Jeremy Hoover

Context: Paul has exhausted his legal defenses in Judea and still no charges were found against him. But because he had appealed to Caesar, he was sent to Rome.

Sailing (27:1-12)

1. Who else is with Paul? (1)
2. Was Paul treated like a prisoner by the guard? (3)
3. What favorable treatment did the guard give Paul?
4. How did Paul need to be cared for? (3)
5. How is the shipwreck foreshadowed in this section? (see vs. 4, 7-8, 9, 12)
6. What does the reference to "the Fast" have to do with their travel plans? (9)
7. What was Paul's message? How was it received? (10-11)
8. How is Paul being presented? (10; cp. 21, 24-25, 34, 44)

Storm (27:13-38)

1. Why did the crew decide to set sail again from Phoenix? (13)
2. What difficulties did they face on this journey? (14-20)
3. How severe did things get? (20-21)
4. How did Paul seek to influence the crew? (21-26)
5. What did Paul promise them? (22)
6. How did Paul encourage them? (23-24)
7. How did Paul evangelize them? (23)
8. What is the reason given why they--through Paul--will be saved? (24-25)
9. Why must they shipwreck? (26)
10. What similarities and differences exist between Paul in a storm at sea and Jonah?
11. Why was the salvation of the centurion and the others contingent on the sailors not escaping? (31)
12. What scene is Paul's provision of food like? (35) Is this deliberate on Luke's part?

Shipwreck (27:39-44)

1. What was the plan to deal with the ship? How did the plan work? (41)
2. Why did the centurion wish to save Paul's life? (43)
3. Was the word of God through Paul fulfilled? (44) Why is this important?

Themes for application

1. In this story, how is God's word delivered? What is required upon hearing God's word?
2. What do you learn about evangelism or discipleship from this story?
3. What are the different ways God's word and sovereignty worked along with human action?
4. What did you learn in this lesson that we should pray about?

Acts 22

Paul's Defense Before the Jews in Jerusalem (1-21)
1. What are some signs of Paul's zealousness for God before his conversion (3-5)?
2. How does Paul describe his conversion (6-11)?
3. What did Ananias relate as the substance of Paul's ministry (12-16)?
4. What were the elements of Paul's conversion (16)?
5. What is Paul's testimony about the word he received from the Lord (17-21)?

Aftermath (22-29)
1. At what point did the people become angry? Why? (22)
2. What did they propose to do with Paul (23-24)?
3. What response did this lead to by the Roman authorities, and what controversy was created by this (23-29)?

Acts 23

Paul Before the Jews, Part 2 (22:30-23:11)
1. What did the tribune do the next day? Why? (22:30)
2. What controversy occurred between the high priest and Paul? Who was obedient to the law? Did Paul really not know who the high priest was? What else could this mean? (23:1-5)
3. How did Paul play the Pharisees and Sadducees against each other? What did this say about the charges against him? (6-10)
4. What did Paul's vision foretell? (11)

The Plot to Kill Paul (23:12-35)
1. Who was complicit in this conspiracy (12-15)?
2. How was Paul's assassination avoided? (16-22)
3. How did Lysias handle Pau? (23-35)
4. What does Lysias' letter to Felix say about the charges against Paul (26-30)?
5. What is Paul's fate as this chapter ends? (34)

1. From Ephesians 1, what things has God done for the church? How has God incorporated the church? How does Paul's prayer (Eph. 1:15-20) tie in with these themes?

2. If Ephesians 1 is about the action of God in forming the church, how does chapter 2 develop the same ideas, but with emphasis on humanity?

3. What prompts Paul prayer in Ephesians 3? What does he pray for? How is this prayer a model for us?

4. How does Ephesians 4 describe the diversity that exists within the unity of the church? How is this developed in practical ways in ministry?

5. What is the theological basis for the good works described in Ephesians 4-5?

6. How is the "household relationships" (Eph. 5:21-6:9) teaching rooted in our relationship with Christ?

7. How does the armor of God serve to both protect us and build us up in faith (Eph. 6)?

8. In Philippians 1, what experience does Paul want the believers to have (1:11)? How is this illustrated in his own experience (chapter 1)?

9. How is Christ an example for us (Phil. 2)?

10. What should we have confidence in, according to Philippians 3? How does Paul describe this in his own experience?

11. How is the practical teaching in Philippians 4 tied in with the teaching in chapters 1-3?

12. According to 1 Thessalonians 1-3, how did the Thessalonian believers receive the word? How is this a model for us of both teaching and receiving the word?

13. What practical instructions does Paul offer in 1 Thessalonians 4-5?

Paul's speech to the Ephesian elders is designed to instruct the hearers in Christian values. Through an explanation and defense of his ministry, and through exhortations to the elders, the hearers learn the values that Paul desires them to learn. Specifically, hearers are to imitate Paul and his activity (20:35). When Paul summarizes his speech by connecting himself to the activity and teaching of Jesus (20:35), he ties those who imitate him as he imitates Christ to the larger story of Christ.

But what in Paul's speech can be imitated?

1. Paul provides an outline of his life and activity (20:18-23, 26-27, 33-35).
2. Paul predicts his own future (20:22-25).
3. Paul predicts what will happen to the church after he is gone (20:28-30).
4. Paul provides exhortation on how to act after he is gone (20:28, 31).

Within this outline, Paul provides several examples of his own activity that can be imitated by others.

1. Openness in proclamation (20:20).
2. Disclosure of all God's will (20:27).
3. Constant teaching (20:31).
4. Financial integrity (20:33-34).
5. Humility (20:19).
6. Devotion to the ministry even in the face of trials (20:23-24).
7. Support the weak (20:35).

By following these exhortations, we can imitate Paul, who himself imitates Christ.

Q: What does this speech teach about Christian living?
Q: What does this speech teach about shepherding?
Q: How could this church encourage people to live out these values?

1. In John 14, what does it mean for Jesus to call himself the way, the truth, and the life? (v. 6)

2. What is one of the purposes of the Holy Spirit, according to Jesus in John 14:15-31?

3. What is the meaning of Jesus' teaching the vine and branches in John 15?

4. What else does Jesus teach about the Holy Spirit in John 16:1-15?

5. What three components are there to Jesus' prayer in John 17? What does it mean--in John--to be "one" (v. 21)?

6. What is different about Jesus' trial in John 18-19 than in Matthew, Mark, and Luke?

7. What is the importance of "John" believing without proof (20:8, 24-29)?

8. How did the disciples receive the Holy Spirit (20:22)?

9. What did Jesus want Peter to do after Jesus had been resurrected (John 21)? What does this correspond to for us?

10. What is the central message of 1 John?

11. What is sin in 1 John?

12. What are the "marks" of a true believer in 1 John?

13. According to 1 John, what is love? Where does it come from? What does it mean?

14. What is a sign of falsehood in 1 John?

This bible study guide is for our Sunday morning bible class on November 14. A little early, but it still gives you something to think about!

1. How is the Gospel of John different from the other three gospels?

2. How does John introduce Jesus (1:1-18)?

3. How does Jesus' calling of disciples in 1:35-51 serve as an example for how we can live evangelistically?

4. What is the symbolic meaning of Jesus turning water into wine (2:1-11)? John states that this is a sign (2:11). Of what? What is the purpose of the "signs" in John?

5. What did Jesus teach Nicodemus about salvation (3:1-21)?

6. What is significant about Jesus' encounter with the Samaritan woman (4:1-42)? What does he teach her about salvation? What is the result?

7. What is the second sign Jesus performed, and what is its importance (4:43-54)?

8. What is the third sign Jesus performed, and what is its importance (5:1-18)?

9. What is the fourth sign Jesus performed, and what is its importance (6:1-15)?

10. What is the fifth sign Jesus performed, and what is its importance (6:16-24)?

11. What is the spiritual meaning of the feeding of the five thousand, as taught by Jesus (6:25-59)? What were the reactions to Jesus (6:25-71)?

12. What misunderstandings surface between Jesus and the people and religious leaders in chapters 7-8?

13. What is the sixth sign Jesus performed, and what is its importance (9:1-41)?

14. In chapter 9, how does the healing of the man born blind expose the spiritual blindness of the Pharisees?

15. How is Jesus a "good shepherd" (10:1-21)?

16. What is the seventh sign Jesus performed, and what is its importance (11:1-46)?

17. What does Lazarus' resurrection teach about Jesus (chapter 11)?

18. What is significant about Jesus washing his disciples' feet (chapter 13)?

This guide, including a commentary and overview of Romans along with 25 study questions, is for our Sunday morning bible study on November 7. Please download this and use it as you read Romans during November 1-7.

1. What is the difference between John's baptism and Jesus' baptism (1:4-8)?

2. What does it mean to "repent" of your sins and "believe" the good news (1:14-19)?

3. From chapters 2-3, what is different about Jesus compared to the Pharisees?

4. What is the point of the parable of the scattered seed (4:1-20)? What is the key to growing in faith, according to the parable of the lamp (4:21-25)?

5. What role does faith play in 5:21-6:6?

6. What role does faith play in 7:17-30?

7. In 7:31-8:26, Jesus heals two men by his touch. In between these two healings, what role does faith play, and how does the "touch" of Jesus factor in?

8. Is it significant that Peter's declaration of Christ and Christ's prediction of his death come after the block of teaching about needing a second touch from Jesus? Why or why not? (8:27-9:1)

9. What happens when Jesus predicts his death the first time? What teaching about discipleship does Jesus teach? (8:31-9:1)?

10. How do the disciples respond to Jesus' second prediction of his death? (9:30-37) What does this teach us about following Jesus?

11. How did the disciples respond to Jesus' third prediction of his death? (10:32-45) What does this teach us about following Jesus?

12. How does the fig tree stand as an image of the unfruitfulness of the people (11:12-25)?

13. What is the significance of Jesus' sermon in chapter 13?

14. What were the disciples doing while Jesus prayed in the garden (14:32-42)? How are we sometimes like this?

15. Why was the Temple curtain torn in two when Jesus died (15:37-38)?

16. Why did the women disregard the angel's command and tell no one about Jesus' resurrection (16:1-8)? Are we sometimes like this?

Study Notes
The entirety of chapter 19 takes place in Ephesus and demonstrates to us the power of God that is at work in Paul. In Ephesus, which was both an important geographic location and an important theological location for the church, Paul begins the church, preaches at length to both Jews and Gentiles, and demonstrates God's power over magic through his preaching and person.

19:1-7
By now, many of these events are typical rather than unique to Paul's missionary activity in a city, with just a few minor exceptions. As he arrives, we would expect him to go to a synagogue, which he does, but only after he meets these twelve disciples of John the Baptist who are flourishing all the way from Judea in Ephesus.

Paul's emphasis with these believers is whether they received the Holy Spirit. This can be taken in two ways--since they had not yet been baptized into Jesus, it's possible that Paul is referring to the actual Holy Spirit itself (Acts 2:38-39). However, since it could also refer to the powers of the Holy Spirit which is most often given in Acts through the laying on of hands (Acts 8:14-17), and which these disciples receive when Paul lays his hands on them after their baptisms into Jesus.

That there are "about twelve" of them is important; because Ephesus was such an important location in the ancient world, this number symbolically represents the completion of spiritual Israel among the Gentiles, much like the twelve apostles symbolically represent the completion of the nation of Israel among Jews.

19:8-10
This is a typical action of Paul--when he arrived in a city he went to the synagogue and preached. When he faced opposition, he left. In this case, when opposition arose, he left and went to a famous lecture hall where he could teach daily, and it became a base of operations for him for two years, so much so that Luke can summarize this period of time by saying that "all" the Jews and Greeks who lived in Asia heard the word of the Lord.

19:11-22
This section demonstrates the power of God against magic that is at work in and through Paul's preaching and person. God is more powerful than magic. This is shown in three different ways--Paul's body has power from God such that clothing items that merely touch Paul are able to heal people and exorcise demons; demons themselves know who Paul is; many burn their magic scrolls in light of Paul's presence among them. Through Paul's ministry, this is a sound victory for God over the demonic forces that were present in Ephesus.

This section also concludes with Paul resolving to go to Jerusalem (which will bring with it much trial for him), much like Jesus resolved to do so in Luke's gospel (Luke 9:51).

19:23-41
This final section details another typical event in Paul's ministry in a city--a disturbance of some kind breaks out! In this case, it's a riot, instigated by a man (Demetrius) who stands to lose a lot if people turn from idolatry to the living God. He points out to the crowd that many of them who deal in the creation of idols will lose their businesses if this message takes hold. Of course, this ultimately leads to a riot, but with a twist. Paul is nowhere to be found during this riot because the disciples won't let him go to where the people are. Instead, a town clerk recognizes that the accusations don't have any merit to them! He calmly dismisses the crowd and the riot is over. This action by the clerk shows the integrity of the gospel and Paul's message, that it cannot be undermined by false accusations.

Study Questions
1. In 19:1-7, Paul's emphasis is on the Holy Spirit, not baptism. Why?

2. How could these believers be believers without even knowing there is a Holy Spirit? On what basis does one become a believer?

3. When were these believers baptized into Jesus? What mode of the Spirit did they receive? How did they receive the Spirit?

4. Why does Luke mention that there were "about twelve" of these disciples?

5. How long did Paul preach in Ephesus? (19:8-10)

6. In what three ways is the power of God demonstrated over magic in Ephesus? (19:11-20)

7. Why was Demetrius upset? What charges did he seek against Paul? How did the crowd get worked up? How did the crowd finally settle down? (19:23-40)

8. What applications can you take from this chapter?

1. What problem existed in the Corinthian church, according to chapters 1-4? What is wrong with division? What causes division? How does division creep into the church today?

2. How are God's ways different than human's ways (1:18-31)?

3. What was the message Paul had (1:18-31)?

4. What are some signs that a church is too worldly (3:2-4)?

5. How do workers in the kingdom build, and how is their work evaluated (3:10-15)?

6. What is the point of Paul's hierarchy in 3:21-23?

7. What can you learn about ministry from chapters 1-4?

8. Why does Paul use fatherhood language in 4:14-21? On what basis does he challenge them to imitate him?

9. Why does Paul require the removal of specific sinners from the church in chapter 5?

10. What is the point of Paul's "you are the temple" teaching in 6:19? How is this different from 3:16-17?

11. What principles does Paul teach in chapters 7-8 about the topics of marriage and food sacrificed to idols?

12. In chapter 9, what rights does Paul have? What ministry philosophies does he teach?

13. In chapter 11, what does Paul teach about men and women and prayer, and what does he teach about the Lord's Supper?

14. In chapter 12, how is the Spirit instrumental in the unity and ministry of the church? What is the Spirit's purpose (12:7)?

15. What is the point of chapter 13? How do chapters 12-14 work together?

16. What is the purpose of worship, and how should worship be done (14:26-40)?

17. In chapter, what is the purpose of Jesus' resurrection? What does it mean for us?