The Trial Before Festus—Acts 25:1–12 Open It 1. How did you and your siblings settle most of your disputes while you were growing up? 2. *When was the last time someone did a favor for you? What was it? Explore It 1. How did the procurator’s visit to Jerusalem show that he wanted to rule justly? (25:1) 2. Who appeared before Festus in Jerusalem? (25:2) 3. *What did the Jewish leaders want? (25:2) 4. *Why did the leaders want Paul transferred from Caesarea to Jerusalem? (25:3) 5. *How did Festus reply to the request to transfer Paul? (25:4–5) 6. How did the scene of previous trials repeat itself when Paul was brought before Festus? (25:6–7) 7. What did Paul say to the court? (25:8) 8. Why did Festus ask Paul if he was willing to go to Jerusalem? (25:9) 9. Why did Paul want nothing to do with standing trial in Jerusalem? (25:10–11) 10. Why did Festus send Paul’s case to Caesar? (25:11–12) Get It 1. *Why was opposition to Paul by the Jewish leaders still strong, even though Paul had been under house arrest for two years? 2. Why do we tend to hold on to past grievances? 3. What should we do with old grudges? How? 4. *In what way did Paul’s enemies try to manipulate circumstances to serve their own ends? 5. What made Festus appear to be a fair ruler? 6. In what way was Paul mistreated? 7. When have you felt mistreated? 8. What does Paul’s example of self-defense have to teach us? 9. Why did Paul appeal to Caesar? 10. Why was Paul able to be confident in his appeal to a higher court? 11. How did Paul’s innocence help him in this situation? 12. When have you been called on to defend yourself? 13. What was Paul’s style in communicating to the court? 14. How do you express yourself when you are on the defensive? 15. How did Paul hold to his civil rights? Apply It 1. What or whom should you avoid to protect your spiritual well-being? 2. What rights of yours should you stand up for this week? How? 3. *What person or situation can you place in God’s hands this week as a discipline against turning events to your own ends?