Beyond Sunday: Be Like the Bereans

In Acts 17, Scripture describes a group of people known as the Bereans. Luke writes, “Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so” (Acts 17:11, ESV).

The Bereans were eager to learn, but they did not simply accept everything they heard. They listened carefully, opened their Bibles, and compared every teaching to the truth of God’s Word. In doing so, they set an example for every believer who wants to live faithfully in a world filled with competing voices.

As followers of Jesus, we are called to do the same. Each Sunday, we gather as a church family to worship, hear the Word, and grow together. But our responsibility does not end there. We must take what we hear home, prayerfully open the Bible, and ask, “Is this true? Does this align with what God has revealed?”

In a world that changes its mind about truth every few months, we cannot afford to let culture, emotion, or clever teaching define our faith. Our foundation must be God’s unchanging Word and the historic faith handed down through generations of believers who stood firm on the gospel.

The Bereans remind us that faith is not blind. It is thoughtful, informed, and rooted in truth. God invites us to love Him with all our hearts and all our minds. That means testing every message we hear, whether from a preacher, a podcast, or a post online, against Scripture itself.

When we do that, we stay anchored. We keep our faith strong. And we help the next generation see what real discipleship looks like.

So this week, take time to open your Bible. Reflect on what you heard in worship. Ask God to confirm His truth in your heart. And remember, learning and living by the Word is how we truly come home to the heart of God.

Reflection Question

How often do you pause after a sermon or Bible study to examine what you’ve heard against Scripture? What helps you stay grounded in truth when the world pulls you in other directions?

Prayer

Lord, thank You for giving me Your Word as a steady foundation. Teach me to be like the Bereans—eager to learn and careful to test everything by Scripture. Keep me anchored in truth and help me live it out in my home, my work, and my community. Amen.