week of 7/27

Unit 35  Session 5

ENDURING WITH GOD'S PURPOSE

ACTS 28

 

Being a prisoner in Rome did not stop Paul from spreading the Gospel as he continued to tell all who would listen about Jesus.

When we last saw Paul, he was on the island of Malta. The people received him, as well as the rest of the men on the ship, with hospitality. They stayed there for three months. But the final destination was still in Paul's focus: Rome. As with any journey, Paul's trip to Rome didn't go exactly how he planned. He arrived as a prisoner in chains. Yet God's plan was still progressing, and the Gospel was still spreading.

Points to consider:

✞   God's people find encouragement 

     from the church.

     * Why is it encouraging to find 

        fellow brothers and sister in 

        Christ in times of trouble?

     * How can you go out of your 

        way to support, encourage, 

        or help another believer 

        this week?

✞   God's people refuse to compromise 

     the truth.

     * Who do you still need to share 

        the Gospel with, whether they 

        are convinced or not?

     * How do we guard ourselves from 

        being calloused to the Word and 

        the Holy Spirit?

✞   God's people welcome all into 

      the kingdom.

     * When we are going through 

        our own struggles, how do

        we stay passionate about 

        proclaiming the Gospel?

     * How does your life proclaim 

        the kingdom of God in your 

        words and actions?

week of 7/21

Unit 35  Session 4

ENDURING WITH GOD'S PEOPLE

ACTS 27-28

 

Even as Paul traveled to Rome in chains, he continued to serve others and direct them to find hope in God.

Last week, we saw Paul in a courtroom with King Agrippa and Governor Festus. Though both men found no fault in Paul, he had requested an audience with the emperor. The journey was not unusual at that time; the ship would follow the traditional maritime route through the Mediterranean. The 1800-mile trip to Rome was full of highs and lows, victories and defeats, and plenty of opportunities to live out his faith.

Points to consider:

✞   Even in adversity, God's people 

     seek the welfare of others.

     * How are you using your 

        wisdom to help others?

     * What happens when someone 

        doesn't take wisdom?

✞   Even in adversity, God's people 

     offer hope to others.

     * How can we use words 

        given to us to help others?

     * How do we live with hope 

        in Christ in difficult times?

✞   Even in adversity, God's people 

     serve others.

     * In difficult times, how do 

        you still minister to others?

     * How can you show your 

        social concern this week?

week of 7/14

Unit 35  Session 3

ENDURING WITH GOD'S PROMISES

ACTS 24-26

 

God fulfilled His promise that Paul would go to Rome to preach the Gospel in God's own timing and way.

Claudius Lysias, the Roman commander in Jerusalem, sent Paul by armed guard in the middle of the night to Caesarea. Today's passage finds Paul waiting in Caesarea, still in Roman custody. They'd wait a few days for Paul's accusers: the high priest, some elders, and a spokesman lawyer, Tertullus. Now it was Paul's turn to speak.

Points to consider:

✞   God's people stand faithfully 

     on His promises.

     * How can we use confrontations 

        as a reminder to give an honest 

        assessment of our own lives 

        and faith?

     * How do you know you can trust 

        in the authority and hope found 

        in God's Word as Paul did?

✞   God's people wait patiently 

     on His timing.

     * How can we better wait for 

        God's timing when life seems 

        chaotic?

     * What does a life with a clear 

        conscience look like and how 

        can it impact the unbelieving 

        world around us?

✞   God's people rest assuredly 

     in His sovereignty.

     * What is your response to people 

        who think you're crazy because 

        of what you believe or how you 

        live?

     * If you had one wish or prayer 

        for an unbeliever in your life, 

        what would it be and why?