February 12, 2023 – Acts 24 – 25

Lesson Date: February 12, 2023

Focal Scripture Passage: Acts 24:1 – 25:12

AIM: To lead students to discover that Paul was bold and fearless when he was on trial for his faith, and to ask God to make them bold and fearless in the face of anti-Christian hostility.

Before class: Read the notes on Acts 24:1 – 25:12 found in the Sunday School Teacher Book.

INTRODUCTION (Create Learning Readiness): Tell the students that the ungodly forces of evil are becoming more outspoken and anti-Christian every day.  Tell them that more and more often, we hear of Christians being criticized, mocked, taken to court, and even arrested for taking a stand for Jesus Christ.  Whether it be a business owner who refuses to help celebrate a homosexual marriage or gender transitioning, or a schoolteacher who refuses to teach an ungodly curriculum that is harmful to children, Christians are increasingly facing lawsuits and arrest for their faith.

Ask: “If your business was shut down or you were taken to court for your faith, how would you feel?  If police showed up at your door, put you in handcuffs, and took you to jail, how would you feel about that?  What would you do?”  Allow time for some responses.

Tell the students to imagine for a moment that they are on trial before a judge who can either free them or give them a long prison sentence.  Not only that, a highly trained and eloquent lawyer brings numerous false but convincing changes against them.  Ask: “Would you feel intimidated?  Would you be afraid?  How would you defend yourself?”  Allow time for some responses.

Tell the class that things such as these are happening throughout the world today, and even in our own country.  Anti-Christian forces are on the march and Christians are under attack.

Tell the students the title of today’s lesson is Bold and Fearless.  As we study Acts 24 and 25, we will see that Paul was bold and fearless when facing false charges and high government officials.

HEART OF THE LESSON (Bible Study):

1. Review.
   • Ask: “What was last week’s lesson from Acts 23 about?” (The Fruits of Religion; the results of following dead religion, as opposed to the living Christ).
   • Remind the students that because of the murderous intentions of the Jewish religious leaders, Paul had been sent to Caesarea (locate on the Map) to appear before Roman Governor Felix, who said he would hear Paul when his accusers came.
   • Tell them history records that Felix was a vile and wicked person, who was also known to be an extortioner.
2. False Accusations.
   • Read Acts 24:1-4.
   • Explain that the high priest and other Jewish leaders came to Caesarea five days later, bringing with them “a certain orator named Tertullus” (a trained lawyer to make their case against Paul).
   • Ask: “What did Tertullus do in verses 2-4?” (made a flowery speech to “butter up” Felix).
   • Tell the students the false charges against Paul are listed in verses 5-7.
   • Ask a volunteer to read Acts 24:5-9.
   • Ask the class to identify the false charges. They should name the following:
     • “a pestilent fellow” – v. 5 (like a plague, pest, or disease).
     • “a mover of sedition among all the Jews throughout the world” – v. 5 (one who causes insurrection or riot).
     • “a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes” – v. 5 (the word Nazarene was used as a derogatory term).
     • “profane the Temple” – v. 6 (the Jews falsely accused Paul of bringing Gentiles into the Temple; see Acts 21:28-29).
     • “whom we took, and would have judged according to our law” – v. 6.
     • Ask: “Were they really going to give Paul a trial, or summarily stone him to death?” (they were going to stone him to death on the spot; see Acts 21:30-31).
     • The Roman commander Lysias took Paul from them “with great violence” – v. 7.
     • Ask: “Is this true?” (no, when the Roman soldiers arrived, the Jews immediately stopped beating Paul; see Acts 21:32-33).
   • Tell the class that accusations carry a lot of weight, whether they are true or not.
   • Ask: “According to verse 9, what did the rest of the Jews say about these charges?” (they agreed with the lawyer and said all the charges were true).
   • Summarize: The Jewish religious leaders and their attorney brought serious false charges against Paul.
3. Bold Defense.
   • Read Acts 24:10-11.
   • Tell the students that Paul said he was happy to make his defense before Governor Felix, and that he had only been in Jerusalem a few days.
   • Ask: “Why did he say he was in Jerusalem?” (to worship).
   • Ask a volunteer to read Acts 24:12-13.
   • Ask: “In verse 12, how did Paul answer the charge that he stirred up the people and caused a riot?” (he said he wasn’t arguing with anyone or causing any agitation).
   • Ask: “What did he say in verse 13 about the rest of their changes?” (they can’t prove any of them).
   • Ask a volunteer to read Acts 24:14-16.
   • Ask: “In verse 14, Paul confessed to being a Christian, but who did he say he worshiped?” (the God of his fathers: the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob).
   • Ask: “According to verse 15, what did Paul say he believed in?” (the future resurrection of the dead, both the saved and the unsaved).
   • Ask: “What did he say about his life in verse 16?” (he strove to always maintain a clear conscience before God and men).
   • Read Acts 24:17-21.
   • Tell the class Paul said the following in his defense:
     • After many years away, I came to bring offerings for my people – v. 17.
     • The Jews from Asia found me in the Temple, purified and peaceful – v. 18.
     • They should have been here if they had any real charges against me – v. 19.
     • Let those here speak up if I did anything evil before their council – v. 20.
     • The only reason I am here is that I declared my belief in the resurrection of the dead – v. 21.
   • Remind the students that Paul was literally on trial for his life: if Felix turned him over to the Jews he would be killed.
   • Ask: “Did Paul cower, back down, or remain silent when called to defend himself?” (no, he boldly spoke the truth).
   • Summarize: Paul boldly and fearlessly insisted that he had done nothing wrong, but told Felix the Jews wanted to kill him because he believed in the resurrection of the dead.
4. Fearless Witness.
   • Read Acts 24:22-23.
   • Explain the following:
     • Felix evidently had some knowledge of the beliefs of Christianity.
     • Like the politician that he was, Felix refused to make the right judgment because it would be an unpopular judgment.
     • Felix delayed the case until the Roman commander (who had already told Felix in his letter that Paul was not guilty of any crime; see Acts 23:29) could appear.
     • Paul was kept under guard but given some liberty.
   • Read Acts 24:24.
   • Ask: “Why did Felix and his wife Drusilla send for Paul?” (to hear him tell about “the faith in Christ”).
   • Ask a volunteer to read Acts 24:25-26.
   • Ask: “According to verse 25, what did Paul talk to them about?” (God’s righteousness, the temperance He expects of us, and the fiery judgment that sinners will face).
   • Remind the students that Felix was a very wicked man.
   • Ask: “How did Felix respond to Paul’s words?” (he trembled with fear).
   • Tell the class that Paul the prisoner became the examiner and Felix the judge became the one on trial before God.
   • Ask: “Why did Felix continue to send for Paul?” (hoping to receive a bribe for his release).
   • Summarize: Paul boldly and fearlessly spoke to Governor Felix, exposing his sin and coming judgment. Felix was shaken but not converted.
5. Final Appeal.
   • Read Acts 24:27.
   • Tell the students that after two years, Felix was replaced as governor by Porcius Festus.
   • Ask: “Why did Felix leave Paul in prison?” (to keep his popularity with the Jews high).
   • Ask a volunteer to read Acts 25:1-3.
   • Tell the class the high priest and Jewish leaders asked Festus to send Paul to Jerusalem.
   • Ask: “Why did they ask that?” (because they planned to ambush and kill Paul on the way).
   • Ask a volunteer to read Acts 25:4-7.
   • Explain the following:
     • Festus refused to send Paul to Jerusalem.
     • He invited the Jews to come make their case before him in Caesarea.
     • Festus convened a court in Caesarea, the seat of Roman government in the region.
     • The Jews brought serious charges against Paul, which they could not prove.
   • Read Acts 25:8-12.
   • Explain the following:
     • Paul insisted he was innocent of any crime against the Jews or Caesar.
     • Festus asked if Paul was willing to be judged by him at Jerusalem.
     • Paul refused, saying that he was already standing before Caesar’s judgment seat, which was the proper place for a Roman citizen to be judged.
   • Ask: “According to the last part of verse 11, what did Paul do?” (appealed his case to a “higher court,” to Caesar himself).
   • Ask: “How did this fit with Paul’s plans (Acts 19:21) and God’s promises (Acts 23:11)?” (perfectly; it would protect him from the murderous Jews, guarantee safe travel under Roman guard to Rome, and enable him to share the Gospel with Caesar himself.
   • Ask: “How did Festus respond?” (he agreed to send Paul to Caesar).
   • Summarize: In the face of continuing imprisonment and an ongoing plot against his life, Paul boldly and fearlessly appealed his case to Caesar.

PERSONAL APPLICATION: Read the following, written by Charles Spurgeon:

“Pare down the Gospel, cut away its angles, draw out the lion’s teeth, and then you will be friends with the world.  But hold the doctrines of grace, bring forth the atonement, speak out plainly, have your convictions and state them, and soon the hounds will be after you full cry.”

Tell the students that was certainly the case with the Apostle Paul, as it will be with us if we live for Jesus in our modern anti-Christian world.

Ask: “How did Paul respond when he was arrested, false charges were made against him, his enemies wanted to kill him, and he was taken to court before the highest government officials in the land?” (he boldly and fearlessly defended himself and proclaimed the Gospel of Jesus Christ).

Ask: “What gave him the courage to do that?” (he knew Jesus, he knew how dramatically Jesus had changed his life, and he trusted the promises Jesus had made to him).

Tell the students we can have the same boldness Paul displayed if we know Jesus, know how Jesus has changed us, and trust the promises found in the Bible.  Tell them to ask God to make them bold and fearless in the face of anti-Christian hostility.  Lead a closing prayer.

CONCLUSION: Encourage everyone to spend more time in the Bible and prayer, so they can be better equipped to be bold and fearless for Jesus.