As Jesus began his public ministry, John the Baptist introduced Him by declaring; “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” In one sentence he has summarized the reason Jesus came – to deal with mankind’s sin problem through His death on the cross.

As He travels throughout the region, Jesus begins to call men to follow him. These men will become Jesus’ disciples, they will know Him intimately and join Him in His ministry and mission.

Jesus, who existed before all of time, came into a world immersed in sin and opposition to God. Though the world does not understand or appreciate or absorb the Light Jesus brings, it cannot overpower it!

Out of the super-abundance of God’s grace and truth, we have received grace upon grace, favor upon favor, gift heaped upon gift in the person and work of Jesus Christ!

Prepare for this week’s message by reading through and meditating on John 1:1-18.

Verses: Philippians 3:5-6, Acts 7:54-8:3, Acts 9:1-22, 2 Corinthians 11:23-28, 1 Corinthians 15:1-11, 1 Timothy 1:12-17, Philippians 3:7-10

Main Point: God is mighty to save and graceful to pursue.

Questions:

1. What impacted you from this message? What challenged you or encouraged you? What did you learn about God through the study of Paul?

2. What details do you know about Paul’s life? Which details seem the most important to you?

3. Read Philippians 3:5-6. How did Paul describe his religious background? Which things was he born into, and which things did he pursue? How could have Paul’s background created a barrier to following Jesus?

4. Read Acts 7:54-8:3. What was Saul’s role at the Stephen’s stoning. What happened after Stephen was martyred? Describe Saul’s persecution of the early church?

5. Read Acts 9:1-22. What was Saul doing at the beginning of this passage? How did the Lord get his attention? What did Jesus say to Saul? What would you have felt if you were in Saul’s place?

6. What was Ananias’ response to being told to pray for Saul? What did the Lord tell Ananias about Saul? After his conversion, what did Paul do? What did the people say about him?

7. Read 2 Corinthians 11:23-28. Paul was called to be the “Apostle to the Gentiles” (Romans 11:13). Throughout his missionary journeys, Paul would suffer for the Jesus. Describe the sufferings Paul listed in these verses?

8. Read 1 Corinthians 15:1-11. In these verses Paul described the Gospel message and how it impacted him. How would you describe the Gospel from these verses? What impact did it have on Paul?

9. Read 1 Timothy 1:12-17. How did Paul describe himself in these verses? How did God’s grace change him? How do these verses give us hope that anyone can trust in Jesus and experience his grace?

10. Read Philippians 3:7-10. This is the continuation of the verses you read above. What did Paul desire above all else? Why is knowing God so important?

11. What is one specific thing you can do this week to put into practice what you learned in this message?