Acts 11 | Renewed Unity

Monday: Read Acts 11:1-18
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Scripture doesn’t specify Peter’s exact age at this time, but many commentators suggest he was likely in his 40s. Up to this point, Peter viewed Gentiles as outsiders—unworthy, unfavored, and certainly not among those with whom a faithful Jew would share a meal. Yet, in a single day, everything changed. Peter not only traveled with Gentiles and entered the home of a Gentile, but he also boldly proclaimed the gospel to them and baptized them. In one transformative moment, his perception shifted: Gentiles were no longer “other” but now “brothers” in Christ. He witnessed God working in the hearts of people he might never have chosen to engage with—and rather than resist, argue, or run like Jonah, Peter chose to step aside and let God move (Acts 11:17).

It’s almost humorous that Peter would say he couldn't stand in God’s way—as if he ever could. It’s like a toddler trying to stop a professional football player charging full speed toward the end zone. The toddler, just like Peter, wouldn’t stand a chance. And yet, in His grace, God chooses to work through His Church—to proclaim the Gospel, to pray, to serve, and to be His witnesses in the world. Astonishingly, He allows us the choice to say “no.” God’s purposes will still be fulfilled, with or without us. But the question is: do you want to miss what God is doing—not only around you, but in you? Is there anything in your life standing in God’s way? Like Peter, maybe it’s time to step aside and move in the direction God is already going.

Spiritual Practice: Step Aside and Surrender

This practice invites you to reflect on areas in your life where you might unknowingly be resisting God's movement—through fear, bias, pride, or comfort. Like Peter, it challenges you to surrender control and trust that God’s ways are higher and His plans more gracious than we often expect.

1. Identify the Barriers: Sit in silence and ask God: “Is there anything in my heart or life standing in Your way?” Write down anything that comes to mind—fears, prejudices, comfort zones, or assumptions about others. Don’t filter—just listen and list.

2. Release and Repent: One by one, lift each of these barriers to God in prayer. Confess them honestly, and ask for the courage to let them go. Say out loud: “God, I step aside in this area. Have your way in me.”

3. Commit to Movement: Ask: “Where are You already moving, Lord—and how can I join You?” Look for one tangible step to take this week that aligns with what God reveals, whether it's a conversation, act of service, or change in attitude. Write it down and follow through.

Want to Dig Deeper?

Study: Isaiah 55:8–9, John 10:27, Philippians 2:3–4, Romans 12:2

Tueday: Read Acts 11:19-21
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The book of Acts is filled with powerful stories featuring well-known figures like Peter, John, and Saul, later known as Paul. Luke carefully documents their journeys, conversations, and the profound impact they had. Yet, tucked between these well-known narratives are brief mentions of nameless believers—ordinary people scattered by persecution who became unlikely pioneers of the Gospel. We don’t know their backgrounds, education, or personalities. What we do know is that they were faithful. They shared their faith where they were, not because they were extraordinary, but because they were obedient.

These nameless individuals were not sidelined extras in God's story. Luke makes it clear: it wasn’t their strength, intellect, or influence that changed lives. It was the power of God working through their surrendered lives. The same hand of the Lord that was on Peter and Paul was on them. And that same hand is on you. If you have ever felt unseen, unimportant, or overlooked, take heart. God sees, God empowers, and God uses the faithful. Your life is not background noise in the Kingdom. You, too, are called to make an eternal impact right where you are.

Spiritual Practice: “Faithful Together” — A Practice of Humble Accountability

Inspired by the nameless believers in Acts who quietly but powerfully lived out their faith, this practice invites us into humble dialogue and mutual accountability. It is not about status, knowledge, or eloquence, but about showing up faithfully and encouraging others to do the same. In a world that often praises the visible and the loud, this practice helps us value the unseen work God is doing in and through each other.

1. Pair Up with Purpose: Identify a trusted friend, mentor, or Life Group partner who shares your desire to grow in faith. Choose someone with whom you can be honest and who will encourage your spiritual walk with grace and truth.
   

2. Reflect and Share Weekly: Once a week, share openly about how you’ve sought to live faithfully in your current season. Focus less on achievements and more on the posture of your heart. Ask questions like, “Where did I see God at work?” or “Where did I hold back out of fear or pride?”

3. Pray with Humility: After sharing, take time to pray for each other. Ask God for courage to remain faithful in the ordinary and unseen, and for humility to trust His strength over your own.

4. Speak Encouragement, Not Comparison: Commit to affirming God’s work in each other’s lives without comparing paths. Remind one another that whether known or nameless, every act of obedience matters in God’s Kingdom.

Want to Dig Deeper?

Study: John 15:5, Romans 12:4–6, 1 Corinthians 1:26–29, Ephesians 2:10

Wednesday: Read Acts 11:22-24
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Let’s step into the sandals of Barnabas for a moment. A report has traveled over 300 miles to Jerusalem—Gentiles are turning to the Lord. The Apostles have chosen you to investigate, to discern whether what’s happening in Antioch is truly a work of God. As you make the long journey north, what would you be looking for? What signs would convince you that this movement is genuine? What questions would you prepare to ask to determine whether these new believers are truly walking in the truth?

Luke tells us what Barnabas found: “When he came and saw the grace of God…” (Acts 11:23). Though grace itself is invisible, its evidence was unmistakable. Barnabas witnessed the work of God in their lives—through their changed hearts, spiritual growth, and the unity forming in their community. It can be hard, even for us today, to see that kind of grace in others when imperfections and inconsistencies seem louder. But Barnabas chose to look for God’s hand rather than people’s flaws. What if we did the same? What if we were intentional about looking for the grace of God in the lives around us—not to critique, but to encourage? Like Barnabas, we can become people who recognize, affirm, and call out the grace at work in others, helping to build them up instead of tear them down.

Spiritual Practice: “Eyes of Grace” — A Practice of Humble Encouragement and Accountability

In Acts 11, Barnabas saw the grace of God at work in the lives of new believers and responded not with skepticism, but with encouragement. This practice invites us to grow in humility and accountability by intentionally seeing and affirming God's work in others.

1. Look Intentionally: Choose one or two people in your life—friends, family, or those you serve with—and spend time asking God to show you where His grace is at work in them. Look not just for outward successes, but for signs of growth, surrender, or faithfulness in ordinary life.
   

2. Encourage Humbly: Take time to let them know what you’ve noticed. Speak specifically and sincerely, affirming what you see God doing in their life. Avoid flattery; speak grace-filled truth. Encourage them to keep pressing on.

3. Invite Accountability: Create a space for honest dialogue by asking, “How can I support your walk with Christ right now?” or “What’s one area I can be praying for or checking in about?” Be willing to share from your life, too, and commit to following up with care, not criticism.

Want to Dig Deeper?

Study: Romans 15:1–2, Galatians 6:1–2, Philippians 2:3–4, Hebrews 10:24–25

Thursday: Read Acts 11:25-26
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The last time Saul was mentioned was in Acts 9:26–30, when the disciples helped him escape threats against his life. Although he began his ministry with boldness and skillful debate, Scripture records no immediate conversions, miracles, or notable ministry breakthroughs. Many scholars believe that five to ten years passed before Saul reappears in Acts 11. By that time, rather than returning to Jerusalem to recruit an apostle or seasoned Hebrew scholar, Barnabas traveled over 100 miles to Tarsus to find Saul. Scripture doesn’t explain why Barnabas chose Saul, but it’s not hard to imagine the Spirit leading him to a man who may have felt forgotten—or worse, like a failure.

What makes Acts 11 so powerful is that it highlights how God uses both unnamed believers and someone in a season of silence to advance His Kingdom. The nameless scattered believers (Acts 11:19–21) sparked revival, and the sidelined Saul was brought back into the story at just the right time. In the economy of God, there are no “nobodies” and no one is “damaged goods.” He delights in preparing and empowering those the world overlooks to accomplish His purposes. Do you ever feel invisible, like you don’t measure up or have been benched in your faith journey? Be encouraged, God hasn’t forgotten you. He’s preparing you for the moment when His light will shine through you most clearly.

Spiritual Practice: "Calling Out the Gold"

Just as Barnabas sought out Saul and saw God's potential in him despite years of silence, we are called to approach others with humility, grace, and vision. This practice helps us develop eyes to see God's grace at work in others, speak encouragement boldly, and walk in mutual accountability—inviting honest, Spirit-led conversations that build rather than break.

1. Pause and Pray for Perspective” Before engaging with someone, ask God to give you spiritual eyes to see their potential, not just their present. Pray to be led by the Spirit, not by judgment, insecurity, or comparison.

2. Speak with Humble Encouragement: Approach the conversation with gentleness and truth. Name the good you see. Call out the grace at work in their life, just as Barnabas did with Saul. Use your words to affirm, not inflate—to uplift, not control.

3. Invite Honest Dialogue: Ask intentional questions that open the door for trust: “How can I support your walk with God?” or “Is there an area you’d like someone to walk alongside you in?” Be ready to receive the same kind of feedback and encouragement. True accountability is mutual.

Want to Dig Deeper?

Study: Proverbs 27:17, Galatians 6:1–2, Ephesians 4:15–16, Hebrews 3:13 

Friday: Read Acts 11:27-30
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In Acts 11:23, Barnabas witnessed something remarkable—the grace of God was visible in the lives of new believers. Grace isn’t limited to the moment of salvation; it’s the ongoing work of God in a surrendered life. It shows up daily when we choose to obey, listen, and be led by the Spirit. Over the course of a year, this new community in Antioch grew in faith through teaching, worship, and shared life. Their minds were awakened to the movement of God, their hearts were knit to believers hundreds of miles away, and their hands were open to give—each according to their ability. They didn’t view the need in Judea as someone else’s problem, but as a Spirit-led opportunity to respond from a place of grace.

It would have been easy for the believers in Antioch to dismiss the prophet’s warning, ignore the need, or withhold their resources—especially for people they barely knew. But the grace of God is never passive, selfish, or wasted. It is poured out with purpose and power, not just for personal comfort, but to equip believers to respond with compassion and conviction. The Christians in Antioch were overflowing with God’s presence, and it moved them to live intentionally, worship sincerely, and give generously. Their response wasn’t forced—it was the natural outpouring of lives shaped by grace. As you reflect on their example, ask yourself: Is my life marked by that kind of overflow? Am I living from the abundance of God’s grace in a way that blesses others? If not, turn to Him today—His grace is still available, still active, and more than enough.

Spiritual Practice: "Overflow Conversations"

This practice invites you to enter intentional conversations that reflect that same overflow of grace the church in Antioch experienced. When we speak honestly with others and allow others to speak into our lives, we become part of God’s transforming work—not just in ourselves, but in the lives around us.

• Create Space for Honest Check-Ins: Set aside regular time with a trusted spiritual friend or mentor. Ask each other reflective, Spirit-led questions like: "Where have you seen God’s grace at work this week?" or "Is there anything weighing on your heart that we can walk through together?"

• Speak Grace Before Advice: Begin your dialogue by affirming what God is doing in the other person’s life. Like Barnabas, call out the evidence of grace before offering feedback or correction.

• Respond and Reflect Together: Accountability isn’t about pressure—it’s about mutual growth. Ask each other, “How can I support you in taking the next step?” Pray together, commit to action, and follow up.

Want to Dig Deeper?

Study: Proverbs 27:6,Ephesians 4:29, Colossians 3:16, James 5:16