Episode 6

Overview: The political maneuvering continues in Jerusalem, with Pilate, Herod, and the high priest’s family all struggling for power. Meanwhile, the Jesus movement has a new enemy, a man named Saul, breathing threats and arresting many.

Bible Connections: Acts 8:1-3.

Other Sources: Ancient historian Josephus records the power-shifts within the Jewish high-priesthood. Caiaphas had served in that post since 18 AD. His father-in-law, Annas, apparently maintained some senior role. In 36 AD, not long after the events of this episode, Caiaphas was, in fact, replaced by Jonathan, a son of Annas.

Dramatic Imagination: The encounter between Saul and Peter is not specifically in any historical record, though it could have happened. They were in the same area at the same time, and Peter was a leader of the same people Saul was hunting down.

Entry Level

• How did you react to the encounter between Saul and Peter? Was it exciting, dramatic, over-dramatic, inspiring, far-fetched, or what?
• What’s your early impression of Saul in this series? What kind of man is he? What drives him? Is there any hint of the man he will eventually become?
• The disciples were dealing with the loss of Stephen and the continuing danger to themselves. How do you tend to deal with tragedy or danger? Fight or flight? Depression or determination?

Dig Deeper

• In this episode, how do the Jesus-followers deal with their grief and their fear? Does their faith in Jesus help them? If so, how?
• Peter is clearly emerging as a leader of the Jesus movement. Why? From what you see of him in this series—and anything else you know of him—what would make him a good leader?
• Before he left them, Jesus told his disciples that they would testify for him in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and to the ends of the earth (Acts 1:8). As the last episode of this series ended, they were still in Jerusalem. Increased opposition forced them into the next phases of Jesus’ prophecy—Judea and Samaria (Acts 8:1). Do you think that our difficulties and challenges often drive us to do what we should have been doing all along? Has this happened in your life?

Takeaway

• Let’s riff a bit on this issue of “difficulties and challenges.” When you encounter strong opposition from others, when you reach the end of your own ability to fix things, or when you just hit a streak of “bad luck,” what is your usual response? Do you turn to God, to others, to yourself, or all of the above? Do you try a new approach, or do you keep hammering away?
• Consider the possibility that God could be using this time of difficulty to do something good. Have you ever seen or experienced the following . . . ?

  God gives you new power to meet the challenge.
  God teaches you to trust him rather than yourself
  God helps you develop empathy for the helpless
  God is closing one door in order to open a better one

  How? When? Think about, and talk about, the details. And as you continue watching this series (and reading the book of Acts), see how God did all these things with the early believers.