Continuing through Opposition - Session .02 - St. Michael's Church
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
Unit .34
Session .02
Continuing
through
Opposition
Scripture
Acts 22:30;
23:6-17, 22-24
30 The next day, since he wanted to find out exactly in Rome.” 12 When it was morning, the Jews formed a
why Paul was being accused by the Jews, he released him conspiracy and bound themselves under a curse not to eat
and instructed the chief priests and all the Sanhedrin to or drink until they had killed Paul. 13 There were more
convene. He brought Paul down and placed him before than forty who had formed this plot. 14 These men went
them ... 6 When Paul realized that one part of them were to the chief priests and elders and said, “We have bound
Sadducees and the other part were Pharisees, he cried out ourselves under a solemn curse that we won’t eat anything
in the Sanhedrin, “Brothers, I am a Pharisee, a son of until we have killed Paul. 15 So now you, along with
Pharisees. I am being judged because of the hope of the the Sanhedrin, make a request to the commander that he
resurrection of the dead!” 7 When he said this, a dispute bring him down to you as if you were going to investigate
broke out between the Pharisees and the Sadducees, and his case more thoroughly. But, before he gets near, we are
the assembly was divided. 8 For the Sadducees say there ready to kill him.” 16 But the son of Paul’s sister, hearing
is no resurrection, and neither angel nor spirit, but the about their ambush, came and entered the barracks and
Pharisees affirm them all. 9 The shouting grew loud, reported it to Paul. 17 Paul called one of the centurions
and some of the scribes of the Pharisees’ party got up and and said, “Take this young man to the commander,
argued vehemently, “We find nothing evil in this man. because he has something to report to him.” ... 22 So the
What if a spirit or an angel has spoken to him?” 10 When commander dismissed the young man and instructed him,
the dispute became violent, the commander feared that “Don’t tell anyone that you have informed me about this.”
Paul might be torn apart by them and ordered the troops 23 He summoned two of his centurions and said, “Get
to go down, take him away from them, and bring him two hundred soldiers ready with seventy cavalry and two
into the barracks. 11 The following night, the Lord stood hundred spearmen to go to Caesarea at nine tonight. 24
by him and said, “Have courage! For as you have testified Also provide mounts to ride so that Paul may be brought
about me in Jerusalem, so it is necessary for you to testify safely to Felix the governor.”
UNIT 34 | SESSION 2 | 15His Story
What was Paul’s strategy before the Sanhedrin?
What can we learn from the fact
that it seems Paul’s words were the
result of something he realized while
standing before the Sanhedrin (v. 6)?
99 Essential
Doctrines
18. God is Truthful
The Scriptures are clear that in God there
is no falsehood (Titus 1:2; Heb. 6:18).
God represents things as they really are.
Everything He says can be trusted because
God guarantees the truth of everything He
tells us. The call for humans to be honest
and not to bear false witness is rooted in the
utter truthfulness of our Creator. Telling the
truth is one way we bear the image of God,
whose Son is “the way, the truth, and the
life” (John 14:6).
THE GOSPEL PROJECT FOR STUDENTS | 16Main Point
God strengthens
His people through
His presence.
When has God strengthened you in the midst of a difficult situation?
What principle can we learn from Jesus’ promise to Paul?
Christ Connection
Paul’s confidence in the midst of trying circumstances came from his
faith that the God of his fathers was the God who had revealed His
glory in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Paul believed that the
faithfulness of God that was shown through the cross and resurrection
of Jesus would sustain him through persecution and trial.
UNIT 34 | SESSION 2 | 17His Story
How did Jesus save Paul’s life?
What can we learn from the people whose actions protected Paul?
In Defense
The historical reality of Jesus’ resurrection is the very foundation of the Christian
faith. Paul claimed in 1 Corinthians 15 that apart from it, the entire Christian
religion is stripped of its hope and power. But we have good reason to believe
that it did, in fact, happen. Dr. Stephen Wellum says, “The evidence for the
resurrection is well known, and it consists of three interlocking pieces: 1) the
fact of the empty tomb, 2) the resurrection appearances of Christ, and 3) the
transformation of the disciples and the establishment of the church.”1 None of
these are conclusive individually, but collectively, they offer a powerful testimony
to the history of the resurrection.” Apologist William Lane Craig wrote, “The
resurrection of Jesus constitutes a solid rock on which Christians can take their
stand for God’s decisive self-revelation in Jesus.”2
1. David Roach, Christ’s Resurrection: Strongest Evidence Cited. Baptist Press, 29 Mar. 2018, www.baptistpress.com/resource-library/
news/christs-resurrection-strongest-evidence-cited/.
2. William Lane Craig, The Resurrection of Jesus: Reasonable Faith. The Resurrection | Popular Writings | Reasonable Faith, www.
reasonablefaith.org/writings/popular-writings/jesus-of-nazareth/the-resurrection-of-jesus/.
THE GOSPEL PROJECT FOR STUDENTS | 18Our Mission
Head
How does this story help us see the relationship between divine providence
and human responsibility?
How can you remember that God is for you despite the challenges you face
in life?
Heart
Why can we trust God even through difficult circumstances?
How does belief in the resurrection give you courage in fearful situations?
Hands
Which fears hold you back from testifying about Jesus like Paul did?
What would you attempt for God if you knew He was with you?
UNIT 34 | SESSION 2 | 19Day 1
Daily
Devotions Acts
21:15-25
Have you ever played the game telephone? The
game begins with one person whispering a phrase
to someone else, which is then passed from one
person to the next. The last person says what they
have been told out loud to the group. If you have
played before, you know that the end result is
rarely even close to the original phrase. The further
from the source it gets, the more inaccurate it
becomes. This is what had happened with Paul’s
reputation. Word had spread about his ministry
and the rumor was that Paul was turning people
The 7 Arrows of away from God’s law.
Bible Reading Sometimes our own reputations can be smeared
and slandered with others’ lies. Rumors can wreck
friendships and relationships. When we are the
victim of rumors, what do we do? Paul listened to
What does this
passage say? the wisdom of others around him and conducted
himself in a way that demonstrated his sincerity
What did this What does this
and integrity. When we are mistreated, it is not
passage mean to its passage tell us the time to sling more mud or to attack in return.
original audience? about God?
Instead, we should show with our actions that the
rumors are not true. Respond with integrity and
What does this trust God with the results.
passage Tell us
about man?
Why is it important to respond with
What does How does this passage our actions instead of retaliating with
this passage change the way I our words?
demand of me? relate to people?
How does this
passage prompt
me to pray?
THE GOSPEL PROJECT FOR STUDENTS | 20Day 2 Day 3
Acts Acts
21:26-22:29 22:30-23:9
In spite of Paul’s best efforts to demonstrate respect Luke tells us that “Paul looked straight at the
for the Jews, his adversaries were committed to his Sanhedrin and said, ‘Brothers, I have lived my
destruction. Jews who had experienced his ministry life before God in all good conscience to this
in Asia Minor and rejected his message saw him day’” (23:1). Few things are more precious than
in Jerusalem and stirred the crowds against him. a clear conscience. To have peace with God and a
Slander quickly turned to violence, and the Roman conscience that has been washed of sin and regrets
military had to step in to spare Paul’s life and calm of the past is priceless. But how do we obtain a
the crowd. Paul was given an opportunity to defend good conscience?
himself, which he used to share the story of his Jewish
We must confess our sins. We must come clean in
background and life-changing experience of Jesus.
order to be made clean. It is only when we stop
If given the opportunity to explain the reason hiding from God and others that we can stand in the
you live the way that you do, what would you light with the weight of guilt removed. How might
say? For Paul, the foundation of his lifestyle was one maintain a good conscience? We must turn from
his encounter with Jesus. The motivation for his the sins that we have confessed and be ready to ask
missionary endeavors was not his own ambition for forgiveness again when we stumble and fall. It is
or desire for influence; rather, it was simply that when we live in honesty with ourselves, God, and
the Lord has said, “Go, because I will send you” others that we can say with Paul “I have lived my life
(22:21). This should be the motivation for our before God in all good conscience” (23:1).
lives—that we have encountered Jesus and been
commissioned by Him. No other justification is What sins should you confess and turn
needed, nor any excuse sufficient. away from to have a good conscience?
How can you use your story to share
Jesus’ story?
UNIT 34 | SESSION 2 | 21Day 4 Day 5
Acts Acts
23:10-11 23:12-35
I have two young daughters who are three and No one could ever accuse Paul’s opponents of being
four years old. They love to play outside in the uncommitted. Their hearts are set on his destruction,
driveway—riding scooters, bikes, skating, running, even if it means taking matters into their own hands.
etc. Of course, learning those activities comes They conspire to kill him and work behind the scenes
with its fair share of falls. But as their dad, I to execute their plan. But they are not the only ones
reassure them. I hold their hands while they skate, who were busy; God was working behind the scenes
reminding them that I won’t let go. They can play to bring their plans to ruin.
without fear because I am with them. When they
Paul’s nephew heard of the plot to kill Paul, so
are running and fall, scraping their knees on the
he went to Paul with the news. Then he told the
concrete, I hold them and tell them, “I’ve got you.
authorities what he knew, which led to Paul’s
I’m right here. You’re safe.”
deliverance. I’m reminded of what Gandalf said in
In Acts 23, Paul has been beaten and bruised. But The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey: “I’ve found
the risen Savior draws near to say, “I’m here. I won’t it is the small things—everyday deeds by ordinary
let go.” His presence inspires courage and motivates folk—that keeps the darkness at bay.”3 God is
perseverance. His presence brings assurance, for glorified not just in the fact that He rescues, but
He reminds us of His purposes and plans. Jesus’ in how He rescues. God’s light is pushing back the
nearness lifts our eyes above the panic of our darkness. Evil is being overcome by good, and God
situation and draws our attention to the peace of wants to use an ordinary person just like you to
His sovereignty. So, live with courage today; your do good. Obey Him today, however big or small
Savior is near. it may seem (or you may feel); for God delights to
subvert the plans of the evil one through the simple
obedience of His children.
How does knowing your future is in
God’s hands encourage you?
How can you use the limited power
and influence you have to do good?
3. The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (Warner Bros., 2012).
THE GOSPEL PROJECT FOR STUDENTS | 22You can also read
