Ice Breaker
Share your best tips for staying awake when you are really tired (besides caffeine).
General Study Questions
How does this passage fit into the book as a whole?
How does it flow from the previous section of the text?
What in the passage stands out to you?
How does this passage minister to its original audience?
How does this text minister to us today?
Is there a sin to confess?
Is there a cause for thanksgiving or praise to God?
Is there a promise or truth to trust in?
Is there an attitude to change?
Is there a command to obey or an example to imitate?
Is there anything confusing or hard to understand about the passage?
How is the Gospel present in this passage?
What is the single, main point of the passage?
How would you apply this passage to your life?
Text Specific Questions
According to verse 2, Paul gave “many words of encouragement” to the regions he passed through. How often do you encourage Bethel’s leaders/elders? Your small group? Other believers inside and outside of Bethel? What are some practical ways for you to do this?
In verses 1-5 and again in 13-16, we see a summary of Paul’s travels and who joined him. Why do you think Luke, the author of Acts, included all those details? What purpose do those serve?
In verse 6 we see Paul stay in Philippi for the Festival of Unleavened Bread. What is the significance of this festival? (See Leviticus 23:4-7 for help)
Verse 7 gives us some insight into early Christian worship. What day did they meet and why is that important? What is the significance of breaking bread? What do you think Paul spoke to them about?
Read Luke 8:40-56 and Acts 9:36-41. What does this resurrection story have in common with them? What things are different?
What similarities does this resurrection story have with that of Jesus? (Note what you observed from questions 3 and 4 for help). What things are different? Why does this matter?
At the end of the passage, where was Paul trying to go and by when? Why was this important?
