Acts 27-28 Paul sails to Rome

Recent Statements of Warning and Counsel: “Avoid going on frequent dates with the same person.” “Do not attend, view, or participate in anything that is vulgar, immoral, violent, or pornographic in any way.” “If your friends urge you to do things that are wrong, be the one to stand for the right, even if you stand alone.”

Why might some youth choose not to heed these statements of warning and counsel? “Avoid going on frequent dates with the same person.” “Do not attend, view, or participate in anything that is vulgar, immoral, violent, or pornographic in any way.” “If your friends urge you to do things that are wrong, be the one to stand for the right, even if you stand alone.”

Paul had been falsely charged with treason and imprisoned. He appealed his case to Caesar in Rome, which was his right as a Roman citizen. Paul traveled with other prisoners by boat toward Rome, under the custody of a Roman centurion (a Roman military officer who commanded 50 to 100 men). After sailing for many days, they stopped at a harbor on the island of Crete. As they were leaving the harbor, Paul warned those on the ship that they should not continue their journey.

Acts 27:9–10 According to verse 10, what warning and prophecy did Paul give about what would happen if they continued their journey? Acts 27:11–12 Rather than heeding Paul’s warning, whom did the centurion trust instead? Why do you think it may have been easier for the centurion to believe the owner of the ship rather than Paul? According to verse 12, why did most people on the ship ignore Paul’s warning? The word fast in this context means voluntarily abstaining from eating. In this case “the fast” probably referred to the Jewish holy day called the day of Atonement, which marked the beginning of the season during which it was generally regarded as unsafe to travel on the Mediterranean Sea because of violent storms.

Acts 27:13–21 What happened as the ship continued toward Rome? After seeing that the “south wind blew softly” (verse 13), what might the people on the ship have thought about Paul and the warning he gave? According to verse 20, what were the emotions of those on the ship during the tempest? Principle: If we ignore the warnings and counsel of the Lord’s servants, then we put ourselves in danger.

How might people today make similar excuses for ignoring the warnings and counsel of the Lord’s servants?

Acts 27:22–26 Summary of Acts 27:27–30 If you were on the ship in the midst of the terrible storm, what words from Paul would comfort you? Acts 27:22–26 What did Paul prophesy would happen to the people and the ship? Summary of Acts 27:27–30 On the 14th night of the storm, the crew cast four anchors into the sea to prevent the ship from crashing into rocks. The crew then went to the front of the ship and acted as though they were about to cast more anchors. However, they were actually planning to abandon the ship and flee in a small boat because they feared the ship would sink.

Acts 27:31–32 What warning did Paul give the centurion and soldiers? How did the soldiers respond to Paul’s warning and counsel? Acts 27:35–36 How did the crew respond to Paul’s counsel? Acts 27:42–44 What happened to the people on the ship? If we heed the counsel and warnings of the Lord’s servants, then the Lord will fulfill His promises to us. If we heed the counsel and warnings of the Lord’s servants, then we can withstand the dangers that threaten us.

“Every time in my life when I have chosen to delay following inspired counsel or decided that I was an exception, I came to know that I had put myself in harm’s way. Every time that I have listened to the counsel of prophets, felt it confirmed in prayer, and then followed it, I have found that I moved toward safety” (“Finding Safety in Counsel,” Ensign, May 1997, 25).

Acts 28 What are some examples of trials and difficulties that can be likened to whirlwinds?

Write a newspaper headline or Hashtag and draw a picture that summarizes the events described in your scripture block. Acts 28:1–6 Acts 28:7–14 Acts 28:16–24

Lessons we can learn from Paul: “The Lord is intent on your personal growth and development. That progress is accelerated when you willingly allow Him to lead you through every growth experience you encounter, whether initially it be to your individual liking or not. Elder Richard G. Scott, a member of the Quorum of the Twelve: When you trust in the Lord, when you are willing to let your heart and your mind be centered in His will, when you ask to be led by the Spirit to do His will, you are assured of the greatest happiness along the way and the most fulfilling attainment from this mortal experience.

Lessons we can learn from Paul: “When you trust in the Lord, when you are willing to let your heart and your mind be centered in His will, when you ask to be led by the Spirit to do His will, you are assured of the greatest happiness along the way and the most fulfilling attainment from this mortal experience.” Elder Richard G. Scott, a member of the Quorum of the Twelve: When you trust in the Lord, when you are willing to let your heart and your mind be centered in His will, when you ask to be led by the Spirit to do His will, you are assured of the greatest happiness along the way and the most fulfilling attainment from this mortal experience.

Lessons we can learn from Paul: “If you question everything you are asked to do, or dig in your heels at every unpleasant challenge, you make it harder for the Lord to bless you.” Elder Richard G. Scott, a member of the Quorum of the Twelve:

Paul preached the word of God, with confidence, no man forbidding him What good could possibly have came from the trials Paul experienced while at sea, while shipwrecked, and while imprisoned in Rome? Acts 28:30–31 Paul preached the word of God, with confidence, no man forbidding him

Paul’s Final Years Tried & Released after 2 yrs Traveled & wrote: While in Rome he wrote: Philippians Colossians Ephesians Philemon Hebrews Paul’s Final Years Tried & Released after 2 yrs Traveled & wrote: 1st Timothy & Titus Arrested Again & wrote: 2nd Timothy Martyred in Spring of A.D. 65