INTRODUCTION

As is common with church growth, problems arose very early in the church at Jerusalem. Acts chapter 6 tells us of the Grecians who began to murmur against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected (Acts 6:1And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration.
See All...). The apostles chose not to ignore the problem but to tackle it head on. Yet, they understood their primary responsibilities of not leaving their study of the word of God in order to focus on handling the strife. The apostles instructed the disciples in the church to choose seven men to deal with this particular issue and similar issues that might arise later (Acts 6:3Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.
See All...). The Bible also points out that the apostles determined to give themselves “continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word” (Acts 6:4But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.
See All...). They understood that their study and distribution of the word of God was to take the preeminence in their ministry.

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHTS

• (For children): The Ethiopian eunuch in Acts chapter 8 was reading the book of Isaiah but did not understand what he read. Because Philip had studied the scriptures, he was able to explain to the eunuch what he was reading (Acts 8:30-35 [30] And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest? [31] And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him. [32] The place of the scripture which he read was this, He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb dumb before his shearer, so opened he not his mouth: [33] In his humiliation his judgment was taken away: and who shall declare his generation? for his life is taken from the earth. [34] And the eunuch answered Philip, and said, I pray thee, of whom speaketh the prophet this? of himself, or of some other man? [35] Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus.
  See All...). Ezra is another example of someone who studied (Ezra 7:10For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the law of the LORD, and to do it, and to teach in Israel statutes and judgments.
  See All...) and helped others learn God’s word (Nehemiah 8:8So they read in the book in the law of God distinctly, and gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading.
  See All...). God wants us to learn His word so we too can help others.
• (For everyone): According to 2 Timothy 2:2And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.
  See All..., it seems as though everyone has some responsibility to teach others the word of God. What are some ways in which you could fulfil this ministry in the life of others?
• Who has the primary responsibility for teaching your family the word of God? Who is responsible for teaching new believers or those who might be weak in the faith? Are you willing to devote your time and strength to minister to them?

PRAYER NEEDS

• Ask the Lord to give you a burden to minister God’s word to others.
• Ask God to help you to be diligent in studying His word..

HYMN

YE SERVANTS OF GOD, YOUR MASTER PROCLAIM

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