For some days [Saul] was with the disciples at Damascus. And immediately he proclaimed Jesus in the synagogues, saying, “He is the Son of God.” And all who heard him were amazed and said, “Is not this the man who made havoc in Jerusalem of those who called upon this name? And has he not come here for this purpose, to bring them bound before the chief priests?” But Saul increased all the more in strength, and confounded the Jews who lived in Damascus by proving that Jesus was the Christ.

When many days had passed, the Jews plotted to kill him, but their plot became known to Saul. They were watching the gates day and night in order to kill him, but his disciples took him by night and let him down through an opening in the wall, lowering him in a basket.

And when he had come to Jerusalem, he attempted to join the disciples. And they were all afraid of him, for they did not believe that he was a disciple. But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles and declared to them how on the road he had seen the Lord, who spoke to him, and how at Damascus he had preached boldly in the name of Jesus. So he went in and out among them at Jerusalem, preaching boldly in the name of the Lord. And he spoke and disputed against the Hellenists. But they were seeking to kill him. And when the brothers learned this, they brought him down to Caesarea and sent him off to Tarsus.

So the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria had peace and was being built up. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it multiplied.—Acts 9:19–31

Sermon Discussion Questions

Outline

Introduction: False Peace: The Fear of Man and the Comforts of this Life

1. Proclamation and Plotting in Damascus (Acts 9:19–25)

2. Proclamation and Plotting in Jerusalem (Acts 9:26–30)

3. Proliferation and Peace in the Church (Acts 9:31)

Application: True Peace: The Fear of the Lord and the Comfort of the Holy Spirit

Discussion Questions

• Where do you find yourself motivate by seeking to please others? Why does receiving the approval of others feel good to us?
• Where do you find yourself seeking to find peace in the comforts of life? Where are you prone to feel the most unrest? Relationships? Finances? Family?
• How long must we wait to be useful to God?
• How does meeting the living Christ transform our life mission and priorities? What does it mean if Christ hasn’t transformed those areas?
• What pattern to do we see when the gospel is proclaimed? Are we supposed to enjoy or pursue suffering?
• What happens when the gospel is proclaimed even in the midst of suffering?
• Are you building up the church at the South Campus? Are you at peace in your heart toward God and others? Are you part of the gospel going forth among our neighborhoods?
• How can “fear” and “comfort” live together? Don’t we have to choose one?
• Does Acts 9:31 sound like our church? Would you pray that it would?