Acts 22:30-23:35 – 17th September 2021

Observation

What does it say?

  1. Read Acts 22:30-23:35
  2. What characters are mentioned? How are they described?
  3. What problems arise in the narrative?
  4. What facts did Paul testify about in Jerusalem? (23:11)

INTERPRETATION

What does it mean?

  1. When Paul stood before the council, he told them he had "lived his life before God in all good conscience up to this day."
    1. Was Paul suggesting he had never sinned?
    2. Why did he say this?
  2. What does it mean to be a whitewashed tomb in verse 3? (cross-reference Matthew 23:27)
  3. In verse 6, why does Paul change the focus from keeping the Law to his hope in the Resurrection?
    1. Was Paul's statement here just a ruse, or was it true?
  4. How do you see the Lord's providence at work in these verses?
    1. Was it a coincidence that Paul found out about the plot to kill him?
    2. What is God's purpose in these things? (verse 11; cross-reference 2 Timothy 4:17)

APPLICATION

How should it change us?

  1. Can you say with Paul that you've "lived your life before God in all good conscience up until this day"?
    1. How can you grow in integrity before God and man?
  2. Being a whitewashed tomb means that you only "clean" the parts of your life that are seen by others.
    1. Are you tempted to change who you are based on who you're around?
    2. Are you ever motivated to do good works just so that others will notice?
    3. How can you grow in fearing God rather than man?
  3. How do you see the Lord's providence at work in your own life?
    1. What is God's purpose in providing for you and preserving you thus far?

Acts 22:30-23:35 – 17th September 2021

Observation

What does it say?

  1. Read Acts 22:30-23:35
  2. What characters are mentioned? How are they described?
  3. What problems arise in the narrative?
  4. What facts did Paul testify about in Jerusalem? (23:11)

INTERPRETATION

What does it mean?

  1. When Paul stood before the council, he told them he had "lived his life before God in all good conscience up to this day."
    1. Was Paul suggesting he had never sinned?
    2. Why did he say this?
  2. What does it mean to be a whitewashed tomb in verse 3? (cross-reference Matthew 23:27)
  3. In verse 6, why does Paul change the focus from keeping the Law to his hope in the Resurrection?
    1. Was Paul's statement here just a ruse, or was it true?
  4. How do you see the Lord's providence at work in these verses?
    1. Was it a coincidence that Paul found out about the plot to kill him?
    2. What is God's purpose in these things? (verse 11; cross-reference 2 Timothy 4:17)

APPLICATION

How should it change us?

  1. Can you say with Paul that you've "lived your life before God in all good conscience up until this day"?
    1. How can you grow in integrity before God and man?
  2. Being a whitewashed tomb means that you only "clean" the parts of your life that are seen by others.
    1. Are you tempted to change who you are based on who you're around?
    2. Are you ever motivated to do good works just so that others will notice?
    3. How can you grow in fearing God rather than man?
  3. How do you see the Lord's providence at work in your own life?
    1. What is God's purpose in providing for you and preserving you thus far?