Summarize things you discussed last week, especially concerning the clash of rival Kingdoms and Kings highlighted in the book of Acts.



Read Acts 17:1

1. These places are all in ancient Macedonia. Read Acts 16:6–10. According to these verses, why is Paul in Macedonia?
2. This vision of Paul's in Acts 16 is unique. Why do you believe Luke chose to include the details of the vision, rather than simply say something like "God called Paul to Macedonia through a vision"? What extremely significant conqueror from ancient history would the early readers of Acts have thought of when they heard about this man of Macedonia?
3. How is the spread of the church's witness to Jesus in Acts similar to the conquests of Alexander the Great and other ancient kings? How is it different?

Read Acts 17:1–5

1. In what ways is Luke highlighting differences between Jesus and all other kings like Alexander in these verses?
2. Why is it significant that he stresses that Paul spoke of how Jesus "had to suffer and rise from the dead"? Why did Jesus need to do this? Again, why is this so different than the kings of the world?
3. In what ways do you struggle to remember that Jesus is the kind of King who willingly suffers for us, rather than just punishing those who fail? How does this encourage you now, as you think about Jesus' love for you and the forgiveness offered? How do you sometimes think of Jesus like the kings of our world? How should this encourage you?

Read Acts 17:6–15

1. How does Paul act differently in his missionary methods than those who are "jealous of him"? How do you think Luke is highlighting the uniqueness of the church in how we should carry out our mission of making Jesus known?
2. How do you see the church sometimes adopt practices from the world in how we carry out the mission of Jesus?
3. What does it look like to look like Jesus, who loved us and suffered for us, as we proclaim and practice him today?
4. How should this reshape how we think about the church? How should this reshape how we think about prayer? How should this push us more toward Jesus?