Ministry in Pamphylia and Galatia
Theme: Living by Faith in Christ Alone
Theme Verse: "I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." Galatians 2:20 NIV
Readings: Acts 14
Memory Verse: "On arriving there, they gathered the church together and reported all that God had done through them and how he had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles." (Acts 14:27)
Paul and Barnabas start, as usual, with teaching in a synagogue in Iconium (part of Galatia) and "a great number of Jews and Gentiles believed." Here we see again the Holy Spirit, the hand of God, being with them. A word received: I showed Paul and Barnabas where to go to share My word and I will show you too. Just listen and I will lead the way. In Acts 14:2 we see a pattern emerging. Those who do not believe stirred up others and poison their minds. That doesn't stop Paul and Barnabas however. "So they spent considerable time there" speaking boldly and the Lord confirming their message of God's love and grace with signs and wonders. We see this pattern again and again.
Jesus' parables illuminate what is happening.
Reflect on how Jesus' parables of the wheat and the weeds (Matthew 13:24-30) and his parable of the Sower and the Soils (Matthew 13:3-9, 18-23) fit the experiences of Paul and Barnabas. In Jesus' parable of the wheat and weeds, an enemy comes behind the farmer and plants weeds. They will grow together till the harvest. Wherever the word of Jesus is growing, the Evil One is at work as well. Paul and Barnabas are driven out of Psidian Antioch, Iconium, Lystra and went to other cities as well. Yet there are many people who receive the message and believe. Paul and Barnabas keep on going because the Gospel of Jesus is a matter of life and death -- then and now.
Now look at the parable of the Sower. We should not be surprised by the mixed responses we get. Some seeds flourished quickly and then died out (Acts 14:1-2). Some were choked by the cares of this world. Some were taken away by the Deceiver (Acts 14:19) and in some of the soils the seed of the word of God bore much fruit (Acts 14:21f)
Missionary behavior
Notice Paul and Barnabas's behavior. They speak effectively, boldly, doing miraculous signs and wonders as the Lord enabled them, continuing to preach the Good News. They fled when they had to, but they kept on going and didn't become discouraged. They didn't allow the people of Lystra to worship them as gods but spoke the truth. The message of Jesus does bring division (Acts 14:l4) as Jesus said that it would. Paul and Barnabas do not let this stop them. Prayer: Lord, help me not to become discouraged when things don't go well. They didn't let themselves get side tracked either. Give me the strength and courage that you gave Paul and Barnabas. Help me stay grounded in you as they did.
Look again at Acts 14:2: "the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brothers (those who believed) A word received: Look at what unbelief does, it poisons. Many think unbelief frees. It does not. Reread Acts 14:3. A word received: They counteracted the poison of unbelief by speaking boldly as I gave them utterance. (They) chose words I gave (that) had power to change lives. I can speak through you with power as well if you will give Me leave to do so.
Another example of how Paul ministered is in Acts 14:9-10. "This man heard Paul speaking. Paul looked intently/directly at him and saw that he had the faith to be healed…" A word received: Keep your eyes open when you are speaking and praying so that you can see what I AM doing. Ask for spiritual sight. Be ready to recognize the need in someone that the Lord has prepared to receive ministry. Ask God to show you.
God's protection
"But they found out about it. (Acts 14::6) God was protecting them here, just as he was in Damascus when other disciples let Paul down over the wall to escape the trap set for him. In Lystra Paul was stoned, dragged out of the city and thought to be dead --but after the disciples gathered around him, he got up and went back into the city and left town the next day!!! Certainly the disciples were praying, Paul must have remembered the stoning of Stephen but this is clearly miraculous! We wish the writer of Acts had told us more! In 2 Corinthians 11:22-32 Paul recounts many times when he could easily have died but God delivered Paul to go on serving Him.. Prayer: Thank you, Lord that we are always in your hands, that you watch over us and protect us. (See Psalm 91.) However we are not to be surprised by opposition or persecution.
Hand in hand with persecution is misunderstanding. After the lame man in Lystra was instantly healed the crowd thought Paul and Barnabas were Greek gods come down. They were fitting what they saw into their existing world view. Paul strongly objects to this "idol"-ization and preaches about the one, true, living God. A word received: You need to be grounded in My word. This is because human nature is fickle and unless you are so grounded you too will be tossed about by emotions and events.
Pagan worship is about appeasing and manipulating whatever gods they believe in to get what they want. The God Paul was talking about, the real and only God who made everything is not going to be manipulated. God wants to bring them from worthless things to Himself. God loves his creatures and wants to bless them and give them joy (Acts 14:17) and bring them into a relationship with himself. But God is not a cosmic bellhop or and indulgent grandfather. Christians can fall into this attitude too. How often do we get angry with God when he doesn't give us what we want? A word received: Don't be surprised when people misunderstand you. Paul and Barnabas had the same problem. If God uses you to do something wonderful it is important that you give the credit and praise to God who was working through you.
"A large number of disciples were won in Derbe." Just think what they and these disciples would have missed if they hadn't persevered. They were being directed where to go by the Holy Spirit. If we don't listen we can miss what God has prepared. NOTE: "Disciples" are students, those who are being taught. They were not just casual believers. Are we continuing to learn, be taught by God -- all our lives?
Paul and Barnabas completed the work God had given them by going back through these same (dangerous) cities in order to strengthen and encourage the new believers. They didn't hesitate to go back if that was what God wanted. They were honest with the disciples and told them "we must go through many hardships to enter the Kingdom of God." (Acts 14:22) On the night before he died, Jesus told the first disciples (John16:33 "…In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." Paul and Barnabas gave these new disciples the tools they needed to cope with their situation. They entrusted these new believers to the Lord with prayer and fasting, and appointed Shepherds/Elders in each place. This is strikingly different from what the church has often done. When people are truly converted and receive the power of the Holy Spirit and God's choice of leaders are put in place -- God can do wonderful things. Paul and Barnabas didn't settle down and stay for years in one or two places. Think of China and Ethiopia when all the missionaries were forced out!
Paul and Barnabas went back to Antioch and reported all that God had done through them. (Acts 14:26-28) A word received: I want you to report back as well. It builds up the faith of My Body, the church. A word received: Think of the opportunities I have provided for you to share what I have done in your life. I AM still there, working out My will in your life.
Look at the Memory Verse again, "all that God had done through them". We always need to recognize that this is how the Good News of Jesus spreads. It is what God does through us. Pray that we will be open to the guidance of the Holy Spirit and his power so that God can accomplish his purposes through us. Pray for God's hand, God's anointing to be on us.
After Paul and Barnabas got back to Antioch and reported, they stayed a long time with the disciples. This was a time of rest, renewing and peace. They needed it! There are different seasons in our life with Jesus--times of growth, times of trial, times of witnessing and times of rest and refreshing. Even Jesus needed that.
How to teach word for SS teachers: Ask for spiritual sight and spiritual hearing so that you can know how to pray.
Teaching Ideas for Lesson 10
Please read the Study Guide first. Go over Memory Verse to make sure the children understand it and then if they have memorized it.
Remind them their parents need to sign a report slip monthly if they have read the lessons, so they will get credit at the end of the year.
Make sure they know what happened in the story. Get them to tell you.
Basic points of the lesson for little ones:
1. God sent out Barnabas and Paul to share His love and tell people about Jesus, who he is and what he has done. God wants us to share this too.
2. We can share about Jesus with the people right around us. God will show us who to speak to if we ask him.
3. Sometimes people want to hear about Jesus. Sometimes they don't . But we still need to share and not get discouraged.
4. Jesus wants us to share with other Christians what He has done in our lives. It will encourage them.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment