What was the route to Philippi?
Describe what kind of city Philippi was.
On what day did Paul and his companions go to the riverside to find the people who were praying?
What gender of worshippers were mentioned?
What was the name of the woman who heard him? What was her occupation? Where was she from?
Who did Lydia worship? Who opened her heart?
What happened to her and her household? What did she ask the apostles to do?
Who met them as they went to prayer? Describe her circumstance.
What did the girl say as she followed the apostles?
What was Paul’s reaction to this? What did he do?
What did the girl’s masters do when they found out?
What was their accusation?
What was the result? What punishments did they inflict on Paul and Silas?
What were Paul and Silas doing in prison at midnight? Who was listening to them?
What happened next?
Why was the jailer going to kill himself?
What did Paul say to stop him?
What was the jailer’s question for Paul and Silas?
What was the answer (in one short phrase)?
What did Paul and Silas do to follow up?
What did the jailer do for them?
Who else believed and was baptized along with the jailer?
What was the jailer’s final reaction to his newfound belief, emotionally?
Who sent word to let Paul and Silas go?
What was Paul’s response?
When the magistrates heard what Paul said, what bit of information made them afraid?
What did the magistrates do?
Where did Paul and Silas go first? What did they do there?

Thought Questions

What day did the worshippers in Philippi gather to pray? Did Paul give them any indication that they should worship on another day? (See also ch. 14:42, 44)
What type of people did the Macedonian worshippers (“the man of Macedonia”) turn out to be?(verse 13) What can you learn about the respect the apostles had for women from the story of Lydia?
In what way was Lydia a faithful witness of Christ? What can you learn from her?
How do you think the possessed servant girl knew the truth about Paul and the apostles? Why do you think she was persistently repeating it? Why did that bother Paul so much?
Did the accusation of the girl’s masters have anything to do with what they were actually angry at? Has this happened in other circumstances in the Bible? How about in your life? What can you do when your enemies invent unrelated accusations to cover their anger over something completely different?
Who was listening to Paul and Silas pray and sing hymns in prison? Could you pray and sing hymns aloud in those circumstances? How do you think it, along with the earthquake situation, affected the other prisoners?
What could Paul have done when the earthquake released his bonds? What would you have done? Why do you think Paul saved his jailer?
Name all of the elements from this story that probably influenced the jailer’s conversion. How many of those can you apply to your situations in life to affect those you come in contact with?
How did the jailer, then, show kindness to Paul? How does conversion to a Godly life affect a person?
Was Paul’s response to the magistrates when they let him go surprising to you? Was it a good move for him? Even as patient and long suffering Christians, is it acceptable to fight for the rights we fully deserve?
When you look over the course of this entire story, what examples do you see of God working all things out for good?

My prayer is:
That I, like Paul, would show kindness to those in bondage to evil;
that I, like Lydia and the jailer, would show hospitality to my brothers and sisters in Christ and meet their needs;
And that I would be able to trust that God can turn a difficult situation to glorify Him to others.

Which cities did Paul suggest to Barnabas that they visit? What did he want to find out?
Who was Barnabas determined to take with them?
Why didn’t Paul want to take him?
Who did Barnabas take and where did he go?
Who did Paul take and where did he go?
What did Paul do along his journey?
Where did Paul find Timothy?
What national background were his parents of?
Why did Paul have Timothy circumcised?
What did Paul and Timothy do as they went through the cities?
What was the result in the churches?
What two regions did they go through next?
Who forbade them to go preach in Asia?
Where else were they not permitted to go?
Where did they end up?
Where was the man in the vision calling Paul to come to?

Thought Questions

Is it important to have companions on your missionary work? Why?
Is it ok for Christians to disagree? How about “sharp contention?” Do you think sometimes even Christians should part from another because of their disagreements?
Do you think God worked for good through Paul and Barnabas’s situation, even their contention? How? Have you seen negative situations turning out for good in your life?
Review the situation and its resolution in the first half of chapter 15. Why, then, did Paul have Timothy circumcised? How should we work with people in other cultures, even if we don’t hold the same beliefs? How was the situation with Timothy (16:3) different from the previous situation (15:24)?
How was the early Christian church structured? (16:4) What was the advantage of having a group of authorities in Jerusalem decide the decrees, rather than the local churches? What was the result (verse 5)? How is your church structured, and does it produce the same result?
Did God not want the people of Bithynia to hear His word? (Read 1 Peter 1:1) What are some reasons you can think of why the Holy Spirit would not permit Paul and Timothy to preach in certain places, or perhaps at that time?

My prayer is:
That I would understand that conflicts may be unavoidable, even among my fellow Christians, but through prayer and wisdom I would trust God to guide us to an outcome that is according to His will;
And that I would go tell others about Christ in the places where God calls me to go, trusting that His wisdom will guide me most effectively.

Who was going to be sent with Paul and Barnabas to Antioch? What were these men going to deliver? Who was pleased with this idea?
Who was the letter addressed to?
What was the unsettling news they had heard? Had the apostles given these commands?
Who were they sending to help clear up the matter? How were these men described?
What instruction seemed good to the apostles to give (via the Holy Spirit)?
What four things were they to keep away from?
What was the result among the Christians when they heard the letter?
How were Judas and Silas described? What did they do?
Who stayed with them instead of going back to Jerusalem?
Who else stayed in Antioch at that time?

Thought Questions

What do you think was the secret to the unity among the apostles and their easy agreement? Is there a way you can reproduce that in your church, family, or among those you work with?
What parts of “the law” were the Gentile Christians the most troubled with having to keep? Was it the moral law of the Ten Commandments–thou shalt not kill, or steal, honor your parents, etc? Are there parts of the law from the Old Testament that we still ought to respect today, and other parts that simply pointed forward to Christ?
Have you risked your life for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ? Would you?
Do you incorporate the Holy Spirit’s guidance in your decisions? How do you recognize His voice? How did the apostles know what “seemed good to the Holy Spirit?”
Discuss further the four restrictions found in verse 29. Why were they so important? Are they still important today? We are not often tempted by meat sacrificed to idols today, but might there be a modern equivalent?
If you were charged with the task of thinking of four restrictions that you think should be placed on new believers, what would you think of? Why?
If we are saved by grace alone, why would the apostles impose any restrictions on the new believers? Do your lifestyle choices affect your life and your focus on your faith in Christ?

My prayer is:
That I would understand from my study of the Scriptures what the most important guidelines for my lifestyle are;
That I would understand the reasons why these are important and how they can affect my faith and my walk with Christ;
And that the Holy Spirit would strengthen and guide me to uphold those guidelines.

Where did these certain men come from? What were they teaching the brethren?
Who disputed with them? What did they decide? Who did they plan to discuss this question with?
Who sent Paul and Barnabas off? What two places did they pass through on the way? What happened there?
What did Paul and Barnabas report to the apostles in Jerusalem when they arrived?
Were the Pharisee dissenters Christian believers?
What two things did the Pharisee group think the Gentile Christians needed to do?
Who came together to consider this matter?
Who spoke next?
Who did he say God had chosen to speak to the Gentiles a while ago?
How did God acknowledge the Gentiles’ faith?
Did God make any distinction between the Gentile and Jewish converts to Christianity?
How did Peter say they (the Pharisee Christians) were testing God?
How did Peter believe the Gentiles would be saved?
Who spoke next? What did they report?
Who then gave the closing argument?
What did James quote to support the idea that God had visited the Gentiles as well?
What was James’ final conclusion that they should tell the Gentile Christians? What four things would they ask the Gentiles not to do?
What was his final line of reasoning?

Thought Questions

What do you think the Pharisee Christians’ basis for their belief was? Were they trying to cause trouble, or did they have a reason for believing what they did?
Do you think the apostles handled the situation well? How do you think it would have played out in your church?
Does the conversion of non-Christians give you great joy? Why or why not?
Is it ever ok to dispute matters in the church? How can you dispute matters differently from how it is often done in the world?
What are some characteristics of the way the apostles handled this particular dispute that you can learn from?
Give examples from this chapter of how the apostles used the following in their discussion: personal opinions, Scripture quotations, and testimonies.
What four things were the Christians not allowed to do (verse 20)? Why did they choose those things? Do you think they were fair? What might be the application for our society today?
Do you think the restrictions imposed on you as a Christian are good, or do you fight them? Why?
How much do you respect the councils and authorities of your church body? Why or why not?

My prayer is:
That I would follow the example of the apostles in prayer, study of the Scriptures, and testimony of experience when working to handle disputes;
That I would have respect for the authorities of my church, and pray that they are seeking to solve disputes in the same manner;
And that I would understand that, even though we are freed through Christ, there are still certain lifestyle restrictions which are for my benefit and health, and that I should honor them to please God.

What city were they in? Where did they preach?
Who believed there?
Who did the unbelieving Jews use to poison the peoples’ minds?
How long did the apostles stay there? What did they do there?
How was the city divided?
Who tried to stone them? What was the result?
Where did the apostles go?
Describe the man they met at Lystra.
What character trait did Paul observe in this man?
What did the man do when Paul told him to stand up?
What did the Lycaonians think of Paul and Barnabas as a result?
What did the priest of Zeus do?
How did Barnabas and Paul respond?
How did Barnabas and Paul compare themselves to the people? How did they contrast the God they preached to the gods the people were worshipping?
What had God allowed the nations to do in previous times? How did He give them witness?
What quick change of opinion did the Jews produce in the people?
What did they do to Paul?
What happened when the disciples gathered around him? Where did they go next?
What were the other three cities on their circuit? What did they preach?
Who did they appoint in the churches? How?
Where else did they go on their route? Where did they finally end up?
What report did they give the church at Antioch?

Thought Questions

Again, the first place Paul went to preach was to the synagogue. Knowing how many of the Jews thought about the message of Christ, what do you think was his strategy with this? What was the result? (Verse 2, 5, 19). Do you think it was worth it?
Was Paul associated with very many healings? Why was that particular crippled man healed? What was the reaction of the town? Can we always figure out why God heals certain people and not others? Is it consistently a result of extreme faith, or a positive reaction from witnesses, or any other reason that you can think of?
Summarize the apostles’ short speech to the Lycaonians after they wanted to proclaim them gods. Read Exodus 20:11, Jonah 1:9, and Revelation 14:7. Why is this a common description of God, throughout the Bible, written over the course of thousands of years? What faith can that description give you?
Read verse 16-17. Why do you think God allowed other nations to walk in their own ways in the past, when clearly His mission was to bring them to Him? How are the blessings of nature, food, and rain witnesses to Him?
Why was Paul treated the worst in the same city where he showed the people definitive proof of God’s wonderful power by healing the cripple? What does this tell you about people who say they would believe and follow God if they just had proof?
Does Paul’s experience of being stoned give you fear or hope?
Why did the apostles return to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch? What approach should we take in places where we have preached? Is one sermon enough to strengthen new believers in their often difficult Christian walk? What kind of risk were these visits to Paul? (Acts 13:50, 14:5, 14:19) What does that tell you about how important this follow-up is?
Read verses 23-28. What are a few things Paul did to organize and strengthen the churches? Has your church implemented all of these strategies? What do you see is lacking in your church, which might help its spiritual growth?

My prayer is:
That I would have the faith to risk danger in order to share the word of Christ with others who don’t know Him;
That I would understand that even miraculous proof of God’s existence and care will not ensure that others will follow, so faith is needed;
And that I would devote myself to both reaching out to non-Christians and strengthening the members of my own church.

How did Paul get his chance to preach at the synagogue?
Who was Paul addressing?
What three things had God done for the Israelites in verse 17?
How long did God put up with them in the wilderness?
How many nations did He destroy in Canaan? What did He do with their land?
Who ruled them for 450 years?
After that, what did the people ask for? Who did they get?
What happened to Saul’s reign? Who succeeded him?
What was God’s testimony about David?
Who would come from David’s seed?
What did John preach before the Savior’s coming?
Who did John say he was, and who was to come after him?
To whom was the word of salvation sent?
Why did those who live in Jerusalem and their rulers condemn Jesus?
What did they ask Pilate for?
Who raised Him from the dead? What was the proof?
What was the apostles’ message?
What three prophecies of Jesus are quoted from David? What is their message?
What happened to David when he died, which was different from Jesus?
What is the message Paul wants to get across? How can they be forgiven? What doesn’t work?
What prophecy is Paul warning the people of?
After his sermon, who begged Paul to preach again on Sabbath?
Who followed Paul and Barnabas? What did they encourage them?
Who turned out the next Sabbath?
What did the Jews do?
Who did Paul say it was necessary to preach to first? But then, since they rejected the message, who were they to preach to? What did he quote to support this?
How did the Gentiles respond?
Where was the Word of the Lord being spread?
Again, what did the Jews do to them?
What was Paul and Barnabas’s response? (See Matt. 10:14) Where did they go?
How did the disciples feel?

Thought Questions

What were some of the main elements of Paul’s sermon? Did he start with material that was approachable to his listeners? Was he clear and concise? Did he challenge them with an appeal?
What are some similarities between this sermon and the others we have read in Acts? (See Peter’s in chapter 2 and Stephen’s in chapter 7.)
Who was Paul’s audience here? Were they all native-born Jews? (See verses 16 and 42-43.)
Why did the apostles tend to recount the history of the Jews from the Old Testament in their sermons? Do you think they believed it still had authority?
What do you think was Paul’s idea in tracing the history of rulers of Israel? Follow his reasoning from their establishment as a nation and government of judges, through David’s kingship, until the superiority of Jesus (verse 23-25).
Which verse or verses do you think are Paul’s main thesis?
What were the reactions of the two groups of people who heard Paul’s sermon? Why do you think each of them responded as they did?
What day did the Gentiles want to hear Paul? What day did almost the whole town (Jews and Gentiles) come out to hear him? Again, is there yet any indication of the apostles changing dishonoring the Jewish Sabbath day?
Compare verse 26 and 46. Why was it necessary for the Gospel to be preached to the Jews first, before the Gentiles? Why did they turn their attention more fully to the Gentiles? Under what conditions can the Gospel be preached effectively?
According to verse 46, who judged them unworthy of eternal life?
After reading the entire progression of events from verses 15-52, especially verse 46, how do you understand the concepts in verse 48?
How should we respond to the rejection of our message?

My prayer is:
That, no matter what my ethnic or religious background is, I would choose to listen to the Gospel message and follow Christ with joy and glorifying the Lord;
That I would continue to read and study the Old Testament with the guidance of the Holy Spirit, as the apostles did, in order to learn about Christ’s role as the Messiah;
And that, hearing the Word, I would not judge myself unworthy of eternal life, but would follow Christ.

(12:25) Where did Saul and Barnabas return from? Who did they take with them?
Name some of the prophets and teachers in Antioch.
What did they do along with ministering to the Lord?
What did the Holy Spirit tell them?
What did they do then, before sending them away?
What were the first two points of their journey?
What type of place did they preach at in Salamis?
What was John Mark’s role?
Who did they find in Paphos?
Who was this guy with?
Why did Sergius Paulus want to see Saul and Barnabas?
What did the sorcerer do?
How did Paul describe the sorcerer? How did he describe the ways of the Lord?
What did Paul declare was the Lord’s punishment for the sorcerer? Did it happen?
What did the proconsul think as a result?
Where did the missionary party go after Paphos?
Where did John go?
What city did the rest of them go to next?
What building did they go to there? What day?
What did the rulers of the synagogue do in that service?
What did they ask the congregation to do?

Thought Questions

Are there prophets and teachers in our churches today? Why or why not?
How do people in your church decide who will be doing which ministry? How did the church at Antioch do it? Do you think the others were jealous of God’s calling?
Why do you think they prayed and fasted again after the Holy Spirit had already told them to send Saul and Barnabas to their work?
Why do you think Paul and Barnabas preached in the Jewish synagogues instead of the marketplace or pagan shrines?
After they had preached in the synagogues, the person who really wanted to hear them was a Roman proconsul. How is he described? What can that tell us about finding seekers of God in unlikely places?
Have you seen examples of how Satan betrays his position by trying to steer others from learning about God? If the truth was not important or was variable, would he put up so much resistance?
Would you have described the ways of the Lord as “straight?” Why or why not? Do they ever seem convoluted to you? What do you think makes them confusing to us? Why do you think Paul believed them to be straight?
Was the sorcerer’s temporary blindness a harsh or fair punishment for him? What was the result?
At this point, is there any indication that the apostles did not honor the Sabbath day along with the Jews?

My prayer is:
That I would always be open to the leading of the Holy Spirit regarding my place and path of ministry;
That I would be prepared to witness for Christ in any situation, whether in church, or to secular people, or in dealing with those aligned with Satan;
And that I would understand that the ways of the Lord are straight.

Who was harassing the church at that time?
Who did he kill? How?
Who did he want to be his next victim? Why?
What festival was taking place?
How many soldiers were in charge of keeping Peter in prison?
When were they going to bring Peter before the people?
What was the church doing for Peter while he was in prison?
On the night before Peter was going to be brought out before the people for judgment, what was he doing?
How many guards were surrounding him?
Who stood by him? What did he do to Peter?
What did the angel tell Peter to do?
What did Peter think of the situation?
How did the iron gate open?
At what point did the angel leave Peter?
Then, what did Peter realize had happened?
Whose house did he go to? What were the people doing there?
Who answered the door?
What did she do when she recognized Peter’s voice?
Did they believe her? What did they think was the explanation?
What was Peter doing during this time?
When he finally got in, what did he tell the people in the house?
Did he stay in the house?
How did Herod react when he found out Peter was freed?
How did the people of Tyre and Sidon try to make up with Herod?
How did they react to Herod’s speech?
Why did the Lord strike down Herod?

Thought Questions

What did the members of the church do in response to Herod’s persecution? Was that enough? Are there times when we should act, and times when we should just pray? Find other examples in the Bible of how God’s people responded to persecution, and the results.
Why did the angel leave Peter alone in the street?
Why did God send an angel to release Peter from prison, whereas He allowed James to be killed with the sword?
The people had been praying earnestly for Peter’s release, but when it actually happened, they didn’t believe it (verse 15-16). Why? What would your response be? Should we be astonished when God answers our prayers, even the ones we think are difficult? Is anything difficult for God?
What was the one thing Peter told them before he left? Why is this important?
Why are humans so awed by other humans? Is there a human that you would be tempted to regard as a god? How can we protect ourselves from being swept away by another human’s awe-inspiring words or actions?
How do you respond when people praise you? What are your weaknesses in this regard? Does the example of Herod give you pause here?

My prayer is:
that I would know when and how to pray to seek God’s strength when faced with trials, and to have faith that He will actually answer those prayers according to His will;
that I would not lose heart, however, when faced with the question of God’s actions;
and that I would continually be reminded to praise God when praised for my words or actions, and not seek glory for myself.

What news did the apostles and brethren in Judea hear?
How did they react toward Peter when he came to Jerusalem?
What was their complaint?
Give a summary of Peter’s recounting of the story to the apostles.
What quote from Christ regarding John the Baptist came to Peter’s mind regarding the situation (vs 16)?
What conclusion did Peter draw from that reasoning?
What was the response of the apostles? What did they say?
After what event were the disciples scattered? Where did they go? Who exactly did they preach to up to this point?
Who spoke to the Hellenists? What city were they in?
What was the result?
When the apostles in Jerusalem heard this news, what did they do?
How did Barnabas react when he arrived in Antioch?
How is Barnabas described?
Who did Barnabas recruit to work with him in Antioch?
How long did Saul and Barnabas work in Antioch? What were these disciples called there?
Where did the prophets come from?
What was the name of one of them? What was his prophecy?
What did the disciples do in response?

Thought Questions

From verse 3, what does it appear that the apostles in Jerusalem had the biggest issue with? Why was this a problem for them? Did they have a good reason for it?
Have you ever had a perfectly logical reason for thinking a certain way, but God overruled it? Why did God overrule Peter’s Jewish way of thinking in this situation?
What can you learn from Peter’s response to their accusation? Would you have explained the situation calmly as he did, or reacted in a defensive, emotional way?
After Peter told the story, how did the apostles react? Did they still have an accusing attitude? Were they still trying to defend their position? What changed?
Why are so many people so unwilling to change their minds? Would you have praised God in this situation, or stuck to your original position?
What is the first word in verse 19? What is the connection of verse 19 and 20 to the rest of the narrative in the chapter? Do you think that there was a connection between Peter’s situation and the fact that the disciples started preaching to the Greeks at that time?
How did the church in Jerusalem react this time when they heard that the Gospel was being preached to the Greeks?
What were the three characteristics of Barnabas? Do they describe you?
What can you learn about how your church can work toward its goals from verses 19-26? What are some key components for church growth found here?
What was the purpose of Agabus’ prophecy?
Could the gift of prophecy spring from a well-established church that is filled with the Holy Spirit and is doing its job of preaching Christ to others? What would be the result?
Does a prophecy do any good if the church doesn’t react accordingly?

My prayer is:
that, like the apostles, I would always be open to God’s working, even when it contradicts my prejudices;
that I would be willing to share Jesus Christ with people that I don’t naturally think would be “His people” (because I might be surprised);
and that I would pray for the Holy Spirit, be willing to work with others, and listen to prophecy as the church in Antioch did, in order to more effectively work for God.

Who was waiting for Peter and the servants in Caesarea? Who else had he called together?
How did Cornelius greet Peter?
How did Peter respond to that?
What did Peter explain to Cornelius, first thing?
What did Peter ask Cornelius?
In his explanation, when was Cornelius visited by the man in bright clothing?
What was Cornelius doing at that time?
What did the man say to Cornelius?
What specifications did the man give to Cornelius regarding how to send for Peter?
What did Cornelius say they were all present for?
What remark did Peter make about God’s character?
What are the qualifications for being accepted by God?
What word did God send to the children of Israel? Through whom might they have peace?
Where was that word proclaimed? Where did it begin? Who preached it there?
Describe Jesus’ anointing. What did He do? Why?
What were they witnesses to? Who killed Jesus? How?
Who raised Him on the third day?
Who was He shown to?
What did Jesus command them to do?
What did the prophets witness? How do people receive remission of sins?
What happened while Peter was still speaking?
Who was astonished at this? Why?
How did they know that the Gentiles had received the Holy Spirit?
What did Peter propose?

Thought Questions

Why was Peter’s arrival such a big occasion for Cornelius? If a preacher was coming to your home to preach the Gospel to you, who would you invite? Or would you invite anyone?
Why did Cornelius fall at Peter’s feet? Whose feet would you be tempted to fall at? Why?
Could God give an angelic vision to someone who was not of your religion? Why?
Are you willing to immediately do what God might ask of you? Would you be willing to search out someone who could explain God to you more fully than your current comprehension?
Do you think Cornelius knew he lacked some knowledge of God? Do you?
Summarize Peter’s sermon in verses 34-43. Who is the Gospel for? What is the Gospel, according to these verses? How did Peter know all this?
How does a person receive the Holy Spirit? Is it just by hearing God’s Word? What is the difference between Acts 10:44 and Acts 7:54?
Is baptism important? Review our discussion of baptism from chapter 8.

My prayer is:
that I would be receptive to any further knowledge of the truth as it is in God’s Word, and would have the desire to share it with others as well;
that God would lead me to an authoritative source of that truth;
and that I would be willing, as well, to share the truth that I know with any fellow humans, without prejudice.