Acts #15 – Study Questions
The Journey Begins
Acts 12:15-13:12
INTRODUCTION: Attention turns to Antioch and beyond as the first missionary journey (13:1–14:28) and the Jerusalem Council (15:1–35) are the key elements of this unit. The move to go to the end of the earth has started in earnest. Cyprus and Galatia receive visits. Saul becomes Paul and emerges as the key figure of the expansion for Luke. One of the results of the council is the central role Paul will play in the Gentile mission. Antioch is a church full of teachers and prophets who sense the direction of the Spirit to engage in organized mission. For the first time in Luke’s account, a church other than the one in Jerusalem is the center for a major divine initiative. Luke sees the act as important and symbolic. The church can be active in places outside Jerusalem, as God directs through the Spirit. In modern terms, a church plant has taken up the call. More than that, the center of the church’s activity is no longer limited to Jerusalem. In fact, many centers of activity are emerging.[1] And, this is all very good news for you and me. Why? Because, just like then, God’s Spirit wants to flow through me.
GETTING STARTED – As a group, talk about a time that you sensed God leading you and the fruit that came from following his prompting.
IN THE WORD – Let’s dig back into the passage. It is important to strengthen our muscles in reading God’s Word. On Sunday, we walked through the passage in the sermon. Hopefully, that helped you to see the landmarks of the passage with fresh eyes. Now, with your group, go back through it and see what God is saying to you specifically.
First, before you read the passage, take a moment to ask God’s Spirit to quiet your mind and heart and to illuminate the text to you. Second, read the passage aloud to the group. Then, follow the simple method below. (O.P.A)
Observe: Make 8-10 observations from the passage. Pay close attention to observe and note repeated words and phrases, names, places, and themes.
Principles: From your list of observations, what patterns or big ideas do you see emerging? Can you distill it down into 2-4 big idea truths?
Apply: Moving from your list of principles, it is time to apply God’s Word. Remember, we believe that God’s Word is living and active and that it can change the way we live Monday- Friday. What is one tangible way to apply a truth from your list above?
[1] Darrell L. Bock, Acts, Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2007), 436.