Now Is The Time: Acts Youth JourneySample

DEFENSE BEFORE A KING: I BEG YOU TO LISTEN CAREFULLY

PRAY:

Sometimes I feel like no one is listening to me. But you listen, Lord, and that encourages me.

READ:

Acts 26.1-32

Paul continues to share the message of Christ to top officials – and now we find him before King Agrippa. Paul is well-educated and eloquent, and knows how to charm an audience, so he flatters Agrippa big time. When Paul begins his speech, he goes all the way back to his childhood and his schooling in Jewish law. He then spends a great deal of time highlighting his conversion experience on the road to Damascus. In the middle of his speech, Paul explains that he has been telling his audiences that “the Messiah would suffer and be the first to be raised from death, so he could bring light to his own people and to the Gentiles” (v 23). Before Paul could finish, Agrippa yells out, “Paul, you’re crazy! Too much learning has driven you out of your mind” (v 24). However, like Pilate, in the case of Jesus, Agrippa found nothing against Paul and would have set him free, but since Paul had asked for his case to be tried by the Roman Emperor, Agrippa was forced to continue the judicial process.

REFLECT:

Agrippa thought Paul was crazy. Do people see you as so sold out for the kingdom that they might call you “crazy”? Do you know enough to argue your case for why you believe what you believe?

RESPOND:

Begin asking God for new and fresh opportunities to share his love, grace, and mercy. Ask God to move you from mediocrity and let you strive to become the best you can be.

Lord, I am fed up with my own selfishness and self-centeredness. Help me to take my eyes off my ‘stuff’ and focus them on Jesus.