores how today’s Christians may walk with Jesus in specific forms and acts of ministry. Written in both Spanish and English, this book contains eight sessions on the themes of: Calling, Praying, Feeding, Healing, Commissioning, Teaching, Witnessing, and Giving. The bilingual book is a combination student/leader book with discussion questions at the end of every session.

Order your copy today from www.cokesbury.com.

Today’s Bible Lesson

The Conversion of Paul

by Victor Perez-Silvestry (translated into English by Pablo Garzon)

In this lesson we will explore what salvation means, using Paul’s conversion as an example. Although the conversion experiences may be different for each person, they all have in common that we have accepted by faith that Christ died and rose to save us from eternal death. Through his death, Jesus forgives our sins by offering us his salvation when we receive him by faith as our savior.

Background Text: Acts 9:1-20; 22:3-18; 26:9-18

Focal Passage: Acts 9:1-20

9 Meanwhile, Saul was still spewing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples. He went to the high priest, 2 seeking letters to the synagogues in Damascus. If he found persons who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, these letters would authorize him to take them as prisoners to Jerusalem. 3 During the journey, as he approached Damascus, suddenly a light from heaven encircled him. 4 He fell to the ground and heard a voice asking him, “Saul, Saul, why are you harassing me?”

5 Saul asked, “Who are you, Lord?”

“I am Jesus, whom you are harassing,” came the reply. 6 “Now get up and enter the city. You will be told what you must do.”

7 Those traveling with him stood there speechless; they heard the voice but saw no one. 8 After they picked Saul up from the ground, he opened his eyes but he couldn’t see. So they led him by the hand into Damascus. 9 For three days he was blind and neither ate nor drank anything.

10 In Damascus there was a certain disciple named Ananias. The Lord spoke to him in a vision, “Ananias!”

He answered, “Yes, Lord.”

11 The Lord instructed him, “Go to Judas’ house on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul. He is praying. 12 In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias enter and put his hands on him to restore his sight.”

13 Ananias countered, “Lord, I have heard many reports about this man. People say he has done horrible things to your holy people in Jerusalem. 14 He’s here with authority from the chief priests to arrest everyone who calls on your name.”

15 The Lord replied, “Go! This man is the agent I have chosen to carry my name before Gentiles, kings, and Israelites. 16 I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name.”

17 Ananias went to the house. He placed his hands on Saul and said, “Brother Saul, the Lord sent me—Jesus, who appeared to you on the way as you were coming here. He sent me so that you could see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” 18 Instantly, flakes fell from Saul’s eyes and he could see again. He got up and was baptized. 19 After eating, he regained his strength.

He stayed with the disciples in Damascus for several days. 20 Right away, he began to preach about Jesus in the synagogues. “He is God’s Son,” he declared.

 Key Verse: “Ananias went to the house. He placed his hands on Saul and said, “Brother Saul, the Lord sent me—Jesus, who appeared to you on the way as you were coming here. He sent me so that you could see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” Acts 9:17 (CEB)

 

Scripture Analysis

The story in this lesson appears in the book of the Acts of the Apostles. The main character in our story is Saul of Tarsus, who was a jealous Jew and a persecutor of the early Christians. Saul appears in Acts 7: 57—8: 1 as a witness to Stephen’s death. His actions as a persecutor of the church in Jerusalem are described in Acts 8: 1-3.

Saul asks the high priest (9:2) for permission to reach the synagogues in Damascus to intercept those who followed the teachings of Jesus. His mission was to arrest them and take them to Jerusalem as prisoners.

In today’s biblical portion Paul is described on his way to Damascus. Along the way he has an encounter with the risen Christ. In broad daylight and surprisingly “a bright light from heaven suddenly flashed around him” (9:3b). The impact was such that he fell to the ground. Immediately he hears a voice saying “Saul, Saul, why are you so cruel to me?” (4b).

Saul responds to the voice respectfully. He does not recognize this voice, but he answers it as a good Jew: “Who are you, Lord?” (5). In response, the voice responds in turn identifying itself: ” I am the one you are so cruel to.” and adds “it is hard for you to kick against the sting.” Given this affirmation, Saul realizes that he is speaking to Jesus, humbles himself before his presence and asks fearfully: “Lord, what do you want me to do?” (6). That encounter with the Risen Christ is the moment of conversion for Saul of Tarsus. Now he refers to Jesus directly as Lord and is preparing to do his will.

The risen Christ responds by giving clear directions: “Get up and go into the city, where you will be told what to do” (6b). The men who accompanied Saul on his mission heard the voice, but did not see who was talking. Saul is helped by his companions and taken to Damascus. There he remains fasting for three days, without eating or drinking anything, shocked by his encounter with the risen Christ. These three days of fasting are an integral part of his conversion, which results in his transformation into a servant and disciple of the one he once persecuted.

The second character in the story is Ananias, a disciple of Jesus chosen to visit Saul and pray for him to regain his sight (11). Ananias receives precise instructions from Jesus on where to find Saul and what to do. Jesus had already revealed himself to Saul through a vision describing the action of Ananias (12).

Ananias has doubts about the purpose of this commission and expresses to Jesus that Saul was persecuting believers (13,14). Jesus reveals to him the future plan for Saul that includes his mission as a witness of the gospel of Jesus Christ to Jews and Gentiles, and the sufferings that he will experience while carrying out that mission (15, 16).

Obeying, Ananias visits Saul, prays for him and lets him know that Jesus has sent him to heal him of his blindness and to receive the Holy Spirit. Trusting in the authority given by his Lord, Ananias lays his hands on Saul and asks that he receive his sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit. Instantly, Saul can see again, stands up and is baptized (18). The immediate restoration of his vision, his baptism and the filling of the Holy Spirit confirm the salvation of Saul of Tarsus as well as the beginning of his ministry.

Luke tells us that Saul immediately ends fasting, eats, integrates with the Christian community in Damascus and begins to share his experience of salvation in Christ Jesus with other Jews in the synagogues of Damascus (19, 20). Now Saul, the one who persecuted the believers, becomes a missionary, speaking to others about Jesus and referring to him as the Son of God and as his savior.

 

Application of the Lesson

In today’s history we find the example of conversion of Saul, who is better known as Paul. His conversion is dramatic, as a result of a genuine encounter with the risen Christ. This experience marked him in a positive way and he shares it with passion with other people (Acts 22:3-8, 26:12-18).

Once baptized by Ananias and having received the Holy Spirit, Paul begins to speak with other Jews to introduce them to Jesus and share his teachings with them. He is known as the Apostle to the Gentiles, because his ministry extended beyond the Jewish people. When we read the letters written by Paul, we realize how his life changes the more he knows about Jesus, his savior. His goal was to become more like Christ, to act as he acted, to live as he lived, and even to be willing to suffer as his Lord suffered (Philippians 3:10).

 

I invite you to reflect on the following questions.

• Which are some the changes we observe in Paul, regarding to his way of thinking, and his relationship with Jesus and with other people?
• What are some of the changes you observe in yourself in regard to your way of thinking, acting, and your relationships once you accepted Christ as your savior? What changes you think people close to you observe in your behavior?

In his letter to the Philippians, (3:4-9) Paul describes his new way of thinking regarding his education, ethnic heritage, and political and religious believes. These ideas used to give value to his previous life, but after meeting Jesus and knowing of this sacrifice for him, Paul considers all of his previous life like rubbish. For him, the most important thing was his faith in Christ.

Jesus gives us an invitation to trust fully in the daily provision of our God. He calls us not to be worried about the material things that we need, such as food, clothing, a place to live, and the like (Matthew 6:26-33). On the contrary, he invites us to trust that God is aware of our needs and that, for the love that he has for us, he will provide what is necessary. We should focus on living life according to God’s will and being fair in the way we treat others.

One of the bases to live a simple life that reflects our total dependence of God is to be aware that all what we are and possess is a gift from God. As believers in God’s grace, we are called to be thankful for all we have and to be willing to share with those who have great needs.

Take time each day of this week to meditate in the daily biblical readings that we suggest. Reflect on these questions:

• To what extend do I permit that my possessions determine my values and self-worth?
• What kind of criteria do I use to determine what for me is a simple life?
• What goals for short and long term do I propose to myself to achieve a life that more reflects Christ?

 

Prayer

Beloved God, the same way you illuminated the mind and heart of apostle Paul, enlighten all my life so that I can listen to your call. Give me the capacity to follow you, to share your love message with other people regardless of their origin. Empower me to do your will. Amen.