ACTS 20
Bible Study Notes Rev. Betsy Perkins
The Hard Work of Missionary Life
- What is the most memorable journey that you have taken? What made it unforgettable?
- What are the most memorable times in your faith journey?
Macedonia and Greece (20:1-12)
- Paul leaves Ephesus and travels on. Trace his journey on the map.
- Who has joined the group traveling with Paul and assisting him in this stage of the journey? Do you recognize any of the names from previous stories?
- It is believed that Paul wrote the Second letter to the Corinthians and the letter to the Romans during this time of traveling. Read 2 Corinthians 1:1,12-13, 12:14. Also read Romans 1:11-13, 15:23-29. What more do we learn from these letters?
- Paul has been collecting an offering as he travels. Where is he headed with it and how do his plans keep changing?
- Eutychus is a common slave name that means “Lucky”. What happened to him while Paul was preaching in Troas?
- How would you have felt if you had been in that house in Troas that night?
- What does Paul do with the believers to celebrate Eutychus’ new life?
Joe Boyd, Bible Experiment – Acts of the Apostles (RightNowMedia), 1:23:45 – 1:24:34
Farewells (20:13-27):
- Why do you think Luke includes this detailed report of their travel itinerary to various ports and islands?
- Why does Paul ask the church leaders of Ephesus to meet him in Meletus?
- Who is Paul speaking to in Acts 20:17-38? What is his purpose in this speech?
- What do we learn about Paul’s attitude and style of ministry? (see also 1 Thessalonians 2:5-12) Who was Paul imitating as he worked with them in this way?
- How would you describe your attitude toward the hardships you have had to face? Kay Arthur writes, “Faith is not faith until it is tested.” Do you agree?
(Read Max Lucado, Life Lessons from Acts, pg.94-95)
- How does Paul summarize the focus of his teaching during his missionary work (vs.21, 24, 27)? What has been his goal?
- What does Paul expect to happen to him? How does he know? What is his reaction to this knowledge?
- What would you do if you were warned about dangers and hardships ahead? How would you feel?
- Some people argue that Paul wrong to proceed to Jerusalem when he had been warned of what would happen to him. Do you agree?
- What does Paul mean when he declares himself “innocent of the blood of all men”?
It is [Paul’s solemn declaration of innocence] that strikes us as unusual. It is rare among us today, I think, for people coming to the end of a period of ministry to make a public declaration that they were not in it for their own profit, and that no guilt can be attached to them. But in the ancient world there were many reasons why one might look back on one’s own public career like this. There were many wandering teachers, healers and other who were basically interested in making a living rather than the real best interests of their hearers and followers. Paul was anxious lest, after his departure, people might start to insinuate that he was really that kind of person – and, worse, that the pastors and teachers in the congregation might start to behave like that too. The speech is, in fact, about the Christ-shaped, generous love that the minister must not only speak about but also model at every level. It is a love that, as Paul himself said, bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, and endures all things. N.T. Wright
- Is Paul’s style of ministry followed in church and mission work today? By pastors and missionaries? By lay leaders and members?
- If you were giving a farewell speech and reflecting on your work on behalf of Jesus Christ, what might you say?
Instructions (20:28-38):
- What terms does Paul use to describe the role the Ephesus church elders have been given by the Holy Spirit?
- What are Paul’s instructions for the church leaders? What warnings does he give them?
- What kind of life did Paul try to model while in Ephesus?
- Is there any of that advice that is applicable or useful for you or for our church?
- What actions does Paul add to his words of farewell?
- How do the church leaders respond to Paul’s message? What do we learn about their feelings for Paul?
In light of this passage and our discussion, what one truth about God and about yourself stand out as something to “take to heart” this week?
Are there steps you will take, by God’s grace, to more fully apply it to your life?
Resources: NIV Zondervan Study Bible, 2015
N.T. Wright, Acts for Everyone, Part 1 2008
Max Lucado, Life Lessons from Acts: Christ’s Church in the World, 2018
Kay Arthur, The Holy Spirit Unleashed in You: Acts, 1994
Joe Boyd, Bible Experiment – The Acts of the Apostles (RightNowMedia), 2014
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