St. Paul's — Growing Together Pastor Mike Hanel

This episode is a special break from the Acts Bible study. Because of the situation around our country, state and community, we wanted to address how Lutherans respond to COVID-19.


If you have more questions or concerns, please feel free to contact us directly.


Links to Pres. Buss' video (https://www.facebook.com/LCMSNorthernIllinoisDistrict/videos/1095691900795526/) and Pres. Harrison's video (https://vimeo.com/397483968)


Find out more at https://growingtogether.pinecast.co

Acts - Chapters 24-26 (Episode 22)


For over two years Paul was imprisoned in Caesarea while his trial(s) continued. Repeatedly Paul was accused of various offenses, but the lack of evidence could not support a guilty verdict. Paul should have been released as a free man, but instead because the Roman governors did not want to stir up Jewish discord, they delayed, hesitated, and avoided making a decision until finally Paul himself appealed to Caesar to move his case forward. In the final chapters, Paul will have his chance to proclaim the Gospel in Rome, even though he is in chains.


You can find handouts from our class at https://www.stpaulslutheran.net/bible-study/bible-study


Find out more at https://growingtogether.pinecast.co

Acts - Chapters 22-23 (Episode 21)


Paul's arrest in Jerusalem could be understood as a major setback, but Paul didn't complain. Instead, Jesus Himself assured him that he would continue to give testimony all the way to Rome. But before that happened, Paul had to be taken away from Jerusalem, where his enemies were plotting his death. Safe in Caesarea, his trials continue under the custody of the Roman procurator Felix.


You can find handouts from our class at https://www.stpaulslutheran.net/bible-study/bible-study


Find out more at https://growingtogether.pinecast.co

Acts - Chapters 21-22 (Episode 20)


The final section of the Books of Acts is all about Paul's arrest in Jerusalem and the subsequent trials. In this section, we see once again how the opposition against Paul comes from Jews from Asia who stir up the crowds in Jerusalem to destroy Paul, but Paul is saved by the Roman tribune. As all of this goes on, one can't help but note the similarity between what is happening with Paul and Jesus' experience in Jerusalem, but what does that mean?


You can find handouts from our class at https://www.stpaulslutheran.net/bible-study/bible-study


Find out more at https://growingtogether.pinecast.co

Acts - Chapters 19-21 (Episode 19)


Chapters 19-21 contain a whirlwind of Paul's travels as the Third Missionary Journey comes to an end. As we push to the final section in the Book of Acts that focuses on Paul's arrest in Jerusalem and subsequent trials, we do so after noting Paul's final goodbyes to the churches of Macedonia, Greece and Asia.


You can find handouts from our class at https://www.stpaulslutheran.net/bible-study/bible-study


Find out more at https://growingtogether.pinecast.co

Acts - Chapter 19 (Episode 18)


Paul's Third Missionary journey largely consists of time spent in Ephesus. When Paul first rolls into town, he encounters a group of people who seem to welcome him, but had not yet heard the full message of Jesus, but instead appeared to be followers of John the Baptist. What all this means is a little confusing and so we wrestle with that account here.


** Apologies on the quality of the audio. The audio was not properly recorded and comes out somewhat garbled.


You can find handouts from our class at https://www.stpaulslutheran.net/bible-study/bible-study


Find out more at https://growingtogether.pinecast.co