October

October 1st - John 20:24-21:14: Post-Resurrection Appearances

Recounts two powerful post-resurrection appearances of Jesus and provides a poignant message about belief, doubt and divine provision.

October 2nd - John 21:15-25: Peter's Restoration and Calling

Discusses Jesus' appearance to his disciples after his resurrection and the conversation he has with Peter, restoring him and instructing him to "feed my lambs" and "tend my sheep", which symbolizes Peter's calling to shepherd the early church.

October 3rd - Matthew 28:16-20: The Great Commission

Known as "The Great Commission", in which Jesus instructs his eleven disciples to make disciples of all nations, baptizing them and teaching them to observe his commandments.

October 4th - Luke 24:44-53: The Ascension of Jesus

Covers the final moments of Jesus's time on earth after his resurrection, including the opening of the disciple's minds to understand scripture, the promise of the Holy Spirit, Jesus's ascension into Heaven, and the disciples worshiping him in Jerusalem.

October 5th - Acts 1:1-11: Jesus Taken Up Into Heaven

Retells the story of Jesus's ascension and covers the promise of the Holy Spirit and the instructions to the apostles to wait in Jerusalem until they are "clothed with power from on high".

October 6th - Acts 1:12-26: Matthias to Replace Judas

Describes the apostle's gathering to select Matthias to replace Judas Iscariot.

October 7th - Acts 2:1-13: Holy Spirit Comes at Pentecost

Tells of the day of Pentecost and the Holy Spirit's arrival.

October 8th - Acts 2:14-40: Peter's Pentecost Sermon

Covers Peter's Pentecost sermon, including the story of Jesus, the prophecy of the Holy Spirit, and his call to repentance.

October 9th - Acts 2:41-3:11: The Fellowship of Believers

Describes the impact of Peter's Pentecost sermon, the growth of the Christian community, and the healing of a lame man at the temple by Peter and John.

October 10th - Acts 3:12-4:4: Peter Speaks to the Crowd

Recounts the healing of a lame man, Peter's subsequent sermon explaining the miracle, the religious authorities' disturbance by Peter and John's teachings, and their arrest.

October 11th - Acts 4:5-22: Peter and John Before the Sanhedrin

Tells of Peter and John being questioned by the Sanhedrin after the healing of the lame man.

October 12th - Acts 4:23-37: The Believers Pray and Share

Covers Peter and John's release from custody and their reporting to the other believers, including the believers' prayer for boldness.

October 13th - Acts 5:1-16: Ananias and Sapphira

Recounts the story of Ananias and Sapphira, who lie about the proceeds they are donating to the apostles and die as a result, and covers the miracles performed by the apostles.

October 14th - Acts 5:17-42: The Apostles Persecuted

Describes the growing tensions between the apostles and religious authorities, the arrest of the apostles and their release from prison by an angel, the confusion of the authorities, and the apostles' response when brought before the Sanhedrin.

October 15th - Acts 6:1-15: Choosing of the Seven

Describes the growing pains of the early church and the selection of seven men, including Stephen, to oversee practical matters like food distribution, enabling the apostles to focus on preaching.

October 16th - Acts 7:1-29: Stephen's Speech to the Sanhedrin

Covers Stephen's speech before the Sanhedrin where he recounts the stories of Abraham, Joseph, and Moses, demonstrating how God was faithful even when people were not.

October 17th - Acts 7:30-60: The Stoning of Stephen

Continues the story of Stephen's speech before the Sanhedrin, where he is eventually stoned for his bold words.

October 18th - Acts 8:1-25: The Church Persecuted and Scattered

Describes the persecution of the early church after Stephen's stoning and covers the spread of the gospel to Samaria by Phillip.

October 19th - Acts 8:26-40: Philip and the Ethiopian

Tells the story of Phillip encountering and converting an Ethiopian eunuch who is reading the book of Isaiah.

October 20th - Acts 9:1-19: Saul's Conversion

Tells the story of Saul's conversion experience, where a bright light surrounds him, he falls to the ground, and he hears the voice of Jesus.

October 21st - Acts 9:20-31: Saul's Early Ministry

Covers the early days of Saul's (Paul) ministry and his escape from Damascus when his preaching angers the Jews who were there.

October 22nd - Acts 9:32-42: Aeneas and Tabitha

Covers the apostle Peter's travels, his healing of Aeneas from paralysis, and the resurrection of Tabitha, a woman known for her good works.

October 23rd - Acts 10:1-23: Cornelius and Peter's Vision

Introduces Cornelius, a Roman centurion known for his devotion to God, and describes the vision he receives telling him to seek out Peter. It also describes Peter's own vision, in which he is instructed to break kosher laws by eating unclean animals.

October 24th - Acts 10:24-48: Peter and Cornelius Meeting

Describes Peter traveling to the house of Cornelius and preaching to him and his household. As Peter speaks, the Holy Spirit falls upon the Gentiles, showing that God's grace is available to everyone.

October 25th - Acts 11:1-18: Peter Explains His Actions

Describes Peter returning to Jerusalem and facing criticism from Jewish believers for eating with Gentiles. Peter recounts his vision and explains that God's message is for everyone.

October 26th - Acts 11:19-30: The Church in Antioch

Describes the spread of the gospel to Antioch, where believers from Cyprus and Cyrene begin preaching to Gentiles, resulting in many conversions.

October 27th - Acts 12:1-25: Peter's Miraculous Escape from Prison

Tells the story of King Herod's persecution of the early church, his arrest of Peter, Peter's escape from prison with the help of an angel, Herod's death, and the continued spread of God's word.

October 28th - Acts 13:1-12: The Mission of Paul and Barnabas Begins

Covers Paul and Barnabas being set apart for missionary work by the Holy Spirit, their journey to Cyprus, their encounter with a sorcerer named Elymas who opposes their teachings, and the Roman Governor Sergius Paulus coming to believe in the gospel.

October 29th - Acts 14:1-28: Iconium, Lystra, Derbe, Pisidia, Pamphylia, Attalia, Antioch

Covers Paul and Barnabas' travels to Iconium, Lystra, and Derbe, the opposition they face, Paul's stoning in Lystra and subsequent survival, and their return to Antioch.

October 30th - Acts 15:1-21: The Council at Jerusalem

Covers the debate and resolution reached at the Council of Jerusalem regarding Gentile inclusion in the Christian community, where it was determined that Gentiles do not need to follow Jewish customs to be saved.

October 31st - Acts 15:22-41: The Letter to Gentile Believers

Describes the letter sent from the Council of Jerusalem to Gentile believers summarizing their decision and covers Paul and Barnabas parting ways over a disagreement regarding John Mark.