Verses 1-2 speak of Paul's expanded agenda. It is important to see the precise program of Paul. To whom does he go for approval? What does this suggest about the relationship of the high priest to Jewish synagogues outside Judah? What is the significance of the request for a letter? What does Saul want to look for in Damascus? What does it tell you about that believers are here called "the Way" (or "the Path")? What does a path help you do? Why are these persons not called "Christians" yet? Where do they meet? Finally, why does Saul seek to bring these people back to Jerusalem? How are these Jews perceived by Saul and the High Priest? What does it tell you about Saul and the high priest in relationship to those in the "Way" that the high priest would give Saul such a letter?

In vv. 3-6 describes an encounter between the resurrected Jesus and Saul. First, where does this encounter take place? Why not in Damascus? What is the importance of the location in relationship to Saul's stated mission? Second, what is the significance of the light shining on Saul and Saul's falling to the ground? From whence is the Light? This is very important biblical imagery. Reading Genesis 1:3-4, especially in light (sorry, I couldn't resist the pun) of what follows, might be helpful.

Let's follow the layout of the story carefully. Is the source of the voice immediately identified? What is the concern of the voice? Whom might Saul think the voice is at this point? Why would Saul have to ask the origin of the voice? What does this tell you about the encounter? Who does the voice identify itself to be?

This gets really interesting here. Did Saul ever meet Jesus before his crucifixion? Was Saul involved in the crucifixion? How then has Saul persecuted Jesus? What does this tell you about the relationship between Jesus and his believers so far in Acts? You might discuss the implications about the believers and Jesus in that Saul has persecuted "Jesus" (notice, not the Christ; not the church; not the Son of God; but "Jesus"). This might help to understand why Saul is trembling and astonished. In his mind, had he been persecuting Jesus? From what we can tell, what had he been trying to accomplish? For whom?

What is Saul's response? Why this? What is the "Lord's" response?

Now this is remarkable. How would you describe this event? Has Saul "converted"? Where is he in the "Way"? So far, who is the passage really about? What is the Risen Jesus really wanting? How extensive and long is the instruction of the Voice in the Light? What do you think these instructions suggest is the concern of the voice for Saul?

Vv. 7-9 details the ractions of those to the scene. V. 7 gives the picture of those who accompany Saul. Why would they be speechless? (note the irony with the unseen presence of the voice!) What does Saul notice in v. 8 after the Light/Voice leaves. What is the relationship of this to the command given to Saul? Does he really have a choice to obey or not? Why? At this point, what does it seem that the Voice is up to in Saul's life? If the story ended here, what would you think?

Why would Saul not eat or dring while blind, given the situation? Is he told that he can't eat or drink? Can you think of other three day periods in the Scriptures, perhaps three days of going without sight, eating, or drinking? How is Saul's life being bound up in Christ?

The story is both dramatic, but amazingly sparse, especially in light of evangelical interpretation of the passage. It seems that the passage is a rebuff of Saul, a shot over the bow, so to speak, in which Jesus gets Saul's attention and then just leaves him to deal with it with amazingly sparse directions that he has no choice but to fulfill. This might be an interesting time to share how God has at times gotten people's attention in the group, and its aftermath. How does one deal with the sparse directions in the aftermath?

Enjoy your evening!