Feeding Popular Opinion and Worms

This is the study page for Chapter 13 of Acts for the study group session on Thursday, December 6.  We're also feeding the Infiltrate group, so this study may be put off a week.  On either week, this is the study page.

Be sure and read through the chapter a few times.  Be sure and look up Herod so you know something about him (more than the footnote in your study Bible).  The ISBE article on The Blue Letter Bible site should be sufficient.  The first problem will be figuring out which Herod we have in chapter 13.  Here is a link to get you started.

Also look for those things that seem odd or out of place.  Look for details that are interesting or intriguing.  Once you've gone through and made your own set of notes and questions, go through again and use the questions below:

• This seems sudden.  From any research on Herod, why him, why now?
• There is not much said about James' death, not like Stephen, what is that weird?
• How is this king able to get the "apostles", especially the top three so easily?
• What seems odd about Peter's imprisonment?
• What seems very beneficial about the timing?  What does that mean for Peter though?
• How long were people praying for Peter?
• What does the angel do to wake Peter up?  Why is that odd?
• Consider what could have been seen by the guards if someone had noticed Peter leaving.  Why is it impossible that he was seen?
• How did the two soldiers he was chained to not miss him earlier?
• How many facets does this miracle actually have?  How many more are possible?
• So, is this the Angel of the Lord, or just an angel of the Lord?
• What does Peter assume as he's leaving the prison?  Why would he assume that?
• When Peter realizes what happened and where he is, where is he?  Where is the angel?
• What does Peter do first?  Where does he go?  What character is introduced?
• Who answers the door?  Look closer, who answers the door?
• What do the people think about poor Rhoda?  Why?
• What is odd about what they were praying about, who is at the gate, and how they respond?
• What does Peter tell them?  Why James?  What does that tell you about the "authority" of the "Twelve"?
• What does the morning bring at the prison?
• Who is looking for Peter?  What happens to the guards?  Who's the victim here?
• What is being setup between the people of Phoenicia and Tyre and King Herod?
• How do the people (which people?) respond to the king's speech?
• How does God respond to the king's response to the people's response to the king's speech?
• What happens to the church?
• What is the timing of these events?  
• Who returns with Barnabas and Saul?

That is plenty for our discussion.  You probably have a lot of questions not listed here, so please bring them with you.  I look forward to seeing you all Thursday!

Blessings upon you until then!