A GENERAL OUTLINE OF ACTS
15. A bricklayer doesn't just lay bricks here, there and everywhere! He works according to a pattern. You only know why each brick goes where it goes when you know what the builder is purposing to build. It's the same with writers. They don't just choose a mass of "brute facts" and write them down in any old way. Like the builder, they have a goal in mind and work toward that. Bible writers are no different. (You can see this especially clearly in the gospel of John. In 20:30-31 he expressly tells us that he has chosen some events out of an abundant supply of materials. He also tells us that he purposely selected events which would lead people to believe and have life.)
16. Here's an outline of the book of Acts which you will find useful provided that you don't hold it too rigidly. Later, when you've begun to really get a grasp of the book, you may find the outline less and less useful. In the meantime it should help.
- With The Resurrected Lord: 1:1-11
- Getting Ready While Waiting: 1:12-26
- The Birth & Growth Of The Church In Jerusalem And Judea: 2:1-8:3
- The Spread Of The Church Into Samaria And Beyond: Chapter 8
- The Conversion Of The Apostle To The Gentiles:Chapter 9
- The Conversion Of Gentiles: Chapters 10 & 11
- Herod, The Church & God: Chapter 12
- Paul's Missionary Activity: Chapters 12-20
1.The first journey: Chapters 12-14
2. The Jerusalem Summit: Chapter 15
3. His second journey: Chapters 16-18
4. His third journey: Chapters 18-20
- Paul at Jerusalem & Caesarea: Chapters 21-26
1. Events in Jerusalem: Chapters 21-23
2. Events in Caesarea: Chapters 24-26
- Paul and arriving in Rome:
1.The eventful journey: Chapter 27
2. Teaching unhindered in Rome: Chapter 28
WHAT WE'VE LEARNED IN LESSON ONE
- People cannot live on lies or without roots.
- The central message of Acts is: God is at work in Jesus Christ to bring life and salvation to all mankind through the People of God, the Church.
- To understand a writer we must understand his purpose in addition to being able to recite the facts he mentions.