Today’s Devotion
Topic: A Personal Relationship
Self Assessment
This is another beautiful day the Lord has made. Let’s zoom straight into our weekly Bible study. Carefully read the passage below and share your thoughts with us.
Text: Acts 19: 11- 16
11 Now God worked unusual miracles by the hands of Paul, 12 so that even handkerchiefs or aprons were brought from his body to the sick, and the diseases left them and the evil spirits went out of them. 13 Then some of the itinerant Jewish exorcists took it upon themselves to call the name of the Lord Jesus over those who had evil spirits, saying, “We exorcise you by the Jesus whom Paul preaches.”
14 Also there were seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, who did so. 15 And the evil spirit answered and said, “Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are you?” 16 Then the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, overpowered them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded. Amen
Questions
1. Verse 11 explains that God did unusual miracles by the hands of Paul. Is God still a miracle worker? Explain with some real testimonies, if any.
2. There are lots of miracles advertised on TV and radio lately. Is it possible to tell if an advertised miracle is from God or not? What are some of the biblical guidelines to knowing which miracle is authentic or otherwise?
3. What do you think are some of the reasons why some people find it difficult to believe that miracles still occur? They attribute it all to “black magic”. How have some of our pastors on TV and radio contributed to this wrong notion?
4. Our Lord Jesus has been given a name above all names. He promises that in His name we will cast out devils. According to verses 14, 15 & 16, the seven sons of Sceva attempted to cast out an evil spirit by invoking the name of Jesus through Paul but the evil spirit overpowered and beat them up. Why do you think this happened?
5. The evil spirit claimed to know “Paul & Jesus” but asked who the seven sons of Sceva were. This is very deep. What is the spiritual significance of that statement?
6. From today’s scriptural reference, how unwise do you think it is for anyone to invoke the name of JESUS to command spirits without being ready to have a personal relationship with Him?
7. How can a believer exercise the full authority that Christ has given the church over the devil without suffering the ordeal of the sons of Sceva?
8. What have you learnt from today’s discussion?
Kindly reply us on this same social media platform (WhatsApp/ Facebook). We learn a great deal from the answers you share with us.
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