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?

week of 7/7

Unit 35 Session 2

ENDURING WITH GOD'S PRESENCE

ACTS 22-23

 

When Paul faced great danger in prison, the Lord strengthened him with His presence and protected him through His providential works.

In Jerusalem, a riot had broken out because of Paul. With an impassioned plea, Paul silenced his enemies with his testimony. But everything fell apart with the mention of the word "Gentiles". Now the Jews and Romans had a big problem on their hands: Paul's testimony. The Jews wanted him dead, and the Romans wanted to know what had caused such an uproar.

Points to consider:

✞   God's people are opposed for 

     proclaiming the resurrection.

     * When others attack us, 

        what example does Paul 

        set for us?

     * How does Paul's statement 

        about the resurrection guide 

        us in our own foundation 

        of faith?

✞   God's people are strengthened 

     by His presence.

     * What attributes of God can 

        we hold on to when we find 

        ourselves in chaotic or 

        dire situations?

     * How can we be assured 

        that Jesus is always with us?

✞   God's people are protected 

     through His providence. 

     * How does knowing God 

        protects His people and 

        is powerful enough to do 

        so affect your prayers?

     * How does this passage 

        illustrate how we should 

        trust in God's providence?

week of 6/30

Unit 35 Session 1

ENDURING WITH GOD'S PERSPECTIVE

ACTS 20-22

 

Paul followed the Holy Spirit's guidance to return to Jerusalem and trusted in the Lord no matter the danger he faced.

Paul performed mighty miracles and revealed God's power to the believers in Ephesus (Acts 19:11-20), but that led to unwanted attention and a riot. Paul encouraged the Ephesians and then made a three-month sweep through the churches in Macedonia, encouraging them as well (20:1-6). After sailing through churches in the Mediterranean, hopping between islands, Paul chose to sail past Ephesus because he was hoping to return to Jerusalem for the day of Pentecost (20:16).

Points to consider:

✞   Following the Spirit requires 

     holding an eternal perspective.

     * How do you see the Holy Spirit 

        active in the believer's life?

     * In what ways has God called 

        you to His service to testify to 

        His grace?

✞   Following the Spirit requires 

     trusting the Lord's will.

     * Where do you turn in the Bible 

        when you come face to face 

        with bad news?

     * How do we keep Paul's outlook 

        on God's will, choosing to live 

        obediently in the face of danger?

✞   Following the Spirit requires 

     proclaiming Jesus boldly.

     * How has God worked in your life 

        where your testimony has shaped 

        your current ministry opportunities?

     * What part of your identity can 

        seem to be prioritized above your 

        identity as an ambassador of 

        Jesus and why?

week of 6/16

Unit 34 Session 3

SAFEGUARDING THE GOSPEL

ACTS 18-19

 

As its missionary efforts continued, the church sought to protect its doctrine and demonstrate the power of the gospel through righteous living so that others might trust in Christ.

As the early church continued to take the Gospel to the ends of the earth, they encountered various challenges. News of the Jerusalem Council was only one part of the message that needed to be heard; some disciples had not yet heard all of the information and did not understand how God's redeeming work came about. As a result, the church had to encourage godly leaders in the full understanding of the Gospel, correct those who were in ignorance and error, and promote godly living.

Points to consider:

✞   The church stands behind godly leadership.

     * How should we distinguish between
        false teaching and ignorance?

     * How can we grow in our effectiveness 

        in proclaiming Christ?

✞   The church contends for correct doctrine.

     * What methods can we use to help 

        people discern their spiritual state?

     * What can you do to be a part of 

        building up the body for further ministry?

✞   The church prevails through righteous living.

     * What other types of wisdom do people 

        turn to today that are inferior to Scripture?

     * In what ways have you experienced the 

        power of God's Word in your life?

week of 6/9

Unit 34 Session 2

EXPLAINING THE GOSPEL

ACTS 17

 

When Paul encountered opposition on his second missionary journey, he did not allow it to stop the spread of the Gospel but rather found new opportunities to proclaim the risen Christ.

After the Jerusalem Council, Paul and his traveling companions took the Gospel throughout the Mediterranean to other Jews and Gentiles who had yet to hear of Christ. As they faced opposition, they would move on to another community while seeking to establish believers in the truth of the Gospel. The conflicts Paul faced did not stop him from proclaiming Christ but only motivated him to continue to bring the good news to others who would hear and believe.

Points to consider:

✞   The Gospel is explained to those 

     who are eager.

     * How can we be like the Bereans?

     * How can we minister to others 

        with the Word?

✞   The Gospel is defended to those  

     who are skeptical.

     * What methods should we use 

        to reason with people who 

        have questions about the 

        Christian faith?

     * Why should evangelism be 

        a priority in our lives and 

        in our churches?

✞   The Gospel is proclaimed to those 

     who are seeking.

     * What are some reasons those 

        yet to believe would want to 

        listen to the Gospel message?

     * Why do we sometimes not have 

        more passion and intentionality 

        to share the Gospel?