Book of Acts

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Introduction

The Book of Acts describes the early days of the church and the spread of the gospel from Jerusalem to the world. It is mainly a historical narrative that captivates the reader by recounting the lives and actions of early believers.
The title used for the book comes from the Greek word ‘praxis’ which means actions or functions. It focuses on many actions: various disciples, the early church, Peter and Paul, all directed and empowered by the Holy Spirit to establish and share the gospel, the good news that Jesus is the Messiah and both Jew and Gentile are invited to follow Him.

Lessons

Lesson 1

Acts, Chapter 1

Both the book of Acts and the Gospel of Luke are attributed to Luke. From Acts 16:9-10, and other passages, it records that Luke was a ministry partner of Paul. Colossians 4:14 tells us that Luke was a physician.

Read Acts chapter 1.

1. To whom did Luke address his account, according to Acts 1:1, and how many other times had he written an account for this man?

2. What did Luke write about in his first account, according to Acts 1:1-2?

3. Read Luke 1:1-4. What sources did Luke use for his account of all that had happened? What did he hope to achieve with this writing to Theophilus?

4. What point was Luke making in Acts 1:3?

5. What was the command Jesus gave His apostles, according to verses 4-5?

6. According to verse 8, what did Jesus tell the apostles they would do after the Holy Spirit enabled them?

7. How did Jesus depart from them to return to heaven, according to verses 9-11, and what did the angels tell the people watching?

8. After they returned to Jerusalem, who was in that upper room, according to verses 13-14?

9. As Peter addressed about 120 believers in verses 16-22, what did he tell them they needed to do? Peter quotes Psalm 69:25 and 109:8.

10. According to verses 23-26, who was nominated and how did they make the selection?

11. Today we might think of “casting lots” as gambling or testing the odds. In contrast, in Biblical times lots were cast for very important decisions where God’s hand and direction was desired, rather than man’s decision. Explain how these motivations are different. What would be involved in depending on God to orchestrate the outcome of casting lots?

Lesson 2

Acts, Chapter 2

Read Acts chapter 2.

1. According to verses 2-3, what happened as the believers were gathered together to celebrate Pentecost, also known as Feast of Weeks?

2. What did the Holy Spirit empower the believers to do, according to verse 4?

3. Who was also in Jerusalem at that time, and what did they do when they heard the loud sound and their own languages being spoken, according to verses 5-6?

4. Read verses 5-12. Where did these Jews come from? What were the believers from Galilee talking about in the native languages of these people (verse 11)?

5. Summarize what Peter said to the people in verses 17-21 as he spoke about what the prophet Joel said in Joel 2:28-32.

6. What did Peter say about Jesus in verses 22-24?

7. In verses 29-31, what does Peter say about what he had just quoted from a Psalm by King David?

8. In verses 32-33, what does Peter tell the people about Jesus?

9. What does Peter proclaim in verse 36?

10. What does Peter encourage the hearers to do in verse 38?

11. How many believers were added to the family of God that day, according to verse 41?

12. What was the early church like, as it is described in verses 42-47?

13. In what ways is this different than the church today?

Lesson 3

Acts, Chapter 3

Read Acts chapter 3.

1. Read verses 1-3 and answer the following questions:

a. Where were Peter and John going, and what was scheduled there at this time?

b. Who did they encounter at the gate, and for what purpose was he placed there?

c. What did he ask Peter and John when he saw them at the gate?

2. What did Peter say to the man, and what did he offer him, according to verses 4-6?

3. What was the result, according to verses 7-8?

4. How did those who observed the healed man respond, according to verses 9-11?

5. Based on Peter’s comments in verse 12, what did he presume the people were thinking about what they just witnessed?

6. In verse 16, to what did Peter attribute the miraculous healing?

7. Summarize Peter’s rebuke to the Jews in verses 13-15?

8. According to verse 18, why did Jesus have to suffer the things that occurred?

9. What did Peter encourage the people to do in verse 19?

10. What is the further result Peter mentions in verse 20?

11. What was God’s promise to Moses in Deuteronomy 18:17-19, and how does that confirm what Peter says in Acts 3:22-23?

Lesson 4

Acts, Chapter 4

Read Acts chapter 4.

1. According to verses 1-2, who confronted Peter and John as they were speaking and what were they upset about?

2. What did they do to Peter and John, according to verse 3?

3. According to verse 4, what was the reaction of many others who heard Peter and John speak before they were arrested?

4. Who met with the disciples the next day and what was the main question they asked, according to verses 5-7?

5. Summarize Peter’s answer to them from verses 8-10.

6. As Peter continued his answer in verses 11-12, it forms one of the clearest and most central messages of the gospel. How would you summarize it?

7. What amazed the Jewish council members about Peter and John, according to verse 13?

8. What was the dilemma of the Jewish council members in verses 16-17?

9. What did they decide to do, according to verse 18?

10. In verses 19-20, how did Peter and John respond to what they were commanded?

11. According to verses 21-22, what were the people doing as a result of this miracle?

12. After Peter and John returned to the other believers, a prayer was offered to God. What was the essence of that prayer in verses 24-30?

13. What were all those who plotted against Jesus really accomplishing, according to verse 28?

14. What enabled the disciples to preach the Word of God with boldness, according to verse 31?

15. Explain how what we read in verse 32 applies to the church today. Also see 1 Chronicles 29:14.

16. How was Barnabas given as an example in verses 36-37?

Lesson 5

Acts, Chapter 5

Read Acts chapter 5.

1. In verses 1-10, what was wrong with the gift that Ananias and Sapphira gave to the church?

2. What happened to Ananias and to Sapphira as a result of this?

3. How did everyone who heard about this react, according to verse 11?

4. Knowing that God’s standards have not changed what impact should this account have on those in the church today?

5. What message do you think this sent to those outside the church, who were also gripped with fear on hearing this account?

6. Describe in your own words what was happening with the apostles and believers in verses 12-16.

7. What was the reaction of the high priest and Sadducees according to verse 17, and what did they do to the apostles according to verse 18?

8. According to verses 19-20, who intervened by letting the apostles out of jail, and what were the apostles then told to do?

9. Where were the apostles and what were they doing when the high priest, council, and elders sent to the jail to bring them for trial, according to verses 21-23?

10. According to verse 28, what had the high priest commanded the apostles to never do again, and what were they doing instead?

11. In what ways does what Peter and the apostles replied in verse 29 apply to us today? What examples can you give?

12. What do you think the high priest and council would have thought about what Peter and the apostles said to them in verses 30-32? How did they react, according to verse 33?

13. Summarize the advice that Gamaliel gave to the council, according to verses 35-39. What was the key point he made?

14. From verse 41, what gave the apostles joy after they were beaten and released? What can we learn from that?

Lesson 6

Acts, Chapter 6

Read Acts chapter 6.

1. In verse 1, what was the complaint and who were the participants?

2. In verses 2 and 4, what did the apostles say that their priority should be?

3. Even though the task before them was basically a food distribution program within the church, what qualifications were the men selected to oversee the program required to have, according to verse 3?

4. Why do you think these qualifications were required?

5. Do you think you would have agreed with this proposal, as the multitude of disciples did? Please explain your answer.

6. According to verse 7, what was the result of this wise handling of a contentious issue in the church?

7. Who were specifically noted as converting to belief in Christ and why do you think that was important?

8. According to verse 8, what enabled Stephen to do signs and wonders?

9. Who began to debate with Stephen, one of the seven chosen for the distribution program, and how did it go for them? See verses 8-10.

10. According to verse 11, what did they have to resort to?

11. What was the result of their action, according to verses 11-12?

12. According to verses 13-15, what did they specifically accuse Stephen of?

13. Stephen would have been teaching accurately about Jesus. What did Jesus actually say in John 2:19-22, and what “temple” was He referring to?

14. What did Jesus say about the Law of Moses in Matthew 5:17?

15. How were the tactics used against Stephen similar to those used against Jesus? See Matthew 26:59 for an example.

16. In verse 15, what did the people notice about Stephen’s face?

17. Angels are described in several verses to have faces that shine brilliantly. (See Daniel 10:6 and Mathew 28:3) In Exodus 34:29-30, Moses also had a shining face. What was the reason given for Moses’ face to shine? Do you think that could be the same reason that angels often appeared as brilliantly shining creatures, and was also how Stephen’s face appeared?

Lesson 7

Acts Chapter 7

Read Acts chapter 7.

1. In verse 1, what was the question that Stephen was asked by the high priest?

2. As Stephen was given the opportunity to defend himself, he demonstrated his knowledge and faithfulness to the history of the Jews. Who was the ancestor Stephen’s account starts with in verse 2?

3. Summarize the account of Abraham from verses 3-7.

4. What was the sign of the covenant God gave Abraham, according to verse 8? What was the covenant itself that is stated in Genesis 17:3-8?

5. What happened, according to Acts 7: 18-19, that put an end to the blessing the people experienced in Egypt with Joseph?

6. Who was raised up next to rescue the people, according to verses 20-36?

7. Rather than being rescued, what did the people want to do, according to verse 39?

8. What was their request to Aaron and what action did they take in verses 40-41?

9. What was God’s response in verses 42-43, and according to these verses, what had the Jews done to bring about this response?

10. According to verses 44-47, what had Israel (and later David and Solomon) made as a dwelling place for God? According to verses 48-50, where is God’s true dwelling place?

11. Stephen was recalling history up until verse 51. As he moved to the present time of his listeners in verses 51-53, what did he accuse them of doing?

12. What did the people do in response to Stephen’s words, according to verses 54, and 57-58?

13. According to verses 55-56, what was Stephen actually experiencing when, from a human perspective, he should have been fearful and in great pain?

14. Read Luke 23:34 and 46 to see some of Jesus’ last words on the cross. How do
Stephen’s words compare, as recorded in Acts 7:59-60?

15. What are your thoughts and feelings as you read this account of Stephen’s testimony and death?

Lesson 8

Acts, Chapter 8

Read Acts chapter 8.

1. According to verses 1-2, what began to happen in Jerusalem and what happened to the believers there?

2. According to verse 4, what did the believers do as they were scattered?

3. According to verse 3, what was Saul doing in the meantime?

4. Where, according to verse 5, did Philip go then and why would that have been unusual for him to go there? See John 4:9.

5. According to verses 6-8 and 12, what happened in Samaria as a result of Philip’s visit?

6. What happened when the apostles in Jerusalem heard about the response of the people in Samaria to the word of God? See verses 14-17.

7. According to verses 18-24, what happened that led Peter to understand that Simon was not a true believer?

8. Verse 13 tells us that Simon believed in response to Philip’s preaching and was then baptized, and began to follow Philip around as he preached. Why do you think Simon would have done this, and what can we learn from this about the impact that true salvation really has on our lives?

9. What was Philip told in verse 26, and who told him this?

10. Who did Philip meet there and what was this person doing in that area at the time, according to verses 27-28?

11. What question did Philip ask the eunuch in verse 30?

12. What was the eunuch’s response in verse 31?

13. Do you relate to the eunuch’s response? What resources help you to understand Scripture?

14. What was the eunuch’s response when he finally understood what the Scripture was about?
See verses 36-38.

Lesson 9

Acts, Chapter 9

Read Acts chapter 9.

1. According to verses 1-2, what was Saul’s plan in regards to Jesus’ followers?

2. What happened to Saul as he was on his way to Damascus, according to verses 3-4?

3. Who was it that spoke to Saul and what instruction was he given? See verses 5-6.

4. According to verses 10-12, what was the name of the believer in Damascus whom Jesus spoke to and what was he told?

5. What hesitation did Ananias express in verses 13-14?

6. Have you ever had an experience where you sensed Jesus asking you to do something that you
felt you couldn’t do? Please describe.

7. In verses 15-16, what did Jesus say was His purpose in choosing Saul?

8. According to verse 17, who was sent to Saul and what did he do and say to him?

9. What happened after that, according to verses 18-19?

10. According to verse 20, what did Saul do after his healing?

11. What was notable about Saul’s preaching and what did he prove about Jesus, according to verse 22?

12. Why did Saul have to flee Damascus and how did he do it, according to verses 23-25?

13. When Saul went to Jerusalem, what was the reaction of the believers there and what did Barnabas explain to them, according to verses 26-27?

14. What was the result of Saul’s witness to the Hellenistic, or Greek speaking Jews, according to verses 28-30?

15. What was the state of the church in verse 31?

16. As the narrative turns to Peter in verse 32, what were the two miracles he was responsible for (See verses 33-41.) and what happened after that, according to verse 42?

Lesson 10

Acts, Chapter 10

Read Acts chapter 10.

1. Who was named in verse 1, and what was his position? What does it say about him in verse 2?

2. Describe Cornelius’ interaction with the angel from verses 3-6.

3. What did Cornelius do next, according to verses 7-8?

4. Describe Peter’s vision in verses 11-12.

5. What did the voice tell Peter to do in verses 13 and 15, and what was his initial reaction in verse 14?

6. Deuteronomy 14 gives some details of God’s instructions to the Jews in order for them to be ceremonially clean before Him. What is the reason He gives for wanting them to be clean? (See 14:21b)

7. Jesus Himself introduces the New Covenant view of defilement. What does He say in Mark 7:14-15?

8. How do you think the events in Acts 10:15 and 10:19-20 prepared Peter for entering the house of the Roman gentile Cornelius?

9. According to verse 33, what was Cornelius expecting to hear from Peter?

10. What was Peter’s statement in verses 34-35?

Note: In Acts 11 Peter elaborates on what was revealed to him about the Gentiles.

11. Summarize Peter’s account in Acts 10: 36-43.

12. What happened as Peter was telling this to the people present, according to verse 44?

13. What amazed the Jewish believers (circumcised) who were with Peter, according to verses 45-46?

14. What was Peter’s final act there according, to verses 47-48?

Lesson 11

Acts, Chapter 11

Read Acts chapter 11.

1. According to verses 1-3, when news about the Gentiles receiving the word of God reached the believers in Judea, what was their response?

2. According to verse 18, the believers in Judea stopped objecting (to acceptance of the Gentiles) and started praising God. What caused this change? (See verses 4-17.)

3. What happened to the believers after Stephen’s death, according to verse 19a?

4. As they were scattered, what did they do according to verse 19b?

5. According to verses 20-21, what did some of the believing Jews do, and what was the result?

6. What was the response of those in the church in Jerusalem, according to verse 22?

7. What does it say about Barnabas in verse 24?

8. In verse 23, what did Barnabas do when he arrived in Antioch?

9. Who did Barnabas seek to join him and how long did they stay and teach at Antioch, according to verses 25-26?

10. What does verse 26b say was significant about the believers there?

11. What was the prophecy made by Agabus in verse 28?

12. What was the response of the believers in verses 29-30, and in what ways did that demonstrate their faith?

Lesson 12

Acts, Chapter 12

Read Acts chapter 12.

1. According to verse 1, who was king and what did he begin to do to the believers?

2. What did the king do in verse 2?

3. How did the Jews react to this and what did the king do in response, according to verses 3-4?

4. What did this motivate the church to do? (Verse 5)

5. Describe what happened next, according to verses 6-8.

6. According to verse 9, what did Peter think he was experiencing?

7. According to verses 10-11, at what point did Peter finally realize what was really happening and how did he describe it?

8. Where did he go first and what were they doing, according to verse 12?

9. In verses 13-14, what was Rhoda’s reaction to recognizing Peter’s voice at the door?

10. How did the believers react to Rhonda’s proclamation, according to verse 15? What might that indicate about their faith (especially since they had been praying for Peter)? How can you relate to their response?

11. In verses 18-19, what happened back at the jail and what was Herod’s response?

12. Further history is given regarding King Herod in verses 20-23. What finally happened to him and what had he done that caused this to happen?

13. Despite persecution of the believers, what does verse 24 say happened?

14. Verse 25 mentions that Barnabas and Saul returned from their trip to Jerusalem. Why had they gone there (review 11:29-30), and who returned with them?

Map of the First Missionary Journey of Saul (Paul) and Barnabas

Lesson 13

Acts, Chapter 13

Read Acts chapter 13.

1. According to verse 1, who were the teachers and prophets who were present at the church at Antioch?

2. What happened one day when they were worshipping the Lord and fasting, according to verses 2-3?

3. According to verses 4-5:

a. Who sent Barnabas and Saul?

b. Where did they go?

c. What did they do there?

d. Who was with them?

4. According to verse 6, after they traveled around the whole island and arrived at Paphos, who did they meet there?

5. According to verse 7, why did the proconsul (or governor) want to meet with Barnabas and Saul?

6. What did the sorcerer Elymas do, according to verse 8?

7. According to verses 9-11, what did Saul (or Paul) do and why?

8. What was the proconsul’s reaction to this and what was it that amazed or astonished him? See verse 12.

9. Where did Barnabas and Paul travel next, according to verses 13-14?

10. What did John Mark do, according to verse 13?

11. List the key points from the history that Paul gave when asked to address the synagogue attendees, as recorded in verses 16-39.

12. What was the warning Paul gave them in verses 40-41?

13. What was the reaction of the people in verses 42-43?

14. How did the Jews respond to their next teaching session, according to verse 45?

15. What was the response of Paul and Barnabas in verses 46-47?

16. Who believed, according to verse 48?

17. Why did Paul and Barnabas leave the city and where did they go next? See verses 50-51.

Lesson 14

Acts, Chapter 14

Read Acts chapter 14.

1. From verses 1-4, what similarities do you see between Iconium and Antioch?

2. From verse 3, what did God give Paul and Barnabas the ability to do in order to demonstrate that they were speaking the truth?

3. What caused Paul and Barnabas to flee to Lycaonia and what did they do there? See verses 5-7.

4. What did Paul do at Lystra that caused a stir and what was the response of the people, according to verses 8-11?

5. What did the people want to do to honor them and what was the reaction of Paul and Barnabas, according to verses 12-15?

6. According to verses 15-17, what did Paul and Barnabas encourage the people to do instead of honoring them?

7. Who stoned Paul and dragged him outside the city thinking he was dead? See verse 19.

8. What happened after Paul was left outside the city, according to verse 20?

9. Verses 19-20 move quickly from Paul being left for dead, to his return to the town in preparation for another journey. As Paul recounts some of these trials in 2 Timothy 3:11, to what does he attribute his miraculous recovery?

10. As Paul and Barnabas returned to several of the cities they had already visited (Acts 14:21-22), what did they say to the believers?

11. How do you think the personal experiences of Paul and Barnabas served as examples for the things they were teaching?

12. Who did Paul and Barnabas place in church leadership and whose ultimate care were they in? See verse 23.

13. As Paul and Barnabas concluded their journey and returned to Antioch of Syria, what did they report to the people of the church, according to verse 27?

14. How important do you think it is to share our personal testimonies of the things that God has done in and through our lives? What examples can you give?

Lesson 15

Acts, Chapter 15

Read Acts chapter 15.

1. What was the conflict that arose when men came from Judea to Antioch, and what was the plan the church devised to resolve it, according to verses 1-3.

2. When they arrived in Jerusalem, who was it that agreed with the teaching that had caused the controversy in Antioch, according to verse 5?

3. When the apostles and elders of the Jerusalem church met together to resolve the issue before them, what did Peter remind them of, according to verses 7-11?

4. What was the main point Peter made in verse 11?

5. How do you think what Paul and Barnabus shared confirmed what Peter had shared?
See verse 12.

6. What did James add about the issue of Gentile conversion, according to verses 13-18?

7. What were the instructions given to the Gentiles in verses 19-21?

8. Who was chosen from the church to accompany Paul and Barnabas back to Antioch to report on the decision of the church in Jerusalem, according to verse 22?

9. What did they take to Antioch with them to report the outcome? See verse 23.

10. According to verse 28, who did those in Jerusalem rely on in order to reach a conclusion on the matter?

11. Read Galatians 5:13-15. What do these verses add to our understanding of our freedom from the Law of Moses?

12. How did the people of the church in Antioch react to the message from the church in Jerusalem, according to Acts 15:31?

13. After teaching in the church at Antioch for some time, what did Paul want to do, according to verse 36 and 41?

14. What was the controversy that arose between Paul and Barnabas, and how was it resolved, according to verses 37-40? Who did Paul select as his next travel companion?

15. Read Colossians 4:10 and 2 Timothy 4:11. What do we learn about the broken relationship between John Mark and Paul from these verses?

16. What guidance does the situation between Paul and John Mark give us in our own broken relationships?

Lesson 16

Acts, Chapter 16

Read Acts chapter 16.

1. According to verses 1-3, who did Paul meet in Lystra and what do these verses tell us about him?

2. Verse 3 tells us that Paul arranged for Timothy to be circumcised. Why did he want that done in light of what the Jerusalem council just decided about the issue? 1 Corinthians 8:9 helps inform us.

3. How do you think the teaching of the instructions from the Jerusalem council would help to strengthen the church, as is noted in verses 4-5?

Map of the Second Missionary Journey of Paul and Barnabas

4. Examine the map along with verses 6-8. According to these verses, who was guiding Paul and Silas on their journey?

5. According to verses 9-10, what did Paul experience and what did they do next? What conclusion on their part led them to do this?

6. As the writer of the Book of Luke shifts his use of pronoun from “they” to “we” in verse 10, what does that tell us about when the author actually joined Paul and Silas?

7. Where did Paul and Silas go on the Sabbath to find a place of prayer, according to verse 13?

8. Who did they meet there and what do we learn about her in verses 14-15?

9. According to verses 16-17, who did they meet at this time and what was unique about her?

10. What did Paul finally do, according to verse 18?

11. What did the girl’s masters do and what happened to Paul and Silas, according to verses 19-24?

12. After Paul and Silas were stripped and terribly beaten, and then thrown in jail, what were they doing around midnight, according to verse 25?

13. What do you think you would have been doing in similar circumstances?

14. What happened next, according to verses 26-27?

15. Contrary to what the jailer thought, what did Paul tell him in verse 28?

16. What most important question did the jailer ask in verse 30, and what was the reply in verse 31?

17. From verses 33-34, what evidence was there that a real change had taken place in the life of the jailer and his family because they had believed in Jesus Christ as their Savior?

18. According to verses 37-39, what mistake had the public officials made in regard to jailing Paul and Silas?

19. While Paul and Silas wanted a personal apology, what Christian attribute did they apparently demonstrate? See Matthew 6:12 as an example.

20. What do you think Paul and Silas might have shared with the believers at Lydia’s home about
their experiences (related to being beaten and jailed) that would have encouraged them?

Lesson 17

Acts, Chapter 17

Read Acts chapter 17.

1. What did Paul find in Thessalonica and what did he do there for three days, according to verses 1-2?

2. According to verse 3, what were some specifics Paul shared with them?

3. Who were some who were persuaded by Paul’s message, according to verse 4?

4. What did those who were not persuaded do, according to verses 5-7?

5. What was the reaction in verses 8-9?

6. According to verses 10-11, where did the believers send Paul and Silas next and how did the people there react to their preaching?

7. How do you think this reaction might be an example to us today?

8. What was the result recorded in verse 12?

9. When Paul arrived in Athens, after fleeing repeated persecution by some of the Thessalonian Jews who had arrived in Berea, what troubled him, according to verse 16?

10. What did Paul do in Athens, according to verses 17-18?

11. According to verse 21, what was it about the Athenians, and foreigners there, that may have made them open to hear what Paul had to say?

12. Why do you think what Paul said to the audience, according to verses 22-23, may have gotten their attention?

13. List some of the specific things that Paul said about God in verses 24-29?

14. In verse 30, Paul explained how God overlooked the past ignorance of man, but what did Paul say that God calls for now?

15. Why should people repent, according to verse 31?

16. What was the effect of Paul’s speech (and the work of the Holy Spirit), according to verses 32-34?

Lesson 18

Acts, Chapter 18

Read Acts chapter 18.

1. After leaving Athens, where did Paul go, who did he meet there, and what do we know about them and their connection to Paul, according to verses 1-3?

2. As was his habit, Paul went to the synagogue each Sabbath to witness to the Jews and Greeks. What did Paul testify specifically to the Jews, how did they react, and what was Paul’s response, according to verses 5-6?

3. Although Paul made up his mind to focus on the Gentiles, Paul’s testimony to the Jews was not without effect. What do we learn about this in verse 8?

4. What did the Lord reveal to Paul in a vision and how long did Paul remain in Corinth, according to verses 9-11?

5. Describe the incident recorded in verses 12-17. What do you think this reveals about the government’s role in religion at that time?

6. As Paul continued on his second missionary journey, who did he take with him and in what port did Paul leave everyone behind, according to verses 18-19?

7. As Paul shared the gospel with the Jews in Ephesus, what did they ask him to do, and what was his answer in verses 20-21?

8. Where did Paul go from there, according to verse 22?

Map of the Third Missionary Journey of Paul

9. Meanwhile, who arrived in Ephesus, ad what do verses 24-25 tell us about him?

10. According to Matthew 3:11, what is the difference between John’s baptism and the later baptism in Christ?

11. What did Priscilla and Aquila do after hearing Apollos preach in the synagogue, according to verse Acts 18:26?

12. How did the believers in Ephesus help with Apollos’s plans to go to Achaia, according to verse 27?

13. From verses 27-28, what happened after Apollos arrived in Achaia?

14. What was Apollos’ main source of information and proof to support his arguments in refuting the Jews? See verse 28b.

15. How do you think this applies to our witness?

Lesson 19

Acts, Chapter 19

Read Acts chapter 19.

1. After Paul arrived in Ephesus, what questions did he ask the believers about the Holy Spirit and baptism, according to verses 1-3?

2. What did Paul explain about baptism in verse 4, and what was missing from the baptism of John?

3. After they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus, what sign did they receive in verse 6?

4. Summarize what happened in verses 8-9.

5. According to verse 10, how effective was Paul’s teaching?

6. What were the miraculous powers that God gave Paul, according to verses 11-12?

7. Knowing of Paul’s ministry, who tried to use the name of the Lord Jesus to cast out evil spirits, according to verses 13-14?

8. What happened to them, according to verses 15-16?

9. What happened as a result, according to verses 17-20?

10. After Paul laid out his plans in verses 21-22, what was the serious trouble that broke out in Ephesus, recorded in verses 23-25, who was at the center of it, and who did he call together?

11. What was the case this man laid out in his speech in verses 25-27?

12. What was the result in verses 28-29?

13. According to verses 30-31, what had Paul wanted to do, and what was the advice given to him by some of his friends?

14. What was the advice and concern of the town leader (mayor in some translations) in verses 35-41?

15. In what way do you think this may have been sound advice? What was the major concern expressed?

Lesson 20

Acts, Chapter 20

Read Acts chapter 20.

1. After the uproar described in chapter 19, where did Paul leave for and eventually stay for three months, according to verses 1-3? Where did he travel to after the Passover, according to verse 6?

2. What picture (details) of the early church meeting do we get from verse 7, including the day on which they came together?

3. Describe the situation with Eutychus from verses 8-12. What happened to him and how did Paul respond?

4. According to verse 16, why was Paul not planning to return to Ephesus? What did he do instead, according to verse 17?

5. As Paul described his ministry in Asia to the elders of the church at Ephesus in verses 18-21, what was the experience like for him?

6. In verses 20-21, what was the central message, profitable for all, that Paul preached to Jews and Greeks alike?

7. In verses 22-23, where was Paul going next, who was sending him there, and what was he told to expect?

8. In verse 24, what did Paul say was the most important thing for him?

9. Read Ephesians 2:10. According to this verse we each have a work that God wants us to do and prepares us to do. What do you think God has called you to do? Do you share the same priority as Paul did for accomplishing it?

10. What sad news did Paul give the elders in Acts 20:25?

11. How did Paul describe the role of church elders in verse 28?

12. What did Paul warn them of in verses 29-31?

13. What did Paul entrust them to, according to verse 32, so they could be built up and given an inheritance?

14. According to verses 33-35, what did Paul say is a way to help the weak, (or those in need), and what did Jesus say about it in verse 35?

15. Describe the ending of Paul’s visit from verses 36-38.

16. Share what the Holy Spirit is revealing to you about the examples we have from Paul’s life in this chapter.

Lesson 21

Acts, Chapter 21

Read Acts chapter 21.

1. After Paul left the Ephesian leaders, what was his mode of travel and where did he end up next, according to verse 3?

2. According to verse 4, what did Paul do after landing on shore?

3. What did the believers there tell Paul in verse 4b?

4. What was Paul’s parting like, according to verses 5-6?

5. In verses 10-11, Agabus arrived from Judea. As he encountered Paul, how did he demonstrate his message, who did he say the source was, and what was the message?

6. As all the believers begged Paul not to go to Jerusalem, what was his response in verse 13?
How does Acts 20:24 further explain the reason for Paul’s determination?

7. In what way could Acts 21:14 show a wrong priority on the part of the believers?

8. After arriving in Jerusalem, what did Paul do, according to verse 18?

9. What did Paul tell them, according to verse 19, and what was their response in verse 20a?

10. What was the concern the brothers expressed to Paul in verses 20b-22?

11. What was the plan the brothers devised, according to verses 23-24?

12. As Paul was in the Temple assisting with the purification ritual, what were the accusations that the Jews from Asia made against him, according to verses 27-29?

13. Describe the scene and events that followed, as recorded in verses 30-36?

14. In verse 29, what request did Paul make to the Roman commander?

Lesson 22

Acts, Chapter 22

Read Acts chapter 22.

Here Paul repeats the account of his amazing call to faith in Christ and the ministry God called him to.

1. As Paul began his defense, what was it that impressed his listeners, according to verse 2?

2. How would what Paul said in verses 3-4 help his defense and alleviate some of the concerns of those accusing him? Why might his connection to Gamaliel help him? (See Acts 5:34)

3. In Acts 22:6-9, what does Paul recall happened on his way to arrest believers in Damascus? Who appeared to him there?

4. What did the voice tell him to do and what was his condition, according to verses 10-11?

5. Who was Ananias, what did he do for Paul, and what did he tell Paul, according to verses 12-16?

6. What was Paul’s vision as he was praying in the Temple, according to verses 17-18?

7. What was Paul’s argument against what he was told, according to verses 19-20?

8. From what he said in verses 19-20, why do you think that Paul thought the people may have wanted to listen to him instead of be against him?

9. What was the Lord’s answer to Paul in verse 21?

10. How was the Lord’s point proved true in verses 22-23?

11. What did the Roman commander do in verse 24, and what was his intent in this action?

12. What was Paul’s question to the Roman officer in verse 25?

13. What was the response of the soldiers to Paul’s question and what had they done wrong?
See verses 26-29.

14. What did the commander do in verse 30 in order to investigate the situation properly according to Roman rules?

Lesson 23

Acts, Chapter 23

Read Acts chapter 23.

1. In verse 1, we see that Paul had begun his testimony before the Jewish High Council, as the Roman commander had ordered. As in a court of law today, what would the purpose of Paul’s testimony have been and how would his statement in verse 1 have supported that purpose?

2. What did Ananias the high priest command in verse 2?

3. In verse 3, how did Paul respond to the words of the high priest? What can we learn from Jesus in John 18:22-23, that supports Paul’s complaint about the action of the high priest breaking the law? Remember that a verdict about Paul’s guilt had not been reached.

Note: The Greek rendering of John 18:22 says that Jesus was “given a slap” on the face. In the case of Paul in Acts 23:2, the Greek word used there is different, meaning “to wound, beat, injure, or harm”. This suggests that the slap to Jesus was more of a warning, while in Paul’s case, the intent was to do him harm.

4. Despite the unjust action of the high priest, why did Paul apologize in verse 5? See Exodus 22:28.

5. What was the statement that Paul made in verse 6, and why would there have been an uproar because of it, according to verses 7-9?

6. What happened in verse 11 that would have encouraged Paul, and what was he told?

7. In verses 12-15, what was the plot that had been devised against Paul?

8. How was this plot revealed, according to verses 16-22?

9. What were the orders that the Roman commander issued, described in verses 23-24?

10. Who did the Roman commander write to and for what purpose, according to verses 25-30? In what ways might his letter not have given an exact account of what had taken place with Paul?
(Review Acts 22:24-29.)

11. According to Acts 23:34-35, what did the governor plan to do with Paul after receiving the letter and talking to Paul?

Lesson 24

Acts, Chapter 24

Read Acts chapter 24.

1. According to verse 1, who finally arrived in Caesarea to present the case against Paul?

2. What were the main accusations against Paul in verses 5 and 6?

3. What was Paul’s response in verses 11-13?

4. What did Paul admit (or clarify) in verses 14-16?

5. What did Paul further explain in verses 17-21?

6. What did Felix do after Paul’s testimony, according to verses 22-23?

7. For what reason do you think Felix would have brought back his wife Drusilla to listen to Paul?
See verse 24.

8. What were the topics Paul discussed with Felix and Drusilla, according to verse 24-25?

9. What was Felix’s response to what Paul had to say, according to verse 25?

10. How long did Felix leave Paul in prison and why did he leave him there, according to verse 27?

Lesson 25

Acts, Chapter 25

Read Acts chapter 25.

1. Since Paul had been in prison for two years by the time Festus succeeded Felix as governor, what do you think could account for the actions of the Jewish leaders mentioned in verses 1-2?

2. What was the intention behind the request of the Jewish leaders to move Paul to Jerusalem and what was Festus’ response, according to verses 3-5?

3. After Festus’ return to Caesarea, he ordered Paul to be brought before him for trial. After the Jews again accused Paul, without any proof, and Paul defended himself, what question did Festus put before Paul and what was his motivation, according to verse 9?

4. What was Paul’s request for trial in verse 11 and why do you think he made this appeal?

5. Who came to visit Festus, according to verse 13, and what was their purpose?

6. As Festus discussed Paul’s case with King Agrippa, what concerns or frustrations did he mention in verses 18-21?

7. What was King Agrippa’s response in verse 22?

Note: This King Herod Agrippa II was the great-grandson of Herod the Great who ruled in Judea from 37-4 BC.

8. In verse 24, how did Festus introduce Paul to King Agrippa and those assembled?

9. In verse 25a, what was Festus’ opinion about Paul’s guilt?

10. Why did Festus say he was sending Paul to Rome, according to verse 25b?

11. What was Festus’ concern in verse 26a?

12. What did he expect to gain from King Agrippa and the others present, according to 26b?

13. What was Festus’ rationale for this, according to verse 27?

Lesson 26

Acts, Chapter 26

Read Acts chapter 26.

1. As Paul began to offer his defense, why did he say he was happy to be able to present it before King Agrippa, according to verses 2-3?

2. What key points did Paul make in verses 4-5?

3. In verses 6-7, what did Paul say was the reason for his trial?

4. How do verses, such as Acts 3:22-24, Isaiah 7:14, and Daniel 7:13-14, confirm what Paul was saying?

5. According to verses 9-11, what was Paul’s initial response to Jesus and what had he done to fight against His name?

6. As Paul recounted his experience at conversion, what was he told, in verses 16-17, that his assignment was to be?

7. What was the purpose for this, given in verse 18?

8. What did Paul do in response to this vision, according to verses 19-20?

9. What was the response of the Jews to Paul’s actions, according to verse 21?

10. In verse 22a, to what or whom did Paul give credit for helping him in his work?

11. In verse 22b, what did Paul say his testimony was limited to?

12. Verse 23 gives the essence of Paul’s preaching. What does it say?

13. After Paul’s testimony, what difference do you notice between Festus’ response in verse 24, and King Agrippa’s response in verse 28?

14. As Paul responded to King Agrippa in verse 29, what was Paul’s hope for King Agrippa and everyone who heard his testimony?

16. What was the conclusion of Festus and King Agrippa about Paul’s guilt, given in verse 31?

17. Why did they not set him free according to verse 32?

Lesson 27

Acts, Chapter 27

Read Acts chapter 27.

1. Besides the writer of Acts including himself as present by using “we” throughout chapter 27, who is also mentioned as present in verse 2?

2. Why would this man be included among the prisoners? See Acts 19:29; 20:4 and Colossians 4:10.

3. According to verse 3, what kindness was shown to Paul?

4. What did the centurion (or commanding officer) find in Myra of Lycia and what did he do, according to verse 6?

5. What was Paul’s warning to the ship’s crew, according to verse 9-10?

6. What did they decide to do, rather than follow Paul’s warning, according to verses 11-12?

7. After being struck by the violent storm, what did they finally decide to do in verses 18-19?

8. What did Paul say to encourage those on board in verses 22-25?

9. What was the scheme of the sailors, as noted in verse 30?

10. As Paul encouraged everyone to take some food for their own good, how long had it been since they had eaten and how many people were on the ship, according to verses 33-37?

11. What was the soldiers’ plan regarding the prisoners after the ship ran aground? See verse 42.

12. What did the commander do instead and what was his reason, according to verses 43-44?

Lesson 28

Acts, Chapter 28

Read Acts chapter 28.

1. What was the name of the island they took refuge on, according to verse 1?

2. How did the islanders receive the group, according to verse 2?

3. What happened to Paul as he was gathering wood and laying it on the fire, according to verse 3?

4. Why did the islanders think this happened to him and what did they expect to occur as a result, according to verses 4-6?

5. What changed their minds, according to verse 6, and what did they think then about Paul?

6. Who was Publius, and what had he done for the visitors according to verse 7?

7. What was wrong with Publius’ father, according to verse 8?

8. What did Paul do when he visited Publius’ father (verse 8)?

9. What were the results of this, recorded in verses 9-10?

10. How long did they stay on that island, according to verse 11?

11. What did Paul and his companions find at Puteoli and what did they do, according to verses 13-15?

12. Despite the fact that Paul arrived in Rome as a prisoner, how did this fulfill plans that Paul already had? See Acts 19:21.

13. After Paul informed the local Jewish leaders for the reason he was taken to Rome, what was their response in Acts 28:21-22?

14. From verses 23-24, what happened and why do you think this might be evidence of God’s leading in Paul’s journey?

15. How did the scripture Paul quoted from Isaiah (in Acts 28:26-27) apply to the situation there in Rome?

16. As Paul announced in verse 28 that the gospel had gone to the Gentiles and they would receive it, how does that confirm what was said in Acts 9:15 and Acts 13:46-47?

17. What does Philippians 1:13 tell us about one result of Paul’s ministry in Rome?

18. In what ways does Paul’s life encourage you to live for God and be bold in sharing the gospel?

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