Opening Question / Icebreaker:

• What is your most valuable material possession?  Not necessarily in dollar amount, but in personal significance. 

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

Read Acts 18:24-21:26.   Have multiple people read through this long section.  https://www.esv.org/Acts+18/

Observation & Interpretation Questions:

• What seems to be the signal throughout Acts for Paul to stop teaching in the synagogues?  Why do think this is so? 
  
  
• Since the Temple of Artemis/Diana was so significant, what businesses would Paul be affecting with his preaching against idolatry? 

• What do we learn from Paul and the church in Troas from this lengthy meeting (Acts 20:1-12)? 

• In Paul’s talk to the Ephesian elders (Acts 20:13-38), why does he emphasize how he lived among them? 

• Does Paul strike you as courageous or foolish, given the belt-tightening message of Acts 21:10-15?  Why? 

Application Questions:

• How do people try and use Jesus for their own purposes today?

• What did you have to change in your lifestyle when you first began to follow Jesus?  Are there some things you are reluctant to “burn” now in order to be really honest with God? 

• Success, money, and independence are some cultural “idols” in America.  What others come to mind?  How has your faith affected your relationship to these idols? 

• If someone watched you the past year, what would they assume a Christian lifestyle is like? 

Close in Prayer:

• Pray together – lift any praises or concerns of the group members up to God in prayer.