HOME GROUP GUIDE
- Paul’s Fear & God’s Vision (vv. 9–11) Paul arrived in Corinth “in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling” (1 Cor 2:3). The Lord met him in a night vision: “Don’t be afraid… I am with you… I have many people in this city.”
- When have you felt timid, scared, or ready to quit in your faith or witness?
- How has God encouraged you in those moments—through Scripture, a dream, a friend, worship, or prophecy?
- What does it look like to keep on speaking and not be silent in your current context?
- Jealousy, Lies, & Beatings (vv. 12–17) The Jews falsely accused Paul of teaching “contrary to the law.” Gallio dismissed it as an in-house dispute, and Sosthenes was beaten instead.
- Have you ever faced misunderstanding or false accusations for your faith? How did you respond?
- Kindness to Enemies (vv. 17; cf. 1 Cor 1:1; Rom 12:14–21) The sermon suggests Paul may have cared for the beaten Sosthenes—his former accuser—who later becomes “Sosthenes our brother.”
- Who is your “Sosthenes”—someone who opposes or hurts you?
- What would it look like to bless and not curse, to feed your enemy this week?
- How does kindness “heap burning coals” on someone’s conscience and protect your own heart?
- Paul’s Nazarite Vow (v. 18; Num 6) Paul, a Torah-observant Jew, took a voluntary vow of consecration—shaving his head, abstaining, and planning temple offerings.
- Why might Paul choose more devotion, not less, after all he’s endured?
- What voluntary spiritual discipline (fasting, silence, giving, etc.) could deepen your consecration right now?
- How does Paul’s example challenge common assumptions that “Jesus ended the Law”?
- Do Not Be Afraid in Witness (v. 9; cf. Phil 1:21) God promised Paul safety for now, but Paul’s courage came from knowing “to die is gain.”
- What’s the worst thing someone could do to you for sharing Jesus? How does resurrection hope change that fear?
- Who in your life needs to hear the gospel this week? Pray for one bold, kind conversation.
