NT260 • Set 23
Discussion & Heart Check Questions
Small group discussion questions and accountability tools designed to help disciples grow in their love for God, connect with others, serve others, and share the gospel.
These questions were created to accompany the NT260 Discipleship Journal, but they can also be used by any small group, discipleship group, family, Sunday School class, one-on-one discipleship relationship, or individual studying Acts 22–26.
This Set’s Big Idea
Jesus calls His people to faithfully bear witness to Him wherever He places them, trusting God with both the opportunity and the outcome.
As you read, watch how Paul remains faithful when he cannot control his circumstances. He gives his testimony before a hostile crowd in Jerusalem, stands before the Jewish council, survives a plot against his life, and defends himself before Felix, Festus, and King Agrippa. Again and again, opposition becomes an opportunity to speak about Jesus.
How to Use These Questions
These questions are a guide, not a script. You do not need to answer every question. The goal is to help your group engage Scripture, encourage one another, and take a clear next step of obedience.
Before meeting, encourage everyone to complete this week’s readings and record at least one observation and one application using PETS or another preferred Bible study method.
Suggested Small Group Meeting Flow
Use this as a flexible guide for a 1–1.5 hour weekly gathering. Adjust as needed for your group.
Connect, catch up, and celebrate how God worked during the week.
Pray and invite the Holy Spirit to teach through His Word.
Share PETS observations and applications from the week’s readings.
Work through selected discussion questions together.
Use Heart Check questions for honest accountability and encouragement.
Share prayer requests and close by praying for one another.
Leader Tips
- You do not need to answer every question.
- Select the questions that best fit your group.
- Keep the conversation centered on Jesus, the gospel, and practical obedience.
- Encourage everyone to participate, but never pressure anyone to speak.
- Make room for both interpretation and personal application.
- Paul repeatedly defends himself in these chapters, but his goal is never merely self-protection. He consistently turns his defense into an opportunity to speak about Jesus, the resurrection, repentance, and God’s grace.
- Acts 24 includes corruption, delayed justice, and Felix’s repeated postponement of a response to the gospel. Be sensitive to group members who have experienced unfair treatment or long seasons of waiting. Faithfulness during delay does not require pretending injustice is insignificant.
- Paul’s use of Roman citizenship and his appeal to Caesar show that trusting God does not prevent believers from wisely using lawful rights and available protections.
- Paul tells his conversion story more than once, but he does not make himself the hero. Help the group notice that the center of his testimony is always what the risen Jesus has done.
- Leave enough time for accountability, encouragement, and prayer.
This Set’s Readings
- Acts 22 — Paul Tells How the Risen Jesus Transformed His Life and Called Him to Witness
- Acts 23 — Jesus Encourages Paul, and God Protects Him Through a Deadly Conspiracy
- Acts 24 — Paul Faithfully Defends the Gospel While Justice Is Delayed
- Acts 25 — Paul Appeals to Caesar, Moving God’s Promise of Witness in Rome Forward
- Acts 26 — Paul Bears Witness to the Risen Christ Before King Agrippa
NT260 • Set 23
Small Group Discussion Questions
Icebreaker
- Have you ever had an unexpected situation give you an opportunity to say or do something important? What happened?
Digging Into the Text
- Looking across Acts 22–26, what repeated opportunities does Paul receive to speak about Jesus even though he remains under arrest?
- In Acts 22, Paul begins his defense by telling the crowd about his background and his encounter with Jesus. Why might personal testimony be especially powerful when it clearly points beyond ourselves to Christ?
- Paul once sincerely believed he was serving God by persecuting Christians. What warning does his former life give about relying on sincerity, religious zeal, or personal conviction without submitting those beliefs to the truth of Jesus?
- Which parts of Paul’s testimony in Acts 22 show most clearly that Jesus—not Paul—is the one responsible for his transformation?
- The crowd listens until Paul mentions God’s mission to the Gentiles. Why can God’s grace become offensive when it reaches people we believe should remain outside?
- Paul uses his Roman citizenship to prevent an unlawful flogging. How does this challenge the idea that trusting God means never using wisdom, legal rights, or available protections?
- Acts 23 begins with conflict before the council, but that night Jesus tells Paul, “Be encouraged.” Why might Luke place Christ’s promise immediately after such a chaotic and discouraging scene?
- Jesus tells Paul that he will testify in Rome just as he has testified in Jerusalem. What encouragement would this promise have given Paul before any of his circumstances actually improved?
- More than forty men plot to kill Paul, yet God uses Paul’s nephew, a Roman commander, soldiers, and ordinary information to protect him. What does this reveal about the different ways God’s providence may work?
- How might Acts 23 help us recognize God’s care even when His intervention does not look obviously miraculous?
- In Acts 24, Paul responds to false accusations calmly and maintains that he seeks a clear conscience before God and people. What does integrity give a believer when others misrepresent them?
- Paul speaks to Felix about righteousness, self-control, and coming judgment. Why are those themes an important part of sharing the gospel rather than simply speaking about God’s love in general terms?
- Felix becomes frightened but tells Paul to leave until a “more convenient time.” What warning does his response give about delaying obedience when God confronts us with truth?
- Paul remains imprisoned for two years because Felix wants political favor and hopes for a bribe. How can long seasons of unfairness or unanswered questions test our trust in God?
- Acts 24 ends with Paul still waiting, while Acts 25 immediately introduces another governor and another hearing. What does this slow movement teach us about God’s work during seasons when very little seems to change?
- Paul appeals to Caesar when Festus suggests returning him to Jerusalem. How do trust in God’s sovereignty and wise personal action work together in this scene?
- Festus summarizes the dispute as being about “a dead man named Jesus, who Paul insists is alive.” Why does Luke continue bringing the resurrection back to the center of Paul’s legal troubles?
- In Acts 26, Paul again tells his conversion story before Agrippa. What details does he emphasize about the mission Jesus gave him?
- Jesus sends Paul to help people turn “from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God.” What does this language teach about the depth of the change the gospel brings?
- Paul says his message is consistent with Moses and the prophets. Why is it important that the gospel be understood as the fulfillment of God’s redemptive story rather than a disconnected new religion?
- Festus thinks Paul is crazy, while Agrippa understands much of what Paul is saying. How does Paul respond to both men without becoming intimidated or hostile?
- Paul tells Agrippa that he wishes everyone listening could become like him “except for these chains.” What does that statement reveal about Paul’s heart toward the people judging him?
- Across Acts 22–26, Paul cannot control the crowd, the council, the conspiracy, the governors, the legal delays, or Agrippa’s response. What can he control, and what does he repeatedly choose to do?
- How do these chapters reshape the way we think about interruptions, opposition, waiting, or difficult circumstances in relation to God’s mission?
- Looking at the entire set, what would it mean for us to faithfully bear witness to Jesus while trusting God with opportunities, circumstances, people’s responses, and outcomes we cannot control?
Leader Note
Acts 22–26 can look like a long interruption in Paul’s missionary work. Instead of traveling freely and planting churches, he is arrested, questioned, transferred, imprisoned, and repeatedly forced to defend himself. Yet Luke does not present these chapters as a pause in the mission. Paul’s confinement becomes the means through which the gospel reaches crowds, religious leaders, governors, soldiers, and a king.
The central issue is not whether Paul can regain control of his circumstances. He rarely can. What matters is whether he will remain faithful with the opportunity in front of him. Again and again, Paul tells what Jesus has done, proclaims the resurrection, explains the gospel from Scripture, speaks with integrity, and calls people to respond.
Do not reduce this set to “be brave like Paul.” Paul’s confidence grows from something much deeper. The risen Jesus has called him, stands with him, and has promised that he will bear witness in Rome. Christian courage is not confidence that circumstances will become easy. It is confidence that Christ remains present and sovereign even when circumstances remain difficult.
Keep returning to the Big Idea: Jesus calls His people to faithfully bear witness to Him wherever He places them, trusting God with both the opportunity and the outcome. Help the group distinguish faithfulness from control. We cannot make someone believe, force justice to arrive quickly, or guarantee favorable circumstances. We can tell the truth, live with integrity, love people, use wisdom, and remain faithful to Jesus.
Love God
- Jesus tells Paul, “Be encouraged,” before his circumstances improve. Where do you need to trust Christ’s presence more than you need an immediate change in circumstances?
- Paul repeatedly returns to the resurrection as the foundation of his hope. How does knowing Jesus is alive affect the way you face uncertainty, opposition, or waiting?
- Felix heard truth but delayed responding. Is there something God has clearly shown you that you have continued postponing?
- Paul sought to maintain a clear conscience before God and people. Is there an area of your life where repentance or greater integrity is needed?
- What outcome are you trying hardest to control right now, and what would it look like to entrust that outcome to God while remaining faithful in your responsibility?
Connect with Others
- Paul speaks respectfully even to people who have power over him or oppose him. How do you tend to speak about or respond to people when you feel misunderstood or treated unfairly?
- Paul’s nephew becomes an important part of God’s protection in Acts 23. Who are the trustworthy people God has placed around you that you may need to listen to, receive help from, or thank?
- Is there a relationship where hurt or unfair treatment is tempting you toward bitterness rather than truth, grace, and healthy boundaries?
- Have you been honest with another trusted believer about a season of uncertainty, waiting, or discouragement you are walking through?
- Who could you encourage this week simply by reminding them that God has not forgotten them in their current circumstances?
Serve Others
- Paul continues thinking about the spiritual good of others even while he is the one imprisoned. Where might your own difficulties be making it harder to notice someone else’s needs?
- What practical resource—time, knowledge, influence, encouragement, transportation, money, or another ability—could you use to help someone facing a difficult season?
- Is there someone who feels overlooked, misunderstood, or stuck that you could intentionally support this week?
- What is one specific act of service you can complete this week without expecting recognition or repayment?
Share the Gospel
- Paul repeatedly tells the story of what Jesus did in his life. If someone asked what difference Jesus has made in your life, could you explain it clearly and briefly?
- How might a difficult circumstance you are currently facing become an opportunity to demonstrate or speak about your hope in Christ?
- Paul’s goal before Agrippa is not merely to win an argument but to see people come to faith. How can genuine concern for people change the way we talk about Jesus?
- Who is one person you will pray for, intentionally move toward, and look for an opportunity to tell what Jesus has done this week?
Closing Challenge
Jesus calls His people to faithfully bear witness to Him wherever He places them, trusting God with both the opportunity and the outcome.
Acts 22–26 follows Paul through hostility, false accusations, threats, imprisonment, political corruption, delayed justice, and repeated hearings. Yet Paul refuses to believe his circumstances have placed God’s mission on hold. Before crowds, councils, governors, and kings, he keeps telling the truth about the risen Jesus.
Where is Jesus calling you to move this week—from control to trust, delay to obedience, fear to witness, bitterness to integrity, self-protection to gospel opportunity, or discouragement to faithful perseverance?
Scripture to Remember
Acts 23:11
“Be encouraged, Paul. Just as you have been a witness to me here in Jerusalem, you must preach the Good News in Rome as well.”
Jesus gives Paul this promise before the conspiracy, imprisonment, delays, and hearings that follow. Paul’s circumstances remain uncertain, but Christ’s presence and purpose do not. He can keep bearing witness because Jesus still holds his future.
This week: Read Acts 23:11 each morning. Write it somewhere you will see it, repeat it when circumstances feel uncertain, and pray for courage to faithfully represent Jesus wherever He places you.
This Week’s Practice
Tell Your Story
Paul repeatedly uses his testimony to point people toward Jesus. This week, write a simple three-part version of your own story: what your life was like, how Jesus met or changed you, and what following Him means in your life now.
Keep it brief enough to share naturally in a few minutes. Then pray for one opportunity this week to tell some or all of that story to another person.
At the end of the week, ask yourself, “Was I ready and willing to tell someone what Jesus has done?”
Prayer Focus
Faithful When We Cannot Control the Outcome
Pray for the courage and trust to remain faithful to Jesus when circumstances are uncertain, justice is delayed, people respond negatively, or the outcome remains outside your control.
- Thank Jesus that He remains present with His people in difficult and uncertain circumstances.
- Ask God to reveal any fear, bitterness, impatience, or need for control that you need to surrender.
- Pray for wisdom to speak truth with courage, grace, and integrity.
- Ask God for perseverance when answers, justice, or change seem delayed.
- Pray for opportunities to tell others what Jesus has done in your life.
- Pray by name for someone who needs to hear and respond to the gospel.
Closing Prayer: Father, thank You that our circumstances never place Your purposes beyond Your control. Help us trust You when answers are delayed and outcomes remain uncertain. Keep our hearts free from fear, bitterness, and the need to control everything around us. Give us integrity when misunderstood, courage when opportunities come, and compassion for those who need Jesus. Help us faithfully tell what Christ has done and trust Your Spirit with the results. In Jesus’ name, amen.
NT260 • Set 23
Weekly Heart Check
These questions help move the conversation from information to transformation. Heart Check is not about pretending to have had a perfect week. It is an opportunity to practice honesty, grace, confidentiality, encouragement, listening, and prayer.
Share honestly without pressuring one another. Listen before giving advice. Celebrate growth as well as confessing struggle. This week, pay special attention to whether difficult circumstances are making you withdraw from Jesus and His mission—or teaching you to trust Him more deeply and faithfully use whatever opportunity He places in front of you.
Love God Heart Check
- How consistently did you spend time in Scripture this week, and what truth did God keep bringing back to your attention?
- What did Acts 22–26 reveal to you about Jesus’ presence, sovereignty, or faithfulness?
- How honestly have you prayed about the circumstances you cannot control?
- Are you delaying an act of repentance or obedience because you are waiting for a more convenient time?
- What outcome, relationship, injustice, or uncertainty do you most need to surrender to God right now?
Connect with Others Heart Check
- How are your closest relationships right now? Is there tension, distance, resentment, or hurt that needs attention?
- Has feeling misunderstood or treated unfairly changed the way you are speaking about or treating someone?
- Is there someone you need to forgive, confront graciously, establish a healthy boundary with, or pursue reconciliation with?
- Have you allowed a trusted believer to know where you are discouraged, frustrated, afraid, or tired?
- Who needs encouragement from you during a season when they may feel forgotten or stuck?
Serve Others Heart Check
- How did you use your time, influence, skills, possessions, or money to help someone this week?
- Have your own pressures made you less attentive to the needs of people around you?
- Did you have an opportunity to serve that you avoided because it was inconvenient or unlikely to be noticed?
- Who is one person facing a difficult season that you can practically support this week?
Share the Gospel Heart Check
- Who did you intentionally pray for this week who is far from God?
- Did you notice an unexpected circumstance that could have become an opportunity to point someone toward Jesus?
- Were you prepared to explain what Jesus has done in your life if an opportunity arose?
- Did you speak about Jesus, faith, forgiveness, resurrection, or hope with anyone this week? What happened?
- Who is one person you will pray for and intentionally move toward during the coming week?
Courage & Witness
- Where did fear of people’s reactions make you hesitant to speak or act faithfully this week?
- Have you been interpreting a difficult circumstance only as an obstacle, or have you asked how God might use you within it?
- When you feel misunderstood, is your strongest desire to defend yourself or to represent Jesus well?
- Are you measuring faithfulness by whether you received the outcome you wanted or by whether you obeyed Christ?
- What specific opportunity has God placed in front of you right now that requires courageous faithfulness?
Honest Accountability
- What has been most difficult for you spiritually or emotionally this week?
- Is anything hidden—fear, bitterness, compromise, resentment, impatience, dishonesty, or another struggle—that needs to be brought into the light?
- Are you presenting an outward appearance of trust while inwardly being consumed by an outcome you cannot control?
- Is delayed change, unanswered prayer, unfair treatment, or someone’s response to you producing discouragement or resentment?
- Where is Jesus calling you to repent, trust, forgive, speak, persevere, act wisely, or surrender?
- How can this group pray specifically and walk with you in that next step?
Leader Reminder: Keep bringing the group back to Jesus and the gospel. Acts 22–26 does not teach that strong Christians never feel pressure, experience injustice, or become trapped in circumstances they cannot change. It shows the risen Jesus remaining sovereign and present while Paul faithfully uses each opportunity to bear witness. Accountability should lead toward grace, restoration, trust, and obedience—not shame. Help the group move from admiring Paul’s courage to trusting Christ enough to faithfully represent Him in the circumstances God has placed before them.
Continue Studying Set 23
Return to the Set 23 Study Resources for commentary and additional tools covering Acts 22–26.
NT260 Set 23 Study Resources →NT260 Discipleship Journal
Read It. Discuss It. Live It.
These Discussion & Heart Check Questions help groups move from reading Scripture to discussing it, applying it, and living it. The NT260 Discipleship Journal provides the weekly rhythm to help you walk through the New Testament with greater consistency, understanding, and obedience.
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