Bible Study Lesson for Acts 27:27-44: Paul and the Shipwreck

We now move into the third section of the chapter which describes the shipwreck. Read Acts 27:27. In ancient times the name "Adriatic Sea" is believed to have extended into the Mediterranean Sea as far south as Sicily and Crete. { Point out places on flannel map & estimate where the ship was currently } They have been driven along by the force of the storm winds for 14 days now. How did the sailors sense they were approaching land? Remember it is midnight now, and probably pitch black. One reference said the sailors would have known by the sound of breakers or waves hitting the shore; others by a highly developed sense of smell, as land smells different from sea water.

Read Acts 27:28. Taking soundings means that they lowered weighted lines down to measure the depth of the sea. When the depth begins decreasing, this means that you are approaching shore and shallower water. Remember, this is all being done at night, in the dark.

Read Acts 27:29. By dropping these four anchors the sailors were hoping to keep the ship from being forced forward further by the winds and smashing against whatever land mass was ahead of them. Because they had no idea where they were or how large the island was or even where it was, they could not do anything except wait until the light of day showed them what to do.

Read Acts 27:30. Because there was no port, the sailors felt they had a better chance of survival in the single lifeboat, unencumbered by the passengers.

Read Acts 27:31-32. If the sailors were allowed to desert the passengers wouldn't have been able to beach the ship safely the next day. The centurion, this time, listens to Paul and destroys the sailors' only means of escape, other than the ship.

Read Acts 27:33-34. Because of the storm, no food had been distributed or regular meals eaten for the last 14 days. Fasting that long can make a person weak. Paul knew they would need strength in order to make it from the ship to the island. His goal was to prepare the men physically, as well as to encourage them emotionally.

Read Acts 27:35-36. Paul sets a good example for the men: he ate food for physical nourishment and gave God thanks for the meal. Seeing Paul eat, as well as demonstrating such trust in God, encouraged the men. This was probably important, in part, to help ease the fears of the sailors, who had first tried to escape via the lifeboat, but were thwarted.

Read Acts 27:37. This was not a particularly large number of people to be traveling by ship for that time. Josephus, the Jewish historian, mentions a ship that had 600 people on board.

Read Acts 27:38. They throw away the remaining bags of wheat or corn from the cargo to lighten the load. The lighter the ship, the farther it can sail into shore before running aground.

Read Acts 27:39-41. This particular bay is called "St. Paul's Bay" today, and (as we will read in the next chapter) is off the island of Malta. { Show picture "Wind and Fire", pg. 13} The ship runs aground; it is only a matter of time before it falls completely apart and everyone left alive on the ship will drown. { Put up symbol for shipwrecked ship on flannel map }

Read Acts 27:42. This sounds horribly brutal, especially after all every one had gone through, but you need to understand that if a prisoner escaped, the life of his guard was taken in his place. The soldiers did not want to risk the chance of any of the prisoners escaping.

Read Acts 27:43. I think we begin to get a sense for why God chose this particular centurion, Julius, to guard Paul. Clearly he is used here to spare Paul's life. You have to admire him for that.

Read Acts 27:44. I would like to finish up this chapter by reading an excerpt from one of my favorite books, "Angels on Assignment", in which this particular incident is mentioned. This is from the chapter "Good News for You and Your Family". { Read "Angels on Assignment", pg. 23 paragraph, pg. 24 paragraph, pg. 26-27 excerpt }

Blessings!

Sources
Editors. Compton's Interactive Bible (software)
Philip Yancey and Tim Stafford (notes). The Student Bible. NIV Version
Drane, John William. Wind and Fire: Spreading the Message of Jesus
Hunter, Charles and Frances (as told by Roland Buck). Angels on Assignment