Acts 17:16-34 || When the apostle Paul ended up in Athens—the ancient world’s center of philosophy and learning, filled with “novelty-loving” thinkers—he was required to explain his faith before the Athenian court on Mars Hill. This wasn’t a casual philosophical discussion—scholar N. T. Wright noted, the Areopagus was “the highest court in Athens, composed of leading citizens.” Paul found a brilliant entry point before that judicial authority. He’d seen an altar inscribed “To an Unknown God.” He didn’t condemn their ignorance, but said, “I’m here to introduce you to that God.” He chose respect over confrontation. Luke noted that Athenians and their foreign guests “used to spend their time doing nothing but talking about or listening to the newest thing.” Paul’s message about Jesus—especially his resurrection— seemed genuinely novel in Athens. Could it be that in increasingly post-Christian parts of our culture, the “novelty” of the good news might actually get a hearing from people who’ve never truly encountered it? Some might expect Paul to condemn the Athenians as idolaters who rejected the true God. Instead, hiss sermon was respectful, inclusive tone—even quoting a Cretan philosopher named Epimenides and the Stoic poet Aratus. Was Paul “selling out” his faith by quoting pagan writers? How can finding common ground with people of different beliefs help you create conversation rather than condemnation?

Prayer: King Jesus, when Paul preached in Athens, he quoted Greek poets and Cretan philosophers. Help me to know the culture around me well enough that I can use it to communicate without letting that culture subvert my faith. Amen.

Acts 8:27-38 || Mia Hamm: “Somewhere behind the athlete you’ve become and the hours of practice and the coaches who have pushed you is a little girl who fell in love with the game and never looked back. Play for her.” Hamm played not from duty but from love—for “the little girl who fell in love with the game.” Philip’s meeting with the Ethiopian flowed from the same kind of love—his love for Jesus, not religious duty. Whatever led the Ethiopian to Jerusalem, he was curious about the Hebrew Scriptures in Isaiah. But he needed help understanding what he was reading. Guided by the Spirit (not just human strategy), Philip ran to the carriage to help this man find the meaning of the gospel message. Non-religious and nominally religious people need help making sense of what can be a confusing message. Like the Ethiopian, many are open and curious—they just need someone willing to come alongside and explain. Has the Spirit ever nudged you, like Phillip, to share when you hadn’t planned to do it? Do you feel equipped to do so? If not, what could help you grow in confidence and capability? The eunuch was excluded from full temple worship under Leviticus 21:18-20; Deuteronomy 23:1. But Isaiah—the book the eunuch was reading—said that eunuchs and foreigners should be welcomed (Isaiah 56:3-8). Philip’s prompt baptism of this man carried out Isaiah’s prophetic insight. The eunuch was unwelcomed by other forms of Jewish faith, but “he is now welcomed as a member of this new movement.” How did this embody the church’s mission? Who in your community has been made to feel excluded that the church is called to welcome?

Prayer: God, teach me how to listen closely for the Holy Spirit’s whispering guidance. Help me have the courage to eagerly obey. Stir within me, Lord, a desire to better equip myself to help curious people make sense of the gospel story, and to welcome those who have been excluded. Amen.

Matthew 28:16-20 || Pelé: “Enthusiasm is everything. It must be taut and vibrating like a guitar string.” Pelé saw enthusiasm as vital to winning soccer. How much more vital is it in sharing the world-changing message of Jesus? As CEB Study Bible scholars noted, “The central task given Jesus’ followers is to make disciples, with going, baptizing, and teaching serving that central task.” A purpose statement, based on Jesus’ commission, is “to build a Christian community where non-religious and nominally religious people are becoming deeply committed Christians.” Revelation 2:4 warned early Christians not to lose “the love you had at first.” You’re called to be part of the greatest cause ever. That’s something to be enthusiastic about—and Jesus will be with you every day! NOTE: We don’t go on our own authority or in our own strength. We go because Jesus, who has “all authority,” sends us. Matthew said, “Some doubted,” yet Jesus commissioned them. That’s right—Jesus sends doubters too. As you go about the rhythms of ordinary life, Jesus said, prioritize disciple-making. To “make disciples” is to guide people to accept Christ’s claims. People become disciples by joining the community of believers and submitting to Christ as Lord of their life. Teaching disciples means leading them toward obedience to Jesus, not just intellectually teaching doctrine. Jesus said, “Go.” How’s your “going,” anyway? Is Christ Lord of your life? How is your Lord leading you to make disciple-making a priority, from conversations with someone you see every day to more formal, planned outreach activities? If your enthusiasm is lagging, remember how Jesus ended his commission: “I myself will be with you every day until the end of this present age.” What Matthew taught at the start of his gospel wasn’t just for Christmas: “Jesus is ‘Emmanuel,’ ‘God with us’ (see Matthew 1:23).” How will you and Jesus continue or expand your disciple-making through the rest of 2026?

Prayer: Lord Jesus, I want to glorify you with my faithful, enthusiastic commitment to make disciples. Help me remember that you are always present with me as I live out your commission. Amen.

Ezekiel 34:1-8, 11-12; Luke 15:1-7 || Jesus, God in the flesh, came to this planet on a very real rescue mission. Drawing from the image in Ezekiel 34, he told a story about a shepherd who lost one sheep from his flock. That was only 1% of the flock, but the shepherd cared deeply about any lost sheep. He dropped everything, searched until he found that sheep, and felt great joy when he found it. Jesus’ critics thought he should write off the human “lost sheep” (Luke 15:2), yet in Jesus, God was fulfilling Ezekiel’s promise personally. Pastor Bruce Larson wrote, “A shepherd once explained to me that sheep nibble their way into lostness. They move from one tuft of green grass to the next, sometimes right through a hole in the fence. When they’re done nibbling, they can’t find the hole and they’re lost. Some of us know what that is—to nibble ourselves bit by bit into the far country.” When (even now) have you been the lost sheep, not sure how to get home? Who has God called to find and help lead you home? Ezekiel wrote at a time when Judah’s rulers had failed their spiritual responsibility—tending themselves rather than the flock God entrusted to them. As one scholar noted, Ezekiel’s metaphor “focuses on the remedial duties, caring for the sick and finding the lost.” We all know what it’s like to feel overlooked or lost at some point. Who around you might feel that way right now? How might you extend the shepherd’s care to them?

Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank you that you’ve never seen me (or anyone) as a “disposable asset,” as someone who doesn’t matter. Give me your heart for everyone in your human family. Amen.

James 1:13-17 || God in the flesh, came to this planet on a very real rescue mission. Drawing from the image in Ezekiel 34, he told a story about a shepherd who lost one sheep from his flock. That was only 1% of the flock, but the shepherd cared deeply about any lost sheep. He dropped everything, searched until he found that sheep, and felt great joy when he found it. Jesus’ critics thought he should write off the human “lost sheep” (Luke 15:2), yet in Jesus, God was fulfilling Ezekiel’s promise personally. Pastor Bruce Larson wrote, “A shepherd once explained to me that sheep nibble their way into lostness. They move from one tuft of green grass to the next, sometimes right through a hole in the fence. When they’re done nibbling, they can’t find the hole and they’re lost. Some of us know what that is—to nibble ourselves bit by bit into the far country.” When (even now) have you been the lost sheep, not sure how to get home? Who has God called to find and help lead you home? Ezekiel wrote at a time when Judah’s rulers had failed their spiritual responsibility—tending themselves rather than the flock God entrusted to them. As one scholar noted, Ezekiel’s metaphor “focuses on the remedial duties, caring for the sick and finding the lost.” We all know what it’s like to feel overlooked or lost at some point. Who around you might feel that way right now? How might you extend the shepherd’s care to them?

Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank you that you’ve never seen me (or anyone) as a “disposable asset,” as someone who doesn’t matter. Give me your heart for everyone in your human family. Amen.

Genesis 12:1-3, Jeremiah 29:1-7 || God made big promises to Abraham—”a land I will show you” and “I will bless you.” Human nature can twist that into “God likes me more than anyone else!” But God blessed Abraham so he and his heirs would share the blessing: “All the families of earth will be blessed because of you.” Later, after Babylon’s brutal capture of Jerusalem, Jeremiah urged Israelite exiles to pray for the peace and success… of Babylon! The biblical principle said our wellbeing is intertwined with our neighbors’ welfare, whoever they are. Just before Abraham’s story, Genesis 11:1-9 told the Tower of Babel story. Scholar Theodore Hiebert noted that this ancient story showed God’s aim to create a world of varied peoples and cultures. Abraham’s blessing was never meant to be exclusive—God was working from the beginning to bless “all the families of earth” through him. What (if anything) has helped you see people who seem different from you as part of God’s human family? When have you found blessing flowing from an unexpected direction? Jeremiah called Israel’s exiles to trust that God’s way was both smart and generous. “People are not being urged to seek the welfare of their own city but commit themselves to a city where they do not belong and that they think they will soon leave. They are to seek the welfare of the city where they are forced to live because their own welfare is tied up with that city.” How did Jeremiah’s message link to “love your neighbor” (Leviticus 19:18)? Have you ever had to put down roots and bless neighbors you wouldn’t have chosen?

Prayer: Lord Jesus, you wanted Abraham to care about blessing “all the families of earth.” Plant that kind of heart in me, too, as one of Abraham’s spiritual descendants. Amen.

Scripture: 2 Peter 3:1-10 || Download