#BibleStudy Thoughts on Questions from Acts Ch 27 and 28 on 10/6
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.
The line used to show the route of Paul's ship is subjective between Fair Havens and Malta. I think verse 17 makes it clear they were close to Africa than is shown on that map.
17 so the men hoisted it aboard. Then they passed ropes under the ship itself to hold it together. Because they were afraid they would run aground on the sandbars of Syrtis, they lowered the sea anchor and let the ship be driven along.
Ch 27 - Vv 27-44
Keep the map of “Paul’s Journey to Rome” handy.
How does the centurion’s response to Paul in v31 differ from his response in v11?
- Verse 11: He says yes to the pilot and no to Paul.
- Verse 32: He listens to Paul.
Why?
- Going through disaster brings people together.
- Paul's been right with his suggestions all along.
Why they hadn't eaten came up.
- Food had spoiled.
- Salt water soaked the available food making it inedible.
- They were sea sick.
Paul speaks to the passengers and crew in vv33-35. What are his key points and the listeners’ responses?
- Eat now
- There will be no damage/injury to the people on board.
- Gives thanks.
Responses.
- They eat and feel better.
- They are encouraged after being under stress/ suspense for a long time
Vv36-41 describe the shipwreck itself. What ultimately seals the ship’s doom?
- The bow hits a sand bar and is stuck.
- Waves pound the stern of the ship and breaks it into pieces.
List what the centurion does in vv42-44 and explain why each significant.
- Stopped the sailors to leaving with the small boat. Paul said for all to stay.
- Don't kill the prisoners. Possibly afraid of killing Roman citizens.
- Each man for yourself if you can swim. Non- swimmers grab a hunk of wood from the broken up ship and float to shore. Keeps the non- swimmers from drowning the swimmers in their panic.
Despite the loss of the ship’s cargo, what is the good news in v44?
- Everyone (276 people) makes it to shore.
Keep the map of “Paul’s Journey to Rome” handy.
How does the centurion’s response to Paul in v31 differ from his response in v11?
- Verse 11: He says yes to the pilot and no to Paul.
- Verse 32: He listens to Paul.
Why?
- Going through disaster brings people together.
- Paul's been right with his suggestions all along.
Why they hadn't eaten came up.
- Food had spoiled.
- Salt water soaked the available food making it inedible.
- They were sea sick.
Paul speaks to the passengers and crew in vv33-35. What are his key points and the listeners’ responses?
Key Points.
- Eat now
- There will be no damage/injury to the people on board.
- Gives thanks.
Responses.
- They eat and feel better.
- They are encouraged after being under stress/ suspense for a long time
Vv36-41 describe the shipwreck itself. What ultimately seals the ship’s doom?
- The bow hits a sand bar and is stuck.
- Waves pound the stern of the ship and breaks it into pieces.
List what the centurion does in vv42-44 and explain why each significant.
- Stopped the sailors to leaving with the small boat. Paul said for all to stay.
- Don't kill the prisoners. Possibly afraid of killing Roman citizens.
- Each man for yourself if you can swim. Non- swimmers grab a hunk of wood from the broken up ship and float to shore. Keeps the non- swimmers from drowning the swimmers in their panic.
Despite the loss of the ship’s cargo, what is the good news in v44?
- Everyone (276 people) makes it to shore.
Ch 28
Vv 1-10
- Bitten by a snake/viper. One commentary indicated that, based on the Greek writing tone used by Luke, the snake only looked like a viper. There are no native vipers on Malta today.
How does the crowd react?
- Decide Paul is a criminal getting what he deserves.
- Then they switch to calling Paul a god.
Why?
- Snake bites Paul.
- He doesn't die.
Why doesn’t Paul correct their wrong thinking?
Vv 1-10
What happens to Paul in vv1-6?
- Bitten by a snake/viper. One commentary indicated that, based on the Greek writing tone used by Luke, the snake only looked like a viper. There are no native vipers on Malta today.
How does the crowd react?
- Decide Paul is a criminal getting what he deserves.
- Then they switch to calling Paul a god.
Why?
- Snake bites Paul.
- He doesn't die.
Why doesn’t Paul correct their wrong thinking?
- We think he ignored their comments.
We got this far this week.
We got this far this week.
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| This photo will be in most of the remaining posts from Acts. In |
Here's a link to a great Timeline of the Apostle Paul. I recommend bookmarking it.
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Vv7-10 are examples of Christian acts. What are they? Who actually starts those acts?
Vv7-10 are examples of Christian acts. What are they? Who actually starts those acts?
Ch 28
Vv 11-16
Vv 11-16
According to http://orbis.stanford.edu/, “The Fastest journey from Tyrus[Tyre] to Roma in September takes 23.4 days, covering 981 kilometers.” About how long was Paul’s trip?
Syracuse is on Sicily. Rhegium is on the tip of the Italian boot. Puteoli is over 100 miles south of Rome. Paul entered the city on the Via Appia.
What surprises you about what you read in vv11-15?
Comment on v16.
Ch 28
Vv 17-30
Vv 17-30
Who does Paul contact first when he gets to Rome?
Why would Paul speak vv17-20? How accurate is what he says?
Roman Jews want to hear more about what? Why?
What does Paul do in v23?
V24 sounds like a replay of what earlier in this book?
Vv25-27 is the same message Paul preached since his conversion. What does it set up?
Gentiles (us!) should celebrate v28. How do you think the Jews in Rome reacted?
V29 is missing from most versions of the Bible used today. Why do you think it was inserted? What does it sound like that you’ve read/studied before in Acts?
Paul lives in Rome for two years. Comment on vv30-31.
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