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Welcome to Week 48 of Rooted.
We will finish our journey through the book of Acts this week (chapter 21-25) and then move into the letter to the Hebrews. These last few chapters of Acts we'll see Paul travel to Rome, where Luke will leave him under house arrest.
Hebrews is a very Jewish letter. It was written to a congregation that was probably primarily composed of Jewish believers. It was written to encourage them to stay with Jesus and not revert back to their Jewish roots. There are a great many Old Testament references in Hebrews. The better you understand the Old Testament, especially the Tabernacle, the priesthood, and the sacrifices, the better you will be able to grasp the message of Hebrews.
As you read this week, consider the following questions:
• What does Paul mean by performing deeds in keeping with repentance? (Acts 26:19-20)
• What impact can your prayer have on the lives of others around you, including unbelievers? (Acts 27:23-24)
• Paul spent at least two years as a prisoner in Rome. What do you imagine that might have been like? (Acts 28:30-31)
• Who is Jesus? (Hebrews 1:1-4)
• Who is Jesus? (Hebrews 2:14-18)
Here are some potential answers to last week’s questions. Yours may differ:
Our Rooted Facebook Group will add to these answers each day.
• What would lead someone to go someplace where certain danger loomed? Even knowing that it is where God is leading you? (Acts 21:10-14) – Knowing that our suffering does not begin to compare with the glory that awaits us (Rom. 8:18).
• Paul seemed quite willing to suffer for the cause of Christ. So why did he seek to avoid it in Acts 22:24-26? – Paul was willing to suffer for Christ. But there was no reason to suffer needlessly.
• What are the differences between Pharisees and Sadducees? (Acts 23:6-8) – The biggest difference concerned the resurrection. Pharisees believed in a general resurrection at the end of the age. Sadducees did not. In addition, Sadducees only accepted the Torah as Scripture, while the Pharisees accepted what we call the Old Testament.
• Why did Paul call the early church “the Way”? (Acts 24:14-16) John 14:6 may help with this. – Jesus claimed to be the way, the truth, and the life. So, as followers of the Way, they were following Jesus, who was the way to the Father. They were ‘on the way’.
• What did Festus determine was the key difference between Paul and the Jewish religious leaders who were accusing him? (Acts 25:17-19) – It concerned the resurrection of Jesus. Festus knew He had been executed. But Paul was claiming He was alive.
Helpful Resources:
• Rooted Facebook Group for online sharing
• New Testament overview video: by The Bible Project
• Bible Gateway is an online Bible app with many translations and some other free helps
• A Clay Jar devotionals
As always, we would love to hear about your experience in reading through the New Testament. Please share your questions and insights with us at rooted@lifepointnaz.church.
We will finish our journey through the book of Acts this week (chapter 21-25) and then move into the letter to the Hebrews. These last few chapters of Acts we'll see Paul travel to Rome, where Luke will leave him under house arrest.
Hebrews is a very Jewish letter. It was written to a congregation that was probably primarily composed of Jewish believers. It was written to encourage them to stay with Jesus and not revert back to their Jewish roots. There are a great many Old Testament references in Hebrews. The better you understand the Old Testament, especially the Tabernacle, the priesthood, and the sacrifices, the better you will be able to grasp the message of Hebrews.
As you read this week, consider the following questions:
• What does Paul mean by performing deeds in keeping with repentance? (Acts 26:19-20)
• What impact can your prayer have on the lives of others around you, including unbelievers? (Acts 27:23-24)
• Paul spent at least two years as a prisoner in Rome. What do you imagine that might have been like? (Acts 28:30-31)
• Who is Jesus? (Hebrews 1:1-4)
• Who is Jesus? (Hebrews 2:14-18)
Here are some potential answers to last week’s questions. Yours may differ:
Our Rooted Facebook Group will add to these answers each day.
• What would lead someone to go someplace where certain danger loomed? Even knowing that it is where God is leading you? (Acts 21:10-14) – Knowing that our suffering does not begin to compare with the glory that awaits us (Rom. 8:18).
• Paul seemed quite willing to suffer for the cause of Christ. So why did he seek to avoid it in Acts 22:24-26? – Paul was willing to suffer for Christ. But there was no reason to suffer needlessly.
• What are the differences between Pharisees and Sadducees? (Acts 23:6-8) – The biggest difference concerned the resurrection. Pharisees believed in a general resurrection at the end of the age. Sadducees did not. In addition, Sadducees only accepted the Torah as Scripture, while the Pharisees accepted what we call the Old Testament.
• Why did Paul call the early church “the Way”? (Acts 24:14-16) John 14:6 may help with this. – Jesus claimed to be the way, the truth, and the life. So, as followers of the Way, they were following Jesus, who was the way to the Father. They were ‘on the way’.
• What did Festus determine was the key difference between Paul and the Jewish religious leaders who were accusing him? (Acts 25:17-19) – It concerned the resurrection of Jesus. Festus knew He had been executed. But Paul was claiming He was alive.
Helpful Resources:
• Rooted Facebook Group for online sharing
• New Testament overview video: by The Bible Project
• Bible Gateway is an online Bible app with many translations and some other free helps
• A Clay Jar devotionals
As always, we would love to hear about your experience in reading through the New Testament. Please share your questions and insights with us at rooted@lifepointnaz.church.