The World Turned Inside Out
June 3-9
Make sure you read or listen to Dr. Jack Levison's commentary by following this link:
Be sure to spend some time with his
"Questions for Further Reflection" at the bottom of the commentary. You'll find
new questions there each week!
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Paul Sails for Rome…Storm at Sea…Shipwreck!
Acts 27:1-44
Paul is finally on his way to Rome under the guard of a
Roman Centurion. Notice the attention to
detail in Luke’s account…this is an important journey, one that cannot be
summed up in a sentence or two. The
story is told in a way that sounds a lot like the famous voyage stories in
Greek and Roman literature – this is Paul’s odyssey! Once at sea, Paul foresaw danger ahead but no
one heeded his warning. They soon found
themselves in the middle of a fierce storm.
Violently pounded by the storm for days, they gave up hope of being
saved. But Paul steps up and declares
two things: 1) that they should have listened to him and avoided this disaster,
and 2) That they should be hopeful because God revealed to Paul via an angel
that no lives would be lost. Long story
short: the ship ran aground on a reef, the centurion overruled a plan to kill
all the prisoners, and everyone – all 276 – made it to the beach safely.
- Have you ever been on an ocean voyage? How about a long trip over land? What kind of highlights and dangers did you encounter along the way?
- How is your life journey going right now? Sailing right along? Sinking? Stuck with no wind to power you? Lost?
- In what area of life have you (or are you) closest to giving up hope? What has God revealed to you in this study of Acts that encourages you to be hopeful about God’s ability to make good things happen?
Paul on the Island of Malta
Acts 28:1-10
It turned out they ran aground on the island of Malta,
and the “natives showed us unusual kindness” (28:2). A fire was kindled to keep the survivors
warm, and it became the setting for an amazing miracle. Paul was gathering brushwood and putting it
on the fire when a viper slithered out of the load of wood and bit Paul on the
hand. In spite of what the superstitious
locals said – and in spite of everyone expecting Paul to swell up or drop dead,
Paul shook off the snake and suffered no ill effects. A leading man of the island named Publius
gave them hospitality for three days.
Publius’ father was sick in bed, and Paul healed him by praying and putting
his hands on him. Word spread, and
people with diseases from all over the island came to Paul and were cured.
- Have you ever been in a crisis and been helped out by people you didn’t know very well? What kind of “unusual kindness” did you receive from them?
- What do you think of snakes? Will you be freaked out every time you gather a bunch of branches for a campfire? What do you think is the main point and or central meaning of Paul’s snake bite story?
- How have you experienced healing from fever or disease? How was God involved?
- Spend some time praying for people to be cured of disease.
Paul in Rome
Acts 28:11-30
After three months in Malta, Paul and his guards found a
ship to take them to the Italian mainland.
They found a community of believers in Puteoli and stayed with them for
seven days. When they arrived in Rome,
believers came from miles around to greet Paul.
He thanked God for them and took courage from their meeting. Paul was allowed to live by himself under
house arrest as he awaited trial. He
called together the local leaders of the Jews to defend himself from the accusations
that had put him in chains back in Jerusalem.
They hadn’t heard anything bad about Paul, and invited him to speak to
them about the Christian way: “we would like to hear from you what you think,
for with regard to this sect we know that everywhere it is spoken against.” Paul spoke in favor of this “sect” as he
shared with them at length about Jesus and the kingdom of God. Some were convinced, while others refused to
believe. Paul declares once again that
God’s salvation is also for the Gentiles.
The story of Acts ends with these words:
“Paul lived in Rome for two whole years at his own
expense and welcomed all who came to him, proclaiming the kingdom of God and
teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness and without hindrance.”
(28:30-31)
- Share a story of a time when you ran into Christians where you least expected it. How did this encourage you?
- What kinds of things have you heard people say when they “speak against” the Christian faith?
- What are some ways you can speak in favor of Jesus and the Kingdom of God?
- How have you benefited from or grown through this reading of the Acts of the Apostles?
Together in Christ,
Pastor Kurt
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