Read:  Acts 9:1-19

Open

What is your “conversion” story?  How is it similar and how is it different from the Apostle Paul’s?

Dig

In the sermon, we heard that our stories about coming to Christ may differ in their outward circumstances but that the inner reality of our coming to Christ is similar in two significant ways:

1. The first is the reality that to be in Christ is to surrender.  What are some of the things that Saul/Paul had to surrender in coming to Christ?

What does Ananias have to surrender in this story in order to follow Jesus?

“To be in Christ is to surrender.  It is to lay down our weapons and cease our rebellion.”  “Submission is demonstrated in deed.”  What are the weapons of our rebellion?  How about for you personally?  How can you demonstrate that surrender and submission in deed?

2. The second inner reality of coming to Christ means that we must be reconciled; that when we come to Christ we “join a new race.”  We see this in this text by Saul/Paul and Ananias becoming brothers in Christ.  Have you experienced this in your life?

Where do you feel Christ might be calling you to be reconciled with another person?

Reflect

Allan shared with us the children’s story, “The Pirate Who Tried to Capture the Moon.”  Did you resonate with this story?  Why or why not?

The Pirate at the end of the book says, “Moon, wonderful Moon, it is you who has captured me.”  Can you say the same thing about the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit?  Why or why not?