Small Group Questions on Acts 21:1-36

Ice Breaker

What is the craziest thing you’ve ever done?  What made you do it?  Are you glad you did it, or do you now have regrets?

General Study Questions

• How does this passage fit into the book as a whole?

• How does it flow from the previous section of the text?

• What in the passage stands out to you?  

• How does this passage minister to its original audience?

• How does this text minister to us today?

• Is there a sin to confess?

• Is there a cause for thanksgiving or praise to God?

• Is there a promise or truth to trust in?

• Is there an attitude to change?

• Is there a command to obey or an example to imitate?

• Is there anything confusing or hard to understand about the passage?  

• How is the Gospel present in this passage?  

• What is the single, main point of the passage? 

• How would you apply this passage to your life?  

Text Specific Questions

1. Paul says in verse 13 that he is ready to face any trial for the name of Jesus. What type of resistance or opposition are you facing? Is this of your own doing, or because you are faithfully following Jesus?

2. Paul is convicted that the Lord was calling him to Jerusalem. What do you sense the Holy Spirit is leading you to do? Why do you think it’s the Holy Spirit and not your own imagination? Does it line up with Scripture? Is it sacrificial?

3. One of Paul’s practices in his ministry is giving reports of how God worked (see verses 17-20). How have you seen God at work this past year? Take time to share stories of how God challenged you through His Word, answered a prayer, sanctified you through a circumstance/trial, used the body of Christ to encourage you or to help you put off sin and put on Christ, etc.  

4. In verses 20-26 Luke records the story in which Paul affirms his unity with Jewish believers. In our own lives and in the life of the church, how do we discern between non-negotiables and preferences? How do we determine when it is useful and wise to do things for the sake of unity in the body of Christ?

5. We are pressing pause on Acts for the summer and will return to it in the Fall. What is the biggest takeaway you’ve had from our study of the book of Acts so far?