Why did the mob listening to Paul become silent?
Tell a little about Paul’s background. How did he feel about God and His law?
What did he do to the followers of “the Way”?
Where did he go to find people to persecute? Who could bear witness to that?
What happened to Paul as he approached Damascus?
What did the voice say?
What did the Lord tell Paul to do?
How is Ananias described?
What were the things Ananias told Paul (verses 13-15)?
What did Ananias want him to do?
Then, when Paul was in Jerusalem, what message did he receive?
What was Paul’s reasoning with that?
What was God’s response?
What was the crowd’s response to this part of the story?
What did the commander order to be done with Paul?
What did Paul ask the centurion?
How did the centurion respond?
How did Paul say he acquired his Roman citizenship?
Why were the examiners afraid? What did they do?
Who was called to assemble for the case? Why?

Thought Questions

Compare the story of Paul’s conversion in chapter 9 to his retelling of it here. Is he honest and accurate in his recounting?
Also compare how he tells his testimony here to how he shares it with King Agrippa in chapter 26. Are there differences? Why might there be differences, if any?
Compare how Paul responded to the angry crowd in this chapter to Stephen’s defense in chapter 7. Do you think they were wise and their response was good? Did it work? Could they have done anything differently?
Were there any other instances in Acts where the apostles were in a similar situation, and defended themselves from their accusers in a similar way? What can you learn from them about how you might defend yourself if accused that way? What can you learn from them about how likely it is that your accusers will listen to you?
What did Paul say that lit the fuse and caused the mob to overtake him? Why?
What other moves did Paul make in this situation that you thought were wise? Should we accept everything, including torture, for the sake of Christ even if it can be avoided?

My prayer is:
That I would be willing to humbly share my testimony of how God has worked in my life, even under pressure of opposition;
And that I would think wisely, avoiding unnecessary danger if possible while being willing to face whatever dangers are necessary for the sake of Christ.