Central Truth

Paul leveraged his whole being, his sufferings, his past experience, his redemption through Christ, and his brutal persecution, to speak the truth of the gospel to a violent people in need of a Savior. He did it with the utmost boldness.

Reflections

What an amazing text! Paul is seized by the Jews, brutally beaten, and arrested. He is falsely accused of breaking traditional law and bringing unclean Gentiles into the sacred temple. As Roman soldiers arrest him, he calmly asks the commander, "Hey, can I say something?" He did this in such a winsome way.

He leveraged everything he had (background, schooling, language, etc.) to get their attention, making the most of the opportunity. He shared who he was before following Christ -- how he was educated in the Jewish law and even persecuted Christians. He then shared about his miraculous encounter with Jesus and how God struck him down and gave him a special revelation. Lastly, he explained that his life had been radically changed and devoted to His mission -- declaring the gospel to all people.

I love telling my story. I love telling others the way that Christ intervened in my life while I was at SMU living solely for my own fleshly desires. I love to tell about my life before Christ and of my amazing friends who invited me to church where I heard the gospel for the first time. I love to tell how He pursued me and how radically different the last eight years have been because of His grace and redemptive work in my life.

I am so challenged and encouraged by this passage. What stands out most is Paul's boldness. In Acts 21 he says, "I am ready not only to be bound, but even to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus" (Acts 21:13). What amazing devotion to the Lord.

This spurs me on to continue sharing my story with people and to do so with increasing boldness and conviction. I'm encouraged to leverage everything about me and every relationship I have to speak up, relate to people, and share the gospel and how God has transformed me. He created me like no one else, and He wants to use every part of me: my upbringing, personality, struggles, trials, and faith, to further His Kingdom. Will you join me in leveraging all that we are for His Kingdom?

Discussion Questions

1. Are you equipped to share your story of grace? Are you prepared to give an account for the hope that you have in Christ (1 Peter 3:15)?

2. Who in your life could you share your story with today? Who is that hard person that you need to pursue, like Paul did his opponents, to share your story and the hope of Jesus Christ?

3. What would it look like to share with that person in a winsome manner?

4. How can you do it in a way that clearly communicates the gospel and gives all of the credit and glory to Christ?

5. We ALL have a story. What will keep you from sharing yours? Fear? Not feeling equipped? Go for it!

WEEKLY FAMILY ACTIVITY

Acts 13-22 (May 14-18)

Read Acts 16:16-40 (while reading, remind your children that Paul here is the Saul from last week).

* What happened to Paul and Silas?
* Look at back at Acts 9:16. What did the Lord tell Ananias to tell Saul/Paul it would be like to follow God?
* How did Paul and Silas respond to being in prison?
* How do you respond to hard things that come into your life?
* Why do you think Paul and Silas stayed in the prison instead of leaving?
* What happened with the jailer because they chose to stay?
* When you are going through hard things, how can you share with others who God is?

Activity: Ask each person to pick at least one worship song, go to iTunes and download the song, or go to Google and print out the lyrics. Then, use those songs and the Scripture passages from this week's Journey in a family time of worship.