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Sermon Guide

The Fifth Act
Week 9 | The Conversion of Saul

Teaching Text

Acts 9:1-22

Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples. He went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem. As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?”

“Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked.

“I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” he replied. “Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”

The men traveling with Saul stood there speechless; they heard the sound but did not see anyone. Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could see nothing. So they led him by the hand into Damascus. For three days he was blind, and did not eat or drink anything.

In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord called to him in a vision, “Ananias!”

“Yes, Lord,” he answered.

The Lord told him, “Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying. In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on him to restore his sight.”

“Lord,” Ananias answered, “I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your holy people in Jerusalem. And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name.”

But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel. I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.”

Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord—Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here—has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized, and after taking some food, he regained his strength.

Saul spent several days with the disciples in Damascus. At once he began to preach in the synagogues that Jesus is the Son of God. All those who heard him were astonished and asked, “Isn’t he the man who raised havoc in Jerusalem among those who call on this name? And hasn’t he come here to take them as prisoners to the chief priests?” Yet Saul grew more and more powerful and baffled the Jews living in Damascus by proving that Jesus is the Messiah.

Sermon Recap

This week, Pastor Tim Brown continued our sermon series, The Fifth Act, with a teaching on Acts 9:1-22, which recounts the miraculous conversion of Saul. Before he became the Apostle Paul—God’s chosen instrument to proclaim the Gospel of Christ—he was Saul—a devout Pharisee and zealous prosecutor of Christians. Still, the Son of Man came to seek and save Saul, as He did for all those who are lost.

While no one conversion story is the same, there are four key elements of Saul’s conversion that are pertinent in not only our own stories, but in the lives of all people who come to call Christ their Lord: encounter, dependence, embrace, and empowerment.

Rather than simply adding religion to our lives, conversion marks a real and disruptive encounter with the person of Jesus. Through conversion, we move away from self sufficiency to complete dependence on God. Out of His deep love and mercy towards us, when we “kick against the goads” (Acts 26:14), attempting to resist His convictions and good boundaries for our lives, God humbles us to recognize our dire need for a Savior.

Conversion also opens us up to embrace the spirit of adoption instead of an orphan spirit. The freedom Jesus offers releases us from striving to earn salvation or from giving ourselves completely to the desires of our flesh. Instead, like the parable of the prodigal son, when we make our back God, the Father sees us, feels compassion for us, and enthusiastically runs to embrace us. Finally, conversion empowers us with the Holy Spirit so that we may acknowledge Jesus as our Lord and Savior and be His witness to the ends of the earth.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

  • What has been the highlight of your Summer so far? What's something you're looking forward to about the rest of the season?

  • Ask someone in your group to read the teaching text (Acts 9:1-22) out loud. Then, ask at least one of the following questions:

    1. What words, phrases, or images stand out to you?

    2. What do these verses reveal about God's character?

    3. Re-read the parts of the text where God is speaking. How do God's words to Saul reveal what God cares about?

  • 1. What do you think it means to have an encounter with Jesus? What is the difference between a true encounter and simply adding some religion into your life?

    2. Which of the four elements of Saul's conversion (Encounter, Dependence, Embrace, Empowerment) resonated with you the most, and why?

    3. Jesus tells Saul "It is hard for you to kick against the goads" (Acts 26:14). Is there a time when you resisted God’s guidance and it backfired? Or when you later saw His discipline as merciful protection?

  • Luke 19:10 says "For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost." Do you feel lost and in need of finding? Or is there someone in your life lost that you'd like to pray for? Spend some time in silent prayer and reflection, letting the Holy Spirit bring to mind who in your life needs to be found. Then spend a few minutes praying as a group for those who the Lord brought to mind.

    1. How do you react to the idea of self-denial in following Jesus? In what ways does it challenge you, and in what ways does it inspire you?

    2. Susanna Wesley’s quote gives a guideline for identifying what we may need to avoid. Based on that, is there something in your life (not overtly sinful in itself) that has been weakening your passion for God or numbing your conscience? What might it look like to lay that on the altar (either permanently or for a time)?

    3. Have you practiced fasting before? If so, what was your experience – spiritually and physically? If not, what fears or uncertainties do you have about it? Let’s discuss some practical tips for fasting and encourage one another to start small and stay safe (e.g., those with medical conditions might need to modify).

    4. Our culture prizes comfort and instant gratification. What are some everyday examples of how living “crucified and consecrated” goes directly against cultural norms? (Think of areas like sexuality, use of money, ambition, etc.) How can we support each other when the world mocks or misunderstands our choices to deny ourselves?

LEAN IN | THE NINE DISTINCTIVES

Crucified + Consecrated

  • Consider this statement: “The more you feed the flesh, the more it demands. The more you starve the flesh, the more it weakens.” In what area do you sense a need to “starve the flesh” right now (could be an attitude like pride or a habit like excessive screen time)? What step of obedience will you take this week to that end? How can we help keep you accountable and pray for you in this?