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These small group Bible studies of Acts 17 contain commentary, discussion questions, and practical application.  Visit our library of inductive Bible studies for more in depth inductive studies on this and other books of the Bible you can use in your small group.

Acts 17:1-15 Bible Study Guide – In Thessalonica and Berea

Outline

I. Paul and Silas in Thessalonica (1-9)
II. Paul and Silas in Berea (10-15)

I. Paul and Silas in Thessalonica (1-9)

Discussion Questions

• How long were Paul and Silas in Thessalonica?
• What method did Paul use to share there?
• What can we learn from Paul about his use of the Scriptures?
• What Scriptures might he have used to prove that Christ did need to suffer?
• What was the response to his preaching?
• Why were the Jews jealous?
• What is the root cause of sinful jealousy?
• Why was it so easy for them to form a mob?
• Were they correct in saying that Paul taught there was another king besides Caesar?
• What was their accusation against Paul and Silas (6)?
• How would you feel if you were accused of “turning the world upside down?”
• What was Jason’s role in this?
• What was the purpose of the money in verse 9 and why did Jason agree to pay it?
• How do you see Satan working in Thessalonica?
• How do you see God working?
• What can we learn about God’s sovereignty?

Cross-References

Acts 18:28 – For he powerfully refuted the Jews in public, showing by the Scriptures that the Christ was Jesus.

2 Timothy 2:15 – Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.

Titus 1:9 – He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it.

Proverbs 14:30 – A tranquil heart gives life to the flesh, but envy makes the bones rot.

Verse by Verse Commentary

1. Thessalonica –

The ancient city of Thessalonica is the same city that is now called Thessaloniki. This is currently the second largest and second most important city in Greece. It was founded roughly 300-400 years B.C. By the time of Paul’s missionary journey, it was an important regional capital for the Roman province of Macedonia. The city was strategic because of its location at the intersection of two major Roman highways and its harbor, which was a busy port for shipping and trading.

Paul visited this city on his second missionary journey, on which Silas and Timothy accompanied him. Paul may have been in this city as short as three weeks, since he is mentioned as teaching on the Sabbath three times. Some of the Jews in the local synagogue, but even more Greeks and a number of the leading women, believed Paul’s message and were converted. The Jews were jealous and stirred up a mob, which rioted.

2. Explaining and proving –

Paul frequently followed this same strategy of using the Old Testament Scriptures to prove that Jesus fulfilled them. He focused specifically on prophecies pointing to the Messiah’s suffering and resurrection from the dead (Isaiah 53, Psalm 22, Daniel 9:26, Zechariah 12:10, Psalm 16:10). Likely, he focused on these because the Jews were expecting a triumphant victor, not a suffering Messiah.

God doesn’t ask us to have blind faith. He gives us many reasons to believe in Him and what He has done. God created us with brains and He expects us to use them logically. Our faith is a reasonable faith.

Jesus also gave many proofs to show the disciples that He had risen from the dead.

Acts 1:3 – He presented himself alive to them after his suffering by many proofs.

After His resurrection, Jesus didn’t just send an angel with the message, “Just believe,” or “You don’t need any evidence.” He appeared “by many proofs.” Some of those proofs include allowing them to touch Him and eating food in their presence to verify that He wasn’t a ghost. Thus, we see that God graciously gives us evidence, signs, and reasons to believe.

Some people may think it is spiritual to say, “I don’t need any evidence. I just believe.” Jesus did not ask them to abandon reason to believe in Him. Throughout His ministry, He made a point to give them signs and evidence. One example is in John 10.

John 10:25 – The works that I do in my Father’s name bear witness about me.

He encouraged them to look at the facts, the miracles, the evidence and to weigh all of it in making a decision.

Do not fall into the world’s trap of thinking that Christians have a weaker position. We don’t. There is every reason to believe God exists and the Bible is true.

Application – It is good for us to look at the facts. If someone asks you, “Why do you believe Jesus is the Messiah?” could you answer? If they ask you, “Why do you believe the Bible is true?” could you answer? Can you explain, like Paul did, that Jesus fulfills Old Testament prophesies?

Perhaps when you were growing up, your mom told you, “God gave you a brain; use it.” That is true. God gave us a mind and He wants us to use it. We are commanded to defend the faith.

1 Peter 3:15 – But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect.

We should be prepared to defend our faith with evidence.

3. Jesus is the Christ –

Acts 17:3 – “This Jesus, whom I proclaim to you, is the Christ.”

This was Paul’s thesis statement. He had a clear goal in preaching. His goal was that the Jews would believe that Jesus is the Messiah. Nothing short of that would have resulted in their salvation.

Application – When you share with others, have a clear goal in mind. Make that goal clear to the listener. Our goal should be to share the gospel message of Jesus’ crucifixion for our sins and resurrection. Convincing someone of a certain viewpoint on social issues or even creation does not save them. Jesus does.

4. The response –

It was a typical result. Some believed. Some didn’t. Some were converted. Some opposed them. A number of Jews, as well as many Greeks and some influential women, became followers of Jesus.

Those who didn’t believe stirred up a mob and rioted.

5. Opposition to the gospel –

Almost everywhere Paul went, he faced opposition to the gospel message. In city after city, he was persecuted, beaten, and driven out. At first glance, one might think that he was losing.

Yet in each city, he left behind a new core of faithful disciples. Without Paul’s presence, they would continue the work there. As they were pushed into positions of leadership, they would also grow. Then Paul and his team would go to a new location and start the process again.

God was helping Paul carry out his strategy of preaching where Christ had not yet been named.

Romans 15:20 – And thus I make it my ambition to preach the gospel, not where Christ has already been named, lest I build on someone else’s foundation.

Persecution often results in the church multiplying.

During the Chinese cultural revolution in 1966, foreign Christians were driven out during the cultural revolution. Bibles were confiscated and places of worship were shut down. At the time, estimates put the total number of believers in China at one million. For decades, the outside world had very little information about the fledgling Chinese church left behind. But when the country opened up again, the church had multiplied dramatically! Estimates put the number of believers at 30-50 million.

Even in modern times, churches are sometimes raided and pastors arrested. Large churches are broken up. The result is often that many new leaders step into leadership, are equipped, and grow. Instead of one large church, there are several small ones in new locations. This also serves to grow the church.

The lesson is clear. God uses even the attacks of the enemy for good. What Satan intends to destroy the church, God turns into a means of growth.

Genesis 50:20 – As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.

Reflect – Share about a time when God turned something that seemed bad in your life (perhaps opposition) into something good.

6. The accusation: These men have turned the world upside down –

Acts 17:6 – These men who have turned the world upside down have come here also.

Reflect – What did they mean by this? Why did they think this was a bad thing? How would you feel if somebody said this about you?

The accusers hurled this charge against the Christians. In their minds, this was a very bad thing. The status quo was upset. Cultural norms, practices, and habits were being challenged. When such a seismic shift, like the birth of Christianity, comes in, it affects things. Many people lost power and prestige. Others lost their influence and fans (Acts 8:9-24). Some lost money and business opportunities, like the silversmiths who couldn’t sell as many idols (Acts 19:24).

Their problem was that they loved the world. They loved their power, status, influence, money, and vices. We are commanded not to love these things.

1 John 2:15-17 – Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.

Reflect – Is your world (family, work, church) focused on the right things or does it need to be shaken up?

If the brothers in Thessalonica were anything like me, they would have been excited to hear this “insult.” It would have been a joyous thing to realize that they had made a big impact for Christ. Their ministry was like a wave rippling through society and changing not only lives, but culture and even the world itself. What they started in Acts is still continuing today. Christianity has made a massive impact on the world.

Churches and Christians have multiplied across the world to the ends of the earth. I visited a small village on the Amazon River in the jungles of Brazil. The village only had 200-300 people in it, but there were six churches there!

Not only has the preaching of the gospel resulted in churches and Christians in the most remote areas of the globe, but the principles of Scripture have penetrated into all aspects of society and shaped it in many ways. Here are a few examples.

• The concept of human dignity and equality.
• The abolition of slavery.
• The birth of modern education. Many of the world’s first universities were started by Christians.
• The birth of modern science. Many early scientists were faithful Christians who wanted to understand more about God’s creation.
• The development of hospitals and healthcare. Many hospitals across the globe were started by Christians seeking to show the love of Christ.
• The elevation of women. While ancient cultures showed little value to women, Jesus and Paul taught different values. Men and women both were important and valuable in God’s sight and could worship together in the church (Galatians 3:28). Peter teaches that they are co-heirs of the grace of life (1 Peter 3:7).
• The protection of children. In some ancient religions, children were sacrificed. In others, they were treated as sex slaves or abandoned. Christians taught the value of every life, as Jesus did. In many cases, they started orphanages.

These are just a few examples, though there are many more. Indeed, the disciples did turn the world upside down.

What about you? What legacy are you leaving behind? Will the world even notice when you have come and gone?

Our lives are compared to a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Even many who trust in Christ and are ready to face Him may still have regrets in their use of time.

God has put us on this earth for a reason. He has prepared certain good deeds, missions if you will, which He wants us to accomplish for Him (Ephesians 2:10). Every day is an opportunity to fulfill the missions God has for us that day. But if we do not do them, they are gone and will never come back again.

Moses once prayed like this.

Psalms 90:17 – Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us, and establish the work of our hands upon us; yes, establish the work of our hands!

Moses asks God to establish the works of his hands. He hopes that his life will be meaningful and that he will make a difference.

Moses had the right perspective. Things that seem important in the short term quickly lose their significance when you zoom out on a longer timeline. As believers, we should look at things on an eternal timeline.

What difference will the things I am doing today make in 100 years?

Believers should evaluate the things that we spend time on and make sure that our lives have a long-term impact on others for good (1 Corinthians 3:12-15).

Here are some things that can make an eternal impact.

Sharing the gospel.

• Discipleship
• Leading family devotions with your children
• Studying God’s Word
• Prayer
• Reading Christian growth books.
• Fellowship with believers
• Sharing your testimony
• Being a testimony to unbelievers
• Worshiping God
• Anything where you obey God with the right attitude

Application – What are some practical ways you can make a difference for Christ this week?

John Piper wrote a book titled Don’t Waste Your Life. It is a good book. In this book, he describes an elderly couple who live the good life, retire to Florida, and spend their twilight years on the beach. They die and face God, who asks them what they have to show for their life. They show Him their collection of seashells. He is not impressed.

Don’t waste your life. Not wasting your life starts with not wasting your day. If you add up many wasted days, it will result in a wasted life, but if you add up many fruitful days, it will result in a fruitful life.

II. Paul and Silas in Berea (10-15)

Discussion Questions

• Why did Paul and Silas leave by night?
• How were these Jews more “noble” than those in Thessalonica?
• How did they react to Paul’s sharing?
• What does an eager learner look like?
• What can we learn from their response?
• In what situations should we compare a preacher or teacher’s message to Scripture?
• When should we trust a Bible teacher’s word without checking Scripture?
• How can you practically apply this principle to examine the Scriptures daily?
• Why did the Jews from Thessalonica follow Paul to Berea?
• Have you ever faced opposition to sharing the gospel or teaching the Bible?
• How can you encourage other believers to be more diligent in studying the Scriptures?

Cross-References

Revelation 2:2 – I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance, and how you cannot bear with those who are evil, but have tested those who call themselves apostles and are not, and found them to be false.

1 Thessalonians 5:21 – But test everything; hold fast what is good.

John 18:36 – Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world.”

Verse by Verse Commentary

1. Eager students of the Word –

They received the word with all eagerness. The Bereans were people who were hungry for good Bible teaching. They were humble and teachable.

Reflect – What actions or behaviors will typify a person who is eager to learn the Scriptures?

Some people listen to sermons with a frown on their face, ready to criticize points they disagree with. These are the nit-pickers who are always standing in judgment over the preacher.

Others are absent-minded. Perhaps they are distracted by scrolling or thinking about the restaurant they are going to after church. These people may often look at their watch to see how much time is left until they can go.

Still others listen respectfully and enjoy the message, but may forget what it was about soon after.

In Hebrews, the writer talks about people who are the opposite of eager. They are dull of hearing. In essence, they are lazy and lethargic spiritually.

Hebrews 5:11-14 – About this we have much to say, and it is hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing. For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food, for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is a child. But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.

But the eager learner is hungry. Her mind is focused on the message. Very likely, she takes notes. She is not only thinking about what it means, but meditating on how to apply it to her life. The eager learner listens with the heart and remembers much of what is shared. In addition, she is eager to talk to others about the Word, what she has learned, her understanding, and how to apply it. Likely, she is taking notes. The sermon ends too soon for her and she is left wanting more.

Reflect – How can you develop a deeper hunger for God’s Word? What are some practical ways you can be a better student of the Word?

2. Hungry students of the Word –

One of the principles of the reformation is Sola Scriptura, Scripture alone. Scripture is the believer’s objective authority and not a person. And every person is free to read and interpret God’s Word for themselves.

So you should also be asking me as the author. Where does the Bible say that? I am glad you asked!

Acts 17:11 – 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.

Paul was a famous apostle and missionary. If anyone could be believed without double-checking, it should be Paul. But notice that Luke (the writer of Acts) does not condemn the Bereans for double-checking Paul’s message with Scripture. Instead, he commends them! He calls them noble-minded. It is a good and respected quality that they have to study the Word for themselves. They are opening the Scriptures themselves to verify personally the message they are hearing.

Jesus taught the same principle in Luke 10:26 – “What is written in the Law?” he replied. “How do you read it?”

Jesus encouraged his listeners to consider what the Scriptures said.

This Question Can Defend Against False Teaching

In today’s day and age, this is more important than ever. Internet, radio, AI, television, and e-books make it easy for anyone to spread their teachings, whether true or false.

A suit and a tie do not guarantee that a preacher speaks the truth. The Bible constantly warns about false teachers. 2 Peter 2:1 says that they “secretly introduce heresies.” False teachers do not stand up in church and say, “Hi. I am a false teacher. Today I am going to teach you how to follow Satan.”

No, they are subtle. They speak fluently. They smile a lot. And they make nice sounding arguments. However, most false teachers will absolutely hate the question “Where does the Bible say that?” If you ask them this question, they will likely take offense and respond in anger. “How dare you question me! I have been to seminary!” Or “I have been a pastor of this church for twenty years. You should trust me.”

False teachers appeal to their own authority. When questioned, they point to their credentials or own trustworthiness rather than Scripture. When you ask the question “What does the Bible say?” and the person you ask is upset, this is perhaps the best indicator that they are off track.

A genuine teacher of the Bible welcomes this question. “I am glad you asked that,” he says. And “let’s open up the Bible and look at it together.”

Application

Study God’s Word for Yourself

Don’t rely on AI for Bible study. AI can be a useful tool at times to look up Bible references or give some historical background. But AI does not have a soul. It is not saved and the Holy Spirit does not indwell it. It is essentially a compilation of everything that people have ever said on a topic. And people say a lot of things that aren’t correct. While there are many types of helpful tools, there is no shortcut to personal Bible study.

It is good to listen to sermons. It is good to value the opinions of respected pastors and teachers. Yet we should never say that we believe something because “Pastor so and so said it.” Learn to study the Bible and develop a deeper understanding of it over the course of your life. When you are studying Scripture, try not to go to a commentary first. First, read it through on your own and think about what God is saying. Later, go to a trusted commentary to gain more insight.

When you are listening to a sermon, train yourself to think, “Does the Bible really say that?” And when you are in a Bible study, frequently ask the question, “What does the Bible say?” When you hear someone you think may be teaching something false, their own opinions instead of Scripture, ask them, “Where does the Bible say that?”

We should not go around pridefully challenging people. Our attitudes are important. Be respectful and meek. Use this question to gently lead people to Scripture.

2. The Thessalonians follow Paul’s team to Berea –

Many believed, including Greeks, men and women. Things seemed to be going well and the church in Berea was growing. But then the Jews who had driven Paul and Silas out of Thessalonica followed them to Berea and created trouble for them again. The brothers sent Paul by ship to Athens. Silas and Timothy were less well-known, so they stayed. This is one of the advantages of having a team. One member may be able to continue the work when the others can’t. You can also split up if necessary to cover more ground.