WEEK 3
Week Three: When the Road Gets Rough
This week, we move into a part of the story where things get messy. There are disagreements, detours, delays, and disappointments. The church is growing, but so is the tension. Paul and Barnabas split. Plans change. Travel gets risky. Preaching gets more dangerous. But the Spirit doesn’t leave. In fact, it’s in the middle of all this difficulty that we see the Spirit show up with direction, boldness, miracles, and comfort.
Sometimes, we think the Spirit’s presence means everything will go smoothly. But this week reminds us that sometimes the Spirit strengthens us in spite of the road we’re on. He still speaks. He still leads. He still sends us, and He never wastes a detour.
Church-Wide Prayer/Prayers
This week, as we dive into our reading, we’ll watch and see how, because the church is full of messy people, things get messy. So, as a church this week, a church where no perfect people are allowed, we will be praying for unity. Here is our corporate prayer for this week:
Jesus, You prayed for us to be one, like You and the Father are one. When we don’t agree, help us to listen. When we want to be right, help us to be humble. When we want to win, help us to serve. When we want to hold resentments, help us to forgive. When we want to divide, bring us back together. Our prayer together this week is that we be one as a church, unified to bring glory to the One and only God. Amen.
Guided
Meditiation
This 15 minute Guided Meditation is meant to create space for you to be still. You will be guided through a process that includes moments of silence that last 2-3 minutes. Stay engaged in the silence, it’s ok if your mind wanders, practicing stillness in the silence is part of what we are doing together in this exercise.
Day 15 (Monday, 8/18): Read Acts 15
Theme: The Spirit Brings Clarity
📖 Summary
The early church hits its first big theological disagreement: do Gentile believers have to follow all the Jewish laws to be fully “in”? The apostles gather to pray, discuss, and listen. After a lot of back and forth, Peter, Paul, Barnabas, and James agree—salvation is by grace, not law. The Spirit has already fallen on the Gentiles, and they won’t add barriers because Jesus didn’t.
💬 One Thought
The Spirit isn’t the author of confusion. In conflict, He brings clarity. Through honest conversation, humble listening, and Spirit-led leadership, the early church chooses unity over division. That’s still what He invites us into today.
❓One Question
Where do you feel tension or confusion in your life right now—and have you invited the Holy Spirit into it?
🔥 One Challenge
Take 5–10 minutes today in guided prayer. Sit quietly and ask the Spirit, “Where do I need clarity? What do You want me to see? Is there anywhere I’m having conflict where I need to own my part?
If you need help focusing, check out the Week 3, 15-minute guided prayer meditation. As you listen, pay attention to what the Spirit brings to the surface.
Day 16 (Tuesday, 8/19): Read Acts 16
Theme: The Spirit Opens Hearts
📖 Summary
Paul meets Timothy. The team travels to Philippi, where Lydia becomes the first convert in Europe. Then Paul and Silas are thrown into prison, but instead of despairing, they worship. In the middle of the night, an earthquake breaks open the doors. The jailer is so moved by their response that he comes to faith, and then revival breaks out in a prison. This is so crazy cool!
💬 One Thought
Worship doesn’t always change our circumstances, but it does change our response. When we praise in pain, something breaks open—sometimes around us, but often within us. That’s what the Spirit does. He meets us in the middle of it all and makes space to do something we wouldn’t have predicted if we tried. God has really good ideas.
❓One Question
Where do you need a breakthrough right now—and what would it look like to worship before the miracle?
🔥 One Challenge
Today’s challenge is to worship, and here is our song we’ll all be singing. Breakthrough by Red Rocks Worship. You can find it on Spotify HERE. Sing it over a stuck place in your life. Sing it for someone else who needs breakthrough. Let’s sing it today like the earthquake is already coming, and trust the Holy Spirit to move.
Day 17 (Wednesday, 8/20) – Read Acts 17
Theme: The Spirit Finds Us Where We Are
📖 Summary
Paul preaches in new cities—some laugh, some listen, some believe. When he speaks in Athens, he doesn’t quote Scripture. He quotes their poets. He finds common ground, then shares the truth about Jesus. Not everyone accepts it, but some do.
💬 One Thought
The Spirit knows how to meet people exactly where they are. He’s not bound by language, culture, or context. He’s always looking for open hearts—and sometimes, He invites us to speak in ways we never expected.
❓One Question
What part of your own story—or personality—might the Spirit want to use to connect with someone who doesn't know Him yet?
🔥 One Challenge
Each Wednesday during this study, we’re inviting everyone to fast and pray together, so today is a fasting day. Whether you fast a meal or a favorite comfort food, let it sharpen your attention to what the Spirit might be saying. As hunger rises or cravings come, pray: “Holy Spirit, help me listen for what You’re doing around me—and how I can be part of it.”
Day 18 (Thursday, 8/21) – Read Acts 18
Theme: The Spirit Encourages the Weary
📖 Summary
Paul keeps traveling, teaching, and hitting resistance. In Corinth, he’s exhausted. But one night, the Lord speaks to him saying, “Don’t be afraid. Keep speaking. I’m with you.” And so Paul stays for a year and a half. Later, we meet Apollos—a gifted preacher who needs more teaching—and Priscilla and Aquila gently guide him forward.
💬 One Thought
Even bold leaders get tired. The Spirit knows when we need rest, when we need a word, and when we need someone to walk alongside us. Encouragement is spiritual. Correction can be kind. The Spirit uses both.
❓One (or two) Question(s)
Where are you feeling worn out in your faith or your calling? Who has encouraged you recently, and who could you encourage?
🔥 Challenge
Text someone today who’s pouring out a lot (a parent, a teacher, a leader, a sponsor, a friend). Tell them something specific you admire. Tell them they’re seen. Be grateful for the inspiration they are providing you..
Day 19 (Friday, 8/22) – Read Acts 19
Theme: The Spirit Confronts Counterfeits
📖 Summary
In Ephesus, the Spirit moves powerfully. People are healed. Others try to imitate Paul and end up running from demons naked. (Yikes!) Eventually, people repent, choosing Jesus instead of spiritual shortcuts.
💬 One Thought
This chapter is jarring but important. It reminds us that the Spirit isn’t just here to make us feel good; He cares about truth, integrity, and reverence. We can’t compartmentalize our lives and expect the Spirit to bless it all. God’s presence is beautiful—but also weighty because he knows we are as sick as our secrets. There’s something powerful that happens when we choose radical honesty, even when it’s hard.
❓One (actually two) Question(s)
Are there places in your life where you need to get honest? What do you need to do about that today?
🔥 One Challenge
Practice the discipline of confession. Talk to God—AND a trusted friend—about something you’ve been hiding. Watch as the Spirit breathes truth and freedom into it.
Day 20 (Saturday, 8/23) – Read Acts 20
Theme: The Spirit Prepares Us for What’s Next
📖 Summary
Paul knows hard days are coming—but he doesn’t run. He says goodbye to his friends with tears, encouragement, and clarity. He says he considers his life worth NOTHING—just wants to finish the race. Wow. There are so many runners in the Bible! :) It’s amazing that Paul is not afraid of what’s next because the Spirit has prepared him.
💬 One Thought
The Spirit doesn’t always shield us from hard things, but He prepares us. He gives us perspective. He makes us brave, and He reminds us what really matters.
❓One (or two) Question(s)
What “race” has God called you to run right now? What can help you stay focused when it gets hard?
🔥 Challenge
Take 10 minutes today to journal or record a voice memo to answer that question. Ask the Spirit to help you stay faithful, especially if it’s tough.
Day 21 (Sunday, 8/24) – Read Acts 21
Theme: The Spirit is Worth Following
📖 Summary
People warn Paul not to go to Jerusalem. Danger is waiting. But Paul feels the Spirit leading him, so he goes anyway. He’s not reckless; he’s obedient. The people cry and pray with him. Even when the path is hard, they trust the Spirit is still in it.
💬 One Thought
Obedience to the Spirit isn’t always comfortable, popular, or safe. But it is worth it. God doesn’t promise easy roads—but He does promise His presence. And that’s enough.
❓One Question
Is there something the Spirit is asking you to say yes to but it feels costly?
🔥 One Challenge
Write out (or create a voice memo of) your version of Paul’s words: “The race I’m running is ______.” Then ask the Spirit, “How do I stay steady?” Let that phrase or insight guide you into next week.