Acts #29 – Study Questions
An Unplanned Detour
Acts 28:1-10
INTRODUCTION: Detours are a mild inconvenience when they simply delay our arrival by a few minutes or maybe an hour. However, they can often feel and even end up becoming far more destructive. Paul is going to experience a detour that could have destroyed the entire mission and purpose for his journey to Rome. But it doesn’t. We are right to be astonished and impressed by Paul. If we look at his story, we will see that it wasn’t by Paul’s power or strength that he was able to stay the course, even when knocked off course, it was the power of Jesus in him. The whole scene, of course, provides yet another example, before Italy itself is finally reached, of an official finding that Paul was a man to be trusted and valued, on top of the islanders finding that, despite an apparent accusation (via the snake) he was in fact innocent. This sets the narrative up for the final voyage, and the theology for its full meaning. The sea and the snake have done their worst and are overcome. New creation is happening, and the powers of evil cannot stop it. Paul may arrive in Rome a more bedraggled figure than he would have liked, but the gospel which he brings is flourishing, and nobody can stop it.[1] The good news in this passage is that, with Jesus, detours don’t have to be destructive.
GETTING STARTED – As you begin your group time, talk about a time that a trip you were on got detoured. What happened, how was it resolved, and what lessons did you learn along the way?
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] Tom Wright, Acts for Everyone, Part 2: Chapters 13-28 (London: Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge, 2008), 237.