The Acts of the Apostles, part 2
Paul’s Missionary Journeys
Session 4 – Acts 19:9 – 21:36
Acts 19:8 – 20 to Acts 18:25-26; John 14:5-6; John 1:23; Luke 20:21-22) and how might it have 1. Paul had just come to Ephesus and baptized helped Paul teach? the twelve men mentioned in the previous verses. Then he taught in the synagogue for three months. What was a fairly immediate
result of his teaching there?
3. Paul was in Ephesus for a long time. Why
might he have spent so long there? What seemed to be the primary opposition to the church there? 2. This is the second of several times that what Paul taught was called “the Way”. How might this have come about (look back 4. Paul could not have spent as much time 9. Artemis was the goddess of fertility (among everywhere as he did at Ephesus. Neither other things). According to some, she also can we as the church today. Do we face the watched over the wealth of the kings of the same opponents as Paul? Where do we see earth. What would Paul’s preaching mean the biggest opposition to the church? How to the city which housed the world’s can we address it? greatest temple to this goddess? What sins might be particularly obvious among the
people?
5. During his time in Ephesus, Paul taught and
performed miracles. Others sought to do the same. Why did the “sons of Sceva” fail 10. What do people today stand to lose when when they attempted an exorcism (look at Christ’s message is proclaimed? Matthew 7:21-23)? What encouragements
or warnings does this hold for us as we follow The Way?
11. Why might the mob have been so confused? How did this confusion work in
Paul’s favor? Who was the unlikely rescuer 6. What examples does Luke include that of Paul? illustrate the power of God’s Word? How
remarkable are these examples to you?
Acts 20:1-16
12. Finally the time came to leave Ephesus. Paul 7. What was the primary result of Paul’s time travelled through several areas. What might in Ephesus (see verses 10, 20)? have compelled Paul to revisit areas that he had recently gone through (read Romans 15:25-26; 1 Corinthians 16:1-4; 2
Corinthians 8:1-5)? What does this say about the Christians in the various regions he visited? Acts 19:21-41
8. Demetrius was upset at Paul’s preaching. What did he personally stand to lose?
13. During a brief (comparatively) stop at Troas, 18. What warnings and encouragements does Paul met with the Christians there. What Paul give to the Ephesian elders? did Luke note about their gathering
(compare to Matthew 28:1; Acts 2:42)?
Acts 21:1-16
19. Paul had repeatedly been warned against 14. Eutychus fell asleep at a bad time in a bad continuing on to Jerusalem. Why did he go place. What does this suggest about falling anyway? Compare Paul’s journey with asleep during a sermon . . .? (just kidding!) Daniel (Daniel 6), and the three men (Daniel How does this compare to Peter (Acts 9:40) 3). Can you think of others who marched and Elijah (1 Kings 17:19-23)? forward into danger?
Acts 20:17-38 20. One of those to prophecy impending 15. Why does it seem that Paul invited the trouble for Paul was Agabus. Look back to elders of Ephesus to meet him at Miletus? Acts 11:27-30. What else had Agabus predicted, and what connection is there to
Paul’s journey to Jerusalem?
16. In his “farewell speech” there, Paul looked
both to the past and to the future. Summarize his reflection of the past. 21. What dangers do Christians face today, and how can they confidently go on ahead?
17. What does Paul anticipate of the future, and why? Acts 21:17-26
22. When Paul finally returned to Jerusalem, he spoke to James and the elders of the church
there. What concern did they express to him?
23. Why would converted Jews accuse Paul of “teach[ing] . . . to forsake Moses, telling them not to circumcise their children or walk according to our customs” (see Romans 2:17-29; Galatians 2:15-16)?
24. How did they attempt to address that concern?
Acts 21:27-36
25. Finally Paul was arrested. Were any of the warnings given earlier false? What does this say about those who spoke the warnings (see Deuteronomy 18:22)?
26. Who prevented the mob from bringing further harm to Paul? Why might It seem strange for rescue to come from this source?