This summer, our congregation is reading the Acts of the Apostles together, with a group discussion on the last Sunday of the month to talk about discoveries or questions from the chapters just completed. The schedule is below.
You are also encouraged to read one or more of Paul’s letters: Romans stions from the chapters just completed. A reading schedule will be provided everyone so that you can do this at your own pace. Acts has only twenty-eight chapters so this will not be difficult homework. It would also be great if you read one or more of Paul’s letters. Any of these count: Romans, I and II Corinthians, Galatians, Philippians, Philemon, and I Thessalonians. Many scholars would also accept Colossians and II.
What do Paul’s messages and the story of the early church have to say to the twenty-first century church in Pennington?
Pastor David Hallgren will meet after worship on the last Sunday of each month to discuss the readings and reactions. He is also going to be at Sourland Coffee on Thursday mornings at 9 AM to talk about that’s week’s reading over a cup of coffee.
The Acts of the Apostles Reading Schedule
| Week | Chapters | Themes |
| May 29-June 4 | Acts 1,2 | Introduction and connection to the Gospel of Luke – Jesus Ministry continues with the Apostles
Pentecost |
| June 5-11 | Acts 3,4 | Witnesses – time in Jerusalem
Healings and conflict in the San Hedrin |
| June 12-18 | Acts 5,6 | More trouble with the Jewish leaders
Community and all of its troubles Stephen as a credible witness and apostle |
| June 19-25 | Acts 7,8 | Story of Stephen
What is Paul’s role as the gospel begins to take root? Philip – the gospel is for everyone? |
| June 26-July 2 | Acts 9,10 | Saul-Paul and a conversion of grace
Peter called to go beyond Jerusalem |
| July 3-9 | Acts 11,12 | The 12 are called to expand |
| July 10-16 | Acts 13,14 | Paul is sent out to the many nations |
| July 17-23 | Acts 15,16 | Jerusalem Council – reaction to Paul’s expanding mission.
Gentiles and Jews – who is this thing for? Paul in Philippi |
| July 24-30 | Acts 17,18 | Paul travels to Athens and Corinth and brings the good news which causes conflict |
| July 31-August 6 | Acts 19,20 | Paul travels to Ephesus and back to Jerusalem |
| August 7-13 | Acts 21, 22 | Paul in Jerusalem, visits with James and gets arrested.
Paul gives witness to his conversion |
| August 14-20 | Acts 23, 24 | Paul in the hands of council – a group of them want to kill him.
Paul’s defense before Felix at Caesarea |
| August 21-27 | Acts 25, 26 | Paul calls upon the Emperor and before Agrippa.
Paul witnesses to his conversion and invites Agrippa to join in his belief |
| August 28-September 3 | Acts 27, 28 | Paul heads to Rome but a storm keeps him
Shipwrecked on Malta. Paul visits Rome and preaches |
