Conversion and Repentance: Conversion not an End in Itself
Begin this study with a prayer for one another:
Dear God,
In this extraordinary time, would you bless us with a sense of your presence? Help us to know the certainty that is in you, even when all else seems uncertain. Grant that we would help one another, that we would care for one another. Bless those who are giving of their time and energy and safety to care for those in need. Open us to your Word. May we see the love of the Living Word, Jesus Christ. Holy Spirit give us power to hear, that we would live and that we would be blessing to other people. We pray in Jesus name.
Amen.
Read Acts 1:1-19
How do you respond to the truth that “Saul was a killer”?
What do you thin of the question in verse 4, from Jesus to Saul, “Why are you hurting (persecuting) me?” What does this question say about Jesus?
There is a lot to think about in the question of Saul to Jesus, “Who are you, Lord?”
Consider that Saul had been (in his mind) defending the name of the Lord by persecuting Christians.
What does the question ‘Who are you, Lord?’ Say about Saul?
In what ways does Saul’s mission and direction now change?
Remember something very important about this scene; Saul ENCOUNTERED Jesus, he EXPERIENCED Him.
What happens when we experience the Lord Jesus?
How is it true that such encounter makes all that we are vulnerable? (what we think, our arguments, plans, causes and ideas)
How is Saul’s journey from here both private and public.
Ananias (vs 10-19)
What do you think Ananias’ place in this story?
Consider God’s direction, Ananias’ response, and God’s repeated direction in vs 13-18.
What was God’s initial direction?
What was Ananias’ response?
How did God reply to this?
What did Ananias’ do in response to God?
Go to verses 15 and then 17 - consider the words, “chosen instrument” and “Brother Saul”. How do these words live in the story? How are they crucially meaningful?
What do you make of the fact that it is when Ananias’ prays and speaks to Saul that the “scales fall off” his eyes?
Teachings Points (What We Mean When We Say Conversion)
Conversion is an awakening, but it is continual and ongoing. We are awakened to our need of awakening and re-awakening.
Conversion is of God; “None of us can supply the jolt”.
A rising takes place in conversion. In conversion we have a new life, not simply a reformed life.
Conversion becomes the movement of a whole person. There are no neutral zones.
Conversion is not an end in itself. It is always FOR OTHERS.
If we don’t believe in conversion, we don’t believe in God (as Christians). Without conversion, God becomes merely and idea. “If we believe in God we believe in an awakening to conversion.”
