Of Philip, Paul, and Peter: Spreading Good News, Changing Lives

This is the study page for the Thursday Night small group meeting on October 25.  We will be picking up with the last part of chapter 8 (the Ethiopian Eunuch), and then moving through Chapter 9 (Paul's conversion and Peter's work on the Palestinian coast).  We may get through the whole of chapter 9, but we may not (if last week was any indicator of how things might go this week).

I have included the questions from last week's study page for Chapter 8:26-40, and then added the ones for chapter 9.  As always, read through the passages on your own a few times, jotting down questions and observations.  Be sure to look for things that stand out about people, places, and timing.  Once you have read through a few times, go back through and consider the questions below:

Chapter 8:26-40

• With such a great "revival" is breaking out among the Samaritans, Philip is sent somewhere else. What sort of hesitation or limits does Philip put his response?
• He's on a desert road, and who does he see?
• Who is "Candace"? Follow the links and read about the Queen and country.
• There is an interesting pun in the text, missed in English. In verse 26, the word for Gaza is this one (G1048), and in verse 27, the word for "treasury" is this one (G1047). It turns out to be an accident of language (Gaza is of Philistine origin, and treasury is of Persian origin), but they could be related in some way.
• How is Philip receiving his "orders"? What does that tell you about the Spirit of God?
• Where is the eunuch headed? So where has he come from? Why wouldn't he be able to get an explanation from where he came from?
• What happens to Philip after the baptism? This is a debated event, think about how it's described in a few different translations.

Chapter 9:1-31

• What clues, if any, are provided that give a reason why Saul is so violent toward the believers?
• How did believers get to Damascus?  Why would Saul think that would be a good place to find them?
• What sort of authority would letters from the high priest give Saul? Under what limitations?
• What does Saul's method (high priest letters of authority to the Synagogues) tell you about the believers in Damascus?
• Why the "drama" with Saul's conversion?  Who is Saul persecuting?  How is that?
• What seems odd about Saul's question in verse 5?
• What part(s) do Saul's companion's share in this experience?  What happens to them?
• Why does Ananias' response to God sound familiar?  Who does he sound like?
• What about his assignment bothers Ananias?  How does he respond to the assignment?
• What explanation does God give to him about Saul?
• What is interesting about what Ananias says to Saul, by way of introduction/explanation?
• How long does Saul wait before preaching? (but what about Galatians 1:16-24?)
• Where is he doing all this preaching?
• What sort of preaching is he doing?
• What sort of response does he get from the people?
• Who lowers him over the wall?  What does that tell you about Saul?
• Where does he go?  What sort of response does he get there?
• Who comes to his rescue and what does he do?
• Who does Saul argue with in Jerusalem?  Why do these guys sound familiar? 
• Why does their response sound so familiar?  What trend do you see here?
• What do the believers do to rescue Saul?
• Why would Saul's conversion bring such peace on the region for the believers?

Acts 9:32-43

• What is known about Aeneas?
• What does Peter tell him to do (look it up in as many translations as you can)?
• Why does that seem odd?  Why tell him to do that?
• What is the name of the lady in Joppa? (G5000) (G1393)
• What is she known for?
• What do the widows call her?
• What does Peter call her?
• What is the effect of all these healings?

Be sure to read the passages several times.  Look up words that seem odd or interesting on the Blue Letter Bible site. Bring your questions and observations to the group.

See you Thursday!  Blessings upon you until then!