The Symbols of Salvation

Written By Nicole Vollrath

RLC Home Group Handout | September 13th, 2026 

Jesus Stories; “The Symbols of Salvation”  Acts 9:1-19

Recap

In Saul’s conversion, we see that salvation is not ultimately the story of us finding Jesus, but of Jesus graciously pursuing and transforming us. Through five vivid images—a seed, a goad, scales, a hand, and a vessel—we see God’s saving grace pursuing us, confronting our rebellion, opening our spiritually blind eyes, welcoming us into His family, and sending us out with purpose. Saul’s story reminds us that God can use seemingly insignificant acts of faithfulness to plant seeds that bear fruit far beyond what we can see, and that even His painful confrontation can be an expression of mercy. Having received such costly grace, we spend the rest of our lives asking the same two questions Saul asked: “Who are you, Lord?” and “What do you want me to do?”

References

  • Acts 7:58–8:1 — Saul approves Stephen’s death, showing the unlikely soil in which God was already planting gospel seeds.

  • Acts 26:14 — Jesus confronts Saul’s futile resistance: “It is hard for you to kick against the goads.”

  • Acts 26:18 — Jesus sends Saul to open blind eyes and turn people from darkness to light.

  • 2 Corinthians 4:4–6 — Paul describes salvation as God shining the light of Christ into spiritually blinded hearts.

  • 2 Corinthians 4:7 — We are ordinary clay vessels entrusted with the extraordinary treasure of the gospel.

“God’s Saving Grace - PURSUES us, CONFRONTS us, OPENS our eyes, WELCOMES us, and SENDS us."

Discussion Questions


Head

  • Is there anything that stood out or spoke to you in this week’s sermon?

  • What's the difference between justice, mercy, & grace?

  • What does Saul’s conversion teach us about the difference between being religiously zealous and actually knowing God?

  • What does Saul’s conversion reveal about the initiative of God in salvation?

Heart

  • Looking back on your own story, can you recognize any “seeds” God planted before you understood what He was doing?

  • Where might you currently be “kicking against the goads,” resisting something you know God is calling you to surrender?

  • Which question do you most need to ask Jesus right now: “Who are you, Lord?” or “What do you want me to do?”

Hands

  • Who has God placed around you in whom you can faithfully plant a gospel “seed,” even if you never see the eventual fruit?

  • Who might need you to be an “Ananias” this week, someone through whom they tangibly experience the welcoming grace of God?

  • Where has God strategically placed you right now; family, neighborhood, workplace, school, church, and what might He want His “vessel” to carry there?

Nicole Vollrath
Next

The Purpose of Persecution