READ ACTS 26
Summarize Paul’s defense.
What was Festus response?
What was King Agrippa’s response?
READ ACTS 27
What season of the year do you think it was?
What are some of the desperate actions of the crew?
Read verses 27-44. How many nights passed before the crew realized they were approaching land?
Why were the prisoners lives preserved?
READ ACTS 28
What was unusual about the islanders according to verse 2?
Why did the islanders suspect Paul to be a murderer?
When Paul suffered no ill effects, what opposite assumption did the islanders make?
How did God reveal His power throughout the island?
Who did Paul appeal to once he got to Rome? What was the heart of his message?
What letters does Paul write during his imprisonment?
Conclusion from February 13 Class
As we have seen throughout this study Paul pressed ahead through a series of intense hardships (2 Cor 11:22-28).
On top of all this laundry list of pain, the Lord gave him a thorn in the flesh. The Lord answered his desperate prayers to remove the thorn, whatever it may have been. The answer, “My grace is sufficient for you, b/c power is perfected in weakness.”
This is a radical concept. It is basically anti-American. This isn’t a pull yourself up by your bootstraps motto. Strength is not found in good genetics or hard work, it is found in God’s power. Matter of fact the only way to qualify to receive strength is to be weak.
I think we’d rather admire Paul for his strength in trials, his quick thinking. He had a well trained mind and had a genetic predisposition to handle pain. I think if Paul was alive today he would resist such an idea. He would correct such a misstatement and say, “Strength comes from embracing weakness and boasting in that.”
Scottish preacher, James Stewart, made a similar, challenging statement:
“It is always upon human weakness and humiliation, not human strength and confidence, that God chooses to build his Kingdom; and that He can use us not merely in spite of our ordinariness and helplessness and disqualifying infirmities, but precisely because of them.”
Embracing this truth transforms our mental attitude toward our circumstances.
Our humiliations, struggles, battles, weaknesses, feelings of inadequacy, and helplessness are precisely what make you and I effective.
On top of all this laundry list of pain, the Lord gave him a thorn in the flesh. The Lord answered his desperate prayers to remove the thorn, whatever it may have been. The answer, “My grace is sufficient for you, b/c power is perfected in weakness.”
This is a radical concept. It is basically anti-American. This isn’t a pull yourself up by your bootstraps motto. Strength is not found in good genetics or hard work, it is found in God’s power. Matter of fact the only way to qualify to receive strength is to be weak.
I think we’d rather admire Paul for his strength in trials, his quick thinking. He had a well trained mind and had a genetic predisposition to handle pain. I think if Paul was alive today he would resist such an idea. He would correct such a misstatement and say, “Strength comes from embracing weakness and boasting in that.”
Scottish preacher, James Stewart, made a similar, challenging statement:
“It is always upon human weakness and humiliation, not human strength and confidence, that God chooses to build his Kingdom; and that He can use us not merely in spite of our ordinariness and helplessness and disqualifying infirmities, but precisely because of them.”
Embracing this truth transforms our mental attitude toward our circumstances.
Our humiliations, struggles, battles, weaknesses, feelings of inadequacy, and helplessness are precisely what make you and I effective.
Class 11 Questions: Acts 22-23
Last week we discussed the 90/10 Principle. “10% of life is made up of what happens to you. 90% of life is decided by how you react.” As way of review, how did Paul respond to:
Angry mob in Ephesus (Acts 19):
Unexpected death of Eutychus (Acts 20):
Bad news prophecy (Acts 20-21):
Bad news from James (Acts 21):
Angry mob in Jerusalem (Acts 21):
READ ACTS 21:37-22:30
List every way Paul tried to relate to his audience?
Break down Paul’s sermon into its major parts.
Based on 22:19, what was Paul’s reason for believing he might have an effective testimony among the Jews?
Why do you think the Jews listened to Paul until he brought up the Gentiles?
READ ACTS 23:1-11
What do you think Paul meant when he said he had fulfilled his “duty to God in all good conscience”?
What did Paul mean when he called Ananias “you whitewashed wall”? What was Paul responding to?
Why did Paul say he was on trial? Why bring up the resurrection of the dead?
READ ACTS 23:11-35
Where was the Lord when He spoke to Paul?
How do we know these men were serious about their plot to kill Paul? Why was Paul such a divisive figure?
On what basis could Paul have known their plans would be unsuccessful?
Who escorted Paul away from Jerusalem? Why was Paul protected with such force?
Angry mob in Ephesus (Acts 19):
Unexpected death of Eutychus (Acts 20):
Bad news prophecy (Acts 20-21):
Bad news from James (Acts 21):
Angry mob in Jerusalem (Acts 21):
READ ACTS 21:37-22:30
List every way Paul tried to relate to his audience?
Break down Paul’s sermon into its major parts.
Based on 22:19, what was Paul’s reason for believing he might have an effective testimony among the Jews?
Why do you think the Jews listened to Paul until he brought up the Gentiles?
READ ACTS 23:1-11
What do you think Paul meant when he said he had fulfilled his “duty to God in all good conscience”?
What did Paul mean when he called Ananias “you whitewashed wall”? What was Paul responding to?
Why did Paul say he was on trial? Why bring up the resurrection of the dead?
READ ACTS 23:11-35
Where was the Lord when He spoke to Paul?
How do we know these men were serious about their plot to kill Paul? Why was Paul such a divisive figure?
On what basis could Paul have known their plans would be unsuccessful?
Who escorted Paul away from Jerusalem? Why was Paul protected with such force?
90/10 Principle (Stephen Covey)
Here is an excerpt from the Stephen Covey article we discussed last week in class.
Discover the 90/10 Principle. It will change your life.
What is this principle?
10% of life is made up of what happens to you. 90% of life is decided by how you react. What does this mean? We really have no control over 10% of what happens to us. We cannot stop the car from breaking down. The plane will be late arriving, which throws our whole schedule off. A driver may cut us off in traffic. We have no control over this 10%. The other 90% is different. You determine the other 90%. How? By your reaction. You cannot control a red light., but you can control your reaction. Don't let people fool you; YOU can control how you react. Let's take an example. You are eating breakfast with your family. Your daughter knocks over a cup of coffee onto your business shirt. You have no control over what just what happened. What happens when the next will be determined by how you react. You curse. You harshly scold your daughter for knocking the cup over. She breaks down in tears. After scolding her, you turn to your spouse and criticize her for placing the cup too close to the edge of the table. A short verbal battle follows. You storm upstairs and change your shirt Back downstairs, you find your daughter has been too busy crying to finish breakfast and get ready for school. She misses the bus. Your spouse must leave immediately for work. You rush to the car and drive your daughter to school. Because you are late, you drive 40 miles an hour in a 30 mph speed limit. After a 15-minute delay and throwing $60 traffic fine away, you arrive at school. Your daughter runs into the building without saying goodbye. After arriving at the office 20 minutes late, you find you forgot your briefcase. Your day has started terrible. As it continues, it seems to get worse and worse. You look forward to coming home, When you arrive home, you find small wedge in your relationship with your spouse and daughter. Why? Because of how you reacted in the morning. Why did you have a bad day? A) Did the coffee cause it?
B) Did your daughter cause it?
C) Did the policeman cause it?
D) Did you cause it?
The answer is "D".
You had no control over what happened with the coffee. How you reacted in those 5 seconds is what caused your bad day. Here is what could have and should have happened. Coffee splashes over you. Your daughter is about to cry. You gently say," It's ok honey, you just need, to be more careful next time". Grabbing a towel you rush upstairs. After grabbing a new shirt and your briefcase, you come back down in time to look through the window and see your child getting on the bus. She turns and waves. You arrive 5 minutes early and cheerfully greet the staff. Your boss comments on how good the day you are having. Notice the difference? Two different scenarios.
Both started the same.
Both ended different.
Why? Because of how you REACTED. You really do not have any control over 10% of what happens. The other 90% was determined by your reaction.
Discover the 90/10 Principle. It will change your life.
What is this principle?
10% of life is made up of what happens to you. 90% of life is decided by how you react. What does this mean? We really have no control over 10% of what happens to us. We cannot stop the car from breaking down. The plane will be late arriving, which throws our whole schedule off. A driver may cut us off in traffic. We have no control over this 10%. The other 90% is different. You determine the other 90%. How? By your reaction. You cannot control a red light., but you can control your reaction. Don't let people fool you; YOU can control how you react. Let's take an example. You are eating breakfast with your family. Your daughter knocks over a cup of coffee onto your business shirt. You have no control over what just what happened. What happens when the next will be determined by how you react. You curse. You harshly scold your daughter for knocking the cup over. She breaks down in tears. After scolding her, you turn to your spouse and criticize her for placing the cup too close to the edge of the table. A short verbal battle follows. You storm upstairs and change your shirt Back downstairs, you find your daughter has been too busy crying to finish breakfast and get ready for school. She misses the bus. Your spouse must leave immediately for work. You rush to the car and drive your daughter to school. Because you are late, you drive 40 miles an hour in a 30 mph speed limit. After a 15-minute delay and throwing $60 traffic fine away, you arrive at school. Your daughter runs into the building without saying goodbye. After arriving at the office 20 minutes late, you find you forgot your briefcase. Your day has started terrible. As it continues, it seems to get worse and worse. You look forward to coming home, When you arrive home, you find small wedge in your relationship with your spouse and daughter. Why? Because of how you reacted in the morning. Why did you have a bad day? A) Did the coffee cause it?
B) Did your daughter cause it?
C) Did the policeman cause it?
D) Did you cause it?
The answer is "D".
You had no control over what happened with the coffee. How you reacted in those 5 seconds is what caused your bad day. Here is what could have and should have happened. Coffee splashes over you. Your daughter is about to cry. You gently say," It's ok honey, you just need, to be more careful next time". Grabbing a towel you rush upstairs. After grabbing a new shirt and your briefcase, you come back down in time to look through the window and see your child getting on the bus. She turns and waves. You arrive 5 minutes early and cheerfully greet the staff. Your boss comments on how good the day you are having. Notice the difference? Two different scenarios.
Both started the same.
Both ended different.
Why? Because of how you REACTED. You really do not have any control over 10% of what happens. The other 90% was determined by your reaction.
Class 10 Questions: Acts 20-21
READ ACTS 20:1-12
Including Luke, how many people accompanied Paul back through Macedonia.
Why do you suppose Paul was so long-winded when they met together to break bread?
The Bible records two other times when God’s servants raised someone from the dead by a similar method. Who were they and what were the circumstances? What are the similarities in these three accounts?
READ ACTS 20:13-38
Based on verses 18-21, what words or phrases describes Paul’s ministry to the Ephesians?
In verse 24, what did Paul state was the task God had given him.
In your own words summarize what Paul admonished his hearers to do.
Why do you think difficulties might be awaiting Paul in Jerusalem?
READ ACTS 21:1-16
Acts 21:4 indicates Paul was in Tyre. Look back in ACTS 11:19. How had Christians originally been planted in Phoenicia, the region in which Tyre is located?
How is Philip identified in ACTS 21:8?
What did Agabus predict through his dramatic interpretation?
READ ACTS 21:17-36
How would you describe Paul’s initial reception in Jerusalem?
For what reason did Paul come to Jerusalem?
Why were the believing Jews upset with Paul?
Name as many reasons as you can why Paul might have followed James advice.
Including Luke, how many people accompanied Paul back through Macedonia.
Why do you suppose Paul was so long-winded when they met together to break bread?
The Bible records two other times when God’s servants raised someone from the dead by a similar method. Who were they and what were the circumstances? What are the similarities in these three accounts?
READ ACTS 20:13-38
Based on verses 18-21, what words or phrases describes Paul’s ministry to the Ephesians?
In verse 24, what did Paul state was the task God had given him.
In your own words summarize what Paul admonished his hearers to do.
Why do you think difficulties might be awaiting Paul in Jerusalem?
READ ACTS 21:1-16
Acts 21:4 indicates Paul was in Tyre. Look back in ACTS 11:19. How had Christians originally been planted in Phoenicia, the region in which Tyre is located?
How is Philip identified in ACTS 21:8?
What did Agabus predict through his dramatic interpretation?
READ ACTS 21:17-36
How would you describe Paul’s initial reception in Jerusalem?
For what reason did Paul come to Jerusalem?
Why were the believing Jews upset with Paul?
Name as many reasons as you can why Paul might have followed James advice.
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