Sunday Morning Bible Study: Acts 27: Paul's Shipwreck

Paul's Shipwreck: Struggling with Suffering and Pain: source: https://davidwpendergrass.blogspot.com/2012/05/from-his-love.html

Acts 27 — Paul’s Voyage to Rome: Faith in the Storm

Theme: God’s purposes are not thwarted by storms

“Fear not, Paul; thou must be brought before Caesar.” — Acts 27:24

Read the chapter yourself, slowly, asking the Holy Spirit to guide you! This is the most important element of today's study!

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1. Setting the Scene: God’s Will Includes the Storm (Acts 27:1–12)

Paul is now a prisoner—but not a defeated man. He is under Roman guard, traveling toward Rome, exactly as the Lord promised earlier:

“As thou hast testified of me in Jerusalem, so must thou bear witness also at Rome.” (Acts 23:11)

The voyage begins cautiously. Luke—the careful historian—records ports, winds, and decisions with eyewitness detail.

Paul warns the crew that continuing the journey will bring harm (v.10), but his counsel is ignored in favor of professional opinion and economic pressure.

Lesson: Experience and expertise are valuable—but they are no substitute for spiritual discernment.

2. The Storm Breaks: When All Human Hope Is Lost (Acts 27:13–20)

The Euroclydon—a violent Mediterranean northeaster—strikes suddenly. Every human strategy fails:

• Cargo is thrown overboard

• Tackle is abandoned

• Sun and stars disappear

• Hope itself fades

Luke’s words are stark:

“All hope that we should be saved was then taken away.” (v.20)

This is the moment Scripture often brings us to—the end of self-reliance.

Lesson: God often allows us to reach the end of our strength so we may discover His sufficiency.

3. A Word from God in the Night (Acts 27:21–26)

When all seems lost, Paul stands—not as a prisoner, but as God’s messenger.

An angel of God appears and speaks words of calm authority:

“Fear not, Paul… God hath given thee all them that sail with thee.”

The ship will be lost. The lives will not.

Paul believes God—and says so plainly:

“I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told me.” (v.25)

Lesson: Faith is not denial of danger—it is confidence in God’s promise.

4. Leadership in Crisis: Faith That Acts (Acts 27:27–38)

Paul’s faith becomes practical leadership:

• He warns against escape attempts

• He insists all remain together

• He encourages them to eat

• He gives thanks to God publicly

  
  

In the darkest hour, the man in chains becomes the steady center.

Lesson: True spiritual authority often emerges in crisis—not position, but trust in God.

5. Shipwreck, Not Defeat (Acts 27:39–44)

The ship runs aground. It is broken to pieces—just as God said.

Yet every soul survives.

“And so it came to pass, that they escaped all safe to land.”

Rome still lies ahead. God’s plan is intact.

Lesson: God may allow the loss of the vessel—but never the loss of His purpose.

Major Themes to Take Home

1. God’s promises stand firm in violent circumstances

2. Storms do not cancel God’s calling

3. Faith speaks calmly when panic shouts loudly

4. God often saves others through the faith of one obedient servant

   
   

Discussion Questions

1. Why do you think Paul’s warning was ignored early in the voyage?

2. What does Acts 27 teach us about the relationship between faith and practical action?

3. Have you experienced a “shipwreck” where God still preserved His purpose?

4. What does Paul’s leadership in crisis teach us about Christian witness?

5. 
   

Closing Prayer

Father God, when the storms rise and hope seems lost, help us to believe You as Paul did. Teach us to trust Your word above appearances,to stand firm when others despair, and to rest in Your promises when all else is broken.Bring us safely to the shore You have appointed. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

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1. . Tho’ the angry surges roll

On my tempest-driven soul,

I am peaceful, for I know,

Wildly though the winds may blow,

I’ve an anchor safe and sure,

That can evermore endure.

Refrain:

And it holds, my anchor holds:

Blow your wildest, then, O gale,

On my bark so small and frail;

By His grace I shall not fail,

For my anchor holds, my anchor holds.

2. . Mighty tides about me sweep,

Perils lurk within the deep,

Angry clouds o’ershade the sky,

And the tempest rises high;

Still I stand the tempest’s shock,

For my anchor grips the rock.

3. . I can feel the anchor fast

As I meet each sudden blast,

And the cable, though unseen,

Bears the heavy strain between;

Thro’ the storm I safely ride,

Till the turning of the tide.

4. . Troubles almost ’whelm the soul;

Griefs like billows o’er me roll;

Tempters seek to lure astray;

Storms obscure the light of day:

But in Christ I can be bold,

I’ve an anchor that shall hold.

--Author/Writer: W. C. Martin (1902)