Where there is a work of God there is joy.

We will see that this week in Acts 8. The early church will encounter extreme persecution. Saul (soon to be Paul) will be commissioned to go arrest followers of ‘the way.’ And he’s pretty successful at it.

And because of this persecution christians will be scattered, the Holy Spirit will do amazing things (like teleport Philip..) and the gospel will go throughout their land creating a massive sea of... joy.

There will be joy because darkness is being pushed back. People are being healed left and right. God is doing amazing things.

Where there is a work of God there is joy.

The enemy externally (physical and spiritual) and the enemy internally (our own sin) fight to take our joy away. Externally, like here in Acts, people (like Saul) were causing real pain towards people that believed and followed Jesus. They caused them to run and hide seeking to snuff out their joy.

But the opposite happened and the people of God felt empowered and emboldened to help and heal and restore more people. The enemy tried to steal their joy but their joy was could not be stolen. Plus, the joy of others grew through their powerful ministry. God was moving in tangible, real ways and joy was breaking out all over the city (verse 4).

And not just externally.

Internally, like me, whenever sin is ruling in certain areas of my life I can recognize that my joy is diminished. Actually I’ve noticed that quite often recently. It’s a pointer to me, in seasons like this, that I need to repent and turn from my joy-diminishing sin to Jesus and his finished work on the cross.

Jesus said that he came into the world to help the sick not the healthy. Sick people don’t have much joy. They need medicine. They need surgery. They need restoration. That’s the kind of kingdom that was beginning to unfold in Acts chapter 8, the kingdom of...joy.

I pray that your family will be blessed with rich gospel conversations this week. Your gospel parenting is not in vain!! Believe that. 

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 8:1-3

Weekly Catechism: (newcitycatechsim.com)

• Q47: Does the Lord’s Supper add anything to Christ's atoning work?
• A: No, Christ died once for all. (bolded text for young children)

READ:

[1] And Saul approved of his execution. And there arose on that day a great persecution against the church in Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. [2] Devout men buried Stephen and made great lamentation over him. [3] But Saul was ravaging the church, and entering house after house, he dragged off men and women and committed them to prison. - Acts 8:1-3 (ESV)

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

• Suggested Question: The church does not grow without persecution. Why does persecution happen (then and now)?

PRAY:

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

• Suggested Prayer: Father, thank you for your love for us. Thank you for preserving us through the persecution of your church.

SING:

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

Day 2:  ACTS 8:4-8

Weekly Catechism: (newcitycatechsim.com)

• Q47: Does the Lord’s Supper add anything to Christ's atoning work?
• A: No, Christ died once for all. (bolded text for young children)

READ:

[4] Now those who were scattered went about preaching the word. [5] Philip went down to the city of Samaria and proclaimed to them the Christ. [6] And the crowds with one accord paid attention to what was being said by Philip, when they heard him and saw the signs that he did. [7] For unclean spirits, crying out with a loud voice, came out of many who had them, and many who were paralyzed or lame were healed. [8] So there was much joy in that city. - Acts 8:4-8 (ESV)

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

• Suggested Question: What happened in the city that Philip was preaching in? There was much _______?

PRAY:

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

• Suggested Prayer: Father, may your word go forth and increase in our day. Let us be bold to proclaim the gospel in our communities.

SING:

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

DAY 3: ACTS 8:9-25

Weekly Catechism: (newcitycatechsim.com)

• Q47: Does the Lord’s Supper add anything to Christ's atoning work?
• A: No, Christ died once for all. (bolded text for young children)

READ:

[9] But there was a man named Simon, who had previously practiced magic in the city and amazed the people of Samaria, saying that he himself was somebody great. [10] They all paid attention to him, from the least to the greatest, saying, “This man is the power of God that is called Great.” [11] And they paid attention to him because for a long time he had amazed them with his magic. [12] But when they believed Philip as he preached good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. [13] Even Simon himself believed, and after being baptized he continued with Philip. And seeing signs and great miracles performed, he was amazed. [14] Now when the apostles at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent to them Peter and John, [15] who came down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit, [16] for he had not yet fallen on any of them, but they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. [17] Then they laid their hands on them and they received the Holy Spirit. [18] Now when Simon saw that the Spirit was given through the laying on of the apostles' hands, he offered them money, [19] saying, “Give me this power also, so that anyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.” [20] But Peter said to him, “May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could obtain the gift of God with money! [21] You have neither part nor lot in this matter, for your heart is not right before God. [22] Repent, therefore, of this wickedness of yours, and pray to the Lord that, if possible, the intent of your heart may be forgiven you. [23] For I see that you are in the gall of bitterness and in the bond of iniquity.” [24] And Simon answered, “Pray for me to the Lord, that nothing of what you have said may come upon me.” [25] Now when they had testified and spoken the word of the Lord, they returned to Jerusalem, preaching the gospel to many villages of the Samaritans. - Acts 8:9-25 (ESV)

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

• Suggested Question: What caused Simon to be so amazed with what the apostles were doing?

PRAY:

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

Suggested Prayer: Holy Spirit, you are powerful. Let us be filled with your power.

SING:

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

Day 4: ACTS 8:26-35

Weekly Catechism: (newcitycatechsim.com)

• Q47: Does the Lord’s Supper add anything to Christ's atoning work?
• A: No, Christ died once for all. (bolded text for young children)

READ:

[26] Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, “Rise and go toward the south to the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” This is a desert place. [27] And he rose and went. And there was an Ethiopian, a eunuch, a court official of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, who was in charge of all her treasure. He had come to Jerusalem to worship [28] and was returning, seated in his chariot, and he was reading the prophet Isaiah. [29] And the Spirit said to Philip, “Go over and join this chariot.” [30] So Philip ran to him and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet and asked, “Do you understand what you are reading?” [31] And he said,“How can I, unless someone guides me?” And he invited Philip to come up and sit with him. [32] Now the passage of the Scripture that he was reading was this: “Like a sheep he was led to the slaughter and like a lamb before its shearer is silent, so he opens not his mouth. [33] In his humiliation justice was denied him. Who can describe his generation? For his life is taken away from the earth.” [34] And the eunuch said to Philip, “About whom, I ask you, does the prophet say this, about himself or about someone else?” [35] Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning with this Scripture he told him the good news about Jesus. - Acts 8:26-35 (ESV)

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

• Suggested Question: What/who prompted Philip to talk to the court official?

PRAY:

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

• Suggested Prayer: Father, help us, by the Holy Spirit, to be a guide to those who need to hear the message of Jesus Christ.

SING:

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

Day 5: ACTS 8:36-40

Weekly Catechism: (newcitycatechsim.com)

• Q47: Does the Lord’s Supper add anything to Christ's atoning work?
• A: No, Christ died once for all. (bolded text for young children)

READ:

[36] And as they were going along the road they came to some water, and the eunuch said, “See, here is water! What prevents me from being baptized?” [38] And he commanded the chariot to stop, and they both went down into the water, Philip and the eunuch, and he baptized him. [39] And when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord carried Philip away, and the eunuch saw him no more, and went on his way rejoicing. [40] But Philip found himself at Azotus, and as he passed through he preached the gospel to all the towns until he came to Caesarea. - Acts 8:36-40 (ESV)

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

• Suggested Question: What was Philip preaching in all the towns he went through?

PRAY:

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

• Suggested Prayer: Father, the gospel is the power of God for the salvation of the lost. Let us, in our families, be obsessed with the reality of the gospel. Help us never to get over it or think there is anything more to understand.

SING:

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