Read Acts chapter 27.

On the surface this is simply a story about a boat journey. But beneath the surface is a story of how non-Christian audience is impacted by a Christian during the course of daily life.

Take another look at verses 10 & 11, verses 21-26, 30-36, and 42-44. How did Paul’s relationship with the men change? Why?

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View/Listen: http://www.worldviewweekend.com/worldview-tube/video.php?videoid=4383

Discuss.

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Read Acts 26 to see how Paul deals with the judicial system of his day..

When Paul makes his defense, he follows his normal ‘formula’: complement the official, re-state his Jewish background and devotion to the law and the prophets, deny the charges against him, and then preach the good news of Jesus! He then backs up his claims by telling about his own encounter with Jesus. By the time he’s done, he’s trying to reach the king for Christ!

Can you give your testimony? What was life like before accepting Jesus? How did it happen? What has life been life since you accepted Jesus as your savior?

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Read Acts 25 to see how the political machine of the first century continued to turn.

Even though verse 7 tells us that the Jews couldn’t prove anything against Paul, what was does verse 9 say about how Festus treats them?

Why does Paul appeal to Caesar? What will that do for his ministry?

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Read about Paul’s defense before Felix in Acts 24.

Did you notice how wisely Paul uses his opportunity to speak? He manages to butter-up the governor, deny the charges against him, emphasize his belief in Jewish law, and still state the message of Jesus!

Even though this is a story that takes about half an hour, how much time actually passes in this chapter? What did Paul do during this time?

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What did Jesus want the 72 to take with them? (What did He not want them to take?)

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How would you describe Paul’s attitude in dealing with the council?

Why did the group of Jews that took the oath want to kill Paul? Did they believe that they were doing the work of God?

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When Paul addressed the crowd, what language did he use? (The art of reaching people where they are!) Paul then goes on to give his personal testimony: what his life was like before he met Jesus, how he met Jesus, and what his life is like after Jesus. Have you ever thought about your testimony?

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Do you ever have trouble doing what you think the Lord wants you to do? How do you think Paul felt about all of the believers that were trying to keep him from going to Jerusalem? How confident must Paul have been that he was following God’s leading?

When Paul gets back to Jerusalem and shares the exciting news about what the Lord has been doing among the Gentiles, what happens? Have you noticed that Satan seems to attack the hardest whenever God is working among His people?

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What do the first couple of verses of this passage tell us that Paul was doing? Depending on your translation, you may read words like encourage, advise, lifting their spirits, charging them with fresh hope, or exhort (give advice or urge strongly). What does that tell us about one of our primary duties towards our brothers and sisters in Christ?

CHURCH HISTORY FACT: Verse 7 is one of the core scriptures used for moving church services to Sunday (instead of the Sabbath – Saturday) and for celebrating communion every Sunday!

What did you think of the story of Eutychus? Can you sympathize with him?

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