REDEEMED FROM AN UNBELIEVING PAST

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1 GET INTO THE STUDY 10 minutes DISCUSS: Refer to the picture (PSG, p. 136) as you lead the group to respond to Question #1: Why are some teams so fun to hate? GUIDE: Direct attention to The Bible Meets Life (PSG, p. 137). State that when we hate a rival team, we often also see them as the enemy. Hopefully this is all in fun and we don t wish literal harm to come to the other coaches, players, or fans. SAY: When we think of true enemies, it s a different thing. GUIDE: Explain that in this final session in our study about how Jesus meets our deepest needs, we focus on Jesus call to a person who once was one of His greatest enemies. Introduce The Point (PSG, p. 137): Jesus can transform even the most hostile opponent into a faithful believer. SESSION 12 REDEEMED FROM AN UNBELIEVING PAST The Point Jesus can transform even the most hostile opponent into a faithful believer. The Bible Meets Life Hatred can be an all-consuming passion. People can be so strong in their love for a person or belief that they develop a hatred for anything that goes against the object of their love. Taken in the wrong direction, the end justifies the means, and they justify any violence. Christ sets us free from all that. He calls and empowers His followers to a lifestyle of love instead. The Passage Acts 26:9-20 The Setting Paul had been taken into Roman custody for being at the center of a riot in the Jerusalem temple complex (Acts 21:26 22:29). For his own safety, he was taken to Caesarea (23:11-33), where he remained in the custody of the Roman governor Felix for two years (24:27). After two years, the new governor Festus examined Paul s case and sought to send Paul to Jerusalem to be tried before the Jewish leaders. However, Paul appealed to Caesar (25:9-12). While Paul waited to be taken to Rome, Festus was visited by the Jewish king Agrippa II. Festus brought Paul s case before Agrippa, who was interested to hear Paul speak (25:13 26:3). 140 Session 12

2 Acts 26: In fact, I myself supposed it was necessary to do many things in opposition to the name of Jesus the Nazarene. 10 I actually did this in Jerusalem, and I locked up many of the saints in prison, since I had received authority for that from the chief priests. When they were put to death, I cast my vote against them. 11 In all the synagogues I often tried to make them blaspheme by punishing them. I even pursued them to foreign cities since I was greatly enraged at them. KEY WORDS: Chief priests (v. 10) The chief priests were composed of the current high priest, former high priests, leaders of the 24 orders of priests serving in the Jerusalem temple, the captain of the temple police, the priest in charge of the finances of the temple treasury, and other high-ranking priests. Hatred for Jesus and His followers consumes some people. Verse 9. Paul referenced his pre-christian life as a persecutor of the church. In fact, I myself supposed it was necessary to do many things in opposition to the name of Jesus the Nazarene. He did not describe for Agrippa these many things, but the Book of Acts details some of the specifics. In Acts 7, Paul was first mentioned during the stoning of Stephen, where he appeared to be a minor player in the anti-christian movement as he guarded the robes of those who were stoning Stephen (7:58). Luke wrote that Saul agreed with putting him to death (8:1). Later in Acts 8 9, Paul was an aggressive leader of the movement, personally persecuting believers. Saul, however, was ravaging the church. He would enter house after house, drag off men and women, and put them in prison (8:3). When Paul thought it was his duty to do all he could against the name of Christ, he did it with all his heart. Paul recounted those days in his letter to the Galatians. For you have heard about my former way of life in Judaism: I persecuted God s church to an extreme degree and tried to destroy it (Gal. 1:13). Paul did all this in opposition to the name of Jesus the Nazarene. STUDY THE BIBLE Acts 26: minutes GUIDE: Before getting into the passage for this session, remind the group of what they have studied so far: > > Redeemed From Poor Choices (The Point: God s plans are always better than our own.) > > Redeemed From Broken Relationships (The Point: Showing humility is critical to restoring relationships.) > > Redeemed From a Critical Spirit (The Point: A critical spirit damages our lives.) > > Redeemed From Crippling Doubt (The Point: God s Word can be fully trusted.) > > Redeemed From Devastating Failure (The Point: God can redeem us from even our worst failures.) (ENHANCEMENT: Point to these titles on Pack Item 5: Beauty From Ashes. ) GUIDE: Use the information in The Setting (p. 140) to set the stage for the focal passage. SUGGESTED USE WEEK OF MAY

3 THE POINT Jesus can transform even the most hostile opponent into a faithful believer. READ: Invite a volunteer to read Acts 26:9-11. GUIDE: Note that many seniors will remember a time in our nation when church attendance and faith in Christ was the norm. Acknowledge that open hostility to Christianity is much more prevalent today. DISCUSS: Question #2 (PSG, p. 139): How can we handle situations where our faith is criticized or questioned? Verse 10. Paul detailed for Agrippa that he made it his duty to seek out and imprison the Christians who were residing in Jerusalem. As a zealous and devout Jew, he saw Christians as heretics and blasphemers. He received authority for that from the chief priests. The religious leaders (the Sanhedrin) gave Paul full authority to persecute Christians. When Christians were put to death, Paul cast his vote against them. The phrase I cast my vote is more literally translated as I threw my pebble. This is a reference to the ancient custom of recording votes by means of colored pebbles, with a white stone for yes and a black stone for no. When Christians were put to death, Paul cast his vote against them. Verse 11. Before his conversion, Paul was a very angry man, greatly enraged at followers of Christ. He sought to expose Christians who were in the Jewish synagogues, seeking to have them punished for their beliefs. But Paul went even further, attempting to make Christians blaspheme. In this context, to blaspheme means to curse Christ and/or disown the Christian faith. So great was Paul s passion to destroy what he saw as an aberration within Judaism he even pursued them to foreign cities. GUIDE: Help group members think about people they have known personally who, over a long period of time, have continued to say no to faith in Christ. The temptation is to give up hope that he or she will ever come to faith. 142 Session 12 Acts 26: I was traveling to Damascus under these circumstances with authority and a commission from the chief priests. 13 King Agrippa, while on the road at midday, I saw a light from heaven brighter than the sun, shining around me and those traveling with me. 14 We all fell to the ground, and I heard a voice speaking to me in the Hebrew language, Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads. 15 Then I said, Who are You, Lord? And the Lord replied: I am Jesus, the One you are persecuting.

4 16 But get up and stand on your feet. For I have appeared to you for this purpose, to appoint you as a servant and a witness of what you have seen and of what I will reveal to you. 17 I will rescue you from the people and from the Gentiles. I now send you to them 18 to open their eyes so they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that by faith in Me they may receive forgiveness of sins and a share among those who are sanctified. KEY WORDS: Goads (v. 14) A goad was a rod, about eight feet in length and pointed on one end, used to direct and control oxen. Sanctified (v. 18) To be sanctified means to be made holy or set apart. At the moment of salvation, the believer is set apart (from sin, self, and the world) to God. Jesus calls even those who oppose Him to become His disciples. Verse 12. It was during one of these journeys seeking out Christians in the city of Damascus that Paul encountered the risen Christ. Paul began by describing how he was traveling on the road to the city of Damascus. The city had multiple synagogues (9:2). With the authority and a commission from the chief priests, he was going there so that if he found any men or women who belonged to the Way, he might bring them as prisoners to Jerusalem (v. 2). Ironically, Paul at that time was acting under the authority of the same group that later had caused him to be imprisoned. Verses The details of Paul s description of what happened at midday on the road to Damascus indicate that his experience was a true event, not something he imagined. Paul saw a light from heaven brighter than the sun. Paul went to Damascus supremely confident that he was right; it took a light brighter than the midday sun to show him he was wrong. This light shone around him and his traveling companions. Overwhelmed by the experience, they all fell to the ground. After falling to the ground, Paul then heard a voice speaking to him in his own language. Saul, Saul, why are DISCUSS: Question #3 (PSG, p. 140): Why do we sometimes give up on people who oppose the gospel? (Alternate: What makes the gospel offensive to some people in today s world?) TRANSITION: Stress that it can be difficult to imagine some people ever coming to Christ. But we must view all people as made in God s image, fallen, broken, and in need of His grace. They may oppose the gospel now, but the Lord specializes in transforming enemies into disciples. STUDY THE BIBLE Acts 26: minutes READ: Invite a volunteer to read verses

5 THE POINT Jesus can transform even the most hostile opponent into a faithful believer. GUIDE: Call attention to the map on PSG page 141. Note the area under the rule of King Agrippa I, who persecuted the Christians in Jerusalem and was the father of Agrippa II before whom Paul appeared in this passage. Note the location of Paul s conversion as he was traveling to Damascus. Briefly note the scope of Paul s early ministry and that this was just the beginning of God s grand plan to spread the gospel throughout the Roman Empire and beyond. Call attention to verses State that Paul had been one of those people walking in darkness under the power of Satan, thinking he was doing God s will by persecuting the followers of Jesus. SAY: Now, quite literally, he had seen the light. DISCUSS: Question #4 (PSG, p. 142): When did you first realize you need Jesus? you persecuting Me? Although Paul did not yet know it, this was the Lord Jesus Christ speaking to him. With His question, the Lord was saying to Paul that when he was persecuting Christians, he was in fact persecuting Jesus Himself. While this question appears in all three versions of Paul s account of his encounter with the risen Christ, only here did Paul include what Jesus said after His question. It is hard for you to kick against the goads. This saying appears to have been a common proverb among first-century Greeks and Romans. A goad was a rod, about eight feet in length and pointed on one end, used to direct and control oxen. In Greek literature, the saying was used in the contexts of someone fighting against his destiny or fighting against a god or gods. Verse 15. Paul inquired of the voice speaking to him, Who are You, Lord? The word lord, while being used as a title of Jesus Christ, could also be used an expression of respect, much like our term sir. In response, the voice replied, I am Jesus, the One you are persecuting. Jesus told Paul it was actually Him Paul was persecuting when he was hunting down and imprisoning Christians. Paul identified the One responding to him as the Lord ( the Lord replied ), identifying the One who was speaking with him as the glorified and risen Savior, seated in heaven with all power and authority. Verse 16. Paul s commissioning to be a servant and witness for Christ was very similar to that of some of the Old Testament prophets (Ezek. 2:1-5). Christ commanded Paul, But get up and stand on your feet. In persecuting Christians, Paul had been fighting against God s purpose for his life. The reason the Lord had appeared to Paul was to appoint him as a servant and witness. Paul was now qualified to be a servant and witness of the risen Christ, of what he had seen and what Jesus would reveal to him in the future. He had fallen to the ground as one of the greatest persecutors of the Christians, but when he stood up at the command of Jesus he did so as a believer appointed to serve Jesus and His church. Verse 17. Jesus announced to Paul that He was sending him to both his own people (the Jews) and the Gentiles. The Gentiles included all people who were not Jews. Jesus 144 Session 12

6 promised to rescue Paul from both groups. This promise of protection did not mean that Paul would not suffer, but rather that Paul would be divinely protected so that he would be able to complete the tasks God had given to him. Again, Jesus promise of protection echoes that given to the Old Testament prophet Jeremiah at the time of his calling (Jer. 1:8). Verse 18. Paul s purpose in going to both Jews and Gentiles was to open their eyes so they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God. Unbelievers are blinded to spiritual truth by Satan. In their case, the god of this age has blinded the minds of the unbelievers so they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God (2 Cor. 4:4). The Bible often uses the imagery of darkness and light to contrast two ways of life those who live in the darkness of their sin and those who live in the light of God, who are alive in Christ (John 1). Unbelievers live their lives in the darkness of their spiritual blindness. Such people need to have their spiritual eyes opened. God called Paul to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ. God would use the gospel Paul preached to overcome the blindness of unbelievers, to bring people from darkness to light, freeing them from the power of Satan so they could experience the freedom of salvation in Jesus Christ. When a person turns to God through repentance and faith in Jesus Christ, that individual receives forgiveness of sins and a share among those who are sanctified. Sin enslaves and results in spiritual death. It brings God s just condemnation and judgment. In Christ, our sins are fully forgiven. Through Jesus sacrifice for sin on the cross, by faith a person receives once for all forgiveness of his or her sins. The result of having our sins forgiven is that as believers we have a share among those who are sanctified. This share is the believer s inheritance in Christ, referring to the blessings to be enjoyed throughout eternity in heaven. Those who are sanctified are those who have faith in Jesus Christ. The Bible plainly and repeatedly teaches that salvation comes solely through faith in Christ alone, apart from human works (Rom. 3:28-30; Gal. 2:16; Eph. 2:8-9). In addition to being forgiven of sins, the believer is sanctified. To be sanctified means to be made holy, consecrated, set apart. In this case, the believer is set apart (from sin, self, and the world) to God (1 Cor. 1:2; 6:11; 2 Thess. 2:13; 1 Pet. 1:2). Faith in Jesus is the means by which the believer is put into a position of holiness before God, made acceptable to God and assured of a share in the inheritance (Alternate: What does this passage teach us about Jesus?) GUIDE: Remind the group that before his conversion, Paul was not a person you wanted to meet if you were a Christian. Under his authority, believers were being killed or severely punished until they renounced Christ. Note again in verse 11 that Paul was motivated by rage and chased down believers wherever they were. It brings to mind the persecution believers face today in regions of the world dominated by Islamic terrorism. TRANSITION: Can you imagine an Islamic terrorist coming to Christ? Stress that such a situation may seem impossible to us as impossible as an early Christian to believe that Saul of Tarsus would turn to Christ. But radical transformations happen every day when people surrender to the truth of Jesus. 145

7 THE POINT Jesus can transform even the most hostile opponent into a faithful believer. STUDY THE BIBLE Acts 26: minutes READ: Invite a volunteer to read verses GUIDE: Refer again to the map on PSG page 141 to enhance the group s understanding of verse 20 and the scope of Paul s early ministry. Help the group understand works worthy of repentance (v. 20). Call attention to the Digging Deeper feature on PSG page 143. Summarize the article or ask a group member you enlisted IN ADVANCE to do so. Be sure the group understands that good works do not lead to salvation but are evidence of a transformed life in Christ. 146 Session 12 promised to those who believe in Christ. (Sanctification also refers to the process by which the believer through the power of the Holy Spirit is transformed day by day more and more into the image of Christ in his or her thoughts and actions. However, here Jesus was referring to the position in which the believer is placed as set apart for God when he or she believes in Christ.) Acts 26: Therefore, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision. 20 Instead, I preached to those in Damascus first, and to those in Jerusalem and in all the region of Judea, and to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works worthy of repentance. Surrender to the truth of Jesus leads to radical transformation. Verses Paul described to King Agrippa the new period in his life which resulted from his vision of the risen Lord. The first thing he stressed was his obedience, though he couched it in negative form. I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision. That Paul was not disobedient is meant simply to underline that he whole-heartedly accepted the message of the gospel and committed himself to carrying out his calling from God to preach the gospel to both Jews and Gentiles. Given the experience Paul had just described, this was logical. He had met the Savior in dramatic fashion, and yielded himself to what Jesus had called him to do. Paul embraced both his Savior and Lord Jesus Christ and his commission to preach the gospel of salvation. Having received his instructions, Paul had applied himself to acting in accordance with Jesus command. He described his progress, that he preached first in Damascus (Acts 9:19-25), then Jerusalem (vv ), then throughout Judea, and finally he took the gospel to the Gentiles (chs ). Paul also described the message he preached, and in doing so he preached to King Agrippa and the rest of his

8 audience. They should repent and turn to God, and do works worthy of repentance. Repentance refers to a change of mind. It can also refer to the feelings of remorse or regret for actions committed prior to the change of mind. In the case of the gospel of Jesus Christ, repentance involves agreeing with God that failing to live in obedience to His commands and will is wrong (what we also call sin ). However, repentance involves more than just a turning away from sin. Paul sets repentance and turning to God close, seeming to understand them as two aspects of the same action. The individual who repents turns away from sin and self and turns toward God. This is what happened to Paul on the road to Damascus. He was going one way (persecuting Jesus and His church), but God turned him around so that he went in a different way entirely (becoming a believer and a preacher of the gospel of Jesus Christ). That needs to happen to everyone who would find salvation in Christ to repent of sins, to be sorry for them and to confess them, and commit to turning away from sin in the future. We must not only turn away from that which is evil, but turn to that which is good; we must turn to God. Christianity is not just negative. It is not just do not sin or abandon your current lifestyle. Christianity is positive. It means finding love, forgiveness, righteousness, and a new life in Christ. This new life is not only different but better. It is a life lived with God through the power and presence of His indwelling Spirit. It is easy for people to say that they repent, but they must demonstrate their repentance is real by what they do. People can t turn to God unless they repent and actions will confirm true repentance. God will give them the power that they need to live lives of obedience toward Him. Good deeds do not earn salvation, but they do demonstrate true repentance. Genuine repentance is inseparably linked to a changed lifestyle. Paul made this point, stating that those who repent and turn to God should do works worthy of repentance. How do you know if you are a Christian or not? Do you know it simply because you say the right words? Hardly. We know we are Christians because we have repented and turned to God and we gain assurance of the validity of our faith because our actions have begun to demonstrate the reality of our repentance. Again, the good works we do don t save us, we are saved by faith in Jesus Christ alone; but, they are evidence that our repentance and belief are real. That is the proof when we begin to follow after Jesus Christ and obey Him. SUMMARIZE: When we surrender to the truth of Jesus, it leads to an ongoing change called sanctification. The power of the gospel changes us and it continues to change us throughout our lives as the Spirit does His work. The act of sanctification takes place day by day as we are transformed into the image of Jesus. DISCUSS: Question #5 (PSG, p. 144): How do you see God continuing to transform you? (Alternate: How would you describe works worthy of repentance?) DO: Invite volunteers to share their responses to the activity Power to Transform (PSG, p. 144). 147

9 THE POINT Jesus can transform even the most hostile opponent into a faithful believer. LIVE IT OUT 5 minutes GUIDE: Emphasize The Point: Jesus can transform even the most hostile opponent into a faithful believer. Review Live It Out (PSG, p. 145; see text to the right). Invite group members to consider what God may be saying to them about reaching out to someone who may be opposed to the gospel. Wrap It Up GUIDE: Encourage your group to remain faithful to show the love of Christ to all people who come into their lives, knowing that the love and grace they express will help draw to Christ even those who have been hostile to Christianity. LIVE IT OUT When we ve seen people resist the gospel for a long time, it s easy to give up on them. It s easy to start thinking that there s no hope for him or her to ever come to Christ. But then Jesus surprises us. The life that for years turned away from Him miraculously turns to Him. Let s not give up on people. God hasn t. Which application is God leading you to adopt this week? > > Reject cynicism. Ask God to reveal any negative or cynical attitude you may have against non-believers. Pray to see them as Jesus does: Those who are well don t need a doctor, but the sick do need one. I didn t come to call the righteous, but sinners (Mark 2:17). > > Pray specifically. Make a prayer list with specific names of non-believers you know personally whom you want to see come to faith in Christ. Lift them up daily to God for salvation. Use Ephesians 3:20 to strengthen your confidence in God when you are tempted to become discouraged in your praying. > > Shine your light. Begin praying for opportunities to build relationships with non-christians. Ask God for wisdom and boldness to share your own story of redemption as He leads. Pray for patience as the Holy Spirit moves in His way and His timing in the lives of those to whom God leads you. PRAY: Father, strengthen your people to walk faithfully in your love each day. Make us a magnet of love that will draw others to your transforming love. Amen. 148 Session 12

10 ILLUSTRATOR PHOTO/G.B. HOWELL At Caesarea Maritima; according to tradition, the hall where Paul appealed to Agrippa II. young. In A.D. 50 and upon the death of the local ruler, Claudius appointed Agrippa II to be king of Chalcis (a territory in what is modern Lebanon). In A.D. 53, Agrippa II exchanged his rule of Chalcis for larger territories that had belonged to Philip and Lysanias, rulers, both of whom had died. In time, Nero gave Agrippa regions on either side of the Sea of Galilee, plus an area in northern Syria and a territory on the northeast corner of the Dead Sea. SHARING THE GOOD NEWS Past hostility and hatred toward God are not obstacles that will prevent God from rescuing us from our sins. When we acknowledge our rebellion against Him, we will find forgiveness through faith in Christ. Each week, make yourself available either before or after the session to speak privately with anyone in your group The following excerpt is from the article Agrippa II (Win ), which relates to this session and can be purchased at com/biblicalillustrator. Agrippa II (who later called himself Marcus Julius Agrippa) was born in Rome in A.D. 27. When Herod Agrippa I died in A.D. 44, Emperor Claudius thought about appointing Agrippa II to succeed his father, but his advisers suggested that Agrippa II, who was only 17 at the time, was too Previous articles Saul the Persecutor Paul the Persecuted (Win ), Damascus in Paul s Day (Sum. 2008), On the Road to Damascus (Fall 1995), and Saul in Damascus (Spr. 1993) relate to this session and can be purchased at biblicalillustrator. Look for Biblical Illustrator for Bible Studies for Life. Subscribe to Biblical Illustrator at or call who wants to know more about becoming a Christian. See the article, Leading Someone to the Greatest Decision of All, on page 2 for guidance in leading a person to Christ. Remind group members that page 2 in the PSG offers guidance in how to become a Christian. Encourage believers to consider using this article as they have opportunities to lead others to Christ. > > Get expert insights on weekly studies through the Ministry Grid (MinistryGrid.com/web/BibleStudiesFor Life). >Grow > with other group leaders at the Groups Ministry blog (lifeway.com/groupministry). > > Additional ideas for your group are available at BibleStudiesFor Life.com/blog. 149