What in the text/sermon was most illuminating or helpful?
Why?
Read and discuss each stage of Paul’s defense.
Reference
Acts 26:2-3, 4-8, 9-11,12-16, 17-21, and 22-23.
How important is having hope in something? What was Paul’s hope?
How does the resurrection of Jesus prove hope?
Reference
1 Corinthians 15:20-21
Acts 2:24, 3:14, 4:10, 13:32, and 17:2-3
Many of us do not have testimonies as dramatic as Paul’s. However, we can learn things from Paul to help us share our own experiences.
What are they? What are some things that all testimonies have in common?
How meaningful are friendships when storms come into your life?
Describe a time when friendships helped you get through a storm.
How does the Lord encourage Paul in Acts 27:23-24?
Discuss how God’s sovereign promise and the responsibility of those aboard the ship work together.
How has God encouraged you in your storms?
What are some practical ways God gets glory in our storms?
How do storms allow you to witness Christ?
Share an experience when a storm in your life or someone else’s opened the door for gospel-witnessing.
Read Acts 28:17-28
When you share the gospel with someone and the gospel is rejected, do you feel like you are failing or not succeeding in your task?
Why or why not?
What does a successful gospel ministry look like?
Read Acts 28:30-31
Paul is trapped in his own house under house arrest, yet still needing to pay for all of his own expenses (and perhaps the costs of a live-in Roman guard), while awaiting judgment on false charges… and he is considered to be ministering “without hinderance.”
What is your mission and ministry in life?
What do you feel are hindering your ministry and mission? Why?