BECAUSE OF MY HOPE 

Acts 26:1-32 

Key Verse 26:6 

"And now it is because of my hope in what God has promised our fathers that I am on trial today." 

How did Paul come to speak before King Agrippa? (25:24-27) According to Paul, why was he on trial? (6) What was Paul's hope? (6-8, 23:6) According to Paul’s background in verses 4-5, where did Paul first learn about this hope from God? Why might this background have appealed to Agrippa? (2-3) 

How had Paul also opposed the name of Jesus? (9-11) What made Paul change his ways? (12-15) What did meeting the Risen Jesus show Paul about the hope found in the Scriptures? How had meeting the Risen Jesus put his life into perspective?

What command, promise, and vision did Jesus give to Paul? (16-18) How does the way Jesus treated Paul compare with how Paul treated Jesus? Why do you think Jesus showed Paul such grace? What fundamental problem did Jesus reveal about all people in this world? How is Jesus solving this problem?

How did Paul respond to Jesus' calling? (19) What kind of things did Paul suffer when he was obedient to the vision?  (21, 29, 2 Cor 11:23-28) How do you think the hope of resurrection practically helped Paul to be obedient to Jesus? 

What did Paul preach? (20) Why is it that because of the resurrection that Paul preached repentance? Why is it important to "prove" one's repentance? What did Paul do whenever God helped him in times of persecution? (21-22) What was Paul’s main message? (23)

What did Festus say to interrupt Paul? (24) How did Paul make use of his interruption? (26-27) What was Paul's prayer? (29) How did Agrippa avoid Paul's question? Why do you think he didn't answer Paul directly? 

Summarize Paul's "defense." How does his defense testify to the hope of God in Jesus for all people? How does God reveal his hope today? What does the hope of resurrection mean to you?