Bible ReadingActs 24:24-27 After some days Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish, and he sent for Paul and heard him speak about faith in Christ Jesus. And as he reasoned about righteousness and self-control and the coming judgment, Felix was alarmed and said, “Go away for the present. When I get an opportunity I will summon you.” At the same time he hoped that money would be given him by Paul. So he sent for him often and conversed with him. When two years had elapsed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus. And desiring to do the Jews a favor, Felix left Paul in prison.
[01:55]Hebrews 3:15 As it is said, “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion.”
[28:23]John 21:9-19 When they got out on land, they saw a charcoal fire in place, with fish laid out on it, and bread. Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish that you have just caught.” So Simon Peter went aboard and hauled the net ashore, full of large fish, 153 of them. And although there were so many, the net was not torn. Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” Now none of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord. Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and so with the fish. This was now the third time that Jesus was revealed to the disciples after he was raised from the dead. When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.” He said to him a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.” He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” and he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep. Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young, you used to dress yourself and walk wherever you wanted, but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will dress you and carry you where you do not want to go.” (This he said to show by what kind of death he was to glorify God.) And after saying this he said to him, “Follow me.”
[32:29]John 3:1-2 Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. This man came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him.”
[21:48]Observation questions- What details in Acts 24 show that Felix had repeated access to Paul, the message of Jesus, and an opportunity to make a right decision?
- What three subjects did Paul reason with Felix about, and what does Felix’s response reveal about the effect those words had on him? [10:43]
- What motives does Luke give for Felix’s repeated conversations with Paul and for leaving Paul in prison after two years? [17:18]
- In John 21, what does Jesus do before and after asking Peter, “Do you love me?” What responsibilities does Jesus give Peter? [30:29]
Interpretation questions- Why might Paul’s words about righteousness, self-control, and coming judgment have felt especially costly to Felix, given the authority and relationships he was trying to protect? [07:56]
- Felix was alarmed by the truth, but he asked Paul to return at a more convenient time. What is the difference between feeling conviction and responding to conviction with repentance?
- How can a person appear spiritually interested—listening, praying, attending church, or talking about faith—while still avoiding surrender to Jesus? [15:26]
- Jesus restores Peter after his failure and still calls him to follow. How does this scene help explain why costly grace is not shame or punishment, but an invitation into real life? [32:29]
Application questions- Is there a decision, conversation, habit, relationship, or step of obedience that has been pushed off because the right response is already fairly clear? What makes it feel costly? [00:39]
- Where might Jesus be bringing specific conviction rather than vague guilt—perhaps in integrity, self-control, the use of power, finances, a relationship, or an unresolved conflict? What would it look like to stop pretending that area does not need to change? [11:01]
- What are some “more convenient time” phrases that tend to show up in personal life: “after this season,” “when things calm down,” “when I have more information,” or something else? How can a reasonable delay become avoidance? [27:59]
- Is there a way of managing fear instead of surrendering it to Jesus? For example, does control, busyness, isolation, religious activity, or trying to keep everyone happy help avoid a deeper issue? [20:12]
- Hard seasons can create a desire to withdraw from others. When anxiety, grief, disappointment, or struggle becomes heavy, what kind of help from Christian community is actually needed? Is there a trusted person who could be invited into that burden this week? [18:48]
- Jesus does not wait for people to clean themselves up before moving toward them. Where does fear of failure, disappointment, or being known make it hard to come honestly to Jesus? What does Peter’s restoration make possible in that place? [32:29]
- Hebrews says, “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts.” What is one simple, concrete way to answer Jesus today rather than waiting for a better time? [28:23]
