Bible Reading
Acts 22:1-21 “Brothers and fathers, hear the defense that I now make before you.” And when they heard that he was addressing them in the Hebrew language, they became even more quiet. And he said: “I am a Jew, born in Tarsus in Cilicia, but brought up in this city, educated at the feet of Gamaliel according to the strict manner of the law of our fathers, being zealous for God as all of you are this day. I persecuted this Way to the death, binding and delivering to prison both men and women, as the high priest and the whole council of elders can bear me witness. From them I received letters to the brothers, and I journeyed toward Damascus to take those also who were there and bring them in bonds to Jerusalem to be punished. “As I was on my way and drew near to Damascus, about noon a great light from heaven suddenly shone around me. And I fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to me, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?’ And I answered, ‘Who are you, Lord?’ And he said to me, ‘I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom you are persecuting.’ Now those who were with me saw the light but did not understand the voice of the one who was speaking to me. And I said, ‘What shall I do, Lord?’ And the Lord said to me, ‘Rise, and go into Damascus, and there you will be told all that is appointed for you to do.’ And since I could not see because of the brightness of that light, I was led by the hand by those who were with me, and came into Damascus. “And one Ananias, a devout man according to the law, well spoken of by all the Jews who lived there, came to me, and standing by me said to me, ‘Brother Saul, receive your sight.’ And at that very hour I received my sight and saw him. And he said, ‘The God of our fathers appointed you to know his will, to see the Righteous One and to hear a voice from his mouth; for you will be a witness for him to everyone of what you have seen and heard. And now why do you wait? Rise and be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on his name.’ “When I had returned to Jerusalem and was praying in the temple, I fell into a trance and saw him saying to me, ‘Make haste and get out of Jerusalem quickly, because they will not accept your testimony about me.’ And I said, ‘Lord, they themselves know that in one synagogue after another I imprisoned and beat those who believed in you. And when the blood of Stephen your witness was being shed, I myself was standing by and approving and watching over the garments of those who killed him.’ And he said to me, ‘Go, for I will send you far away to the Gentiles.”
[00:14]1 Corinthians 9:19-23 “For though I am free from all, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win more of them. To the Jews I became as a Jew, in order to win Jews. To those under the law I became as one under the law (though not being myself under the law) that I might win those under the law. To those outside the law I became as one outside the law (not being outside the law of God but under the law of Christ) that I might win those outside the law. To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some. I do it all for the sake of the gospel, that I may share with them in its blessings.”
[17:59]Acts 21:30-39 “Then all the city was stirred up, and the people ran together. They seized Paul and dragged him out of the temple, and at once the gates were shut. And as they were seeking to kill him, word came to the tribune of the cohort that all Jerusalem was in confusion. He at once took soldiers and centurions and ran down to them. And when they saw the tribune and the soldiers, they stopped beating Paul. Then the tribune came up and arrested him and ordered him to be bound with two chains. He inquired who he was and what he had done. Some in the crowd were shouting one thing, some another. And as he could not learn the facts because of the uproar, he ordered him to be brought into the barracks. And when he came to the steps, he was actually carried by the soldiers because of the violence of the crowd, for the mob of the people followed, crying out, “Away with him!” As Paul was about to be brought into the barracks, he said to the tribune, “May I say something to you?” And he said, “Do you know Greek? Are you not the Egyptian, then, who recently stirred up a revolt and led the four thousand men of the Assassins out into the wilderness?” Paul replied, “I am a Jew, from Tarsus in Cilicia, a citizen of no obscure city. I beg you, permit me to speak to the people.”
[11:23]Observation questions
- What details in Acts 21:30–39 show how serious the danger was for Paul, and how did the Roman commander’s actions create an opportunity for Paul to speak? [11:23]
- In Acts 22:1–5, which parts of Paul’s background does he mention to establish common ground with the Jewish crowd?
- What happened when Paul spoke Aramaic to the crowd, and what does that reveal about his approach to this hostile audience? [15:47]
- In Acts 22:6–21, what key parts of Paul’s encounter with Jesus and calling does he choose to include in his defense?
Interpretation questions
- Paul had the ability to speak Greek with the Roman commander and Aramaic with the Jewish crowd. How does this show the difference between wisely adapting to an audience and changing the gospel message itself? [24:42]
- Paul could have focused his speech on proving his innocence, accusing the crowd, or claiming his rights. Why is his testimony about Jesus the center of his response instead? [23:12]
- In 1 Corinthians 9:19–23, Paul makes himself a servant to all in order to win some. What does that look like in ordinary relationships without becoming fake, compromising convictions, or merely trying to please people? [20:13]
- Paul’s Roman citizenship was useful, but it was not his deepest identity. What does it mean for kingdom citizenship to guide the way a believer uses education, work, reputation, money, or influence? [22:50]
Application questions
- When pressure rises—in a family disagreement, at work, online, or in a stressful conversation—what reactions most often try to control your actions: anger, fear, defensiveness, or the need to be right? What might a gospel-minded response look like in one of those situations? [17:28]
- What “wildcard” are you most tempted to trust for security or breakthrough: money, status, connections, skill, recognition, control, or something else? How has trusting that thing affected your perspective? [27:40]
- Paul’s testimony centered on how Jesus met him and changed the direction of his life. How would you briefly tell someone what Jesus has done in your life? Which part of your story feels easiest to share, and which part do you tend to hold back? [31:25]
- Is there a person or setting where you have kept your faith private because the person seems difficult, uninterested, or undeserving? How does remembering that grace is undeserved reshape the way you view that person? [30:27]
- Think about a place where you regularly spend time—your workplace, school, home, team, neighborhood, or social circle. What would it look like to enter that space with confidence that Christ’s light is present in you, rather than assuming the darkness will overpower you? [32:28]
- Where do you most need kingdom perspective right now: finances, family conflict, career plans, disappointment, or a relationship? What is one practical way you could invite Jesus into that area this week instead of relying only on your own strategy? [33:11]
