ACTS
READING PLAN + STUDY QUESTIONS
READING PLAN
JESUS ASCENDS + SENDS THE HOLY SPIRIT
THE SPREAD OF THE GOSPEL + DEATH OF STEPHEN
THE CONVERSION OF SAUL + MINISTRY TO THE GENTILES
PAUL CONTINUES TO TRAVEL + SHARE THE GOSPEL
PAUL’S CONTINUED JOURNEY + ARREST
PAUL’S TRIAL + MINISTRY IN ROME
HOW TO USE
READ THE CHAPTERS IN THE BIBLE FOR EACH SESSION
ANSWER THE QUESTIONS + REFLECT ON THE READING
This study encourages going at your own pace, allowing each session to be a day, a week, or however long you need. Each session contains questions to be used for individual reflection or small group discussion.
This study was made to be used alongside Bible reading. Although we have created chapter summaries, there is no substitute for reading God's Word.
SESSION ONE: ACTS 1-4
JESUS ASCENDS + SENDS THE HOLY SPIRIT
Read Acts 1:4-5. How did Jesus describe the arrival of the Holy Spirit?
In Acts 1:8, what did Jesus instruct the disciples to do after His departure? Where did He tell them to start?
Read Acts 1:12 and look up the phrase “Sabbath’s day journey.” What does this reveal about the severity of the religious laws?
In Acts 1, the disciples chose someone to replace Judas. What role did Judas play in the arrest and betrayal of Jesus?
How does Acts 2:1-8 describe speaking in tongues? Is this different from your understanding of speaking in tongues?
In Genesis 11, God confused the people’s language at the tower of Babel. How does Acts 2 serve as a reversal of this event?
Acts 2:3-4 describes the arrival of the Holy Spirit as wind and fire. Can you think of any other times when God appeared in the form of wind or fire?
How did the people respond when they saw that beggar had been healed (Acts 3:9-10)?
Based on his teaching in Acts 3 and 4, how did Peter use the Old Testament to build his case to show that Jesus was the promised Savior?
When facing persecution, what did the disciples pray for? What would you ask God for in a similar situation?
SESSION TWO: ACTS 5-8
THE SPREAD OF THE GOSPEL + DEATH OF STEPHEN
In Acts 5, why did the religious leaders (the Sanhedrin) want to kill the disciples?
Read Acts 5:35-39. How would you summarize Gamaliel’s defense of the disciples?
Read Genesis 50:20 and Romans 8:31. How do these verses shed light on how God will respond to the persecution of His disciples?
In Acts 7, Stephen retold the history of the Israelites. In what ways did Stephen paint Jesus as the “new Moses”? Why was it significant for Stephen to present Jesus in this way to his audience?
When Stephen was stoned, how did his humility resemble Jesus?
Look up the origin of the Samaritan people. Why were they considered “less than” the Jewish people?
In Acts 8, the news of Jesus spread to Samaria. How does this correlate to the fulfillment of Jesus’ command in Acts 1:8?
What was the Ethiopian man reading in Acts 8:32-33? Using a study Bible or internet search, what is the significance of this chapter?
SESSION THREE: ACTS 9-12
THE CONVERSION OF SAUL + MINISTRY TO THE GENTILES
How would you describe Saul’s conversion on the road to Damascus? Who did Saul encounter personally?
Who did Jesus say that Paul was persecuting? What does that say about Christ’s involvement in the life of the church (Acts 9:4)?
Saul was a known persecutor and murderer of Christians. What does this say about God’s grace and willingness to use unlikely people?
What is the significance of Peter’s vision in Acts 10:9-16? How did this affect his message to the Gentiles in Acts 10?
Why do you think the Jewish believers wanted the Gentiles to convert to Judaism before becoming Christians? Why is this step unnecessary?
Using a study Bible or internet search, what does circumcision represent to the Jewish people?
God miraculously freed Peter from prison. How do you think this experience affected his preaching of the Gospel?
SESSION FOUR: ACTS 13-16
PAUL CONTINUES TO TRAVEL + SHARE THE GOSPEL
Why is Saul also referred to as Paul? Did God change his name, or was it a cultural distinction? See Acts 13:9 or use a study Bible for help.
How did Paul’s message in Acts 13 display an intricate knowledge of the Hebrew Scriptures? Which of his references stood out to you?
How did the people of Iconium and Lystra treat Paul and Barnabas in Acts 14? What do these reactions reveal about the challenges and dangers of Paul’s missionary work?
What obstacles did James want to remove for Gentiles turning to Christ (Acts 15)? What could it look like to remove obstacles for non-believers today?
What advice or instruction did James include in his letter to the Gentile believers? Why do you think he chose these topics to emphasize?
In Acts 15, Paul and Barnabas went their separate ways. How might their separation have been helpful for sharing the gospel?
In Acts 16:3, why do you think Timothy was circumcised? Do you think there should be different standards for leaders within the faith?
How did Paul and Silas spend their time in prison (Acts 16:25)? How did God provide for them and for the jailer?
SESSION FIVE: ACTS 17-22
PAUL’S CONTINUED JOURNEY + ARREST
Why did Paul address the “unknown god” in Athens? How did he use this cultural reference to teach others about God (Acts 17:22-34)?
Who were Aquila and Priscilla? What occupation did they share with Paul (Acts 18:1-4)? How did they help Apollos in Acts 18:24-28?
Which cities do you recognize as recipients of Paul's letters? Look through the cities Paul visited and compare them to the New Testament letters.
Examine the experience of Jewish exorcists and the evil spirits in Acts 19:11-20. Do you think it is significant that the evil spirits recognized Jesus and Paul?
Read Acts 19:24-27. How was Demetrius (and his business as a silversmith) affected by the believers?
How did Paul display steadfast commitment to God in Acts 20:22-24?
What was the significance of Paul‘s Roman citizenship? What did this mean for his arrest and trial (Acts 22:25-29)?
Using a study Bible or internet search, look up a map of Paul’s missionary journeys. How was Paul uniquely positioned to reach Europe, Asia, and Africa?
SESSION SIX: ACTS 23-28
PAUL’S TRIAL + MINISTRY IN ROME
What did Claudius (a Roman leader) write to Felix (the governor) concerning Paul’s case in Acts 23:26-30?
In Acts 24:10-21, how did Paul defend himself? What does verse 16 reveal about Paul’s innocence?
Why do you think Paul appealed to Caesar in Acts 25? How did this plan backfire against Paul (Acts 26:32)?
Describe the events of Acts 27 during the storm and shipwreck. How did God provide for Paul in a seemingly tragic situation?
When Paul was bitten by the snake, what did the people assume (Acts 28:3-4)? When Paul survived without harm, how did the people’s opinions change (Acts 28:5-6)? What does this say about the people’s view of God in relation to their circumstances?
Although he was imprisoned, how did Paul continue to share the gospel and honor God in Rome? What does Paul’s response to persecution teach us about perseverance in difficult circumstances?
Way to go! You finished the book of Acts!
Thank you for reading through the Bible with Everyday Scripture.
Keep going — the next genre of the New Testament is the Letters, starting with the book of Romans!