Acts 13: Group Study Handout

Overview

In Antioch, Barnabas and Saul are commissioned by the Holy Spirit for their work (vv. 1-3). They travel to Seleucia and then sail to Cyprus. In Salamis, they preach in Jewish synagogues, with John as their helper (vv. 4-5). In Paphos, they encounter Elymas the sorcerer, who opposes them. Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, declares that Elymas will be blind temporarily. The proconsul, Sergius Paulus, believes after seeing this (vv. 6-12).

Key verse

“For so has the Lord commanded us, saying, ‘I have set you as a light for the Gentiles, that you should bring salvation to the uttermost parts of the earth.’”

Acts 13:47 (WEB)

Outline

1. Acts 13:1–3 Commissioning of Paul and Barnabas
2. Acts 13:4–12 Journey to Cyprus and Elymas
3. Acts 13:13–26 Arrival in Pisidian Antioch
4. Acts 13:27–39 Paul’s Sermon on Jesus
5. Acts 13:40–41 Warning to the Scoffers
6. Acts 13:42–49 Response of Gentiles and Opposition
7. Acts 13:50–52 Expulsion and Joy of Disciples

Discussion questions

1. In v6, who do Barnabas and Saul encounter on Cyprus?
2. What does Paul call Elymas in v10?
3. Paul’s sermon in vv. 17-22: how does he connect Israel’s history to Jesus?
4. In v48, what does it mean that many were 'appointed to eternal life'?
5. When have you faced opposition like Paul and Barnabas did in v50?

Go deeper

Passages that echo Acts 13: Acts 2, Acts 14, John 8.

Before next time: read Acts 14.