Paul Sails for Rome - Acts 27:1-12
Understand It
- Who accompanied Paul to Italy? (27:1)
- Why did Luke use the term "we"? (27:1)
- Who was in charge of the group? (27:1)
- When Paul and Luke boarded ship, who joined them? (27:2)
- How did Paul’s friends support him along the way? (27:3)
- Why was it difficult for Paul’s ship to sail? (27:4)
- Where did the group change ships? (27:5-6)
- On the second ship, where did the journey take Paul and the others? (27:7-8)
- Why was sailing difficult after the Day of Atonement? (27:9)
- Why did Paul have the opportunity to offer advice? (27:9-10)
- How were Paul’s warnings ignored? (27:11)
- Why did the crew decide to sail on? (27:12)
Apply It
- How can you prepare yourself to handle difficult circumstances this week?
- How could relying on Christian friends help you cope with a tough situation?
- To whom should you offer sound advice this week? When?
The Storm - Acts 27:13-26
Understand It
- How was the ship’s crew deceived by "a gentle south wind"? (27:13)
- How was the ship forced away from safety? (27:14-15)
- What did the Northeaster do to the ship? (27:15)
- How did Cauda provide a break from the storm? (27:16)
- What efforts did the men on board make to battle the storm? (27:16-19)
- At what point did those on board ship give up hope? (27:20)
- When did Paul speak to the others? (27:21)
- How did Paul reprimand the crew? (27:21)
- What message from God did Paul give the crew? (27:22-26)
- How did Paul prepare the crew for bad news? (27:22-26)
- What did Paul say to encourage everyone on board in spite of the hardships ahead? (27:22-26)
Apply It
- When can you encourage someone this week? How?
- How can you remember—each day this week—to trust in God’s sovereign control of your life?
The Shipwreck - Acts 27:27-44
Understand It
- How long was the ship at the mercy of the storm? (27:27)
- How did the sailors sense that they were approaching land? (27:27-28)
- Why did the sailors drop four anchors? (27:29)
- Who tried to escape? (27:30)
- How did Paul thwart the sailors’ plan to escape? (27:31-32)
- How did the group resolve their problems of tension and hunger? (27:33, 36)
- Why did Paul urge those on board to eat? (27:33-34)
- What did Paul do to give public testimony to his faith? (27:35)
- How many people were on board the ship? (27:37)
- What did the men do after they ate? (27:38)
- What did the crew decide to do when daylight came? (27:39-40)
- What unexpectedly happened to the ship? (27:41)
- Why did the centurion save the lives of the prisoners? (27:42-43)
- How did Paul’s predictions prove to be true? (27:44)
Apply It
- To what "storms" that you are now facing do you need to respond with faith in God?
- What do you need to request from God to endure the rough passages of life?
- How can you provide encouragement and practical help to someone who is in the middle of a personal storm?
