ACTS 25:13-22
13 A few days later King Agrippa and Bernice arrived at Caesarea to pay their respects to Festus. 14 Since they were spending many days there, Festus discussed Paul's case with the king. He said: "There is a man here whom Felix left as a prisoner. 15 When I went to Jerusalem, the chief priests and elders of the Jews brought charges against him and asked that he be condemned. 16 I told him that it is not the Roman custom to hand over any man before he has faced his accusers and has had an opportunity to defend himself against their charges. 17 When they came here with me, I did not delay the case, but convened the court the next day and ordered the man to be brought in. 18 When his accusers got up to speak, they did not charge him with any of the crimes I had expected. 19 Instead, they had some points of dispute with him about their own religion and about a dead man named Jesus who Paul claimed was alive. 20 I was at a loss how to investigate such matters; so I asked if he would be willing to go to Jerusalem and stand trial there on these charges. 21 When Paul made his appeal to be held over for the Emperor's decision, I ordered him held until I could send him to Caesar. 22 Then Agrippa said to Festus, "I would like to hear this man myself." He replied, "Tomorrow you will hear him."
FROM THE LESSON
Resurrection Responses:
Response 1: Curious non-believers
Example of this response is Felix
He had a genuine curiosity but no belief because of his complacency.
Response 2: Confused non-believers
Example of this response is Festus
He had a general confusion about belief caused by religion and disagreements.
Response 3: Cultural believers
Example of this response is the Sadducees
They had a belief in God but were greatly influenced by culture.
Response 4: Correct believers
Example of this response is the Pharisees
They had a belief in God but were overly concerned with being correct.
Response 5: Changed believers
Example of this response is Paul
He had a belief in God and was forever changed by the resurrection of Jesus.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1 Which one of the five responses to the resurrection did you think about the most this morning? Why? Can you think of some other common responses to the witness of the risen Jesus?
2 When someone is genuinely curious about Jesus, what are some of the obstacles that keep them from coming to faith in Him?
3 Have you seen disagreements about religion add confusion to our primary witness? How can you keep this from happening in your own life? How can the church keep our primary witness primary?
4 Have you heard the term cultural Christian? In what ways? Talk about how one can make Christianity more about a portrayal than an actual practice.
5 Have you ever been so overly concerned about getting things correct that you have missed Christ? What are the essentials for you when it come to faith in Jesus Christ?
6 How has the gospel of Jesus Christ changed your life? Each person share at least one way your life is different because of your belief in the risen Jesus.
