April 9 – Jesus Through the Pages Day 44

The 6-week period of Lent leads up to Easter and is a time for believers to really take in all Jesus did for us through his death and resurrection. This Lent, we are preparing by digging deep into Jesus’ character through the pages of the Bible. Our daily Bible readings will go from Genesis to Revelation searching for Jesus and who he is. Our study uses the SOAP method of Bible study to seek an application for each reading (not sure what this is? Check out the What’s SOAP? tab). We have provided an example SOAP note below today’s reading. Join in this study by completing the daily readings and journaling using SOAP and you are welcome to use the Comments section at the bottom of our homepage to share or ask questions.

Jesus is God. Reading: Acts 1:1-11 – In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach 2 until the day he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen. 3 After his suffering, he presented himself to them and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God. 4 On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. 5 For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.” 6 Then they gathered around him and asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?” 7 He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” 9 After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight. 10 They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. 11 “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.”

SOAP Note

Head in the Clouds | Marianne Toovey

Scripture

Acts 1:11

Observation

Yesterday’s reading in Matthew, we got the Great Commission where Jesus tells his followers to go and make disciples of all nations. In today’s reading, we see Jesus physically leave this world and the disciples just stand there watching! They’ve been given a job to do, but they can’t let go of Jesus just yet.

Application

I can relate. I love to focus on Jesus, he’s my favorite part of the whole Bible! But there’s so much more to God’s Word than just Jesus’ days on earth. I can’t be stuck staring up at the clouds when I’ve been given a job to do. I shouldn’t lose sight of Jesus, of course, because I have to follow his example as I live my life. But he’ll be back someday and I don’t want him to see that all I’ve done is stare up at the clouds, I want him to see that I’ve done what he asked.

Prayer

Jesus, thank You for such an outstanding story! I’ve loved getting to see You throughout the whole Bible, even in places I don’t typically look out for You! But I know the story’s not over yet and that I have an important job to do. Please help me not to get stuck on one small part of Your big Word that I forget to do that job! And thank You for the promise to be with me always. Together, we’ll get it done. I love You! In Your name, Amen.

The Discover One Thing main website has more resources on the SOAP method of Bible study. Click HERE to go to the website.