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.

What were the missionaries’ next three stops?
Where did the ship eventually land to unload cargo?
How long did they stay there? Who did they stay with?
What did the disciples tell Paul not to do? From whom was this message sent?
How did the disciples see Paul and his companions off when they left Tyre?
Where did they stay one day?
Where did they go next? Whom did they stay with?
What did Philip’s four daughters do?
Who came to them from Judea?
What did he demonstrate? What was his message?
What, then, did the disciples plead with Paul?
What was his response?
What did the disciples say when they realized they couldn’t persuade him?
Where did they travel to?
Who came with them? Whom were they going to stay with?
How did the disciples in Jerusalem receive them?
Who did Paul meet with? What did he tell them?
What people, according to the church elders, have believed and are very zealous for the law?
What rumor did these people hear regarding the Gentiles?
What did the elders want Paul to do, as the solution to the problem?
What was to be the result of this action?
What did the elders have to say concerning the Gentiles?

Thought Questions

Name all the people who prophesied in this chapter. What was their message?
Who was Agabus? What else do we know about his prophecies? (Acts 11:28-30)
According to verses 4 and 11, where did their message come from? Do you have reason to think they were incorrect or insincere?
Do you think Paul was right or wrong to decide to go to Jerusalem anyway, after hearing these messages, or was he courageous?
What does James and the elders’ response to Paul’s report tell you?
Do you think they had good advice for Paul? Should he have followed it? Why?
Do you think Paul was right in the way he behaved toward the Gentiles, even if it spread rumors among the Jews?
Are there any areas in your life where you have made decisions to act a certain way that is considered inappropriate by other groups? Why? What is the basis for your decision?

My prayer is:
That I would have wisdom to discern the will of God, and respect for the warnings of Spirit-filled companions, along with my willingness to sacrifice my life for God;
And that I would follow the will of God, with much prayer, to know that I have good reasons for every action I take, knowing that the followers of Christ have many enemies on this earth.

Where was Paul going to walk to, and meet his companions there?
What other cities did they stop at?
What city did Paul decide not to stop at? Why?
So, what did he do to communicate with the Ephesians elders?
What are some examples Paul gave of how he lived?
What does Paul say was his primary difficulty?
How did he go about teaching the Ephesians?
Who did he testify to? What two things comprised his message?
Where is he going, “bound in the Spirit?” Does he know what will happen there?
What does the Holy Spirit say will await him?
How does he feel about these dangers? What gives him joy?
What does Paul tell the elders that they will not see again?
What does he say he is innocent of? Why?
What does Paul ask them to take heed to do, for themselves and for the flock? Who has given them the duty of being overseers to the flock?
Who does Paul know will come in among the flock when he is gone?
Where will some rise up from to speak perverse things and draw away the disciples?
How long had Paul warned them? How?
What two things are God and His Word able to do for us?
What did Paul not do? Who provided for him?
What did Paul want to show by his example?
What did he do after he had told them all these things?
Why were the elders so sad?

Thought Questions

Was Paul bragging or being honest in verses 18-21? Can you say the same things about yourself? what would you like to change?
What troubles could you foresee in your future? Can you imagine having severe trials like Paul? Would you be able to handle them like he did?
Why did Paul declare that he is innocent of the blood of all men? Have you ever “shunned to declare all the counsel of God,” that is, have you ever been impressed to share something about God with someone but been afraid to?
Looking over Paul’s experience so far, did his threats come from people within the churches he helped establish, or from external enemies? So why did he warn that “savage wolves will come in among you,” as well as the warnings in verse 30? What happened within the church soon thereafter that fulfilled this warning?
Do you think there’s a danger that the same “wolves” could arise in your church? What might they do, according to verse 30? What does Paul tell us to do? Does that mean we should be suspicious of all our friends?
Is there anyone you have ever warned about these type of things with tears?
What have you done recently to support the needs of those who work as preachers and missionaries like Paul?

My prayer is:
That I would be able to give them same testimony as Paul in my life of humility and service for the gospel;
That nothing will move me, nor will I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and my ministry to testify of the gospel and grace of God;
And that I would watch and recognize “savage wolves” from among the church, not just outside.

What did Paul do before he left for Macedonia?
What did he do in that region along the way? Where did he end up?
How long did he stay there?
What did Paul do to evade the Jews’ plot against him?
Who accompanied him?
Where did they wait for Paul and his company?
How long did they stay at Troas?
What did Paul and the disciples meet to do on the first day of the week?
What did Paul do while they were there?
Where was Eutychus sitting? How far did he fall?
What did Paul tell the disciples when he had embraced Eutychus?
How much longer did Paul stay to talk?

Thought Questions

Do you speak words of encouragement to your fellow believers when you travel? What resources do you have that people in places which you travel to might not have access to? Is there something you might be able to share with them, from what you have learned, that they might not have heard?
Was Paul being cowardly by escaping his persecutors? When must a martyr be a martyr, and when should we try to avoid persecution?
What kind of people were Paul’s companions? Would you like to have been among them? Would you do something similar for Paul? Remember, Paul was in a dangerous position, having just avoided some real threats from his enemies.
Why did Paul meet with the believers for a long prayer meeting that day? Does Paul’s meeting with the disciples to break bread and preach on the first day of the week prove that that was now their day of worship? (See Acts 2:46)
What is the first thing Paul did when he got to Eutychus? What was his prime motive for invoking God’s power to restore his life? Can a human successfully perform miracles through God’s power for any other reason?
When was the last time you gathered with church members and talked about Christ all night, until daybreak? What kind of spirit did the apostolic church have? Under what conditions might your church family also receive that spirit?

My prayer is:
That I would be willing to go wherever God leads to either share Christ with people in various places or to be a companion and support for those who do;
That I would never cease to have compassion on those who are suffering and dying;
And that I, along with my church, would be willing to take whatever time is necessary to do the work of God, even if it means staying up all night.

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.

Where did Paul travel to Corinth from?
What was Aquila’s story?
What occupation did both Paul and Aquila have?
When Paul went to the synagogue on Sabbath, who did he reason with?
Who joined Paul from Macedonia?
When Paul was compelled by the Spirit, what did he testify?
How did they respond to Paul? What did he do in protest of them?
To whom did Paul say he would go from now on?
Whose house did he go to?
Who was baptized?
How did the Lord speak to Paul? What did He say to him?
How long did Paul continue in Corinth?
Who was proconsul of Achaia? What did the Jews do with Paul?
What was their accusation?
What was Gallio’s response?
Who did the Greeks beat? What was Gallio’s response to this?

Thought Questions

Why might Greeks have been at the synagogue on Sabbath?
Why did Paul’s patience with the Jews finally run out? Should there be a limit to our patience with those who reject our message? Is there a limit to God’s patience?
After all that Paul had already been through, why do you think God spoke to him then, telling him that he would be safe there? Should Paul have waited for that encouragement on other previous occasions?
Do you feel safe preaching the word of Christ? Do you need encouragement from God?
Do you think God was able to work with Gallio? How? Was Gallio’s apathy toward the Jewish opposition somehow related to the Lord’s proclamation of comfort to Paul in verses 9 and 10?

My prayer is:
That I would have patience with people who continuously reject the message of the Lord, but understanding to know how long to deal with them in the same way before changing tactics;
That I would understand that God has long patience; however, that I should not test His patience indefinitely;
And thanksgiving for the times when God has protected me in my work for Him, when He has said, “Keep speaking for Me.”

Where did Paul’s companions take him? What did he command them to do before they left?
What provoked Paul’s spirit in Athens?
What places did he reason with the people? What types of people did he reason with?
What two classes of philosophers encountered him? What were their various reactions to him?
Where did they take him? What did they want to know?
What was the favorite pastime of the Athenians and the foreigners there?
Where did Paul stand to speak to the people?
What did he observe about the Athenians?
What was the inscription on the altar that Paul found?
According to Paul’s sermon, why does God not dwell in temples made by human hands? Why does He not need anything from humans?
What has He made every nation from? What two things has He determined? Why?
How does Paul describe our relationship to God in verse 28? On what point did he agree with the Greek poets?
What should we believe as a result of the knowledge that we are God’s offspring?
What has God done with people in times past? But what is he doing now? Why?
Who will God judge the world by? How has He given assurance of this?
What point caused some of the Greeks to mock Paul?
Who ended up believing Paul?

Thought Questions

Do you think your city is given over to idols? Is your spirit provoked within you because of it? What have you done as a result?
Would you be willing to reason in the marketplace with non-believers? What would you say?
What similarities do you see between the Athenians and our culture?
What are the pros and cons of a society’s obsession with telling and hearing “some new thing”?
Give an overview of Paul’s points. Do you think he did a good job with his reasoning? What were some of your favorite points? Would you have reasoned the same way?
Most of us no longer worship Zeus and Venus and stone idols, but what are some idols in your life that you are tempted to worship–that is, to hold more dear to you than Christ? How can you apply what Paul is saying to help you through that temptation?
What do you think about God overlooking or “winking at” sins such as idolatry in times of ignorance? What do you think that means? What is the reason Paul gave at that time that “now” He commands all men everywhere to repent? Can you use ignorance as an excuse to get away with sins?
Do you believe in the resurrection of the dead–not just in spirit, ghostlike; but in body at the last day? What reasons do you have for what you believe? (Read the last half of verse 31 again.)
Compare Paul’s sermon here to the ones he gave in other places (such as chapter 13). What can we learn about preaching to different demographics? Did Paul compromise his message for them?

My prayer is:
That God would inspire me to share the right words with each type of people I come in contact with, in order to best share Christ with them;
That I would understand that since I am God’s offspring, He is much higher than any idol I am tempted to worship;
And to repent from sin, since through Christ’s example and sacrifice I have no excuse of ignorance of sin.

What two cities did Paul pass through on the way to Thessalonica?
What custom of his did he continue when he reached Thessalonica?
How many Sabbaths did he reason with them? What did he use to reason with them from?
What did he explain?
What type of people formed the largest group who were persuaded?
How were the unpersuaded Jews feeling?
What type of people did those Jews form their mob from?
Whose house did they attack? Why?
When they didn’t find Paul and Silas, what did they do? What statement did they make?
What accusation did they make against Paul and Silas?
What did they do before they let Jason go?
Where did the brethren send Paul and Silas that night?
Where did Paul and Silas go as soon as they arrived there?
What description was given of the Bereans? What two things did they do?
What was the result of these actions?
Who came from outside to stir up those crowds?
What did the brethren do then (like they did in Thessalonica?)
Who stayed behind?
Where did his companions bring Paul? What command was to be given to Silas and Timothy?

Thought Questions

What did Paul have to use when he reasoned with the Jews that he didn’t have when he reasoned with the Athenians? (Verse 2)
Think about how you would explain to someone how Christ had to suffer and rise again from the dead. What Scripture texts would you use (from the Old Testament, like Paul had to use)?
Why do you think more devout Greeks were persuaded by Paul than Jews?
What do you think the other Jews were jealous of? What was their motive for trying to attack the apostles?
What was the meaning of their accusation, “Those who have turned the world upside down have come here also.” Have you been a part of turning the world upside down?
How has Christianity changed the world in your current society? Can you see non-Christians getting upset by the world “turned upside down” where you are? What are their reasons?
What made the Berean Jews more fair-minded than the others? Do you search the Scriptures daily to find out whether the things you are taught by your pastors and teachers are true?

My prayer is:
That the Lord would guide my study so that I might be able to reason with others regarding Christ from the Scriptures;
That, like the Bereans, I would be “fair-minded” and open to the truth of Christ, daily searching the scriptures to find out if what I’m hearing is true;
And that even the enemies of Christ would acknowledge that my work for God is “turning the world upside down.”