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Monday, July 13, 2015

Scripture & Questions for Sunday (7/12/15)

The youth of the church are leaving for Fun In the Sun in South Padre Sunday and we will return on Friday July 17th.

Vacation Bible School is July 28-30 6-8 pm each evening.  Please Contact Zee Wootan if you are willing to help.

Scripture
Acts 23:1-11 (ESV)  
And looking intently at the council, Paul said, "Brothers, I have lived my life before God in all good conscience up to this day." [2] And the high priest Ananias commanded those who stood by him to strike him on the mouth. [3] Then Paul said to him, "God is going to strike you, you whitewashed wall! Are you sitting to judge me according to the law, and yet contrary to the law you order me to be struck?" [4] Those who stood by said, "Would you revile God's high priest?" [5] And Paul said, "I did not know, brothers, that he was the high priest, for it is written, 'You shall not speak evil of a ruler of your people.' " 
[6] Now when Paul perceived that one part were Sadducees and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, "Brothers, I am a Pharisee, a son of Pharisees. It is with respect to the hope and the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial." [7] And when he had said this, a dissension arose between the Pharisees and the Sadducees, and the assembly was divided. [8] For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, nor angel, nor spirit, but the Pharisees acknowledge them all. [9] Then a great clamor arose, and some of the scribes of the Pharisees' party stood up and contended sharply, "We find nothing wrong in this man. What if a spirit or an angel spoke to him?" [10] And when the dissension became violent, the tribune, afraid that Paul would be torn to pieces by them, commanded the soldiers to go down and take him away from among them by force and bring him into the barracks. 
[11] The following night the Lord stood by him and said, "Take courage, for as you have testified to the facts about me in Jerusalem, so you must testify also in Rome." 

Questions for Reflection
1. When was the last time you had to deal with an overbearing person?
2. When you’ve just about had it, how do you express your anger?
3. When was the last time you said something that caused misunderstanding or conflict?
4. How did those standing nearby challenge Paul? (23:4)
5. Why did Paul respond the way he did to the challenge? (23:5)
6. How did Paul disrupt the proceedings? (23:6-9)
7. Why did the high priest react so strongly to Paul’s statement about fulfilling his duty to God?
8. Why would Paul have needed the Lord’s support and comfort?
9. When do you often need the Lord’s support?
10. When you feel attacked or discouraged, how can you draw encouragement from the Lord?