Journey to Rome
Key Thought: Acts ends with Paul’s journey to Rome. Paul perseveres through chains, shipwreck, and rejection by Jewish leaders. The only way the message is stopped is in the lives of those who reject it.
1. Have a volunteer read Acts 27:20-24.
- Ask class members to share a thought on what is the most important point in this text.
- Why did Paul have to suffer so much?
- Personal Application: Are we trusting and patient when trials come to us, or are we wondering why God is allowing bad things to happen to us? Share your thoughts.
- Case Study: One of your relatives states: “Why did Paul encourage the ship’s crew when they didn’t listen to him in the first place? Why would their stubbornness and rebellion be rewarded with God’s intervention on their behalf?” How would you respond to your relative?
2. Have a volunteer read Acts 27:37-44.
- Ask class members to share a short thought on what is the most important point in this passage.
- Why did the soldiers in order to keep Paul alive forbid to kill any of the prisoners?
- Personal Application: When we are going through trouble, how calm are we? How concerned are we for other people’s welfare, putting them first? Share your thoughts.
- Case Study: One of your friends states, “Why did the soldiers trust Paul in not getting in the life boat and cutting it loose, and eating a healthy meal and dumping the rest of the food?” How would you reply to your friend?
3. Have a volunteer read Acts 28:1-10.
- Ask class members to share a short thought on what is the main idea of this text.
- What happened to Paul on the island of Malta and how was God able to use him?
- Personal Application: What kind travel hazards have you had in your life? Share your thoughts.
- Case Study: One of your neighbors states, “I have a problem with these miracle healings like Paul not being hurt by the snake and his healings on Malta. We don’t see these things happening today except in the fraudulent Pentacostal leaders and snake handlers.” How would you respond to your neighbor?
4. Have a volunteer read Acts 28:21-24.
- Ask class members to share a short thought on what is the main idea of this text.
- Why did the Jews say that the Christian sect was spoken of against everywhere?
- Personal Application: How do you persevere in sharing and living the truth in spite of all the negative attitudes and comments against it, especially when it seems so few believe? Share your thoughts.
- Case Study: Think of one person who needs to hear a message from this week’s lesson. Tell the class what you plan to do this week to share with them.
Truth that is not lived, that is not imparted, loses its life-giving power, its healing virtue. Its blessings can be retained only as it is shared.” Ministry of Healing, p. 148.
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