Hello! Today we begin the first day of the final part of the book of acts. Paul's return to Jerusalem, his capture, and his trial. To those of you familiar with Paul's writings you will know how this story ends. To those who are not as familiar I won't spoil the ending. I love the book of acts and this part is one of my favorites. It's dramatic and the writing is superb. The scenes are so visual that you almost feel like in you're in the room. What are your thoughts on this? Do you feel the same way?
Scripture to Read
Audio Bible
Questions to Consider
What does this teach me about Paul?
What about this reading feels relatable to today? What does it inspire me to do as a result?
Today I invite you to watch the final video in Bible Projects overview of Acts showing its themes and the purpose of this final section. Enjoy!
Praying the Hymns
Our prayer for today is a classic afro-spiritual also set under the theme of Good Friday and Jesus' death - He Never Said a Mumblin' Word. I invite you to join either aloud or in spirit as we pray this hymn together.
1 They crucified my Lord,
and he never said a mumbalin’ word;
they crucified my Lord,
and he never said a mumbalin’ word,
not a word, not a word, not a word.
3 They pierced him in the side, and he never said a mumbalin’ word; they pierced him in the side, and he never said a mumbalin’ word, not a word, not a word, not a word.
2 They nailed him to a tree,
and he never said a mumbalin’ word;
they nailed him to a tree,
and he never said a mumbalin’ word,
not a word, not a word, not a word.
4 His blood came trickling down,
and he never said a mumbalin’ word;
his blood came trickling down,
and he never said a mumbalin’ word,
not a word, not a word, not a word.
5 He hung his head and died, and he never said a mumbalin’ word; he hung his head and died, and he never said a mumbalin’ word, not a word, not a word, not a word.