a. Have you ever found yourself thinking that you were serving God sincerely, only to discover that Small Group Questions your sincerity was misplaced? “The Church Afire: Unsung Heroes” Acts 9:1-31 8. What did you learn about Ananias from 22:12?

9. Read Acts 9:10-19. In what ways can you personally 1. Has God called you to a ministry opportunity? If so, identify with Ananias and the decisions he faced? have you responded as we saw Philip respond or in another way? Explain. a. Have you faced a similar request of God—one that was not a seemingly easy decision? Describe. 2. Write the names of one or two people who have had a positive spiritual impact on your life. Why did they have b. Like Ananias, have you ever tried to help God with such an impact on you? the facts (as if he did not already know them)?

3. According to Acts 9:1-2, what did Saul hope to achieve c. How might this story have changed if Ananias had in Damascas? What did he achieve there? told God that he would not go see Saul?

4. Saul’s conversion is recorded for us in three places in 10. If the Lord had given you specific instructions to go Acts. Read 9:3-9, 22:6-11 and 26:12-18. What visit Saul (as in 9:11-12) would you have obeyed? elements do you learn from each account? 11. From 9:18-21, describe what happened to Saul. 5. Is Paul’s conversion normative (cf., in order for someone to be converted, do they need to be struck by a. When did Saul begin to preach and what did he divine lightening, fall to the ground, or hear God’s voice share (9:20)? in Aramaic)? b. What do you think keeps us from speaking about a. Do all conversions happen the same way? Jesus to people?

b. Steve suggested that what is essential is that we all 12. Sometimes the situation we find ourselves in can look encounter Christ and surrender to him. What did he very bad. How might 9:15 help you believe that no mean by that? matter the circumstance, God is still in control?

6. Read John 16:1-3. How was Saul an example of what a. Do you believe God has a plan for you? Why or Jesus described in these verses? why not?

7. Saul sincerely believed that he was serving God before 13. Read Galatians 1:15-21. This passage recounts a three he met Jesus on the road to Damascus. How do you year stay in Arabia which occurs somewhere between respond to someone who says, “It doesn’t matter what Acts 9:19 and 9:26. Why did God take Saul to Arabia you believe as long as you are sincere?” for three years before he returns to Jerusalem? a. In what way does God giving Saul a second chance 14. When Saul finally returns to Jerusalem and tried to join indicate to us how we should respond to those who the disciples, he was at first rejected by them (9:26). have treated us unfairly? Why do you think they didn’t immediately accept Saul? 20. Which person (Saul, Ananias, Barnabas) is most a. How do you think you would have responded to deserving of the title: “unsung hero?” Saul asking to be part of your group? Why? a. How might you be an “Ananias” or a “Barnabas” to 15. Who stepped up and supported Saul (9:27)? another person?

a. How did he support Saul and why do you think he 21. In 9:1-19, Luke used at least five different words to would do this? refer to those who followed Jesus. List these words.

b. Have you ever stepped up to support someone in a. What name is used in 11:26? this way? Describe. b. What are commonly used terms today? c. Has there ever been a time when you might have stepped up in defense of someone but did not? Explain your reasoning. Next Steps: 16. Read 9:27-31. How was Saul treated as he preached the name of Jesus? GI am so thankful that Christ came to save the “unworthy,” of which I am one. 17. What do you know about Barnabas from our study of Acts so far? (Hint: Check out 4:36-37 and 9:27-38.) GWith God’s help, I want to be more like Barnabas (which means encourager), or Ananias, rather than a. What else did Barnabas do in 11:25-26? being a skeptical nay-sayer.

18. What responsibility did Saul have to demonstrate that GI need to learn to mimic God’s love and mercy. he had changed after his conversion?

a. What responsibility do we have to demonstrate that our conversion has made a change in our lives?

b. Why is it important that a change is seen?

19. You have heard it said that “God is the God of second chances.” How do we see that displayed in this passage?