Acts 13:13-41
ACTS STUDY DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
What caught your attention in our study of Acts 13:13-41? How were you encouraged or challenged?
When Paul entered Antioch in Pisidia, where did he first go to share the gospel? In Acts 13:13-23 what did Paul appeal to in order to make the case for Jesus? Why is this a particularly persuasive argument for Paul’s audience (cf. Acts 13:26)? What can we learn from Paul’s evangelism strategy?
What is one clear difference between David and Jesus that Paul emphasizes four times in Acts 13:30-37? Why does Paul tie our hope of forgiveness to Jesus being raised from the dead (cf. 1 Cor 15:14)?
What specific examples of God’s grace does Paul highlight at the beginning of his sermon (cf. Acts 13:17-20)? What specific examples of their sin does Paul highlight in Acts 13:18, 21, and 27-28? What does he say is their only hope according to Acts 13:38-39? How does Paul’s simple three-point presentation of the gospel (i.e., God’s holiness & grace, man’s great sin, and God’s great grace in Jesus) help you in evangelism?
In Acts 13:39, Paul uses the word justified twice (translated as freed). We regularly seek to justify and validate our existence through our performance. According to Paul, what is the only thing that can truly justify and validate us? Why is this so hard to accept?
Paul’s sermon in Pisidian Antioch is nearly identical to Peter’s sermon in Jerusalem, even quoting the same Old Testament text from Psalm 16 (compare: 2:14 and 13:16, 2:23 and 13:28-30, 2:29-31 and 13:36-37, 2:36 and 13:38, 2:38-39 and 13:38-39). What does the consistent message of the early church teach us about the good news message of Jesus Christ?
What did you learn about evangelism, the gospel, and the early church’s missionary strategy this week? What can we take away in practice, attitude, and action?
