Bible Reading
Acts 21:1–25 (ESV) —
> 1 And when we had parted from them and set sail, we came by a straight course to Cos, and the next day to Rhodes, and from there to Patara.
> 2 And having found a ship crossing to Phoenicia, we went aboard and set sail.
> 3 When we had come in sight of Cyprus, leaving it on the left we sailed to Syria and landed at Tyre, for there the ship was to unload its cargo.
> 4 And having sought out the disciples, we stayed there for seven days. And through the Spirit they were telling Paul not to go on to Jerusalem.
> 5 When our days there were ended, we departed and went on our journey, and they all, with wives and children, accompanied us until we were outside the city. And kneeling down on the beach, we prayed
> 6 and said farewell to one another. Then we went on board the ship, and they returned home.
> 7 When we had finished the voyage from Tyre, we arrived at Ptolemais, and we greeted the brothers and stayed with them for one day.
> 8 On the next day we departed and came to Caesarea, and we entered the house of Philip the evangelist, who was one of the seven, and stayed with him.
> 9 He had four unmarried daughters, who prophesied.
> 10 While we were staying for many days, a prophet named Agabus came down from Judea.
> 11 And coming to us, he took Paul’s belt and bound his own feet and hands and said, “Thus says the Holy Spirit, ‘This is how the Jews at Jerusalem will bind the man who owns this belt and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.’”
> 12 When we heard this, we and the people there urged him not to go up to Jerusalem.
> 13 Then Paul answered, “What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be imprisoned but even to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.”
> 14 And since he would not be persuaded, we ceased and said, “Let the will of the Lord be done.”
> 15 After these days we got ready and went up to Jerusalem.
> 16 And some of the disciples from Caesarea went with us, bringing us to the house of Mnason of Cyprus, an early disciple, with whom we should lodge.
> 17 When we had come to Jerusalem, the brothers received us gladly.
> 18 On the following day Paul went in with us to James, and all the elders were present.
> 19 After greeting them, he related one by one the things that God had done among the Gentiles through his ministry.
> 20 And when they heard it, they glorified God. And they said to him, “You see, brother, how many thousands there are among the Jews of those who have believed. They are all zealous for the law,
> 21 and they have been told about you that you teach all the Jews who are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, telling them not to circumcise their children or walk according to our customs.
> 22 What then is to be done? They will certainly hear that you have come.
> 23 Do therefore what we tell you. We have four men who are under a vow;
> 24 take these men and purify yourself along with them and pay their expenses, so that they may shave their heads. Thus all will know that there is nothing in what they have been told about you, but that you yourself also live in observance of the law.
> 25 But as for the Gentiles who have believed, we have sent a letter with our judgment that they should abstain from what has been sacrificed to idols, and from blood, and from what has been strangled, and from sexual immorality.”
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## Observation Questions
1. What did the believers in Tyre and Caesarea urge Paul not to do, and how did Paul respond to their concerns? (Acts 21:4, 12-14; [54:51])
2. When Paul arrived in Jerusalem, what did he choose to report to James and the elders about his ministry? (Acts 21:19; [01:07:37])
3. What was the issue the Jewish believers in Jerusalem had with Paul, and what solution did they propose? (Acts 21:20-24; [01:08:32])
4. According to the sermon, what are the two main types of opposition Paul faced on his journey? ([54:51])
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## Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think Paul was willing to continue toward Jerusalem even after repeated warnings and pleas from people who loved him? What does this reveal about his understanding of God’s will? ([54:51])
2. The sermon says, “You cannot save people from their process.” How does this idea challenge the way we try to protect those we care about from pain or hardship? ([58:58])
3. Paul chose to focus on what God had done rather than the hardships he endured. What does this teach us about the role of testimony in the life of a believer? ([01:07:37])
4. Why did Paul agree to participate in a ritual he didn’t need, and what does this say about putting people over principles for the sake of unity and witness? ([01:08:32])
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## Application Questions
1. Can you think of a time when following God’s direction meant you had to move forward without the approval or understanding of people close to you? How did you handle their concerns or resistance? ([54:51])
2. Is there someone in your life right now you are trying to “save” from a difficult process? How might you need to trust God with their journey, even if it means letting them go through something hard? ([58:58])
3. When you talk about your life, do you tend to focus more on your struggles or on what God has done for you? What would it look like to let your testimony be louder than your trauma this week? ([01:07:37])
4. Are there situations where you have insisted on being “right” at the expense of loving someone well? What would it look like to put people over principles in your relationships? ([01:08:32])
5. The sermon used the image of “handling the worms” to reach people who are far from God. What are some “worms” (uncomfortable or unfamiliar things) you might need to handle in order to reach someone for Christ? ([01:10:58])
6. How can you engage with people who are different from you—culturally, socially, or spiritually—without compromising your faith, but still meeting them where they are? ([01:10:58])
7. What is one specific step you can take this week to advance in obedience to God, even if it means being misunderstood or uncomfortable? ([54:51])
