Loss of the Ship

Printable Version

PASSAGE: Acts 27:26-44

COMMENT: The ship upon which Paul is sailing is lost, but all in the ship are saved just as God had revealed through the Apostle Paul.

WHAT DOES IT SAY?

1.                   Paul announced that they must be cast upon a certain __________.

2.                   The shipmen (sailors), deciding to flee the ship, let down the boat “under __________ as though they would have cast anchors out.”

3.                   Paul insisted that they take some meat, saying, “this is for your ________: for there shall not an _______ fall from the head of any of you.”

4.                   After they decided to ground the ship, they took up the ______ and committed themselves unto the ______.

5.                   Some swam and other came on broken boards, but they all escaped safe to _________.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN?

1.                   In verse 27, “the shipmen deemed that they drew near to come country.”  In other words, they had reason to believe that they were close to land.  In what ways can a sailor tell (without seeing it) that land is close?  If you do not know, ask someone who knows something of ships and sailing.

2.                   When the shipmen (sailors) tried to escape in the lifeboat (v.30), Paul stated to the soldiers, “Except these abide in the ship, ye cannot be saved” (v.31).  What exactly is Paul telling the soldiers?  Why did it matter what the sailors did?

3.                   Verses 38 through 41 describe the grounding of the ship.  Read the verses carefully and explain what is happening in each verse.  You may have to look up some of the words in a dictionary.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO ME?

1.                   In order to keep crashing on the rocks, they threw out four anchors from the ship and wished for the day (v.29).  Many preachers have preached on this verse and named four anchors that we have.  However, they have not always named the same anchors.  Spiritually speaking, what four anchors keep your life from shipwreck?  There are many good answers for this.

2.                   The centurion kept the soldiers from killing the prisoners because he was “willing to save Paul” (v.43).  Consider the events of the chapter.  At one point, the centurion believed the master of the ship more than Paul (v.11).  Now, he is willing to take a chance on losing some of the prisoners (a very serious offense – Acts 12:18-19) in order to save Paul.  What has happened?  What can we learn from this?  See Proverbs 16:7.

SUGGESTED MEMORY VERSES:  None

Sign Up to Receive These in your Email

Check Bible Study Questions & Comments 

 

Send Page To a Friend Join the Learn the Bible mailing list Email: