We have come a long way since last week where we shared the story of Paul’s dramatic conversion. Paul stayed in Damascus for 3 years, and then went to Jerusalem to become acquainted with the leading apostles there. After this meeting he began his famous missions to the west, preaching first in his native Syria and Cilicia (Galatians 1:17–24). During the next 20 years or so (c. mid-30s to mid-50s), he established several churches in Asia Minor and at least three in Europe, including the church at Corinth. During the course of his missions, Paul realized that his preaching to Gentiles was creating difficulties for the Christians in Jerusalem, who thought that Gentiles must become Jewish in order to join the Christian movement. He returned to Jerusalem to settle the issue, and it was agreed that Peter would be the principal apostle to Jews and Paul the principal apostle to Gentiles. In the late 50s Paul returned to Jerusalem with the money he had raised and a few of his Gentile converts. There he was arrested for taking a Gentile too far into the Temple precincts, and, after a series of trials, he was sent to Rome. We pick up the story as he is returning to Rome.
READ
Acts 27 :21-26, 39-44
Since they had been without food for a long time, Paul then stood up among them and said, “Men, you should have listened to me and not have set sail from Crete and thereby avoided this damage and loss. I urge you now to keep up your courage, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship. For last night there stood by me an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I worship, and he said, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul; you must stand before the emperor; and indeed, God has granted safety to all those who are sailing with you.’ So keep up your courage, men, for I have faith in God that it will be exactly as I have been told. But we will have to run aground on some island.”
In the morning they did not recognize the land, but they noticed a bay with a beach, on which they planned to run the ship ashore, if they could. So they cast off the anchors and left them in the sea. At the same time they loosened the ropes that tied the steering-oars; then hoisting the foresail to the wind, they made for the beach. But striking a reef, they ran the ship aground; the bow stuck and remained immovable, but the stern was being broken up by the force of the waves. The soldiers’ plan was to kill the prisoners, so that none might swim away and escape; but the centurion, wishing to save Paul, kept them from carrying out their plan. He ordered those who could swim to jump overboard first and make for the land, and the rest to follow, some on planks and others on pieces of the ship. And so it was that all were brought safely to land.
DISCUSS
1. How has your week been? How have you seen God at work in your life?
2. Read the passages again.
3. What does this passage tell us about God?
4. Paul is confident that God keeps his promises. Have you such experiences in your own life?
4. How does this passage challenge me in my relationship with God?
5. Is there anything else the passage is saying to me?
6. What am I going to do about it.
7. who am I going to share it with
8. Be prepared to share back next week.
PRAY
Let us pray
Lord Jesus we thank you for the life of Paul, and his commitment to you and to share the gospel. Thank you for his witness that we have in the words of Scripture. Help us to be like Paul trusting your wisdom and protection. May we confident as we go into this week that we do not go alone but that you go before us and beside us protecting us from all sides and guiding us in the way ahead. Amen
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