Bible Study Snacks, Acts 9:1-31

Hi, everyone!

Happy Friday, and welcome to another presentation of Bible Study Snacks. I hope that everyone had a wonderful week! And, as always, I'd like to thank you for joining me again as we walk through the richness of God's spoken word and wisdom together. I pray that today finds you in good health and strong in faith!

This week, we continue our study of the Book of Acts, Chapter Nine, Verses 1-31.

I have designed these studies to be brief, yet packed full of good information for everyone regardless of your level of biblical knowledge. I might add that these quick studies make perfect small group discussion starters, as well!

As always, I whole-heartedly believe in the importance that any Bible study should begin with prayer. If you have your Bible ready, let's pray together...

Heavenly father, please guide us as we study your Word today; I pray that our hearts and our minds will be open so that we will not only receive your Gospel, but learn from it as well; you are the Light of the world, Lord, and your Spirit will illuminate our path as we journey through your teachings. In the name of Jesus Christ, Our Lord and Savior. Amen

If you are taking notes for yourself, or using this for a bible study with others, here are the objectives for this week's lesson...

OBJECTIVES: This week, the reader will...

1) Study the conversion of Saul, comparing Luke's account in this chapter with Saul's own words recorded later on in chapters 22 and 26.

For your convenience, here is a summary of Acts 9:1-31.

Not content with persecuting Christians in Jerusalem, Saul receives permission from the high priest to seek out those of the Way in Damascus and bring them bound to Jerusalem. It is near Damascus that Saul is blinded by a vision of the risen Jesus. Told to go into Damascus for further instructions, Saul is led blind into the city where he waits for three days, neither eating nor drinking.

The Lord then appears to a disciple named Ananias and sends him to restore Saul's sight and tell him what he is to do as a chosen vessel for Christ. With his sight restored, Saul is baptized and resumes eating. For some days Saul remains in Damascus and immediately begins preaching in the synagogues that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, to the amazement of those who know that he came to the city to arrest Christians.

After many days have passed (during which Saul apparently spent about 3 years in Arabia, cf. Ga 1:17-18), Saul barely escapes a plot to kill him by the Jews in Damascus (cf. 2Co 11:32-33). He goes to Jerusalem where after Barnabas spoke in his behalf he is accepted by the brethren.

Another plot by the Jews to kill Saul prompts the brethren to bring him to Caesarea and send him on to Tarsus. The churches in Judea, Galilee, and Samaria then enjoy peace and grow as they walk in the fear of the Lord and the comfort of the Holy Spirit.

REVIEW QUESTIONS:

1) What was Saul doing when he went to the high priest? (Acts 9:1)
2) What did Saul get from the high priest? (Acts 9:2)
3) As Saul came near Damascus, what happened? What did he hear? (Acts 9:3-4)
4) When he asked "Who are You, Lord?", what was he told? (Acts 9:5)
5) What did Jesus tell Saul to do? (Acts 9:6)
6) How did the men with him respond to what was happening? (Acts 9:7)
7) How was Saul led into the city? What did he do for three days? (Acts 9:8-9)
8) To whom did the Lord appear in a vision? (Acts 9:10)
9) What did Jesus tell him to do? (Acts 9:11)
10) What had Saul been doing during this time? What had he seen in a vision? (Acts 9:11-12)
11) Why was Ananias hesitant to go? (Acts 9:13-14)
12) What did the Lord say about Saul to reassure Ananias to go to him? (Acts 9:15-16)
13) When Ananias laid his hands on Saul, what did he say as to why the Lord sent him? (Acts 9:17)
14) What happened immediately thereafter? (Acts 9:18)
15) What did Saul then do? (Acts 9:19-20)
16) What was the reaction of those who heard him? (Acts 9:21)
17) As Saul increased in strength, what did he do? (Acts 9:22)
18) After many days had passed, who plotted to kill Saul? How did heescape? (Acts 9:23-25)
19) When Saul came to Jerusalem, what did he try to do? What was the reaction? (Acts 9:26)
20) Who brought him before the apostles? What did he tell them about Saul? (Acts 9:27)
21) What was Saul then permitted to do? (Acts 9:28)
22) What did Saul do while at Jerusalem? What then happened? (Acts 9:29-30)
23) What was the condition of the churches in Judea, Galilee, and Samaria at that time? (Acts 9:31)

After completing this weeks' study, go back and read through it again. Take your time and read each topic and scripture reference as many times as you feel necessary. Keep in mind that by doing this, you just might see something new that you overlooked the first time around.

As we journey through the Bible together, I will continue to pray that God’s message will come through to you loud and crystal clear. Until next time, I wish everyone a blessed week!

God bless you!

Sheri