Acts 20
Devotion on Display: Lessons from Acts 20
What Paul’s Journey Teaches Us About Living a Devoted Life
As we read through Acts 20 together, we couldn’t help but feel like we were watching a highlight reel of Paul’s unwavering commitment to Christ. This chapter, like much of Acts, is fast-paced and full of intensity—people trying to kill Paul, late-night teachings, miracles, heartfelt goodbyes. But as we talked through it, one word kept rising to the surface: devotion.
Even though the word isn’t explicitly mentioned in the text, it’s everywhere in Paul’s life. His choices, his relationships, his mission—all of it speaks to a deep, wholehearted devotion to Jesus. So, we took a step back, looked at the chapter, and asked: What can we learn about devotion from Paul? And how does that shape the way we live today?
What Does Devotion Really Look Like?
When we looked up the definition of devotion, it included strong love, loyalty, and the use of time, money, and energy for a specific purpose. That definition perfectly frames Paul’s life in Acts 20. Just look at a few moments:
Verse 1: Paul keeps preaching even when people are trying to kill him.
Verse 7: He teaches until midnight—seriously, when was the last time we were even awake that late for something meaningful?
Verse 11: A young man falls out of a window, dies, Paul raises him from the dead... and then keeps teaching until daylight.
Verses 19–24: Through trials, testing, opposition, and uncertainty, Paul presses on. He’s compelled by the Spirit and determined to finish his race.
Verse 32: He commits his friends to the Lord, showing that devotion isn’t just about mission—it’s about people.
Verse 35: He reminds them (and us) of Jesus' words: “It’s more blessed to give than to receive.”
This kind of life doesn’t come from obligation. It comes from someone who has met the living Jesus. Someone who’s been transformed by grace.
What Are We Learning About God and Ourselves?
When we sat down and asked, What does Acts 20 teach us about God? the answer was striking: God is worthy. Worthy of our time, our comfort, our plans. God was with Paul in every trial—in jail, during shipwrecks, and in conflict. And God is with us too. His faithfulness calls us to respond with our own devotion.
From there, we turned inward: What do we learn about ourselves?
We began with this simple but powerful question: How devoted are we? Are we truly letting Jesus influence how we spend our time, money, and energy? Are we letting the gospel shape the way we move through our day-to-day lives?
Time, Money, Energy: Our Devotion in Action
If devotion shows up in how we use our time, money, and energy, then here’s a breakdown of how we’re trying to live it out—and some questions we’re asking ourselves along the way.
1. Time
Are we intentional with the hours we've been given? We all have 24 hours a day—but how are we using them? Are we present with our families? Are we walking in humility with others, or just scrolling through opinions online? Paul lived urgently and purposefully. Can we say the same?
2. Money
Are we generous? Are we budgeting wisely so that we can give more, not less, each year? We want to live by Jesus’ words in verse 35—it really is more blessed to give than receive. Our hope is that generosity becomes a lifestyle, not just an occasional gesture.
3. Energy
Where are we pouring our best energy? For some of us, it’s in the home—raising children, building relationships, creating peace. For others, it might be in ministry, the workplace, or friendships. Wherever it is, are we offering it up in service to Christ? Are we doing it with intention, for His glory?
Final Questions to Take With You
As we wrap up Acts 20, here are a few questions we’re still sitting with—and maybe you’ll want to reflect on them too:
How devoted am I to Jesus?
What does devotion look like in my season of life?
How can I grow in devotion—practically, humbly, honestly?
What do I learn about God's devotion to me in this chapter?
Acts 20 is more than a record of Paul’s travels—it’s a window into a life that’s been radically changed by Jesus. And we believe that same kind of life is available to us. So as we begin this week, let’s not just admire Paul’s devotion—let’s ask God to grow it in us, too.
