Bible Study Reminder Session 23

[Michael Crayne]

Hello All!

Sorry for how late this email is! I was out traveling all weekend, and have only now found the time to send this out!

This Wednesday we will be completing our journey through the timeline of the Bible and learning about the third wave of Gospel witness, the witness to the ends of the earth. The reading for this week is Acts 15:36-28:31.

The Church - Part 3

Paul's Second Missionary Journey (Acts 15:36-18:22)

1. What was Paul's experience in Thessalonica? (Acts 17:1-15)

2. Now read 1 Thessalonians 2-4, part of a letter Paul wrote to that church soon after these events. How did Paul strengthen the Thessalonians, even in his absence? What kind of lives did he urge them to lead?

Paul's Third Missionary Journey (Acts 18:23-21:16)

3. During his two year stay in Ephesus, Paul wrote tot he church in Corinth to instruct and correct them and answer some questions they had about matters of faith and morality. Read the following passages and note some of the problems the young church faced:

1 Corinthians 1:10-17

1 Corinthians 5:1-2, 6:12-20

1 Corinthians 8

1 Corinthians 11:17-34

4. In some of the most beautiful words recorded in Scripture, Paul also wrote to the Corinthians about love. Read 1 Corinthians 13. Although he was speaking here in the context of his teaching about spiritual gifts, how does was he says pertain to the problems mentioned in question 3?

5. Back in Jerusalem after his travels, Paul faced violent opposition from the Jews. The resulting trouble led to Paul's arrest. Before entering the barracks, Paul asked for permission to speak to the crowd. In Acts 22, what in Paul's testimony most aroused the Jews' anger?

6. In Acts 24, the commander, warned of threats on Paul's life, transferred Paul to Caesarea to appear before Governor Felix. What charge did Tertullus bring against Paul on behalf of the Jewish leaders, and what was Paul's defense?

Paul's Voyage to Rome (Acts 21:17-28:31)

7. Paul appealed to Caesar and was eventually taken to Rome. There he remained for two years under house arrest, but freely preaching the Kingdom of God. Why, ultimately, did the Jews not understand the message that Paul brought to them (Acts 28:17-28)?

8. What good did God bring out of the persecution that Paul faced? See also Philippians 1:12-18.

As always, pray before you read!