Class Lesson January 4, 2026

 Encounter - New Series

An Encounter with Jesus Changes Everything

Acts 9:1–20

The Conversion of Saul

9 But Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest 2 and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. 3 Now as he went on his way, he approached Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven shone around him. 4 And falling to the ground, he heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?” 5 And he said, “Who are You, Lord?” And He said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. 6 But rise and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do.” 7 The men who were traveling with him stood speechless, hearing the voice but seeing no one. 8 Saul rose from the ground, and although his eyes were opened, he saw nothing. So, they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. 9 And for three days he was without sight, and neither ate nor drank. 10 Now there was a disciple at Damascus named Ananias. The Lord said to him in a vision, “Ananias.” And he said, “Here I am, Lord.” 11 And the Lord said to him, “Rise and go to the street called Straight, and at the house of Judas look for a man of Tarsus named Saul, for behold, he is praying, 12 and he has seen in a vision a man named Ananias come in and lay his hands on him so that he might regain his sight.” 13 But Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he has done to Your saints at Jerusalem. 14 And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on Your name.” 15 But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of Mine to carry Ny name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel. 16 For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of My name.” 17 So Ananias departed and entered the house. And laying his hands on him he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus who appeared to you on the road by which you came has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” 18 And immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and he regained his sight. Then he rose and was baptized; 19 and taking food, he was strengthened.

Saul Proclaims Jesus in Synagogues

For some days he was with the disciples at Damascus. 20 And immediately he proclaimed Jesus in the synagogues, saying, “He is the Son of God.”

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Acts 9:1-20

 

 

Discussion Questions

1. Why do you think Saul believed he was serving God while opposing Him?
2. What stands out to you about how Jesus confronts Saul on the road to Damascus?
3. How does Saul’s story challenge the idea that sincerity in religion is enough?
4. Why do you think God chose to use Ananias in Saul’s conversion story?
5. In what ways does encountering Jesus still disrupt and redirect lives today?

                                          Closing Thoughts

Acts 9 reminds us that encountering Jesus is not about gaining information — it is about transformation. Christ still opens blind eyes, interrupts self-directed lives, and redirects people toward His mission. As a gospel-shaped community, we are both recipients of grace and participants in God’s work. God often uses ordinary, obedient believers — like Ananias — to help others take their next step toward Jesus.

END

Teacher Notes: 

Video: Sorry Too Long to Post

This is the story of Saul of Tarsus

What stands out to you about how Jesus confronts Saul on the road to Damascus?

Why did Saul believe he was serving God while opposing Him?

1. Saul equated religious sincerity and tradition with faithfulness, without truly knowing Jesus.
2. Saul was deeply trained in the Law and sincerely committed to protecting Jewish identity and purity. From his perspective, the message about Jesus threatened everything he believed about God, the Law, and Israel. Because Jesus did not fit his expectations of the Messiah, Saul concluded that the early Christians were dangerous heretics. In persecuting them, he thought he was defending God’s honor.
3. Saul’s mistake was not a lack of passion, but misplaced devotion. He knew Scripture but missed its fulfillment in Christ. His story reminds us that it is possible to be deeply religious, morally driven, and even well-intentioned — yet still oppose God — when zeal is not shaped by truth and a personal relationship with Jesus.

How can we fall into Paul's religious sincerity today?

1. When devotion replaces dependence on Christ and activity replaces relationship.
2. When we confuse knowledge about God with knowing God. When information becomes the goal instead of transformation, sincerity can mask spiritual blindness.
3. When we measure faithfulness by behavior rather than by submission. Doing the “right” things — serving, giving, attending — can slowly become a way to justify ourselves instead of trusting Christ.
4. When we defend our beliefs more than we seek truth. Saul was sincere because he was certain he was right.
5. When we serve God without surrendering to Jesus as Lord. It is possible to be active in religious work while resisting Christ’s authority over our priorities, attitudes, or relationships.

Why do you think God chose to use Ananias in Saul’s conversion story?

1. Ananias represents ordinary believers. He is not an apostle or public leader, yet God entrusts him with a crucial role in Saul’s transformation.
2. Ananias bridges Saul’s past and future. Saul had been a feared persecutor of the church. When Ananias addresses him as “Brother Saul,” it powerfully demonstrates forgiveness, acceptance, and the reconciling power of the gospel.
3. God uses Ananias to confirm Saul’s calling and restore his sight, showing that transformation happens within Christian community, not isolation. Saul’s encounter with Jesus was personal, but his commissioning came through the body of Christ.

Ananias’ obedience reminds us that God’s mission often advances through small acts of faithfulness and that our “yes” to God may play a life-changing role in someone else’s story.

How does encountering Jesus still disrupt and redirect lives today?

1. Jesus disrupts how people see themselves. When we truly encounter Christ, self-righteousness, pride, and self-sufficiency are exposed.
2. Jesus disrupts how people live. Careers, habits, relationships, and goals often come under His lordship. Following Jesus may mean letting go of sinful patterns, unhealthy ambitions, or identities built on success, comfort, or approval. The gospel interrupts life as usual.
3. Jesus redirects what people live for. Encountering Christ gives new purpose — living for God’s glory and the good of others. People move from self-directed lives to Christ-centered mission, using their gifts, influence, and story to point others to Him.

Why is Saul’s conversion such a powerful picture of grace?

1. It shows that God saves people not because they deserve mercy, but precisely when they don’t. Saul was not searching for Jesus — he was actively opposing Him. If anyone seemed beyond redemption, it was Saul. Yet Jesus met him in the middle of his rebellion, not with judgment, but with mercy.
2. Grace is also seen in who initiates the encounter. Saul does not cry out for forgiveness; Jesus takes the first step. The risen Christ confronts Saul, reveals the truth, and then invites him into obedience and purpose. This shows that salvation begins with God’s initiative, not human effort.
3. Grace is evident in the complete transformation that follows. Saul is forgiven, restored, filled with the Holy Spirit, welcomed into the community of believers, and commissioned for mission. God does not merely pardon Saul — He redeems his past and repurposes his life.
4. Saul’s story reminds us that no one is too far gone, no past too dark, and no sin too great for the grace of Jesus. Grace doesn’t just erase guilt; it creates a new future.

From a theological perspective, shouldn’t salvation always lead to mission?

Yes — from a biblical and theological perspective, salvation is inseparable from mission, even though the form of that mission may differ from person to person.

In Scripture, salvation is never the finish line — it is the starting point.