Week 6 (Oct. 12– Oct. 18) – Acts 21:27-26:32

Opening Question / Icebreaker:  answer one or both

• What was one of the most raucous crowd scenes you have ever been a part of?
• Who is the first person you turn to when you want good advice? 

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

Observation & Interpretation Questions:

Read Acts 21:26-22:29. https://www.esv.org/Acts+21/

• Compare the reaction against Paul (21:30-31) with that against Stephen (6:11-13) twenty years earlier.  What does this tell you about Christian-Jewish relations in Jerusalem during this period?

• In Paul’s speech in 22:1-10, what points of identification does he make with his hostile audience? 

APPLICATION Question - In chapter 22, Paul told his own story instead of preaching a sermon to this crowd. When do you find your story most effective and helpful to others?

Read Acts 22:30-23:35. https://www.esv.org/Acts+22/

• Why does Paul change the focus of attention from whether he has kept the law to his hope in the resurrection? 

• What does the commander do about the “Paul problem?”  Why? 

APPLICATION Question - How has the Lord encouraged you during hard times in your faith? (see 23:11)

Read Acts 24:1-25:12. https://www.esv.org/Acts+24/

• Put yourself in the place of Felix. Considering the riot in Jerusalem over Paul and the accusations of the Jews and Paul’s own words, what would you do? 

• Two years pass after the trial before Felix (24:27), why hasn’t the opposition to Paul by the Jewish leaders dissipated during this time?

APPLICATION Question - What is the difference between being “well acquainted with the Way” (24:22) and being a true believer? 

Read Acts 25:13-26:32. https://www.esv.org/Acts+25/

• What is the problem that Festus faces? 

• Is Paul’s speech before Agrippa a legal defense or personal testimony? How are the two related?

APPLICATION Question – How would you describe the difference made by the fact that Jesus truly rose from the dead? 

Close in Prayer:

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