#GOFAMINTDailyDevotion Fri. 4/12/2015

QUARTER’S THEME: PAUL – THE DYNAMIC MISSIONARY EVANGELIST

UNIT 1: His Early Judaism Life (Lessons 1-2)

LESSON 1      6/12/2015

THE BACKGROUND OF APOSTLE PAUL

Suggested Hymns: G.H.B. 258, 259

Devotional Reading: Prov. 22:1-8

Topic For Adults: Give Your Child A Good Foundation

Topic For Youths: Your Foundation Is Important

Topic For Intermediates: Listen To The Voice Of The Elders

Scripture Lesson: Acts 4:13, 22:3, 5:34, 18:3, Phil. 3:7-8; Phil. 3:5, Acts 21:39, Phil. 3:20; Gal. 1:4, Phil. 3:4-6, Acts 23:6, Acts 6:9

Memory verse: “… and was zealous toward God as you all are today (Acts 22:3c) NKJV

DAILY DEVOTIONAL READING

Fri. 4/12/2015

Paul’s Education

Acts 22:3; Phil. 3:5-6

Paul, in the New Testament, known by his Hebrew name Saul until Acts 13:9, was apparently well educated from boyhood both in Tarsus and Jerusalem. It is not clear whether his family moved to Jerusalem (where both Greek and Jewish schooling was offered) while he was young, or whether Paul was simply sent there for his education. He studied under the ranking rabbi of the era, Gamaliel. His exegesis of the Old Testament bears testimony to his rabbinic training. Paul was at least trilingual. His letters attest to an excellent command of Greek, while life and studies in Palestine presupposed knowledge of Hebrew and Aramaic. Facility in Latin cannot be ruled out. His writings showed intimate knowledge of the Greek Old Testament, He was a student of the Scriptures and knew them well. He was a skilful writer, debater, and public speaker. As a Pharisee, he was respected as a great teacher of the law. He was given a good education by his parents which later helped him in life. We should, therefore, give good education to our children and they too should be fully ready to accept it. Our trainings, past experiences and exposures should assist us in our Christian journeys and activities just like Paul’s. Paul was able to reach the educated, powerful, wealthy and all classes of people with the gospel because of his antecedents.

Point of Emphasis:   Use your training, exposure, influence and talents for God and your Church.

Prayer Point:   Lord, help us to make use of all we have got in life for the furtherance of the gospel.