#BibleStudy Thoughts on Questions on Acts 27 on 9/22
My Sunday school class/Life Group is studying the book of Acts. We discussed these questions yesterday. I encourage you to jot your thoughts down.
I'll post some comments from the class discussion on Wednesday.
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 and a map of Paul's journey to Rome at the end of the post.
Acts 27:1-12
What happens in Sidon?
- Paul is allowed to go ashore.
Why is it significant enough for Luke to mention?
- It shows how important being a Roman citizen was.
The crowd changes boats in Myra. (Check your Bible’s comments.) Do you think the captain of the new ship was happy? Explain.
- This is a grain ship already heading for Rome. It was BIG.
- Since it was commandeered, the crew probably was not too happy about sailing at this time. The rule for boats in the Mediterraean was limited sailing from 9/14-11/11 and NO sailing after that until spring. But Paul is a "distinguished" passenger, so they sail to Fair Havens, knowing they can't stay there until Spring.
This is not a good time of year to sail in the Mediterranean Sea. What evidence does Luke provide to support that in vv7-9?
- See above.
What does Paul advise?
- Stay in Fair Havens.
What do the decision-makers choose to do?
- Sail to the next port, Phoene/Phoenix, the normalplace to spend the winter.
Whose decision it to ignore Paul?
- The Centurion.
What’s the rationale?
- The captain of the ship makes a better argument.
Look at the map of this journey. How far is Phoenix from Fair Havens?
- About 100 miles.
What happens in Sidon?
- Paul is allowed to go ashore.
Why is it significant enough for Luke to mention?
- It shows how important being a Roman citizen was.
The crowd changes boats in Myra. (Check your Bible’s comments.) Do you think the captain of the new ship was happy? Explain.
- This is a grain ship already heading for Rome. It was BIG.
- Since it was commandeered, the crew probably was not too happy about sailing at this time. The rule for boats in the Mediterraean was limited sailing from 9/14-11/11 and NO sailing after that until spring. But Paul is a "distinguished" passenger, so they sail to Fair Havens, knowing they can't stay there until Spring.
This is not a good time of year to sail in the Mediterranean Sea. What evidence does Luke provide to support that in vv7-9?
- See above.
What does Paul advise?
- Stay in Fair Havens.
What do the decision-makers choose to do?
- Sail to the next port, Phoene/Phoenix, the normalplace to spend the winter.
Whose decision it to ignore Paul?
- The Centurion.
What’s the rationale?
- The captain of the ship makes a better argument.
Look at the map of this journey. How far is Phoenix from Fair Havens?
- About 100 miles.
Ch 27 - Vv 13-26
Check the map of “Paul’s Journey to Rome” periodically.
- A wind from the South begins to blow.
Vv 14-20 are a litany of disaster. List each of the increasingly dire circumstances Paul and the ship encounter.
- Typhoon.
- Ship was caught and forced South by the wind.
- They end up South of the small island of Clauda.
- The crew ties down the lifeboat and bands the ship to help maintain its structural integrity.
- The crew lowers the sails.
- The crew puts out the sea anchor hoping the force of the current will turn the bow with the wind.
- The crew throws the tackle overboard. We wondered about this one!
Check the map of “Paul’s Journey to Rome” periodically.
What turns out to be a mistaken omen of good things to come?
- A wind from the South begins to blow.
Vv 14-20 are a litany of disaster. List each of the increasingly dire circumstances Paul and the ship encounter.
- Typhoon.
- Ship was caught and forced South by the wind.
- They end up South of the small island of Clauda.
- The crew ties down the lifeboat and bands the ship to help maintain its structural integrity.
- The crew lowers the sails.
- The crew puts out the sea anchor hoping the force of the current will turn the bow with the wind.
- The crew throws the tackle overboard. We wondered about this one!
We got this far this week.
We got this far this week.
In v21, Paul is Paul. How might that have helped his speech in vv22-26?
In v21, Paul is Paul. How might that have helped his speech in vv22-26?
Make two lists from vv21-26. 1. What Paul says about himself. 2. What else he says.
Ch 27 - Vv 27-44
Keep the map of “Paul’s Journey to Rome” handy.
Keep the map of “Paul’s Journey to Rome” handy.
Look at the map. Just how far off course is the boat at this time?
What are soundings? Why are they important to sailors?
How does the centurion’s response to Paul in v31 differ from his response in v11? Why?
Paul speaks to the passengers and crew in vv33-35. What are his key points and the listeners’ responses?
Vv36-41 describe the shipwreck itself. What ultimately seals the ship’s doom?
List what the centurion does in vv42-44 and explain why each significant.
Despite the loss of the ship’s cargo, what is the good news in v44?
 |
| This photo will be in most of the remaining posts from Acts. |
Here's a link to a great Timeline of the Apostle Paul. I recommend bookmarking it.
SEOs: Bible, Acts, Bible study, questions and answers
Follow me on
Twitter: @CRDowningAuthor
My website is: www.crdowning.com
My Blogs
- Life as I see it. The topics rotate between topics of general interest to authors, teachers, and other lovers of life. Posts on Tuesdays and some Mondays. http://crdowning-author.blogspot.com/?alt=rss
- My Christian Context. Posts M/W of discussion questions. Thursdays - Timeless Truths. Fridays - Expressions of Faith. https://mychristiancontext.blogspot.com/
I'd appreciate your feedback on Blogger!
Comments
Post a Comment