Facing Problems And Pain Acts 20:15-32 ACTS Bible Study Lesson # 11 Join us online Thursdays @ 7:00 PM ET www.zoom.us Meeting ID: 903 988 1805 Passcode: 982846 Call 301 715 8592 ID :903 988 1805 Passcode: 982846
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Pain, difficulty, and struggles always feel and look different when they invade our lives. The responses we expect from others seem harder for us to practice. If we haven’t decided beforehand how we will view problems, they will dictate our responses. Think of a time when you have seen someone display joy or courage even in the midst of suffering. How do you think that person was able to be joyful or Ascourageous?Paul’sthird
missionary journey was winding down, he still had many objectives he wanted to do, such as visiting Spain. Yet he became aware that his time for ministry was coming to an end. He was the on the way to Jerusalem, and he expected that events there would lead him in a radical new direction. At one point, Paul gathered together the elders and leaders of the church in Ephesus, where he had served for many years, and gave them some parting words.
Facing Problems And Pain
2 Acts 20:15-32
15 We sailed from there, and on the following day we arrived opposite Chios. The next day we touched at Samos, and the day after that we came to Miletus. 16 For Paul had decided to sail past Ephesus, so that he might not have to spend time in Asia; he was eager to be in Jerusalem, if possible, on the day of Pentecost.
Paul Speaks to the Ephesian Elders 17 From Miletus he sent a message to Ephesus, asking the elders of the church to meet him. 18 When they came to him, he said to them: “You yourselves know how I lived among you the entire time from the first day that I set foot in Asia, 19 serving the Lord with all humility and with tears, enduring the trials that came to me through the plots of the Jews. 20 I did not shrink from doing anything helpful, proclaiming the message to you and teaching you publicly and from house to house, 21 as I testified to both Jews and Greeks about repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus. 22 And now, as a captive to the Spirit, I am on my way to
Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there, 23 except that the Holy Spirit testifies to me in every city that imprisonment and persecutions are waiting for me. 24 But I do not count my life of any value to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the good news of God’s grace. 25 “And now I know that none of you, among whom I have gone about proclaiming the kingdom, will ever see my face again. 26 Therefore I declare to you this day that I am not responsible for the blood of any of you, 27 for I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole purpose of God. 28 Keep watch over yourselves and over all the flock, of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God that he obtained with the blood of his own Son. 29 I know that after I have gone, savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. 30 Some even from your own group will come distorting the truth in order to entice the disciples to follow them. 31 Therefore be alert, remembering that for three years I did not cease night or day to warn everyone with tears.
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4 32 And now I commend you to God and to the message of his grace, a message that is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all who are sanctified. Bible Study Questions 1. Why did Paul ask the church elders to meet him in Miletus? 2. How was Paul tested during his ministry in 3.Asia?How did the Holy Spirit work in Paul’s life. 4. What was Paul’s attitude toward the hardship he faced? 5. What was Paul’s goal in life?
5 6. What were Paul’s closing instruction to the elders? Reflections 7. Why is it important to recognize that pain is 8.inevitable?Howdosome people make their problems 9.worse?How can the Holy Spirit help you through life’s difficulties? 10. Why do people try to handle their pain and problems on their own? 11. What lessons has God taught you through the hardships you have endured? 12. How does this passage challenge you to deal with your present problems?
6 Final Thoughts
In his wisdom, God seldom lets us know what will happen and how bad it may be. He tells us to trust him with all the arrangements. Our tendencies may always drift toward self-pity and questions, but God’s will draw us back toward the truth. Every day becomes a new opportunity to discover in just how many different ways “it isn’t about us.” Life is about God’s purposes and plans.
Luke 15 OCTOBER BIBLE STUDY AND SERMON SERIES HE EATS WITH SINNERS Luke 15:1-2 6 October 13 THE LOST October Luke 15:3-7 THE SEARCH Luke 15:8-10 20 October 27 TWO LOST SONS October Luke 15:11-32