ACTS CHAPTER 14

MAIN THINGS

I just kinda stopped and though, Paul and Barnabas didn’t have any set mission or agenda. They weren’t on any time table or doing what anyone else had ever done. Their guide was the Holy Spirit, what an amazing testimony and life they lived. They had to live in constant fear of being killed, but they kept doing miracles and preaching boldly. This is a great allegory to the story of Herod, but Paul and Barnabas reacted differently, they cried out that the people may know the true God. This is crazy to see the swing of events: they think they’re gods, they try to sacrifice to them, the Jews come in and spread lies, and immediately they stone Paul “Hermes” and leave him for dead. Okay, so Paul gets back up and goes into the city that is ridiculous. That part of the story just blows me away, what a man of God!!! Then many people believed there! WHAT?!?! First Missionary Journey Complete!

QUESTIONS & THOUGHTS

-How would you respond if people wanted to make you their god? Would you accept and sit on their throne like Herod or reject and point to the true God like Paul?

-What does it look like to blaze unfamiliar territory? What is the mission field that God is calling you to this year?

-In these stories who do you find yourself identifying with the most? Paul? Barnabas? The Jews? The people hearing the message? Put yourself in each category as you read. How does the story change from each perspective?

-Check your heart, would you go back into the city? Or would you run with everything you had in the other direction?

-It’s awesome to see them go back and encourage the believers and help them establish a church. Who do you need to go back to encourage in your life? Are there some people that you haven’t talked to in a long time that God is calling you to call and check on?