Where did Paul decide (“purpose in the Spirit”) that he wanted to go?
Who did he send to Macedonia? Where did Paul stay?
What was there a commotion about?
What was Demetrius’ trade? What specifically did he make?
What was Demetrius’ complaint against Paul?
What was the people’s response to Demetrius’ speech?
Where did everyone then rush into? Who had they seized?
Who didn’t allow Paul to go into the theater?
Who did the Jews put forward to make a defense?
What did the people cry out when they found out Alexander was a Jew? For how long?
Who finally quieted the crowd and spoke next?
What claims did the city clerk make about Ephesus and Diana (Artemis)?
What did the clerk tell the people they ought to do?
What did he say the apostles had not done?
What did he encourage Demetrius and his fellow craftsmen to do instead?
What was the clerk’s concern? What did he do at the end?

Thought Questions

Is there a “great commotion” in your country or your community about Christianity? If not, why not? Are people around you complaining that you have hurt their industry because you have convinced so many people that God is to be worshipped, and He is not made with human hands?
What trade or activity would you wish to see “set at nought,” or “fallen into disrepute,” because of your community’s faith in God? Even at peril to yourself?
What do you think causes the mob mentality described in verse 32?
Do you think Paul was right to want to rush into the theater, or do you think his friends were right in trying to keep him away? What would you have done in that situation?
Compare verses 35-40 with Acts 5:34-39. What kind of person do you think the city clerk was? Where did he get his wisdom? Can Christ work through people other than His followers to help His cause? How does this give you hope?

My prayer is:
That I would be part of so great a disruption to Satan’s kingdom that a measurable change may be made in my community;
That I would have wisdom to know when to face danger for Your sake and when to protect myself and others as You lead;
And thanksgiving that You can turn about any situation with any type of people to glorify Your kingdom.

Where did Paul come to? Where was Apollos during this time?
What did Paul say to the disciples that he found there? How did they answer?
What was his follow-up question? What was their answer to that?
How did Paul describe John’s baptism?
Who was to come after John, that the people should believe in?
What did those disciples do when they heard what Paul said?
What happened with them when they were baptized?
How many men were there?
How long did Paul speak in the synagogue?
Where did Paul go when some of the people in the synagogue rejected him?
How long did it take all the people in Asia to hear about the Word of the Lord?
What are some examples of miracles performed through Paul?
What were the vagabond exorcists trying to do?
Who was Sceva? How many sons did he have?
What did the evil spirit say to them?
What happened to them?
What was the result of this occurrence?
What were the things that the believers did?

Thought Questions

Explain the difference, from this passage, between John’s baptism and baptism in the name of Christ.
Is there anything wrong with John’s baptism? Why did Paul guide the disciples to another, new baptism?
Can you think of examples of people you know who might have received “John’s baptism” but not yet the baptism of Christ and receiving of the Holy Spirit? How could you use Paul’s example to guide them to further knowledge?
What kind of changes can you expect when you receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit? What was the purpose for the disciples speaking in tongues? Prophesying (which, in Greek, can also mean teach or proclaim certain things with divine inspiration)? How about Paul’s very presence healing the sick (in verses 11-12)?
Why was the exorcism by the sons of Sceva such a failure? What do you think would make the difference between failure and success in exorcising evil spirits?
When you are convicted of the power of the name of the Lord, is it important to physically get rid of some things in your possession such as certain books (and other media)? Why? Why did the Ephesians believers do this? What was the result (verse 20)?

My prayer is:
That I would receive, not only the baptism of repentance, but also baptism of Jesus Christ Himself;
That I would use whatever gifts the Holy Spirit has seen fit to give me to God’s glory and the furtherance of His kingdom;
And that I would take a thorough survey of the things I have in my life, to see what must be destroyed in order that I can do my part to help the word of God grow mightily and prevail.

Where did Paul sail for next? Who went with him?
What happened at Cenchrea? Why?
Where did Paul leave his companions? What did he do?
What did they ask him to do there? What was his response?
Where did Paul say he had to go? Why? (Some versions may not have this clause)
Where did he land? What did he do there?
Where did he continue on to?
After he had spent some there, where did he go? What did he do along the way?
Meanwhile, who came to Ephesus? How is he described?
What two factors are mentioned in the first half of verse 25 that caused Apollos to speak and teach accurately (diligently) the way of the Lord?
What kind of baptism did Apollos know?
Who heard Apollos speak in the synagogue? What did they explain to him privately?
Where did he want to go?
What did the brethren encourage the disciples to do for Apollos?
How did Apollos help those who had believed through grace?

Thought Questions

Why do you think Paul went to the synagogue to reason with the Jews in Ephesus (verse 19) after he had apparently given up on them in Corinth in verse 6?
How did things seem to go in the synagogue in Ephesus then? What reasons can you think of for why that might have been?
What did Paul do for the churches in Caesarea, Antioch, Galatia, and Phrygia? What does this tell you about how missionary work should be done?
What are some descriptors of Apollos mentioned that helped him in his work?
How would you summarize Apollos’ lack?
Did Aquila and Priscilla actually reprimand Apollos for teaching in the synagogue? How did they handle the situation? Have you seen situations like this in your church, family, or workplace? How were they handled?
Did Apollos turn out to be helpful and well received? How can you help to ensure that your fellow workers for Christ are as efficient and helpful as possible, without discouraging them?

My prayer is:
That, like the Ephesians, I would be receptive to the Word of Christ and invite it;
That, like Aquila and Priscilla, I would be a patient helper of others in their journey to knowing Christ, without harsh criticism but with gentle explanation;
And that, like Apollos, I would be receptive of more knowledge of the baptism of the Holy Spirit in Christ’s name.