Daily Bible Reading – June 2022: God’s Renewing Word of New Life in the SpiritSample

June 13

Introduction

Today’s reading focuses on the expansion of the gospel beyond Palestine. The church in Jerusalem sends Barnabas to Antioch (in Syria), and Barnabas invites Saul to join him. They spend a year in Antioch, meeting with and teaching the people, and in Antioch, the believers are called Christians for the first time.

Scripture Reading

Acts 11:19-30

Today’s Key Verse: Acts 11:21

The Lord’s power was with them, and many people believed and turned to the Lord.

Reflect

Today’s reading introduces us to Barnabas, who became an important leader in the early church. (He is first mentioned in Acts 4:36, and he appeared in Acts 9:27 as one who spoke up for Saul. See the reading from June 9). His name means “One Who Encourages.” How is Barnabas described? In what ways do you encourage others in their faith journey?

Pray

Lord God, empower me with your Holy Spirit and help me to tell the Good News about Jesus. Like Barnabas, teach me to encourage others to be faithful and true to you. Amen.

And now, join us in prayer to meet the urgent need for Bible distribution in China. Holy God, after generations of spiritual darkness, China now has one of the fastest-growing Christian populations. We thank and praise you, Lord, that people in China are finding strength and healing through their faith and that many hearts are open to Christianity. But many Chinese Christians don’t have a copy of the Bible, and we pray for the means to place new copies of Scripture into the hearts and waiting hands of the people in China. Amen.

Tomorrow’s Reading

Acts 12:1-25: King Herod persecutes members of the church.