At Once
Saul became a follower of Christ after Jesus met him on the road to Damascus (Acts 9:1-19). Read Acts 9:20-22. After becoming a Christian, Saul immediately began to serve God.

* "At once he began to preach in the synagogues that Jesus is the Son of God (9:20, NIV)

? If you are a Christian, are you serving? Perhaps you are a relatively new Christian and don't feel ready to serve. What are you waiting for?

Arabia
In his letter to the Galatians, Saul wrote, "I went immediately into Arabia and later returned to Damascus" (Galatians 1:17). The Bible doesn't tell us why Saul went to Arabia. It could have been for 1) personal refection and prayer, 2) preaching the gospel, or both.

Attacked
Read Acts 9:23-30. In Damascus, "the Jews conspired to kill [Saul]" (9:23) and the governor sought to arrest him (2 Corinthians 11:32). Saul's old associates now opposed him.

* When Saul went to Jerusalem, the Grecian Jews tried to kill him (Acts 9:29).

† When a person becomes a Christian and begins to serve, some level of opposition is expectedTimothy 3:12). The "world" (including society and government), old friends and colleagues, and even family members, may oppose the Christian.

Accepted
When he arrived in Jerusalem Saul tried to join the disciples of Jesus, "but they were afraid of him, not believing that he was really a disciple" (9:26). However, Barnabas took Saul to the apostles, told them what had happened, and encouraged them to accept him.

1. What was Barnabas' role in this story? How can Christians today be like Barnabas in their church or Christian community?

2. Certainly, the disciples had reason to suspect Saul. How could they know that he had really changed and become a genuine Christian? Even today, impostors may enter Christian groups to harm them or mislead them. How can we discern between genuine Christians and impostors?

At Home
When the disciples learned that Saul's life was in danger, "they took him to Caesarea and sent him off to Tarsus" (Acts 9:30). Tarsus (in Cilicia) was Saul's birthplace and first home.

In his letter to the Galatians, Saul said that he went to "Syria and Cilicia" (1:21). The Bible doesn't say what Saul did in Cilicia and Syria, but he probably preached the gospel!

? Perhaps you have become a Christian since you left home. What do you do when you return home? Do people see the change in your life? Do you share your faith?

Antioch
Read Acts 11:19-26. A church in Antioch started and grew rapidly, largely because many Gentiles (non-Jews) were becoming Christians. Barnabas was sent to investigate, and he saw evidence of God's grace in Antioch (11:23). He also realized the need for help in teaching.
q So Barnabas went to Tarsus and brought Saul back to Antioch, and "for a whole year Barnabas and Saul met with the church and taught great numbers of people" (11:25-26, NIV).

3. What is significant about the church in Antioch? (11:20-21)

Aid
Read Acts 11:27-30. The Christians in Antioch anticipated the needs, and decided to help "the brothers living in Judea" (11:29). Saul and Barnabas delivered the gift to the church in Jerusalem. This act of love and care helped strengthen the bond of fellowship between the Jewish-Christian church in Jerusalem and the mostly Gentile-Christian church in Antioch.

4. A rapidly growing church is a good thing! But what is needed for the church to be strong and healthy? (11:23, 26; 29-30) How did Saul help with this?

Application

† Saul served primarily by proclaiming the gospel. Do you understand the gospel? If not, ask Jay or another Christian friend. See "The Gospel" on the ICF website (www.bcfworld.org).

† If you are a Christian, in what specific ways are you serving God? If you are not serving, make a commitment to serve in some way. If you need guidance, ask a church leader.