Acts - Week 83

Week 83 Acts 27 

Day 1 

READ 

Acts 27:21-22 

21 No one had eaten for a long time. Finally, Paul called the crew together and said, “Men, you should have listened to me in the first place and not left Crete. You would have avoided all this damage and loss. 22 But take courage! None of you will lose your lives, even though the ship will go down. 

The ship’s crew was all fighting for their lives. Paul reminded them he had warned them of what was coming, but they didn’t listen to him. He urged them to take courage, however, because he had assurance that none of them would lose their lives even though the ship sinks. They did not believe him before; will they believe him now?  

REFLECT 

It is easy to criticize the sailors for not believing Paul who had revelation from God. It is not any different, however, than people not believing God now as they read the Scriptures. 

RESPOND 

Talk with your disciple about belief and doubts. Read Mark 9:23-24; Romans 14:22-23 and James 1:5-8 as a basis for discussion.  

Day 2 

READ 

Acts 27:23-26 

23 For last night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve stood beside me, 24 and he said, ‘Don’t be afraid, Paul, for you will surely stand trial before Caesar! What’s more, God in his goodness has granted safety to everyone sailing with you.’ 25 So take courage! For I believe God. It will be just as he said. 26 But we will be shipwrecked on an island.” 

Paul explained to the sailors why he was confident no one would lose his life even though the ship would sink. He had been told by and angel of God and was told he would stand trial before Caesar. He assured the sailors of their safety and predicted they would be shipwrecked on an island. Would the unbelieving sailors now believe Paul? 

REFLECT 

Now that the Bible is available people have God’s completed revelation. Think what a privilege you have that those in Paul’s time did not have. 

RESPOND 

For those who doubt whether God’s revelation is complete, read Jude 1:3-4. It is God’s revelation given “once-for-all” to believers. 

Day 3 

READ 

Acts 27:27-29 

27 About midnight on the fourteenth night of the storm, as we were being driven across the Sea of Adria, the sailors sensed land was near. 28 They dropped a weighted line and found that the water was 120 feet deep. But a little later they measured again and found it was only 90 feet deep. 29 At this rate they were afraid we would soon be driven against the rocks along the shore, so they threw out four anchors from the back of the ship and prayed for daylight. 

This was a scary time for everyone on the ship. After measuring, they were concerned they might be dashed against rocks so they threw out anchors. In their desperation, they “prayed for daylight.” To whom were they praying? Likely to any god they thought might deliver them from certain death. On the other hand, Paul was in communication with the only God of the universe.  

REFLECT 

Where is your confidence in times of life-threatening situations? Is it in the God of the Bible or something else? 

RESPOND 

Read what Paul later wrote in 1 Timothy 4:9-11 as he told Timothy that God is the believer’s only hope. 

Day 4 

READ 

Acts 27:30-32 

30 Then the sailors tried to abandon the ship; they lowered the lifeboat as though they were going to put out anchors from the front of the ship. 31 But Paul said to the commanding officer and the soldiers, “You will all die unless the sailors stay aboard.” 32 So the soldiers cut the ropes to the lifeboat and let it drift away. 

The sailors did not believe Paul’s words as indicated by their behavior. Paul warned again that their lives would only be safe if they stayed aboard the ship. Finally it got through to them so the soldiers released the lifeboat they were intending to use. Sometimes a message has to be given more than once for people to believe it. Now having the written Scriptures, one can just reread God’s promises. 

REFLECT 

Have you gained spiritual strength by rereading some of God’s promises? Think how blessed you are to have a copy of the Scriptures so you can do that. 

RESPOND 

Read Romans 4:20-22 to see what Paul said about Abraham relying on God’s promises. Read Genesis 15:1-6 for the background to Paul’s statements.  

Day 5 

READ 

Acts 27:33-38 

33 Just as day was dawning, Paul urged everyone to eat. “You have been so worried that you haven’t touched food for two weeks,” he said. 34 “Please eat something now for your own good. For not a hair of your heads will perish.” 35 Then he took some bread, gave thanks to God before them all, and broke off a piece and ate it. 36 Then everyone was encouraged and began to eat— 37 all 276 of us who were on board. 38 After eating, the crew lightened the ship further by throwing the cargo of wheat overboard. 

Not having eaten for two weeks because they were so worried, Paul knew that everyone needed to eat. He assured them again of their safety. Before everyone, believers and unbelievers, Paul gave thanks for what they had to eat. That encouraged everyone and they began to eat. Luke records there were 276 on board the ship. After eating they threw more cargo overboard. 

REFLECT 

Are you embarrassed to return thanks for a meal when unbelievers are present? Paul was not.  

RESPOND 

Talk with your disciple about being a testimony by the simple practice of thanking the Lord for a meal even when unbelievers are present. This will encourage believers and may cause unbelievers to ask questions allowing you to witness to them.