Outline of Monday & Tuesday’s Study
Acts 9:1-28
I. Saul’s background
II. Saul an enemy of the church Acts 8:3
III. Saul seeks permission from High Priest Acts 9:1-2
IV. Paul’s conversion Damascus. Acts 9:3-7
V. Paul and Ananias Acts 9:11-18
VI. Paul begins to share his faith Acts 9:20-22
VII. Paul’s escape in a basket Acts 9:23-25
VIII. Barnabas defends Paul Acts 9:26-28
To the Teacher
Points to remember!
Your students will:
Know...
About Saul’s upbringing.
Saul persecuted those who believed in
Jesus.
Saul met Jesus on the road to Damascus.
That after Saul’s conversion he began to
speak boldly about Jesus.
That Saul had to escape because of his
new belief in Jesus.
Saul had become a new creation and that
his life had changed.
Experience...
How Jesus transformed Saul’s life.
This same life changing event when they
open their lives to Jesus.
Becoming a new creation in Christ.
That they can witness and share about
their changed lives with those around
them.
The Conversion of Saul
“A Changed life”
Acts 9:1-28
Memory Verse:
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new
creation; old things have passed away; behold all
things have become new.” 2Cor. 5:17
The church began to grow strong in Jerusalem after
the Holy Spirit had been poured out upon the disciples of
Jesus.
There was a devote Jew named Saul who was very
upset with the followers of Jesus. Saul was born in Tarsus
and was a Roman citizen. Saul was highly educated and
was trained by Gamaliel, an important Jewish rabbi.
Saul was an enemy of the church and was successful
at Jerusalem in putting many believers into jail. Many of
the believers had left or were in hiding.
1. What was Saul zealous for? Phil. 3:6
2. What kind of problems was Saul causing? Acts 8:3
3. What permission did Saul seek from the High priest?
Acts 9:1-2
As Paul journeyed from Jerusalem to Damascus there
suddenly came a light from heaven. Paul fell to the
ground. A voice from heaven said to him “ Saul, Saul, why
are you persecuting me?”
4. Who was talking to Saul? Acts 9:5
5. What was Saul asked to do? Acts 9:6
6. Did Saul’s friends hear what Jesus was saying?
Acts 9:7
Saul arose from the ground and when he opened his
eyes he could not see. His companions led him to
Damascus. Saul did not eat or drink for three days.
There was a disciple living in Damascus named
Ananias. God had spoken to Ananias in a vision and had
given him some instructions.
7. Where was Ananias to go and what was he told to
do? Acts 9:11
Ananias was very frightened because of all the
stories that he had heard about Saul. He knew that Saul
had the authority of the High Priest to arrest and put the
believers of Jesus in prison.
The Lord told Ananias that he had chosen Saul to be
His vessel, which he planned to use with the Gentiles and
many others.
No longer did Ananias fear Saul and he went and
laid hands on Saul. He spoke to him and he received his
sight once again and was filled with the Holy Spirit. Saul
was then baptized, received food and was strengthened.
Saul spent some time with the disciples and then
began to preach the name of Jesus in the synagogues.
Many who heard were amazed that this was the same
Saul who had been persecuting the believers. Saul was
now a believer himself.
8. What was Saul preaching and proving in the
synagogues? Acts 9:22
9. What did the Jews plan to do with Saul? Acts 9:23
Saul had discovered the plot by the Jews to harm
him. He had gained the trust of the disciples and the
disciples took Saul by night and let him down through the
wall of the city in a large basket.
After this Saul traveled to Jerusalem. He tried to
meet with the disciples, but they were very afraid of him
and did not believe that he was a true disciple.
There was one named Barnabas who was not afraid
of Saul’s reputation and he took him to meet the Apostles.
Barnabas testified that Saul had seen Jesus on the road
to Damascus. He testified that Jesus had spoken to Saul,
and that Saul had been converted. Barnabas spoke of how
Saul had boldly preached Jesus in Damascus. Saul’s life
had been changed and he had truly become a new
creation in Christ.
Life Application Questions
1. Have you met the Lord Jesus like Saul did, no not on
the road to Damascus, but in your heart?
2. Have the old things passed away and are you a new
creation?
3. If you are truly a new creation, what proof is there
that your life has changed?
4. If this is true, can those around you see these
changes?
Outline of Wednesday’s Study
I. Elders lay hands on Barnabas and Paul Acts 13:1-3
II. Cyprus and Elyma’s Blasphemy Acts 13:4-12
III. Paul preaches at Antioch of Pisidia Acts 13:14-52
IV. Paul preaches at Iconium Acts 14:1-7
V. Paul heals a cripple at Lystra Acts 14:8-20
VI. Paul goes to Derbe Acts 14:21
VII. Paul returns back to Antioch of Syria
Acts 14:26-28
To the teacher
Points to remember
Your Students will:
Know...
That Paul was set apart to do a work.
That the Holy Spirit anointed and sent Paul
out.
That Paul was sent out to preach the message
of Jesus to the Jews and Gentiles.
That God has a plan for each of us.
That God will use those who love Him.
Experience...
How the Holy Spirit spoke to the leaders of
the church concerning Paul.
The power of the Holy Spirit as Paul carried
the message of Jesus to the Jews and to
the Gentiles.
Paul’s boldness in preaching the Gospel.
That Paul continued to do what he was set
apart to do.
1st Missionary Journey
“Being Set Apart”
Acts 13:1-14:28
Memory Verse
“But know that the Lord has set apart for himself
him who is godly;...” Psalm 4:3a
As Saul and Barnabas journeyed from Jerusalem
they came to Antioch of Syria. There were certain
prophets and teachers at the church there in Antioch that
were fasting and the Holy Spirit said to them “Now
separate to me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I
have called them to do.”
So these prophets and teachers laid their hands on
Barnabas and Saul and prayed for them. Barnabas and
Saul, being sent away by the Holy Spirit, left on a
missionary journey proclaiming the good news of Jesus.
They went down to Cyprus and it is there where they
began to preach the message of Jesus in the synagogues of
the Jews.
1. As they traveled across this island of Cyprus they
came to what city? Acts 13:6
2. Who did Barnabas and Saul meet? Acts 13:6
A sorcerer, named Elymas was with the proconsul
Sergius Palulus. He was an intelligent man. A proconsul
is a person who represents a government.
3. Why did Sergius Palulus ask to hear from Barnabas
and Saul? Acts 13:7
4. What did Elymas seek to do? Acts 13:8
Then Saul, who was also called Paul, was filled with the
Holy Spirit. He looked at Elymas and called him the son
of the devil and an enemy of what is right. He said, “Will
you not cease perverting the straight ways of the Lord?”
5. What did Paul say to Elymas? Acts 13:11a
6. What fell upon Elymas? Acts 13:11b
7. What did Elymas seek to do next? Acts 13:11b
8. How did Sergius Paulus respond to all that he saw
and witnessed? Acts 13:12
As Barnabas and Paul departed from Paphos they
traveled to Antioch of Pisidia. The men in charge of the
synagogue asked Paul to speak some words of instruction
or encouragement to the people.
Paul then spoke and traced the history of the people
of Israel. His message was leading to the good news of
Jesus.
9. What is this “good news”?
After Paul had finished, he was asked by the
Gentiles to come back the following week and preach
some more.
As the whole city came out to hear Paul, the Jewish
leaders became jealous and angry. Many Gentiles
received Jesus.
Afterwards Barnabas and Paul left for Iconium. Paul
continued to do what the Lord had set him apart to do.
This time many Gentiles and Jews believed. The city was
divided and there was a violent attempt by some Jews to
stone Barnabas and Paul.
As Barnabas and Paul became aware of this plot they
fled to Lystra. At Lystra as they began to preach. Paul
saw a cripple man who was listening to his words. The
cripple man’s faith was strong. He wanted to be healed.
10. What did Paul say in a loud voice to the cripple man?
Acts 14:10
Now as the people saw what Paul had done raised
their voices and said, “The gods have come down to us in
the likeness of men. They called Barnabas Zeus and Paul
they called Hermes.
11. What did the priest of Zeus want to do? Acts 14:13
12. How did Barnabas and Paul react to the people?
Acts 14:14
Barnabas and Paul told the people that they were
not gods, but men just like themselves. They said that
they came only to preach to them about the living God.
Then some Jews came up from Antioch and Iconium.
They stirred up the crowd against Barnabas and Paul.
The crowd stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city.
They thought Paul was dead.
13. What happened with Paul next? Acts 14:20
After the stoning, Barnabas and Paul left for Derbe,
where Paul continued to preach. From there Barnabas
and Paul traveled to back to Lystra, Iconium, Antioch of
Pisidia and finally back to their home church at Antioch
of Syria. Barnabas and Paul shared about their
missionary adventures. They remained at Antioch with
the church for a long time.
Life Application Questions
1. What does it mean to be set apart?
2. What was Paul set apart to do?
3. Do you love the Lord?
4. What is the Lord going to set you apart to do?
Outline of Thursday’s Study
Acts 15:37-18:22
I. Dispute between Paul and Barnabas Acts 15:37-40
II. Paul Chooses Silas Acts 16:1-5
III. Vision of the Macedonian man Acts 16:6-10
IV. Paul meets Lydia at Philippi Acts 16:12-15
V. Paul and Silas are thrown into prison Acts 16:16-34
VI. Paul and Silas meet the Bereans Acts 17:10-15
VII. Paul travels to Athens Acts 17:16-34
VIII. Paul meets Priscilla and Aquila Acts 18:1-3
IX. Paul sails back to Antioch of Syria Acts 18:22
To the Teacher
Points to remember!
Your students will:
Know:
That Paul revisited the areas where he and
Barnabas had preached.
That a disagreement arose between Paul and
Barnabas.
That many others joined Paul’s missionary
team.
That God gave a new direction for Paul to
travel and preach the gospel.
That Paul preached in synagogues and other
areas.
That Paul preached even unto philosophers.
Experience:
The vision he had of the man of Macedonia.
How Paul desired to preach to everyone who
would hear.
The conversion of Lydia.
Encountering fortunetellers.
The trials, being beaten and imprisoned.
A great earthquake.
Paul’s response to his trials.
Paul’s journey to Athens.
God’s desire to save all men.
2nd Missionary Journey
“Preaching the Gospel”
Acts 15:37-18:22
Memory Verse:
“ For we do not preach ourselves, but Christ
Jesus the Lord, and ourselves your
bondservants for Jesus’ sake.” 2Cor. 4:5
Paul and Barnabas had returned home to their
church in Antioch. They were giving a good report on what
had happened on their 1st missionary trip and how the
gospel had begun to spread beyond Jerusalem.
After some time Paul said to Barnabas, ”Let us now
go back and visit our brothers in every city where we have
preached the Word of the Lord, and see how they are
doing.”
Now there began a dispute between Paul and
Barnabas, because Barnabas wanted Mark to go with
them on their next journey, but Paul did not want to take
Mark because he had not continued with them on their 1st
missionary journey.
The disagreement became so strong that Paul and
Barnabas decided to go their separate ways.
Barnabas took Mark and went towards Cyprus and
Paul chose Silas and went to Syria and Cilicia.
From Cilicia, Paul and Silas went to Lystra, where
they met Timothy, a strong believer. Paul invited Timothy
to join their team. So now Paul, Silas and Timothy were a
team of three.
From Lystra they all traveled to Troas, a seaport on
the western part of Asia across the way from Greece and
Macedonia.
One night as Paul had a vision of a man from
Macedonia calling to him saying, “Come over to Macedonia
and help us.”
The next morning Paul shared this vision with Silas
and Timothy. They were sure that God had given them a
new direction which they could go and spread the Good
News.
So they went west to preach the gospel message to all
that would hear. About this time another person joined
them. His name was Luke who was a doctor. So now there
were four missionaries who sailed to Macedonia: Paul,
Silas, Timothy and Luke.
As they landed in Macedonia they came to Neapolis
and then later over to Philippi.
Now Paul and the others went to the riverside and
began to speak with different women who were there.
1. Who did Paul and the rest of the group meet next and
what did this person do for a living? Acts 16:14
Lydia was a worshipper of God. She listened to Paul’s
words as he preached. God opened her heart and Lydia
and every one in her house became a believer. Later
Lydia and her whole house were baptized. She asked Paul
and the others to stay with her at her house.
Later as Paul was preaching, a demon possessed
slave began to follow Paul and the others. She was a
fortune-teller who made a lot of money for her masters.
2. What did this girl shout behind Paul and the
others? Acts 16:17
This girl continued to shout the same thing day after
day. Paul got very annoyed, and said to the demon within
her, “I command you in the name of Jesus to come out of
her,” The demon instantly left the slave fortune-teller girl.
The slave girl’s masters were very mad with Paul and
Silas, because the girl did not have the power to tell
fortunes anymore. They had lost a lot of money.
3. What happened next? Acts 16:19b
The fortune-tellers masters shouted, “These men,
being Jews exceedingly trouble our city and teach customs
which are not lawful for us!”
4. What did the magistrates or city officials do next?
Acts 16:22a
Paul and Silas were later beaten with wooded rods
and thrown into the inner prison. Their feet were chained
into a stock where they could not escape.
5. How did Paul and Silas respond after they were
beaten and thrown into the prison? Acts 16:25
Suddenly, there was a great earthquake and the
prison began to shake. The doors flew open, and the chains
of all the prisoners fell off! The jailer who was in charge
woke up and saw all that happened. He thought all the
prisoners had escaped and was about to kill himself with
his own sword when Paul shouted, “Do yourself no harm,
for we are all here.” The jailer was trembling with fear
and ran to get a light to see, and fell down before Paul and
Silas. The jailer brought them out of the inner dungeon
and wanted to know how he could be saved.
6. How did Paul answer the jailer’s question? Acts 16:31
Then Paul and Silas shared more with the jailer and
all who lived in his house. The jailer washed and cleaned
the wounds of Paul and Silas.
7. What happened next? Acts 16:33b
The next morning the city officials told the jailer to
release Paul and Silas from prison. Paul and Silas later
returned to Lydia’s house.
From Philippi they all traveled to Thessalonica and
from there on to Berea. When they arrived they went into
a synagogue. Paul began to preach to the Bereans. The
Bereans were open to Paul’s message.
8. How did the Bereans respond to the God’s word?
Acts 17:11a
9. What did the Bereans do daily? Acts 17:11b
Later, some Jews arrived from Thessalonica at Berea.
They knew that Paul was preaching again and that many
were becoming believers. They began to cause trouble for
Paul. The believers quickly sent Paul along the coast to
Athens.
Here at Athens Paul’s spirit was troubled from all
that He witnessed in this city. The city was full of many
different idols.
Paul began to preach in a synagogue and at the
marketplace in Athens. There were both Jewish and
Gentile worshippers listening to Paul’s preaching.
10. Who else did Paul meet around the marketplace?
Acts 17:18a
11. What did they say about Paul’s preaching?
Acts 17:18b
Later these men invited Paul to a place called the
Council of Philosophers. This was a place where these men
and others gathered to discuss thoughts and new ideas.
They were very curious about Paul’s teachings on Jesus.
Paul said, “Men of Athens, I perceive that you are
very religious.” Paul had seen many different idols and
altars where the Athenians worshipped.
12. What was the name of the god that Paul had seen
written on an altar? Acts 17:23
Paul began to talk about this “unknown god” to these
philosophers. Paul showed them how the true God was the
creator of all things. Paul continued to say that God
desired to save all men and that they needed to seek out
the true God and to turn from their sins. Paul continued to
say that Jesus would judge the world later in the future.
Paul spoke also about Jesus’ resurrection from the dead.
13. How did these men respond to all that Paul had
preached? Acts 17:32
Paul then sailed from Athens to Corinth were he met
a married Jewish couple named Priscilla and Aquila. Paul
lived and worked with them, for they were tentmakers
just as he was.
Paul continued to preach in the Corinthian
synagogue the name of Jesus to both the Jews and
Gentiles.
Paul later was abused and arrested by some
unbelieving Jews. He was brought before the governor, but
later was released.
From Corinth Paul sailed to Cenchrea, then to
Ephesus and finally to his home church in Antioch of
Syria. Paul remained at his home church for awhile where
he was refreshed from his travels.
Life Application Questions
1. What was Paul preaching?
2. Did Paul continue to preach when troubles
arose?
3. Are you doing what God has called you to do?
4. Would you be able to do what God has asked
you to do even when trouble arises?
Outline of Friday’s Study
Acts 19:1-28:31
I. Paul meets disciples of John in Galatia Acts 19:1-12
II. Commotion at Ephesus/goddess Diana Acts 19:23-41
III. Paul goes to Troas/meets Eutychus Acts 20:10-12
IV. Paul shares at Miletus/bids farewell Acts 20:18-38
V. Paul testifies at Jerusalem Acts 21:1-23:11
VI. A plot to kill Paul Acts 23:12-24
VII. Paul testifies before governors/king Acts 24:1-26:32
VIII. Paul sails to Rome/Shipwreck at Malta
Acts 27:1-28:31
To the teacher:
Points to remember!
Your students will:
Know...
How Paul endured in the midst of trials.
How Paul continued to preach Jesus.
It was God who gave Paul the strength to preach.
Paul never missed an opportunity to share his
faith.
How God used Paul to preach unto governors and
even unto King Agrippa.
That God spoke to Paul concerning the future.
That Paul knew he would suffer much because of
the Gospel.
Experience:
Paul’s trials and sufferings.
The great commotion at the temple of Diana.
Eutychus’ deadly fall.
An emotional farewell as Paul departed for
Jerusalem.
Paul’s testimony of Jesus before the High
Council, 2 governors and a King.
How Paul was beaten, and thrown into prison and
how 40 men vowed to kill Paul.
The great shipwreck near Malta.
That Paul knew he was going to suffer in Rome.
3rd Missionary Journey
“Enduring in the Midst of Trials”
Acts 19:1-28:31
Memory Verse:
“But in all things we commend ourselves as ministers
of God...” 2 Cor. 6:4
After Paul had reported back to his home church in
Antioch of Syria, he began his third missionary journey.
From Antioch he sailed to Galatia, where he strengthened
the believers. From Galatia he went to Ephesus where he
met some disciples of John the Baptist. Paul spoke to
them the Good News of Jesus. They later became
believers and were baptized.
Paul continued to preach in a synagogue in Ephesus.
As he preached, some hostility arose. He decided later to
preach in a hall instead. Paul remained in Ephesus for 2
years.
During this time there arose a great commotion
concerning the believers there. Ephesus was famous for
its great temple to the goddess Diana. Silversmiths made
good money by making miniature silver images of Diana.
After hearing Paul’s preaching, many believers of Diana
turned away from their pagan beliefs. Sales of the
miniature goddess Diana began to decline.
There was a silversmith, named Demetrius who
made these shrines of the goddess Diana. He spoke to the
other silversmiths and told them how Paul had persuaded
many to turn away from the goddess Diana.
1. Why was Demetrius so upset by Paul’s preaching?
Acts 19:27
After the silversmiths had heard all that Demetrius
had said they were all full of wrath and cried out, saying
“Great is Diana of the Ephesians!”
The city was filled with a lot of confusion and the
silversmiths and people of Ephesus rushed into the
theater shouting and making a great commotion. They
took some of Paul’s friends with them into the theater.
2. What were the names of these friends of Paul?
Acts 19:29
3. What did Paul want to do next? Acts 19:30
Then some of Paul’s friends pleaded with Paul not to
enter the theater because of the angry mob that was
there. They feared for Paul’s life.
4. Did the crowd in the theater know why they were
there? Acts 19:32
Confusion continued to increase and some of the
Jewish troublemakers who did not like Paul put
Alexander, a Jew, out in front of the crowd. They wanted
Alexander to persuade the crowd to act against Paul and
cause him some real problems.
When the people of Ephesus found out that
Alexander was a Jew they began to shout and cry out
“ Great is Diana of the Ephesians!”
In the midst of this confusion the city clerk reasoned
with the crowd and calmed them down.
5. What did the city clerk say to crowds in the theater?
Acts 19:35
6. What did the city clerk tell them to do? Acts 19:36
The city clerk told them that these friends of Paul
had done nothing wrong. He said if Demetrius and the
other silver craftsmen had problems with anyone, they
should take the matter over to the courts and let them
decide. At that point the crowd returned to their homes
and they were told not to gather again in a disorderly
manner.
After this uproar Paul said good-bye to his friends in
Ephesus and sailed for Greece. Paul, Timothy and some
other of Paul’s friends stayed there for three months and
from there went on to Troas.
Now it so happened one evening an unusual event
took place. Paul was teaching upstairs in a room and his
message continued towards the midnight hour.
In a windowsill sat a young man Eutychus who was
listening to Paul’s teaching. Eutychus began to get very
drowsy and finally fell asleep.
7. What happened to Eutychus next? Acts 20:9
Paul went downstairs and took Eutychus into his
arms. He told those upstairs not to worry for Eutychus
was not dead but alive. Paul and Eutychus returned
upstairs and had communion with the others.
From Troas Paul went to Miletus and began to share
with the elders of the church his desire to return to
Jerusalem. Paul shared with them his past missionary
journeys and spoke to them concerning the sufferings
and troubles he knew he was going to face as he went to
Jerusalem.
After Paul had finished sharing, he knelt and prayed
with them. It was a very emotional time for everyone.
They wept aloud as they embraced Paul farewell. They
were sad because they knew that they would never see
Paul again. They went down to the ship to see Paul sail
off.
Paul then traveled to Jerusalem and it was here
where he would endure a lot of suffering because of the
preaching of Jesus. Paul boldly stood before the Jewish
High Council and testified before them. They became so
outraged and even struck Paul in the mouth.
Here in Jerusalem Paul was whipped and thrown
into jail. In prison the Lord told Paul that soon he would
be going to Rome, where he was going to suffer just as he
had suffered in Jerusalem.
There even was a plot to kill Paul. Forty zealous men
vowed not to eat or drink anything until they killed Paul.
These men went to the High Council and shared with
them their plan.
8. What was their plan? Acts 23:15
Paul’s nephew heard of this plot and went to the
commander of the Roman army and explained to him
everything. The nephew also told Paul of this plot and the
vow that these men had made.
A detachment of 470 soldiers took Paul out of
Jerusalem and moved him to Caesarea. Paul was put into
prison and held there for two years. He testified about
Jesus before two Roman governors and finally before King
Agrippa.
Paul never missed an opportunity to share his faith.
In the midst of his suffering Paul continued to do that
which he had been set apart to do. He was even accused of
trying to convert King Agrippa.
After some time and through all the hardships of
prison, Paul grew tired of all the accusations. Paul
appealed to Caesar to hear his cause. Because of Paul’s
appeal to Caesar he was going to be sent to Rome.
Paul along with other prisoners was placed in the
hands of a centurion named Julius. Julius was very kind
to Paul and allowed him certain liberties.
As they all sailed onward the winds began to become
fierce. At Lycia Paul was put on another ship sailing to
Italy. The winds continued to be fierce as they passed Fair
Havens.
9. What had Paul warned against? Acts 27:10
10. Did they heed Paul’s warning? Acts 27:11
Despite Paul’s warning, the ship sailed towards
Crete, cautiously keeping close to shore. Not too long after
they got close to Crete a tremendous wind arose. They
experienced many problems and the crew became
terrified, but they continued onward.
11. What did the ship crew try to do next on the third
day of their trip? Acts 27:19
Now there was neither sun nor stars and the storm
raged on. The crewmembers were all afraid. They had no
hope of being saved from the storm.
Everyone, but Paul had lost hope. Paul said, “You
should have listened to me and not sailed to Crete!” Paul
tried to encourage the crew. He said that the Lord had
told him that the ship would run aground and the ship
would go down, but no one would die.
On the 4th day of the storm, the sailors sensed that
land was near and they lowered the anchors of the ship.
They feared in the darkness that the ship might crash
against the rocks. They prayed for daylight to come.
As the day was about to come, Paul encouraged
everyone to eat in order to strengthen themselves.
12. What did Paul do next? Acts 27:35
As the day arose they spotted a bay with a beach.
They wanted to run the ship on the beach. As they began
to go towards shore they ran the ship aground and the
stern of the ship began to brake up. The soldiers wanted
to kill the prisoners.
13. How did God save Paul? Acts 27:43
Everyone had been saved just as Paul had said and
they all swam to the island of Malta. Paul ministered
and healed many of the sick. After three months Paul
sailed on another ship which took him to Rome.
In Rome Paul suffered much just as the Lord had
spoken. This did not hinder Paul and he continued to
preach Christ to all in Rome that would hear.
Life Application Questions
1. Did Paul continue to minister in the midst of trials?
2. Who was it that gave Paul this strength to endure?
3. Could you continue to do what God has told you to do
even in the midst of trials?
4. Can God strengthen you as he did Paul?