Week 2 (Sept. 14-20) – Acts 13 & 14

Opening Question / Icebreaker:

• When did you first leave home on your own?  And what did you feel when that happened?   

Pray Together - asking God to bless your group, your time in His word, and your relationships. 

Read Acts 13 & 14 – take turns reading this lengthy passage.  https://www.esv.org/Acts+13/

Observation & Interpretation Questions:

• Why did Saul & Barnabas go first to the synagogue? 

• How would you describe the role of the Holy Spirit in these chapters? 

• If you were Sergius Paulus, what would be your response to the missionaries after the events of 13:9-12?

• Why do you think John Mark may have left them to go back home? (13:13, see 12:12)

• In 13:17-23, Paul lists things that God has done.  How do God’s actions prepare the way for Paul to speak about Jesus in v. 23? 

• In 13:38-39, what does Paul say is the central meaning of the resurrection for his listeners? What impact would that have had? 

• How is Paul’s sermon in 14:15-17 different from his previous sermon in the synagogue (13:17-41)? 

Application Questions:

• When have people tried to turn you from your faith?  What happened?  How do you deal with such pressures? 

• How do you think Paul would respond to a modern-day skeptic who felt Jesus was a noble, but misguided martyr? 

• Reading of Paul & Barnabas’ courage, faith, and endurance, how does that challenge you to serve the Lord more fully? 

• The people Paul & Barnabas encountered along the journey interpreted the gospel through their own lenses.  How do people you know interpret the gospel by their own prejudices and beliefs? 

Close in Prayer:

• Pray together – lift any praises or concerns of the group members up to God in prayer.  Pray as well for God to increase & strengthen faith in the group members.