Q2: Paul of Tarsus video

Gr. 8 Biblical Studies Reflection Questions (11/18/14)

1. Put yourself in Paul, Peter, Stephen and other Jesus disciples shoes.
Could you have done the same (going to prison, getting flogged and
killed) just because of Jesus? Why or why not? Please be honest and
thoughtful when answering this question.
I applaud the sacrifices and risks that Jesuss disciples have made.
They would have done anything to prove themselves of their beliefs.
Though, as much as I would like to be a brave person as they were
as the truth shall be told, I probably would not have taken the risks
as they had. Maybe, I am just establishing this as my answer
because of my lack of faith. Though maybe, it might have
something to do with my state of bravery, and how I do not posses
one with such high moral standards.
2. Consider yourself living in that time of Jesus. A stranger comes and
proclaims that he is the Messiah. How would you have reacted to it?
Why?
If I were to live at the time of Jesus, I would probably have a
stronger set of faith. If I were to be born in the past at the time of
Jesus without any acknowledgements of the modern day world, and
a stranger comes up to me and tells me that he is the Messiah, I
would probably believe him if he had strong evidences proving his
statement correct. Though at first, because I always try to avoid
being a nave person, I would not believe him until he backs up his
statement with evidences.
3. Imagine yourself walking around different parts of Southeast Asia
telling people about Jesus. You are all alone; you dont have a
definite place to sleep every night or food to eat every meal. You
need to know and remember all the messages correctly to be
spoken in front of many crowds. Many people are chasing you
wherever you go. How would you feel about this and what would
you say to God? Why?
If my faith was strong enough to get me to go through a journey
where my mission is to share out the word of God and have all these
burdens to carry me through, I would probably feel like I wished it
wasnt this difficult to spread out what I believe in. I would say to
God, please ease my journey where the mission is to spread out

your word please ease my journey as I have shown my strong faith

in you.
4. Why do you think God let evil people like Reuben and persecutors
of Christians to do what they were doing? Why do you think the
Almighty God who can do anything didnt just zap and kill them all?
I think God did not just kill off the people who do things that result
in negative effects on other things because to human is error, and
He knows that. If he had created humans that know nothing about
making mistakes, then if one actually does, He would probably
erase that one person off of existence. Though, because all humans
advance themselves in errors, God will be watching and letting
humans learn for themselves. Though, for some cases, in which
someone receives something horrible for doing something right, it is
most likely that God will try to make a miracle happen and help that
someone out.
5. What do you think about Pauls saying that, Christ is the end of the
Law? Do you think the Law should be kept and be followed? What
is the importance of the Law and why were the Jews so attached to
it?
Pauls saying was probably correct. Christ was supposed to be the
end of the Halakha, the Law of the Jews. Christ changed the Jews
and reverted them into Christians. Though, of course not everyone
has done as so. In my opinion, it does not really matter if the Law is
to be kept because there is no place in this world, where every
single participant agrees in the same thing. So, even though Christ
brought the Jews to Christianity, there are, of course, still some
people who believe in the Law and follow it.
6. Please submit your notes that you took while watching the video. It
will be a part of your Criterion B (Knowledge and Understanding)
grade.

Saul is from the city of Tarsus.

He persecutes people who believe in Christianity.

He stands with the Jewish court as a Christianity believer, Stephen

was stoned to death as a punishment for his beliefs.

Christians flee to other places, such as Damascus.

Saul travels to Damascus to bring Christians back to Jerusalem to be

persecuted.

While on his way, he was struck by a bright light.

A vision of Jesus appears to him.

He asked, "Saul, why do you persecute me?"

The striking of the light blinded Saul.

Ananias was told through his dream, to put his hands on Saul to
give him back his sight.

Saul was now cured of his blindness.

Saul now believes in Jesus and wants to be officially baptized to

become a Christian.

He changes his name into Paul.

People opposing Christianity is now searching for Paul to punish

him.

Paul hid in a basket and was lowered down by the other Christians
over the city walls of Damascus.

Paul continues his journey to spread the word of God.

7. How would you have reacted if God spoke to you and has told you
that youll be His faithful servant and that youll die serving Him?
Why?
I would probably feel honored because God delivered the message
himself. What an honor it would be if God told you that you will be
His faithful servant and that youll die serving Him. He chose you
that would probably make you feel special. Also, I would be very
surprised if this were to actually happen because it is not everyday
you get to speak to God and get a response back.
8. After watching the movie, how do you want to live your life? Has
watching this movie affected you in any way?
I do not think the movie has affected me in major ways to be able to
change the way I live. Though, it made me wonder about what
actually happened during the time of Jesus. The movie has
explained some parts of what happened, but history is always
altered in some ways. The movie just got me thinking. Though, still,
I probably was not affected enough by it to change the way I live my
life.