READ ACTS 17:1-9
What was the outcome of Paul’s preaching in Thessalonica according to verse 4?
Who did the Jews team up with to form a mob? Who were these men?
Who is Jason? Why was Jason dragged before the city officials?
READ ACTS 17:10-15
What characteristics set the Bereans apart from the Thessalonians?
What are the similarities between what happened in Thessalonica and Berea?
READ ACTS 17:16-34 *
Describe the Athenians.
Summarize Paul’s sermon:
Paul’s message was met by three distinct responses. What were they?
Paul in Athens
Paul’s stop in Athens is unlike any other. There are at least four distinct facts about his visit. First, the city itself was so different. The preceding cities Paul visited were much smaller and less cosmopolitan. Although Athens was about 100 years past her days of glory, she was still a beautiful city. Athens had maintained her reputation as the center of higher learning with one of the most sought after universities in ancient history.
Second, Paul encountered the imposing city all by himself. Presumably he was dropped off at the gates, and Timothy and Silas never had a chance to join him before his departure. He has no emotional or physical support and yet “he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and the God-fearing Greeks” daily.
A third consideration making this trip unique was Paul’s speech. He used the perfect illustration of the “unknown god” and drew them to a well-crafted invitation. Unfortunately, the response was less than positive. Even after this powerful message only a few people in Athens became believers. Paul never mentions a church resulting from this work or even making contact with them again. Based on the information in Scripture this effort to prove to be fruitful.
Fourth, is the lack of response to the gospel. Acts 17:34 says that only a few people became believers in Athens. Paul never mentions a church resulting from his work. Based on the information in Scripture the few believers never multiplied into more.
Second, Paul encountered the imposing city all by himself. Presumably he was dropped off at the gates, and Timothy and Silas never had a chance to join him before his departure. He has no emotional or physical support and yet “he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and the God-fearing Greeks” daily.
A third consideration making this trip unique was Paul’s speech. He used the perfect illustration of the “unknown god” and drew them to a well-crafted invitation. Unfortunately, the response was less than positive. Even after this powerful message only a few people in Athens became believers. Paul never mentions a church resulting from this work or even making contact with them again. Based on the information in Scripture this effort to prove to be fruitful.
Fourth, is the lack of response to the gospel. Acts 17:34 says that only a few people became believers in Athens. Paul never mentions a church resulting from his work. Based on the information in Scripture the few believers never multiplied into more.
Class 7 Questions: Acts 16
READ ACTS 16:1-5
Describe Timothy. *
ACTS 16:1-2
1 TIMOTHY 4:12
2 TIMOTHY 3:15
In light of the Jerusalem Council why does it seem strange that Paul would circumcise Timothy? Why did he do it?
READ ACTS 16:6-10
What possible reasons might have existed for the Holy Spirit to keep Paul, Silas, and Timothy from preaching the word in the province of Asia or Bithynia?
How did God redirect Paul? To Where?
READ ACTS 16:11-15
Describe the conversion of Lydia.
READ ACTS 16:16-40
What was the real reason Paul and Silas were taken before the authorities? How were they charged?
How were Paul and Silas punished?
A number of amazing twists occurred in the prison in Philippi. In your opinion, what is the most striking part of this account?
Hebrews 10:32-33 describes two different kinds of roles in the face of suffering. What are they?
Describe Timothy. *
ACTS 16:1-2
1 TIMOTHY 4:12
2 TIMOTHY 3:15
In light of the Jerusalem Council why does it seem strange that Paul would circumcise Timothy? Why did he do it?
READ ACTS 16:6-10
What possible reasons might have existed for the Holy Spirit to keep Paul, Silas, and Timothy from preaching the word in the province of Asia or Bithynia?
How did God redirect Paul? To Where?
READ ACTS 16:11-15
Describe the conversion of Lydia.
READ ACTS 16:16-40
What was the real reason Paul and Silas were taken before the authorities? How were they charged?
How were Paul and Silas punished?
A number of amazing twists occurred in the prison in Philippi. In your opinion, what is the most striking part of this account?
Hebrews 10:32-33 describes two different kinds of roles in the face of suffering. What are they?
Describe Timothy.
Timothy was a unique choice:
Timothy was a unique choice because of his youthfulness. Paul’s words in 2 Timothy 3:15 demonstrate that in spite of his youth, Timothy was fertile soil from which ministry grew: “from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus". I believe Paul saw Timothy’s tremendous potential for fruit bearing. The opportunity to train Timothy while he was still young and teachable was a benefit to Paul’s ministry, not a hindrance.
Timothy had a unique upbringing:
Timothy grew up in a home with one believing and one unbelieving parent. In those days, having a Jewish mother who had accepted Christ and a Greek father who didn’t believe would have been both different and difficult. In spite of this circumstance, God prevailed and bore wonderful fruit from an unequally yoke couple.
Timothy had a unique perspective:
Timothy had been exposed to three practices he and Paul would encounter:
1. Agnosticism because of his father’s unbelief,
2. Judaism because of his mother’s heritage, and
3. Christianity because of his mother’s acceptance of Christ as Savior.
Timothy had a unique maturity:
In our society, we’ve almost become convinced that bad influences are stronger than good. Timothy certainly is evidence to the contrary. We have a wonderful biblical precedent proving that godly influence can carry a much heavier weight than ungodly influence. 2 Timothy 1:15 described his spiritual heritage. Louis and Eunice lived their faith, and Timothy learned from their devoted, genuine examples of faithfulness.
Reference: To Live is Christ
Timothy was a unique choice because of his youthfulness. Paul’s words in 2 Timothy 3:15 demonstrate that in spite of his youth, Timothy was fertile soil from which ministry grew: “from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus". I believe Paul saw Timothy’s tremendous potential for fruit bearing. The opportunity to train Timothy while he was still young and teachable was a benefit to Paul’s ministry, not a hindrance.
Timothy had a unique upbringing:
Timothy grew up in a home with one believing and one unbelieving parent. In those days, having a Jewish mother who had accepted Christ and a Greek father who didn’t believe would have been both different and difficult. In spite of this circumstance, God prevailed and bore wonderful fruit from an unequally yoke couple.
Timothy had a unique perspective:
Timothy had been exposed to three practices he and Paul would encounter:
1. Agnosticism because of his father’s unbelief,
2. Judaism because of his mother’s heritage, and
3. Christianity because of his mother’s acceptance of Christ as Savior.
Timothy had a unique maturity:
In our society, we’ve almost become convinced that bad influences are stronger than good. Timothy certainly is evidence to the contrary. We have a wonderful biblical precedent proving that godly influence can carry a much heavier weight than ungodly influence. 2 Timothy 1:15 described his spiritual heritage. Louis and Eunice lived their faith, and Timothy learned from their devoted, genuine examples of faithfulness.
Reference: To Live is Christ
Class 6 Questions: Acts 15:1-39
READ ACTS 15:1-35
What issue was debated between believers in this chapter?
What was the background of the believers who were insistent on Gentile circumcision (v. 5)?
Each of the following people participated in the Jerusalem Council. Please not each of their contribution/arguments in the debate:
Peter:
Barnabas and Paul:
James, Jesus’ brother:
The Jerusalem Council drafted a letter to the church in Antioch and appointed two leaders, Judas and Silas, to accompany Paul and Barnabas in their return. What four things did the council ask believers to avoid?
In your own words explain what said in vv. 11-12.
What are some lessons to be learned from the Jerusalem Council?
READ ACTS 15:36-41
ACTS 15:36 tells us Paul wanted to return to the towns where he and Barnabas had preached, to see the new believers. What do you think Paul might have wanted to know about the new converts?
Based on what you know about the character Barnabas, why do you think he insisted on taking John Mark on the journey? What other reason does Colossians 4:10 give for Barnabas support?
In your opinion, was Paul being too hard on John Mark and why?
What negative repercussion resulted from the disagreement? Any positive repercussions?
What are some lessons to be learned from this disagreement? *
What issue was debated between believers in this chapter?
What was the background of the believers who were insistent on Gentile circumcision (v. 5)?
Each of the following people participated in the Jerusalem Council. Please not each of their contribution/arguments in the debate:
Peter:
Barnabas and Paul:
James, Jesus’ brother:
The Jerusalem Council drafted a letter to the church in Antioch and appointed two leaders, Judas and Silas, to accompany Paul and Barnabas in their return. What four things did the council ask believers to avoid?
In your own words explain what said in vv. 11-12.
What are some lessons to be learned from the Jerusalem Council?
READ ACTS 15:36-41
ACTS 15:36 tells us Paul wanted to return to the towns where he and Barnabas had preached, to see the new believers. What do you think Paul might have wanted to know about the new converts?
Based on what you know about the character Barnabas, why do you think he insisted on taking John Mark on the journey? What other reason does Colossians 4:10 give for Barnabas support?
In your opinion, was Paul being too hard on John Mark and why?
What negative repercussion resulted from the disagreement? Any positive repercussions?
What are some lessons to be learned from this disagreement? *
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