Bible Study Snacks, Acts 19:1-20

Hi, everyone!

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

This week, I would like to continue our study of the Book of Acts, with Chapter Nineteen, Verses 1-20.

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) Note that those only baptized in John's baptism, were taught to believe in Jesus and were baptized in His name;
2) Examine how Paul taught in the area of Ephesus for some two years.
3) Review what happened when false teachers (exorcists) attempted to cast out evil spirits in the name of Jesus

For your convenience, here is a summary of Acts 19:1-20...  

When Paul arrived in Ephesus, he found some disciples who had only been baptized in John's baptism. He instructed them that they should believe on Jesus. When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.  Paul laid his hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit. They spoke in tongues and prophesied. (1-7)

Paul spoke boldly about the kingdom of God in the synagogue in Ephesus for three months. Some were hardened and spoke evil of "the Way." Paul then went to the school of Tyrannus, reasoning daily with the disciples. Paul continued this for two years.  [Galatians may have been written at this time.]  All of Asia heard the Word of the Lord. (8-10)

God worked miracles through Paul.  Even handkerchiefs and aprons brought from Paul drove out diseases and evil spirits.  Some itinerant Jewish exorcists called on the name of the Lord Jesus to drive out evil spirits.  Seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, did this as well. An evil spirit in a man recognized the name of Jesus and Paul, but did not recognize them.

The man with the evil spirit leaped on them, overpowered them and prevailed against them. They fled naked and wounded. Both Jews and Greeks heard of this in Ephesus, and the name of the Lord was magnified. Many who practiced magic brought their books together and burned them. The books were worth about fifty thousand pieces of silver. The word of the Lord grew mightily and prevailed. (11-20)

REVIEW QUESTIONS:  

1) What two questions did Paul ask the disciples he first encountered in Ephesus? (Acts 19:2-3)
2) When Paul told them they should "believe on Jesus," what did they do? (Acts 19:5)
3) Paul taught in the synagogue and in the school of Tyrannus for more than 2 years. What were the results of his efforts? (Acts 19:10)
4) What were brought from Paul's body to heal the sick and drive out evil spirits? (Acts 19:12)
5) What did the itinerant Jewish exorcists take upon themselves to do, when driving out evil spirits? (Acts 19:13)
6) What resulted when the seven sons of Sceva attempted this? (Acts 19:14-16)
7) When this became known to those in Ephesus, what resulted? (Acts 19:17-20)
 
After completing this week's study, I encourage you to go back and read through the material 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