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Study 2: Paul's Story - Galatians 1:11-24

Paul's StoryWelcome

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

  1. In the World: from last week’s study, share where you observed freedom or lack of freedom in your week last week
  2. 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.
  3. 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

  1. Read the parallel stories of his encounter with Christ on the Damascus Road.

Read Galatians 1:11-24

  1. What additional facts do you add from Paul’s own letter?
  1. Try to piece together a time-line
  1. 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

  1. How does Paul describe his feelings about his life story?

IN CHRIST - FREEDOM FROM

IN CHRIST - FREEDOM TO

  1. How could you describe Paul’s story in the lines:

Marion de Quidt, May 2016

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