Sent
Off
Read Acts 13:1-3. God set apart Barnabas and Saul for
His work, and the church sent them off with their prayers and blessing. This is
how Paul's "first missionary journey" began. 1.
In what ways does this provide a good example of missionary work? How does it
apply to today?
Message
& Miracles
*
Paul and Barnabas "proclaimed the word of God" in Cyprus, Pisidian Antioch,
and Iconium (13:5, 7, 16-41, 49; 14:1). In Iconium, they spoke boldly, and the
Lord "confirmed the message of his grace by enabling them to do miraculous
signs and wonders" (14:3). 2.
What was the purpose of the "miraculous signs and wonders?" Do people
who proclaim God's word today need signs and wonders? Explain.
*
Many accepted the message (13:12, 48; 14:1), while others opposed it (13:8, 45,
50; 14:2, 5). In Iconium, the opponents plotted to mistreat and stone Paul and
Barnabas (14:5). †
"But they found out about it and fled to the Lycaonian cities of Lystra and
Derbe and to the surrounding country, where they continued to preach the good
news" (14:6, NIV).
Read Acts 14:8-20.
3. This passage
begins with another miracle - the healing of a man who was lame since birth. He
had never walked! (14:8) What was needed for him to be healed?
Misdirected
Praise
*
When the people saw what Paul had done, they thought he and Barnabas were gods!
(14:11) They wanted to offer sacrifices to Paul and Barnabas (14:13).
4.
How did Paul and Barnabas respond, and why? (14:14-15)
Message
to Correct Misunderstanding
*
Paul shouted that they were not gods! "We are only men, human like you!"
And then Paul proclaimed that there was only one, true God. This God is "the
living God, who made heaven and earth and sea and everything in them" (14:15,
NIV).
*
Paul said they were bringing them "good news." This "good news"
was a revelation of the Truth. Knowledge of truth should result in change. They
must "turn from these worthless things (idols, false ideas concerning God)
to the living God" (14:15, NIV). 5.
Paul said that God "has not left himself without testimony" (14:17,
NIV) or "he has always given evidence of his existence" (TEV). How has
God done that?
Mistreatment
& Harm
*
Some Jews from Antioch and Iconium followed Paul & Barnabas to Lystra. They
convinced the crowd to turn against Paul. What a change in attitude! "They
stoned (threw rocks at) Paul and dragged him outside the city, thinking he was
dead" (14:19)
6.
Read Acts 14:20-22. What do you think about what happened after Paul's
severe beating? What does it tell us about Paul and the Christian's journey?
*
Christians can become prideful because of misdirected praise or discouraged because
of opposition and difficult circumstances. The answer to both problems is the
same. We must be God-centered - pointing to Him, committed to Him, and relying
on His strength.
Strengthening the Churches & Reporting Home
*
Read Acts 14:21a-28. Paul and Barnabas returned to the churches to "strengthen
the disciples." They encouraged them to remain true to the faith despite
hardship, appointed leadership in each church, and prayerfully committed them
to the Lord" (14:22-23).
*
They eventually went back to the church in Antioch. They "reported all that
God had done through them and how he had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles"
(14:27).
Reflection/Application
†
The Christian's journey has a purpose. It is God's purpose. God wants to accomplish
His work in us and through us. What really counts in the Christian's journey is
"what God does through us." God's work includes sharing the "good
news" message. Are you sharing it?
†
Whatever your background, Paul's message should be "good news" for you.
The lame man was healed because he listened to and believed the message. Likewise,
when we respond in faith to the "good news" of Jesus, we are made whole.
Are you listening and responding
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