Bible Study Lesson # 7
ACTS
God's Saving Power
Acts 9:1-20
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God’s Saving Power God is the great “interrupter.” At times he seems to sneak up in our lives, while at other times he intrudes into our plans. God chooses the approach and knows how to get our attention. No matter what road we may find ourselves on, God’s power is more than enough to turn us around. Think of a time you have seen God’s power revealed in the life of a friend, or perhaps in your own life. What happened to that person? How was God’s power evident? After Stephen’s death, a Pharisee named Saul went on a rampage of persecution against the followers of Christ. When they fled from Jerusalem, Saul went on the road after them. He heard there was a large group in Damascus, so he obtained permission to travel there with an armed company to capture the believers and bring them back to Jerusalem for trial, imprisonment, and probably death. But something happened on the way there that stopped Saul in his tracks. Acts 9:1-20 is lesson number seven of our twelvepart study of the Acts. The study shows how God can change our plans into his plans.
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Acts 9:1-20 Common English Bible Saul encounters the risen Jesus 9 Meanwhile, Saul was still spewing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples. He went to the high priest, 2 seeking letters to the synagogues in Damascus. If he found persons who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, these letters would authorize him to take them as prisoners to Jerusalem. 3 During the journey, as he approached Damascus, suddenly a light from heaven encircled him. 4 He fell to the ground and heard a voice asking him, “Saul, Saul, why are you harassing me?” 5 Saul asked, “Who are you, Lord?” “I am Jesus, whom you are harassing,” came the reply. 6 “Now get up and enter the city. You will be told what you must do.” 7 Those traveling with him stood there speechless; they heard the voice but saw no one. 8 After they picked Saul up from the ground, he opened his eyes but he couldn’t see. So they led him by the hand into Damascus. 9 For three days he was blind and neither ate nor drank anything. 10 In Damascus there was a certain disciple named Ananias. The Lord spoke to him in a vision, “Ananias!” He answered, “Yes, Lord.” 2
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Lord instructed him, “Go to Judas’ house on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul. He is praying. 12 In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias enter and put his hands on him to restore his sight.” 13 Ananias countered, “Lord, I have heard many reports about this man. People say he has done horrible things to your holy people in Jerusalem. 14 He’s here with authority from the chief priests to arrest everyone who calls on your name.” 15 The Lord replied, “Go! This man is the agent I have chosen to carry my name before Gentiles, kings, and Israelites. 16 I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name.” 17 Ananias went to the house. He placed his hands on Saul and said, “Brother Saul, the Lord sent me— Jesus, who appeared to you on the way as you were coming here. He sent me so that you could see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” 18 Instantly, flakes fell from Saul’s eyes and he could see again. He got up and was baptized. 19 After eating, he regained his strength. He stayed with the disciples in Damascus for several days. 20 Right away, he began to preach about Jesus in the synagogues. “He is God’s Son,” he declared.
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Bible Study Questions 1. How would you describe Saul before his encounter with Christ? 2. What did the voice from heaven tell Saul about his past and his future? 3. How long did Saul have to wait for further instructions from the Lord?
4. What doubts did Ananias express to God about Saul?
5. How did Ananias minister to Saul?
6. How was God’s power revealed in Saul’s life?
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Reflections 7. Which person do you identify with the most: Saul, his companions, or Ananias? Why? 8. What does this passage teach you about God? What does it teach you about people?
9. What was your conversion experience like? Why is it helpful to share your story with others?
10. What are some of the ways you feel God has used you to minister to unbelievers?
11. When was a time that God used you to minister to someone else? What did you do? 12. How will you minister to someone who has not yet experienced God’s saving power? 5
Final Thoughts Life can be a stunning mixture of “Saul” experiences and “Ananias” opportunities. Sometimes we are the target but sometimes we are the arrow. We are served, and we serve. Because we are first loved and saved, we get wonderful chances to participate in the miracle of other people’s life change. On this side of eternity, we are never far from attitudes and sin that cause God to treat us life Saul on the road to Damascus, nor far from moments when God calls us to step into Ananias’s sandals and walk into someone else’s life.
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