Acts 21:37-22:29
ACTS STUDY DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
What did you find interesting in our study of Acts 21:37-22:29?
How would you respond if you were accused of something you didn't do? How would you respond if you were misrepresented and your name and character were maligned, though you were innocent?
In Acts 21:37-39 Paul wants to speak to the mob. But he doesn't spite them, lash out, retaliate, or attack in return. Instead, he speaks in their native language and calls them brothers and fathers. How is it that Paul can respond with such grace, compassion, and respect to people who just mercilessly beat him?
What does Paul say in Philippians 4:11-13 that sheds light on Paul's source of strength and grace in this moment? Is this what you look to and rely upon in your own trying circumstances? Why or why not? What does Paul say in Romans 10:1-4 that sheds light on Paul’s motives for wanting to speak at this moment?
In responding to the crowd, Paul begins by simply telling his own story and salvation (vs. 3-20). How is Paul’s story uniquely suited for his audience? How is your story uniquely suited for the various contexts you find yourself in?
In sharing his story, Paul begins with who he used to be and then turns to how encountering Jesus changed him. How and why is that a helpful structure to follow in our own evangelism and gospel proclamation?
After explaining his story and salvation, Paul then explains his authority and commission to proclaim Jesus (vs. 14-20). Though we are not apostles, we still root what we proclaim in the authority and commission of Jesus’ word rather than our own (cf. Matt 28:18-20). Why is this helpful and important to remember?
Though Paul turns to the crowd in grace and though he proclaims the words of life, they still want to kill him. How does Paul point us to Jesus (cf. John 1:11-13)? What does Paul’s example in this text teach us about following Jesus and walking in faithful obedience to Jesus?
Paul's Roman citizenship opened doors that would otherwise have been closed and served God's purposes to advance the gospel. How might your citizenship do the same?
What are your key takeaways from this study of God’s word?
