THE BOOK OF ACTS: Week 11 – Aug. 11-Aug. 17
Acts 21-22:29: What guides Paul & how does he use what happens?
Strange! Everyone, including Paul, appears to know it will not go well for him this time in Jerusalem. Nonetheless Paul goes.
- Acts 21:1-6 Tyre – message & prayer for Paul
- Acts 21:7-16 Caesarea – Philip & daughters, Agabus, & disciples in Caesarea
- Acts 21:17-26 Jerusalem – Paul’s report to the church & their recommendations to him
- Acts 21:27-36 Crowd stirred against Paul & Paul arrested by the Tribune
- Acts 21:37-22:21 Paul’s speech to the Jews
- Acts 22:22-30 The Tribune’s surprise at Paul’s Roman citizenship
Chapter 21: An Uproar in Jerusalem
The disciples in Tyre warn Paul “in the Holy Spirit” not to go to Jerusalem. The prophet Agabus, warned by the Holy Spirit, tells Paul that he will be imprisoned in Jerusalem.
Most of Paul’s fellow believers interpret these warnings to mean Paul should stay away from Jerusalem. Paul, however, interprets these warnings as reality checks of what is going to happen if he follows Christ’s call. Paul proceeds with more determination than ever. With whom do you identify in the story? Why do you think Paul is so sure? How do you think a congregation should determine together God’s will?
Does it surprise you that Paul is going through a Jewish purification ritual? Why or why not?
Rumors are rampant, the truth is twisted, the mob is violent. Why do you think Paul seems unafraid?
Action Plan: Do a little research and find a Christian (or a group) who is doing something courageous because they believe it is God’s call. Pray for that person.
Chapter 22: The Citizenship Card
Paul tells a spellbound crowd his personal story of coming to believe in Jesus Christ. Why do you think the crowd stopped yelling to listen? For the first time we also hear another piece of Paul’s story omitted earlier in Acts 9—about his praying in the Jerusalem temple on an earlier visit and Jesus telling him to leave and preach to the Gentiles. In what we have read in Acts so far, how has Paul obeyed that specific command of Christ? What do you think triggered the crowd into reacting violently again?
Are you surprised that there is a different system of justice reserved for Roman citizens? How does Paul’s citizenship change things for Paul?
Action Plan: Does our congregation/synod support missionaries in other countries? Do you know people from other countries who come to serve Christ in ministry here? Pray for missionaries across the globe and pray for our congregation’s missionary witness in our local communities.
