Acts - Week 82

Week 82 Acts 27 

Day 1 

READ 

Acts 27:9-10 

9 We had lost a lot of time. The weather was becoming dangerous for sea travel because it was so late in the fall, and Paul spoke to the ship’s officers about it. 10 “Men,” he said, “I believe there is trouble ahead if we go on—shipwreck, loss of cargo, and danger to our lives as well.” 

Luke continues to record what the trip was like as they were on their way to Rome because of Paul’s appeal to meet with Caesar. Paul told the officers of his concern that if they went on they could have shipwreck, the loss of cargo and even loss of lives. Would this make a difference to the officers who were heading the ship toward Italy? 

REFLECT 

Imagine you are on the ship with Paul and the others. Would you take Paul’s words seriously? 

RESPOND 

Talk with your disciple about ever being on a hazardous trip. What was done at that time? Did people pray? Did they talk about death? 

Day 2 

READ 

Acts 27:11-12 

11 But the officer in charge of the prisoners listened more to the ship’s captain and the owner than to Paul. 12 And since Fair Havens was an exposed harbor—a poor place to spend the winter—most of the crew wanted to go on to Phoenix, farther up the coast of Crete, and spend the winter there. Phoenix was a good harbor with only a southwest and northwest exposure. 

Even though Paul warned of danger ahead, the ship’s captain and owner was not persuaded. More thought was given to where they could safely spend the winter. All were concerned about their safety, but Paul’s comments were disregarded. One wonders what they thought of his comments. Why did Paul think they would have shipwreck, loss of cargo and lives if they went on?  

REFLECT 

Have you sometimes spoken wisdom you believe was based on the Bible and it was disregarded?  

RESPOND 

With your disciple talk about the need for wisdom that comes from the knowledge of God’s Word. Read Proverbs 4:7-9 as a reminder of the importance of wisdom. 

Day 3 

READ 

Acts 27:13-15 

13 When a light wind began blowing from the south, the sailors thought they could make it. So they pulled up anchor and sailed close to the shore of Crete. 14 But the weather changed abruptly, and a wind of typhoon strength (called a “northeaster”) burst across the island and blew us out to sea. 15 The sailors couldn’t turn the ship into the wind, so they gave up and let it run before the gale. 

They were now caught in a quick-rising storm. They were unable to turn the ship into it so they gave up and “let it run.” In the original language of the New Testament the word used was the same basic one used in telling how the Holy Spirit “moved” or “carried along” the writers of Scripture so they wrote what God wanted them to write.  

REFLECT 

It is hard to explain how the Holy Spirit moved on the writers of Scripture but this example of the wind moving along the ship helps one understand a little better. 

RESPOND 

Read 2 Peter 1:21 to see the same basic word used in explaining how the Holy Spirit moved along the writers of Scripture to record what God wanted. 

Day 4 

READ 

Acts 27:16-17 

16 We sailed along the sheltered side of a small island named Cauda, where with great difficulty we hoisted aboard the lifeboat being towed behind us. 17 Then the sailors bound ropes around the hull of the ship to strengthen it. They were afraid of being driven across to the sandbars of Syrtis off the African coast, so they lowered the sea anchor to slow the ship and were driven before the wind. 

The sailors were frantically trying to save the ship and their lives. They “lowered the sea anchor to slow the ship and were driven before the wind.” Here again the same word is used as in 2 Peter 1:21 where it explained how the writers of Scripture were carried along by the Holy Spirit in writing the Scriptures. Here it is translated “driven,” but it has the same idea. 

REFLECT 

Realize that even though you do not understand how God inspired His Word to be written, it was accomplished as He desired. 

RESPOND 

Read 2 Timothy 3:16-17 that is another key passage about God breathing out the Scriptures. Discuss what those Scriptures are to be used for. 

Day 5 

READ 

Acts 27:18-20 

18 The next day, as gale-force winds continued to batter the ship, the crew began throwing the cargo overboard. 19 The following day they even took some of the ship’s gear and threw it overboard. 20 The terrible storm raged for many days, blotting out the sun and the stars, until at last all hope was gone. 

The sailors were more frantic than ever now as they began throwing things overboard. This is what Paul had warned them about, but they would not heed his words. Then they even threw some of the ship’s tackle overboard. The storm continued to rage “for many days” and the sun and stars were no longer visible so there was no way to know their location. “All hope was gone.” What solemn words those are. 

REFLECT 

Have you ever been in a situation where “all hope was gone?” This meant you were facing certain death. At such a time people need to be reminded of the need to trust in Jesus for salvation before it is eternally too late. 

RESPOND 

Discuss with your disciple how each of you has had opportunities to share the gospel. Did you take advantage of the opportunities? If not, what would you do next time?