Apostle Paul: Passionate Discipleship
Since we are not able to meet in person due to Covid-19, we still would like to move forward with some shared learning experiences as a community of faith. We recognize that Pastor Leonard offering a Bible study via Zoom on Sundays may not meet the needs of all learners, either due to time constraints or technology limitations. So in addition, we have subscribed to a weekly Bible study that offers self-paced learning. It also features audio for those who may wish to listen to the lessons while you do something else.
In addition, we are considering setting up a discussion forum, so that we can go over the questions. If you are interested please email us. Please provide any feedback using this email as well.
QuickLinks:
Week 1
Saul of Tarsus Meets Jesus (Acts 8:1-9:18, 33 AD)
by Dr. Ralph F. Wilson
http://www.jesuswalk.com/paul/01_saul.htm
Audio (46:41)
Question 1 (Acts 9:4-5; 26:14)
Why does persecuting Christ’s people constitute persecuting Christ himself? What kinds of goads or prods have you seen God use on you to move you along Christ’s path? When you “kick against the goads”, is it harder on you or on God?
Question 2 (Acts 9:10-18)
Why do you think God sends Ananias to Paul rather than revealing directly? Why does Ananias argue with God? Why does it take courage to obey? What does Ananias do and say? Have you ever had God guide you to talk with someone and minister to him or her? Have you followed through?
Question 3 (Philippians 3:7-8)
How do legalism and the resulting spiritual pride prevent us from trusting in Christ by faith, and knowing him? How has your pride in yourself kept you from drawing closer to Jesus?
Question 4 (Philippians 3:9; Genesis 15:6; Habakkuk 2:4)
Abraham had been a moon-worshipper. According to Genesis 15:6, how does he come into right relationship with the God who created all? How can a person today become righteous by faith? What is involved in really "trusting" Christ?
Week 2
Paul in Arabia, Tarsus, and Antioch (Acts 9:19b-25; 11:19-13:3, 33-46 AD)
by Dr. Ralph F. Wilson
http://www.jesuswalk.com/paul/02_arabia.htm
Audio (59:20)
Question 1 (Acts 9:30; Galatians 1:15-17)
Why do ambitious Christians struggle so much when they don't seem to be doing anything important? (Especially relevant during our time apart during COVID-19) Why is patience with God's plan so important to growth? Why is a period of spiritual formation so important to future leadership? To listening for God's voice?
Question 2 (Galatians 2:11-16)
Why does Paul call out Peter publicly in Antioch? What is the reason for Peter's hypocrisy? What is the central issue on which Paul feels they must not compromise? Why is it so important?
Question 3 (Acts 13:1-3)
Why are the church leaders in Antioch seeking God through corporate prayer and fasting? How does God respond to their seeking? Why do you think we don't do more of this sort of thing today? What was the importance of this to the church at large? To the chosen missionaries?
Question 4 (1 Corinthians 9:16-17)
How does Paul view his call to preach? How much choice is involved for him? How much honor? How should this understanding affect our understanding of God gifting and calling us for ministry? What is the opposite of faithfulness when it comes to using God's gifts?
Week 3
Paul in Cyprus, Antioch of Pisidia, and Galatia (Acts 13-14, 47-49 AD)
by Dr. Ralph F. Wilson
http://www.jesuswalk.com/paul/03_galatia.htm
Question 1
(Acts 13:14-41) What "common ground" does the gospel of Jesus have with Judaism? How does Paul's approach in the synagogues reflect building on this common ground? What is the essence of the gospel? (1 Corinthians 15:3-4)
Question 2
In evangelizing people, how does God use power encounters (in Paphos, Crete, Acts 13:6-12) and signs and wonders (Acts 14:3 in Iconium)? Are miracles enough to produce saving faith on their own? If not, what else is needed? Have you seen signs and wonders with evangelism? If not, why do you think that is?
Question 3
How do Paul's gospel presentations to pagans in Lystra (Acts 14:16-17;) and Athens (Acts 17:16-34) differ from his typical message in the synagogues? What common ground does Paul build on with pagan audiences? How will you need to contextualize the gospel in your particular area to build on common ground?
Question 4
(Acts 13:43b) Why is "continuing" or "abiding" in the faith so important? What does Jesus' Parable of the Sower teach about "continuing" (Matthew 13:5-6, 20-21)? Why do new believers need basic instruction and discipling before the task of evangelism is complete? (Acts 14:21b-22)
Week 4
Law, Grace, and the New Israel (Acts 15:1-35, 49 AD)
by Dr. Ralph F. Wilson
http://www.jesuswalk.com/paul/04_grace.htm
Question 1 (Acts 15:1,5)
What is the essential demand of the Judaizers? How does that contradict the idea of salvation by grace? What is the danger of excessive legalism in our Christian congregations?
Question 2 (Ephesians 2:8-9)
What is a simple definition of "grace"? Why aren't legalism and "works" to please God compatible with grace? What part does our faith have to do with our salvation?
Question 3 (Acts 13:48; Romans 10:13-15)
How does an understanding of God's pure grace fit together with the idea of predestination? How might a belief in predestination make us lazy with regard to evangelism? Does God "need" us to bring salvation to the world?
Question 4 (Ephesians 2:13-15; Galatians 6:16)
In what sense are believers in the Messiah the "New Israel"? Who makes believing Gentiles one with believing Jews? Who makes believing Protestants one with believing Catholics?
Week 5
Paul in Macedonia (Acts 15:36-18:22, 49-50 AD)
by Dr. Ralph F. Wilson
http://www.jesuswalk.com/paul/05_macedonia.htm
Audio (1:00:14)
Question 1 (Acts 16:1-3)
Why does Paul circumcise Timothy, even though his principles don't require him to? Why does Paul "become all things to all people" (1 Corinthians 9:19-23)? In what ways does the path of serving Jesus require humility rather than demanding our rights?
Question 2 (Acts 16:25; Philippians 4:4; 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)
Why do you think we are commanded to "Rejoice always"? What is our natural tendency when we're under stress? What does rejoicing and thanking have to do with faith? In what circumstance do you find difficulty praising God?
Question 3 (1 Corinthians 1:18, 23-24; Romans 1:16; Acts 17:2-3)
Why might Paul be tempted to underemphasize a "crucified Messiah" when preaching to the Jews? Why are we sometimes tempted to tell others how great it is to follow Christ while not telling them the other aspects of the gospel? Why is it so important that we are honest about the gospel?
Question 4 (Romans 3:25; 5:6-8; 8:3; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Mark 10:45; 1 Peter 3:18a)
What is the Substitutionary Atonement? How is this such good news? How does it give us assurance in our struggles with sin?
Week 6
Paul in Greece (Acts 17:16-18:22, 50-52 AD)
by Dr. Ralph F. Wilson
http://www.jesuswalk.com/paul/06_greece.htm
Audio (59:19)
Question 1 (Acts 17:27-31; Romans 1:19-20; 2:14-15; Acts 4:12)
How close is God to non-believers? Is he working in them? Since God shows forbearance for sins of non-believers, why do Christians act so judgmental? How should we act? Is faith in Jesus necessary for salvation?
Question 2 (Acts 18:3; 20:34-35; 2 Thessalonians 3:6-10; 1 Corinthians 4:12)
Why does Paul earn his living by skilled labor rather than through offerings from the church? Why do you think Christians believe that "full-time Christian ministry" is better than bi-vocational ministry? What lessons did Paul teach the believers by his example of working for his living?
Question 3 (Acts 18:7)
How important are the economics of house-churches and bi-vocational ministry in the rapid spread of the first century church? What are the advantages of a house-church model? What are the weaknesses?
Question 4 (1 Corinthians 15; 1 Thessalonians 4:14-17)
How important was belief in a bodily resurrection to the gospel that Paul taught? Why is Christ's resurrection foundational to our faith? What will happen when we die? When Christ comes?
Week 7
Paul in Ephesus (Acts 18:23-19:41, 52-55 AD)
by Dr. Ralph F. Wilson
www.jesuswalk.com/paul/07_ephesus.htm
Audio (1:03:58)
Question 1 (1 Corinthians 1:11-12; 2:1; 3:3-6)
What seems to be the primary difference between Paul's ministry approach and that of Apollos? Why does this create competing allegiances at Corinth? How does Paul address the issue? Can you think of any divisions over style within the Christian community in our region? What should you do as a result of those divisions?
Question 2 (Acts 19:9-10)
How did "all the Jews and Greeks who lived in the province of Asia" hear God's word from one apostle, who taught daily in Ephesus and didn't travel around? What do you think was going on that caused this kind of expansion? Why is it vital to evangelize in our great cities?
Question 3 (Acts 19:11-19)
Why do so many contemporary churches expect to evangelize effectively in the 21st century without signs and wonders? What are we afraid of? How do we identify people in our congregations whom God has gifted with ministries of healing, faith, and miracles? What will it take to move in this direction for you? For your church?
Question 4 (2 Corinthians 1:8-9; Ephesians 6:18-20)
What portion of Paul's "overwhelming pressure" was due to spiritual warfare, do you think? How much can be attributed to the "normal" struggles of life? Why is intercessory prayer for leaders and for one another so important?
Week 8
Paul Fights the Good Fight of Faith -- Spiritual Warfare
by Dr. Ralph F. Wilson
Audio (57:03)
http://www.jesuswalk.com/paul/08_warfare.htm
Question 1 (2 Corinthians 4:4; Psalm 24:1)
What is the difference between legitimate authority and usurped authority? Which kind of authority does Satan have? How can Satan be defeated at the cross (Colossians 2:14-15), but still be dangerous (John 10:10a, 44; 1 Peter 5:8-9)?
Question 2 (2 Corinthians 4:3-4; John 8:44)
What are Satan's chief tools to keep people under his control? Why is the sharing and preaching of the gospel so threatening to him (John 8:31-32; Romans 1:16)? Why do you think it is so difficult to share your faith or preach in the world outside the church?
Question 3 (2 Corinthians 2:10-11; Ephesians 4:26-27)
How do you think anger and unforgiveness give Satan an opportunity to damage you? For you, who is the most difficult person to forgive? Why is your unforgiveness more damaging to you than to the person who hurt you?
Question 4 (2 Chronicles 20:15-17a, 21-22; Acts 16:25-26; Philippians 4:4-9; 1 Thessalonians 5:16-17)
What do praise and thankfulness have to do with faith? Why do you think praise and thankfulness are such powerful weapons in our warfare?
Week 9
Paul Presses on to Jerusalem (Acts 20:1-23:35, 57AD)
Dr. Ralph F. Wilson
http://www.jesuswalk.com/paul/09_jerusalem.htm
Question 1
(Acts 20:7; 1 Corinthians 16:2) Why did Christians worship on "the first day of the week"? Why is it called "the Lord's Day" (Revelation 1:10)? What does it mean that they "break bread" (Acts 20:7, 11; 2:42, 46; 1 Corinthians 10:16)? Why is that important to believers (Luke 22:19)?
Question 2
(Acts 19:21; 20:22-23; 21:11) Are the prophecies about imprisonment in Jerusalem in conflict with Paul's leading from God? What, then, conflicts with Paul's leading to go to Jerusalem? Why do you think Paul actively encourages prophecy in the churches he establishes (1 Corinthians 14:1, 5)? Why do you think many Christians despise prophecy today (1 Thessalonians 5:20)?
Question 3
(Acts 20:24) Our life is valuable to God, of course, and we are to value it. However, what problems result from valuing our life for its own sake? What does it mean to "take up his cross daily and follow me" (Luke 9:23-25)? What keeps us from doing that? What does it mean when Paul says, "I have been crucified with Christ" (Galatians 2:20)? Can we follow Christ, if we are actually trying to hang on to our own life?
Question 4
(Acts 20:24b; Ephesians 6:20; 2 Corinthians 5:20) In what sense was Paul an ambassador? In what sense are you an ambassador? Why is sharing your testimony important in your ambassadorship?
Week 10
Paul's Imprisonment, Release, and Death (Acts 24-28, 57-65 AD)
by Dr. Ralph F. Wilson
Audio (1:09:49)
http://www.jesuswalk.com/paul/10_prison.htm
Question 1
(2 Timothy 2:3; 3:10-12; 4:7) Why are we quieted so quickly by mild societal disapproval of our witness? What would enduring hardship "like a good soldier of Christ" look like in your life? What would it look like to "fight the good fight" for you?
Question 2
(2 Corinthians 5:8; John 14:2-3) In what ways is heaven like your "home"? Which is eternal? Which is temporary? What kind of faith would it take for you to walk or live with this as your belief, rather than holding on to your earthly possessions, status, and life?
Question 3
(2 Corinthians 5:10; Romans 14:10) Why should appearing before Christ as Judge make us fearful? Will we be condemned at that judgment? What saves us (Romans 8:1; Revelation 20:12)? How will our works be judged on that day (1 Corinthians 3:12-15)?
Question 4
(Philippians 1:20-23) In what way is death "gain" for Paul? (verse 21). Which is better for him? Life or death? (verse 23) How does Paul decide which he prefers -- life vs. death -- according to verses 22-24?
Week 11
Paul’s Passion: Knowing the Exalted Christ
Dr. Ralph Wilson
http://www.jesuswalk.com/paul/11_knowing.htm
Question 1 (Philippians 2:5-11)
How did Jesus demonstrate the importance of humility and forego his rights in order to do God's will? What happens when we try to exalt ourselves, rather than waiting for God to exalt us? What do you call this tendency?
Question 2 (Colossians 1:14-20; Romans 8:1)
What does it mean to be "in Christ"? Why is such union with Christ so important?
Question 3 (Philippians 3:8-9)
How can pride in our own righteousness and religious achievements actually get in the way of "knowing Christ"? Has this ever happened to you or someone you know?
Question 4 (Philippians 3:13; Revelation 2:4)
What does it look like when a person "loses his first love"? Has this ever happened to you? How can you regain a personal intimacy with Christ? What might you need to repent of to restore this?