Acts #20 – Study Questions
Following the Spirit
Acts 16:6-40
INTRODUCTION: Luke picks up the story after Paul and Barnabas go in different directions. Luke, traveling with Paul, naturally writes of Paul’s journey. Barnabas and John-Mark will continue faithful ministry in Cyprus, but we just won’t hear much about it. Paul and company gradually journeys to Troas after being blocked by the Spirit in an unspecified way from preaching in Asia or going to Bithynia (vv. 6–8). In Troas, he is given a vision to go to Macedonia, where he arrives in Philippi (vv. 9–10). The unit shows Paul continuing to extend the gospel’s proclamation under the Spirit’s direction into communities where Gentiles are prevalent (vv. 6–7, 10 repeat references to the Spirit and to God). The gospel is on its way in Europe, although this designation for the region was not used in the first century. For Luke, this represents further ethnic expansion of the gospel’s outreach.[1] Paul and company didn’t set out in this direction, but they were soft to the Spirit’s leading, and what we will come to see is that God’s plans are always better than ours.
GETTING STARTED – One of the key themes in this passage is the leading of the Holy Spirit in the life of the believer. For much of Acts to this point, this theme has been largely assumed. I.e., The Sprit’s leading is so foundational to the life and experience of the church that Luke doesn’t note it. But, here, with a shift in plans, Luke makes it clear this is a work of the Spirit and not of man. As a group, discuss how you have experienced or felt the Spirit’s guidance in your lives? Or, is there someone you know that has experienced a clear leading o the Spirit, and what was it?
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), 525.