Welcome
When have you experienced an interruption in your planned journey? Was it a help or a hindrance?
Share your stories with one another…
Worship
The Lord is my light and my salvation – whom shall I fear? Psalm 27:1
Try to create a scene of darkness – and then introduce a light (candle, torch, lamp)
Give time and space in the dark to feel the dark …
Then allow time to appreciate the light… What do you notice?
Offer thanks and prayers for God’s light in our lives…
Sing/listen to ‘The Lord is my light’ - Taize chant
Word – Lighter Bite – Study 2 – Paul’s Story
Today’s task is to understand the beginnings of Paul’s Christian life. Read together the account of his conversion in Acts 9:1-30, written by Dr Luke.
Describe the stages in the story: before, middle, key turning point, key people, what happened, what happened next.
Which part of this describes the time in Acts 9?
Galatians 1:18 may describe the visit to Jerusalem in Acts 9:26-30 or Acts 11:30
- Which part describes a time after the story in Acts 9?
- Write out the words that describe Paul’s earlier life …
- And the words that describe his later life …
- What did Paul understand as God’s call on his life? Gal 1:11, 15, 16, 23, 24
- What might he have said was his Freedom FROM – and Freedom TO?
Witness
- In the World: from last week’s study, share where you observed freedom or lack of freedom in your week last week
- Ourselves: we are here studying because God has touched our own lives. In pairs consider a key turning point of your life, and what you would say if arrested and asked to explain. Give out tea lights, light them now, to remind each person to be a light in your own world; and pray for one another.
- The Gospel. As you leave, take away the question – how do I understand in Christ - Freedom From and Freedom To?
Word – Main Meal – Study 2 – Paul’s Story
Grapple more deeply with Saul’s description of his conversion.
Acts 9:1-30.
Acts 22:3-21
Acts 26:9-18
- Read the parallel stories of his encounter with Christ on the Damascus Road.
Read Galatians 1:11-24
- What additional facts do you add from Paul’s own letter?
- Try to piece together a time-line
- More importantly – what are the key things that change in Paul’s life?
- How do you think Paul was affected by the followers of the Way?
- How does Paul describe his calling?
- What are the key elements in his understanding of himself?
- In his understanding of God?
- In his understanding of sin and rebellion and darkness?
Read 1 Timothy 1:12-17
- How does Paul describe his feelings about his life story?
IN CHRIST - FREEDOM FROM
IN CHRIST - FREEDOM TO
- How could you describe Paul’s story in the lines:
Marion de Quidt, May 2016
