Series: Acts of Paul
Passage: Acts 27
Title: There Once Was a Ship
Speaker: Steve Howell

Use the following questions and directions based on today’s sermon as a starting point for spiritual discussions with your family or a small group of Christian friends this week.

Fellowship – Relationships with a Purpose

_ If you could take a journey by boat to any port in the world, where would you sail? Why?

Growth – Thinking About Spiritual Matters

• Paul is about to travel from Caesarea (on the cost of Israel) to Rome. Look at a Bible map of Paul’s journeys and sketch out his route. How far does he travel?
• Who travels with Paul? (v. 2 – don’t forget that “we” includes the author of Acts). What value would their companionship provide for Paul?
• Read Acts 27:10 and compare to Acts 27:23-26. How does Paul’s opinion compare with God’s promises. Which does Paul trust more? Which do you trust more?
• Imagine being tossed about on a sailing ship in the Mediterranean. How do you think you would’ve reacted? How do the sailors’ actions show an increasing desperation (ex: Acts 27:18-19)?
• Read Acts 27:30-32. Why do you think the centurion trusted Paul’s advice now?
• In what ways was Paul protected on this trip? For what purpose (see v. 23-24)?
• How has God protected you in your life? Looking back, can you see any benefit to the times when His protection included allowing hardship? What does that tell you about current or upcoming times of trouble?
• Do you trust that God has a purpose for you? What encouragement could you give someone who doubted God’s purpose in his or her life?

Prayer – Taking Your Thoughts to God

• Pray for courage as you face difficult circumstances. Ask for God to make his protection known to you, and to help you understand His purposes.