Bible in a Year - Women’s Thematic Reading Plan | Day 220

Day 220 of the Women’s Thematic Bible Reading Plan: Read Acts Chapter 10 and reflect on Cornelius’ household hearing the Word of God together. Through Cornelius’ reverence for God, his prayers, his gathering of relatives and close friends, and Peter’s preaching of the gospel, this devotional helps families consider how God’s Word can come to an entire household and how a family can respond together in faith, openness, and obedience.

🌸  Dear Sister, welcome to Day 220 of our reading journey. 

Sometimes we easily think of faith as something only personal: I read the Bible, I pray, I worship, I follow the Lord. Of course, every person must personally come before God and respond to Him. But Scripture also shows us again and again that God cares deeply about the household. His grace does not only reach individuals; very often, through one person who fears Him, prays, and obeys, He begins touching an entire family.

In Acts Chapter 10, Cornelius was a Gentile and a centurion. Scripture says he was a devout man, one who feared God with all his house, gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God always. He was not only a man of public influence; he was also someone who brought spiritual direction into his home. When the angel told him to send for Peter, Cornelius did not listen alone. He gathered his relatives and close friends so they could wait together for the word God would speak.

This chapter reminds us that God’s Word comes to a household not because the household is already perfect, but because someone is willing to fear God, pray, wait, and open the door. One of the greatest gifts a family can receive is not only material provision, education, or stability, but the Word of God entering the home—bringing light, truth, repentance, faith, and new life.

A Minute of Grace

Acts Chapter 10 is an important turning point in the spread of the gospel to the Gentiles. Cornelius lived in Caesarea and was a centurion of the band called the Italian band. Though he was not Jewish, he feared God, prayed always, gave generously, and led his household in reverence toward God. God sent an angel to him and told him to send men to Joppa and call for Peter.

At the same time, Peter also received a vision while praying. Through that vision, God prepared Peter’s heart and taught him that what God had cleansed should not be called common. As a Jew, Peter would not naturally have entered the house of a Gentile, but God led him step by step beyond culture, tradition, and prejudice so that the gospel could come into Cornelius’ home.

When Peter arrived, Cornelius had already gathered his kinsmen and near friends. They were all waiting before God to hear what Peter had been commanded to say. This is a beautiful picture: a household and community were not casually listening, nor merely satisfying curiosity. They had prepared their hearts and gathered together to hear the Word of God.

Peter then preached the gospel of Jesus Christ. He spoke of how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power, how Jesus went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed of the devil, how He was slain and hanged on a tree, and how God raised Him up the third day. Peter declared that through Jesus’ name, whosoever believeth in Him shall receive remission of sins.

While Peter was still speaking, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. Those in Cornelius’ house did not only hear a message; they encountered the presence and grace of God. Then they were baptized in the name of the Lord. This chapter shows us that when the Word of God enters a home, the Holy Spirit works among those who are willing to listen.

Today’s theme, “Cornelius’ Household Hears the Word,” invites us to reflect: Is there room in our homes for the Word of God? Are we willing, like Cornelius, not only to seek God personally but also to bring our families before His Word? Spiritual formation in parenting and family life does not always begin with a complicated plan. It may begin with one person willing to pray, one household willing to listen, and one honest response to God.

Whispers for the Heart

1 Cornelius not only feared God personally, but also led his household in reverence toward Him. What is the spiritual atmosphere of your home right now? Is there room for prayer, Scripture, conversations about God’s Word, blessing one another, and praying for one another? If not yet, what small beginning could you make?

2 Cornelius invited his relatives and close friends to hear the Word of God together. Do you long for your children, spouse, parents, relatives, or friends to hear the gospel? How can you gently and lovingly create opportunities for them to encounter God’s Word without pressure or force?

3 Peter also needed God to renew his heart before he could enter a Gentile home and preach the gospel. In your family or parenting relationships, are there fixed ideas, assumptions, prejudices, or habits that God may need to change? Is He inviting you to see more broadly how He may be working in people you did not expect?

As you read Acts Chapter 10 today, do not only see a historical moment when Cornelius’ household heard the gospel. Also consider how God may want His Word to enter your own home today. May our homes become not only places where life happens, but places where God is heard, obeyed, and experienced.

Take a quiet breath before you begin. Bring your home, children, spouse, parents, relatives, friends, and your longing for them to know the Lord before God, and let His Word meet you there.

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🪕 Response Hymn: 

Acts Chapter 10 (KJV)

10 There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of the band called the Italian band,

2 A devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God alway.

3 He saw in a vision evidently about the ninth hour of the day an angel of God coming in to him, and saying unto him, Cornelius.

4 And when he looked on him, he was afraid, and said, What is it, Lord? And he said unto him, Thy prayers and thine alms are come up for a memorial before God.

5 And now send men to Joppa, and call for one Simon, whose surname is Peter:

6 He lodgeth with one Simon a tanner, whose house is by the sea side: he shall tell thee what thou oughtest to do.

7 And when the angel which spake unto Cornelius was departed, he called two of his household servants, and a devout soldier of them that waited on him continually;

8 And when he had declared all these things unto them, he sent them to Joppa.

9 On the morrow, as they went on their journey, and drew nigh unto the city, Peter went up upon the housetop to pray about the sixth hour:

10 And he became very hungry, and would have eaten: but while they made ready, he fell into a trance,

11 And saw heaven opened, and a certain vessel descending upon him, as it had been a great sheet knit at the four corners, and let down to the earth:

12 Wherein were all manner of fourfooted beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air.

13 And there came a voice to him, Rise, Peter; kill, and eat.

14 But Peter said, Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten any thing that is common or unclean.

15 And the voice spake unto him again the second time, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common.

16 This was done thrice: and the vessel was received up again into heaven.

17 Now while Peter doubted in himself what this vision which he had seen should mean, behold, the men which were sent from Cornelius had made enquiry for Simon's house, and stood before the gate,

18 And called, and asked whether Simon, which was surnamed Peter, were lodged there.

19 While Peter thought on the vision, the Spirit said unto him, Behold, three men seek thee.

20 Arise therefore, and get thee down, and go with them, doubting nothing: for I have sent them.

21 Then Peter went down to the men which were sent unto him from Cornelius; and said, Behold, I am he whom ye seek: what is the cause wherefore ye are come?

22 And they said, Cornelius the centurion, a just man, and one that feareth God, and of good report among all the nation of the Jews, was warned from God by an holy angel to send for thee into his house, and to hear words of thee.

23 Then called he them in, and lodged them. And on the morrow Peter went away with them, and certain brethren from Joppa accompanied him.

24 And the morrow after they entered into Caesarea. And Cornelius waited for them, and he had called together his kinsmen and near friends.

25 And as Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him, and fell down at his feet, and worshipped him.

26 But Peter took him up, saying, Stand up; I myself also am a man.

27 And as he talked with him, he went in, and found many that were come together.

28 And he said unto them, Ye know how that it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to keep company, or come unto one of another nation; but God hath shewed me that I should not call any man common or unclean.

29 Therefore came I unto you without gainsaying, as soon as I was sent for: I ask therefore for what intent ye have sent for me?

30 And Cornelius said, Four days ago I was fasting until this hour; and at the ninth hour I prayed in my house, and, behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing,

31 And said, Cornelius, thy prayer is heard, and thine alms are had in remembrance in the sight of God.

32 Send therefore to Joppa, and call hither Simon, whose surname is Peter; he is lodged in the house of one Simon a tanner by the sea side: who, when he cometh, shall speak unto thee.

33 Immediately therefore I sent to thee; and thou hast well done that thou art come. Now therefore are we all here present before God, to hear all things that are commanded thee of God.

34 Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:

35 But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.

36 The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all:)

37 That word, I say, ye know, which was published throughout all Judaea, and began from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached;

38 How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.

39 And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the land of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they slew and hanged on a tree:

40 Him God raised up the third day, and shewed him openly;

41 Not to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before God, even to us, who did eat and drink with him after he rose from the dead.

42 And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is he which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead.

43 To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.

44 While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word.

45 And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost.

46 For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter,

47 Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?

48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.

🪕 Response Hymn: 

💡 Closing Thought ·  Letting God’s Word Enter Our Homes

After reading Acts Chapter 10, we see that Cornelius not only feared God personally, but also gathered his relatives and close friends to hear God’s Word. God did not overlook the waiting of one household, nor did He limit the gospel to only one person. He sent Peter into Cornelius’ home, the gospel was preached, and the Holy Ghost fell on all who heard the Word.

As we close this page and return to our own homes, perhaps your family already has a rhythm of reading Scripture and praying together. Perhaps you are still waiting for loved ones to know the Lord. Perhaps it is still difficult to talk about faith in your home. Remember this: God’s Word can begin entering a household through one person willing to pray; His grace can open a new door in what seems like an ordinary family moment.

May today’s Scripture remind you not to despise each day of praying for your family, and not to despise every small beginning of bringing God’s Word into your home. May your household increasingly become a place where God is heard, spoken of, answered, and experienced with grace.

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