Bible ReadingActs 9:1-19 “But Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. Now as he went on his way, he approached Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. And falling to the ground, he heard a voice saying to him, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?’ And he said, ‘Who are you, Lord?’ And he said, ‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. But rise and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do.’ The men who were traveling with him stood speechless, hearing the voice but seeing no one. Saul rose from the ground, and although his eyes were opened, he saw nothing. So they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. And for three days he was without sight, and neither ate nor drank. Now there was a disciple at Damascus named Ananias. The Lord said to him in a vision, ‘Ananias.’ And he said, ‘Here I am, Lord.’ And the Lord said to him, ‘Rise and go to the street called Straight, and at the house of Judas look for a man of Tarsus named Saul, for behold, he is praying, and he has seen in a vision a man named Ananias come in and lay his hands on him so that he might regain his sight.’ But Ananias answered, ‘Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he has done to your saints at Jerusalem. And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on your name.’ But the Lord said to him, ‘Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel. For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name.’ So Ananias departed and entered the house. And laying his hands on him he said, ‘Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus who appeared to you on the road by which you came has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.’ And immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and he regained his sight. Then he rose and was baptized; and taking food, he was strengthened.”
[42:47] [43:10] [47:32] [49:38]2 Timothy 3:16-17 “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.”
[01:00:12]Psalm 139:23-24 “Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!”
[01:08:21]Acts 7:54-60 “Now when they heard these things they were enraged, and they ground their teeth at him. But he, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. And he said, ‘Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.’ But they cried out with a loud voice and stopped their ears and rushed together at him. Then they cast him out of the city and stoned him. And the witnesses laid down their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul. And as they were stoning Stephen, he called out, ‘Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.’ And falling to his knees he cried out, ‘Lord, do not hold this sin against them.’ And when he had said this, he fell asleep.”
[39:15]Observation questions- In Acts 7 and 9, what details show that Saul was not merely confused or curious, but actively hostile toward Jesus and his followers? [39:15]
- In Acts 9:3-19, what happens to Saul in order, from the moment Jesus meets him on the road to the moment he is baptized?
- What words and actions from Ananias stand out when he meets Saul, especially after everything Saul had done to believers? [47:32]
- According to 2 Timothy 3:16-17, what does Scripture do in a person’s life, and what is it meant to prepare that person for? [01:00:12]
Interpretation questions- Jesus asks Saul, “Why are you persecuting me?” What does that reveal about how closely Jesus identifies with his people, and how might that shape the way suffering in the church is understood? [43:10]
- Saul’s physical blindness seems to mirror a deeper spiritual blindness. What does his loss of sight, and then the falling of the scales, help show about conversion and seeing Jesus rightly? [49:38]
- Saul is baptized immediately after his sight is restored. What does that suggest about baptism as a response to seeing Jesus as Lord? [49:38]
- Christianity is not behavior modification but heart transformation. Why does that difference matter so much, and how does Saul’s story make that clear? [51:56]
Application questions- Saul’s story shows that no one is too far gone for Jesus to confront and change. Is there anyone who seems “too far” in your mind right now, or any area of your own life that feels beyond change? What would it look like to bring that honestly before God? [35:56]
- Jesus joins himself so closely to his people that their suffering is his suffering. When life has been painful, rejected, or lonely, how might remembering that nearness change the way those moments are carried? [43:10]
- Opened eyes led Saul to immediate obedience. If Jesus has already made himself clear in some area of life, what step of obedience has been delayed, avoided, or overcomplicated? [50:42]
- God’s Word does more than give information; it forms and transforms. What does time in Scripture actually look like right now, and what simple change could help make it a steadier part of the week? [01:01:06]
- Believers were never meant to live the Christian life isolated from God’s people. Where is spiritual isolation showing up right now, and what would deeper connection look like in a real, practical way? [01:02:28]
- “Search me, O God” is a prayer of honesty, not image management. When is it hardest to be honest before God about attitudes, words, or patterns that need to change? [01:08:21]
- Confession agrees with God instead of sugarcoating, denying, or blame shifting. Is there anything that needs to be named plainly before God this week, and possibly made right with another person too? [01:08:21]
