Does The Bible Rule You?
We all turn to different sources of authority depending on the issue we’re currently facing. It might be as trivial as deciding ice cream flavours (mint choc is best) or as important as choosing a life partner. For our purposes, it’s fair to say these sources of authority generally fall into four categories: experience, reason, tradition, scripture.
1. In each of the following examples, by which method did you arrive at your final decision?
Your favourite ice cream flavour
Which car to buy
Which church to attend
Read Acts 17:1-9
17 Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a synagogue of the Jews. 2 And Paul went in, as was his custom, and on three Sabbath days he reasoned with them from the Scriptures, 3 explaining and proving that it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead, and saying, “This Jesus, whom I proclaim to you, is the Christ.” 4 And some of them were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, as did a great many of the devout Greeks and not a few of the leading women. 5 But the Jews were jealous, and taking some wicked men of the rabble, they formed a mob, set the city in an uproar, and attacked the house of Jason, seeking to bring them out to the crowd. 6 And when they could not find them, they dragged Jason and some of the brothers before the city authorities, shouting, “These men who have turned the world upside down have come here also, 7 and Jason has received them, and they are all acting against the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, Jesus.” 8 And the people and the city authorities were disturbed when they heard these things. 9 And when they had taken money as security from Jason and the rest, they let them go.
2. How would you describe the opposition Paul faced in Thessalonica?
3. Put yourself in Jason’s shoes, what might you be thinking as you are dragged before the city authorities?
4. Based on what happened in Thessalonica, what is more dangerous, opposition from inside the church or persecution from outside? Does that still hold true today?
Read Acts 17:10-15
10 The brothers immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea, and when they arrived they went into the Jewish synagogue. 11 Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so. 12 Many of them therefore believed, with not a few Greek women of high standing as well as men. 13 But when the Jews from Thessalonica learned that the word of God was proclaimed by Paul at Berea also, they came there too, agitating and stirring up the crowds. 14 Then the brothers immediately sent Paul off on his way to the sea, but Silas and Timothy remained there. 15 Those who conducted Paul brought him as far as Athens, and after receiving a command for Silas and Timothy to come to him as soon as possible, they departed.
5. What was similar or different in the events at Berea compared to Thessalonica?
6. If the Bereans valued Scripture as the principal source of authority, what would you say was the principal source for people in Thessalonica?
7. What are some issues today where Christians differ on what the Bible teaches, and do you see aspects of the Thessalonians or Bereans in the way we navigate those issues?
8. What can we learn from this passage?
Read Psalm 119:9-16
How can a young man keep his way pure?
By guarding it according to your word.
10 With my whole heart I seek you;
let me not wander from your commandments!
11 I have stored up your word in my heart,
that I might not sin against you.
12 Blessed are you, O Lord;
teach me your statutes!
13 With my lips I declare
all the rules of your mouth.
14 In the way of your testimonies I delight
as much as in all riches.
15 I will meditate on your precepts
and fix my eyes on your ways.
16 I will delight in your statutes;
I will not forget your word.
10. What is one truth from this part of Psalm 119 you will think about for the rest of the day?