Thoughts on Questions from Acts Ch 19/20 on 6/16
My Sunday school class/Life Group is studying the book of Acts. I posted these questions this Monday and encouraged you to jot your thoughts down.
This is Wednesday. This post consists of some comments from the class discussion.
If you’d like a PDF file of the questions, email me at crd.author@gmail.com.
There is a timeline of Paul's life at the end of the post.
Ch 19 - Vv 23-41
Who is Demetrius?
- Silversmith.
Why is he upset with Paul?
- He's losing business because people are leaving pagan worship of Artemis to follow Christ.
What does he do about this?
- He calls a spontaneous union meeting to assault Paul.
What was the big deal about Artemis (Diana) in Ephesus?
- Artemis is the goddess of fertility.
- There is a HUGE temple in her honor in Ephesus that is known throughout the world. It was one of the 7 Wonders of the ancient world.
- Ephesians are the guardians of the statue of Artemis that fell from heaven in legend.
Verse 32 is a scary one. Why?
- One commentary called it humorous, not scary.
- The crowd did not know why they were there. It was "mob mentality."
How do we know that most Ephesians considered Paul a Jew and not a Christian?
- Christianity is still in its infancy.
- Paul went to the Synagogue when he arrived.
- The focus on Alexander, a Jew at one point.
Describe the city clerk’s intervention in the riot.
- The City Clerk was the highest ranking non-Roman official in any city annexed by Rome.
- The voice of reason.
- You have brought these men [Gaius and Aristarchus, Paul’s traveling companions from Macedonia] though they have neither robbed temples nor blasphemed our goddess. (v. 37)
- He calms them down.
Ch 20 - Vv 1-6
- Jews plot against him.
- He switches his destination.
What is consistent about Luke’s descriptions of all Paul’s journeys?
- Trouble follows Paul.
- Leaders can't choose all their followers.
- He takes new converts with him when he leaves.
- These converts are often zealots and/or Gentiles who learn how to preach Jesus to Gentile crowds.
Describe the men who travel to Troas ahead of Paul and Luke.
- Multinational.
- This shows new cities that God is for all people, not just Jews.
Who is Demetrius?
- Silversmith.
Why is he upset with Paul?
- He's losing business because people are leaving pagan worship of Artemis to follow Christ.
What does he do about this?
- He calls a spontaneous union meeting to assault Paul.
What was the big deal about Artemis (Diana) in Ephesus?
- Artemis is the goddess of fertility.
- There is a HUGE temple in her honor in Ephesus that is known throughout the world. It was one of the 7 Wonders of the ancient world.
- Ephesians are the guardians of the statue of Artemis that fell from heaven in legend.
Verse 32 is a scary one. Why?
- One commentary called it humorous, not scary.
- The crowd did not know why they were there. It was "mob mentality."
How do we know that most Ephesians considered Paul a Jew and not a Christian?
- Christianity is still in its infancy.
- Paul went to the Synagogue when he arrived.
- The focus on Alexander, a Jew at one point.
Describe the city clerk’s intervention in the riot.
- The City Clerk was the highest ranking non-Roman official in any city annexed by Rome.
- The voice of reason.
- You have brought these men [Gaius and Aristarchus, Paul’s traveling companions from Macedonia] though they have neither robbed temples nor blasphemed our goddess. (v. 37)
- He calms them down.
What finally causes Paul to leave the area?
- Jews plot against him.
- He switches his destination.
What is consistent about Luke’s descriptions of all Paul’s journeys?
- Trouble follows Paul.
- Leaders can't choose all their followers.
- He takes new converts with him when he leaves.
- These converts are often zealots and/or Gentiles who learn how to preach Jesus to Gentile crowds.
Describe the men who travel to Troas ahead of Paul and Luke.
- Multinational.
- This shows new cities that God is for all people, not just Jews.
We got this far this week.
Here's a link to a great Timeline of the Apostle Paul. I recommend bookmarking it.
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Vv 7-12
Vv 13-38
Vv 7-12
How would you like to attend one of Paul’s sermons?
Explain.
I’m not sure why all the details about Eutychus were included. Watta ya tink?
Why would “God let this happen”?
How would you like to attend one of Paul’s sermons?
Explain.
I’m not sure why all the details about Eutychus were included. Watta ya tink?
Why would “God let this happen”?
Vv 13-38
Why do you think Paul avoided going back to Ephesus at this time?
Vv 17-35 is considered Paul’s farewell address to the mission field. Why would he do this?
What does Paul do in vv 18-21?
How does Paul describe his expectations for his Jerusalem visit?
Why include vv 25-27?
What specific instructions does Paul give in vv 28-31?
How many of those are still applicable today?
Explain.
How does Paul end his message?
Why do you think Paul avoided going back to Ephesus at this time?
Vv 17-35 is considered Paul’s farewell address to the mission field. Why would he do this?
What does Paul do in vv 18-21?
How does Paul describe his expectations for his Jerusalem visit?
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