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SERMON SERIES: We’re currently in a sermon series through the book of Acts. Today we’ll read Saul’s story.

The Conversion of Saul

9 But Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest ² and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. ³ Now as he went on his way, he approached Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven shone around him.⁴ And falling to the ground, he heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” ⁵ And he said, “Who are you, Lord?” And he said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. ⁶ But rise and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do.” ⁷ The men who were traveling with him stood speechless, hearing the voice but seeing no one. ⁸ Saul rose from the ground, and although his eyes were opened, he saw nothing. So they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. ⁹ And for three days he was without sight, and neither ate nor drank.

¹⁰ Now there was a disciple at Damascus named Ananias. The Lord said to him in a vision, “Ananias.” And he said, “Here I am, Lord.” ¹¹ And the Lord said to him, “Rise and go to the street called Straight, and at the house of Judas look for a man of Tarsus named Saul, for behold, he is praying, ¹² and he has seen in a vision a man named Ananias come in and lay his hands on him so that he might regain his sight.” ¹³ But Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he has done to your saints at Jerusalem. ¹⁴ And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on your name.” ¹⁵ But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel. ¹⁶ For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name.” ¹⁷ So Ananias departed and entered the house. And laying his hands on him he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus who appeared to you on the road by which you came has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” ¹⁸ And immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and he regained his sight. Then he rose and was baptized; ¹⁹ and taking food, he was strengthened.

Saul Proclaims Jesus in Synagogues

For some days he was with the disciples at Damascus. ²⁰ And immediately he proclaimed Jesus in the synagogues, saying, “He is the Son of God.”²¹ And all who heard him were amazed and said, “Is not this the man who made havoc in Jerusalem of those who called upon this name? And has he not come here for this purpose, to bring them bound before the chief priests?” ²² But Saul increased all the more in strength, and confounded the Jews who lived in Damascus by proving that Jesus was the Christ.

It’s interesting to look at extreme examples and learn from them. Today, we’re doing just that! We have an extreme example of someone who was the biggest opponent of Christianity, who becomes the biggest proponent of Christianity. 

What we learn from Saul’s story:

1. Sincerity does not equate to accuracy

Acts 9:1-2, John 14:6, Rom. 1:21-23, 1 Cor. 1:19-21, Prov. 26:12

2. No one is too far gone to be saved

Acts 9:1-4, 1 Tim. 1:13-15, Mark 2:17, Heb. 7:25

3. Your story is your story, and that’s ok

Acts 9:5-6, John 1:46, Rom. 12:4-5, 1 Cor. 12:18

4. Those around you won’t always understand

Acts 9:7, 13-14, 21, 2:12, Matt. 9:10-13, John 9:8-9

5. Don’t ignore God working in your life 

Acts 9:8-9, James 1:22, John 12:48, Luke 11:27-28

6. Trust God for your next step

Acts 9:10-12, Prov. 3:5-6, Rom. 8:28, Ps. 32:8

7. Don’t let your background distract you

Acts 9:20-22, Eph. 2:10, Phil. 1:6, 3:4-5, 1 Thess. 5:23-24

Reflecting on God’s Word

Getting Started

• Take some time to read over Acts 9:1-22 and pray. 
• Have you ever read or heard about this before? What stood out to you as we were talking about it? 
• As you think about this sermon series through the book of Acts, what observation do you have? 
• As you think about Sual’s story, and what he did, what comes to mind? What observations do you have? 

Diving In 

1. Have you ever struggled with thinking about your past sins, and thinking that God didn’t want a relationship with you? What helped you overcome that thinking? Do you still struggle with those thoughts during this season of your life?

2. The people around Saul didn’t have the same experience as he had. Have you ever been tempted to change your story? What would help you to tell your story just as it is? Who in your life do you think it would encourage if you told them your story of what Jesus has done in your life? 

3. When you sense the Lord working in your life, how well do you give time and attention to it? Are you ever tempted to rush, ignore, or not give the proper time and attention to God? What would help fix that? 

Applying the Scripture

What are your biggest takeaways from this passage of God’s Word? 

• What practical step(s) do you need to implement in your life to apply what God has taught you in this passage of Scripture? 
• How would applying this affect your life and your relationship with the Lord? 
• Who can you ask to keep you accountable to applying this to your life?

Small Group Guide:

Open with prayer.

Go around and give everyone a chance to share about how the past week has been. What’s one highlight? What’s one lowlight?

If your small group has talked about it before, feel free to use this time to hold people accountable to what they’ve asked to be held accountable for previously, and go through the “missional” part of this discussion guide.

Prayer Time:

Pray for each other in your small group to be faithful take the step(s) that you shared above. Pray for each other and the interactions that they have with those who don’t know Jesus. Pray that God would soften the people’s hearts to what He has for them. Pray that God would give everyone opportunities to share the Gospel.

Staying Missional:

Share spiritual/missional conversations you’ve had where you live, work, and play:

Who did you have a conversation with that took a spiritual/missional turn this week?
What questions did you ask to discover where God is at work in their life, even if they are not aware?
How were you able to share your story of life change or how you have experienced Jesus?
How can you be intentional this week with people where you live, work, and play to have spiritual/missional conversations if the opportunity arises?
Who in your life do you think could be discipleable or open to spiritual/missional conversations?

What’s next?

Discuss the next step for your small group. When will we gather again and what purpose will it fulfill?