Acts 15:39-16:10: Session 5: Kingdom Work

 

Acts 15:39-16:10: Session 5: Kingdom Work

LEADER GUIDE, EXPLORE THE BIBLE, LIFEWAY ADULTS: PAGES: 57-68 (ISSN 1930-5877; ITEM 005075122)

Session 5: Kingdom Work
Acts 15:39-16:10
Memory Verse: Acts 16:5
Believers must stay focused on God's purposes.  

Context: Paul and Barnabas' missionary journey: Their journey continues, and Barnabas wanted Mark to accompany them on their missionary journey, but Paul adamantly opposed the idea because Mark had previously abandoned them. In this case, instead of one mission going to Antioch, two mission trips were born. Barnabas and Mark went to Cyprus, while Paul and Silas to Asia minor. Paul later went to Derbe and Lystra where he met Timothy. Timothy was well-known and influential but was not circumcised. In an effort to spread the Gospel more effectively, Paul circumcised Timothy. Paul knew that each area would have certain traditions that would need to be respected to gain an audience and spread the Gospel.  

Q: Which do you find harder-- disagreements with a stranger or with a close friend?  

This session points to some situations that could have been distracting for Paul and his missionary team and how he remained focused on his work for the gospel. 

Plan Threatened: Acts 15:39-41

Application Point: When disagreements arise between believers, they can choose to separate amiably.

39 They had such a sharp disagreement that they parted company, and Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed off to Cyprus. 40 But Paul chose Silas and departed, after being commended by the brothers and sisters to the grace of the Lord. 41 He traveled through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.

SIDENOTE (SN): Their missional journey was to explain that what saves individuals is Jesus through faith and not their works. 

Question: Why is unity important for the ministry of the gospel? 

Plan Activated: Acts 16:1-5

Application Point: God uses His people to grow His kingdom.

Paul Selects Timothy

16 Paul went on to Derbe and Lystra, where there was a disciple named Timothy, the son of a believing Jewish woman, but his father was a Greek. 2 The brothers and sisters at Lystra and Iconium spoke highly of him. 3 Paul wanted Timothy to go with him; so he took him and circumcised him because of the Jews who were in those places, since they all knew that his father was a Greek. 4 As they traveled through the towns, they delivered the decisions reached by the apostles and elders at Jerusalem for the people to observe. 5 So the churches were strengthened in the faith and grew daily in numbers.

SIDENOTE (SN): Despite being Jewish through his mother's line, Timothy's Greek father would not have circumcised his son. Still, Jews, even though living in predominantly Gentile cultures, would expect him to honor his Jewish heritage. Paul understood that Timothy's lack of circumcision could hinder the gospel in many cities. So, he made sure Timothy was circumcised. 

Paul did not circumcise him as a path to salvation. He did it to make it easier for people to hear and respond to the gospel.

Question: Who mentored you in the faith? Whom can you mentor in the same way?

Plan Altered: Acts 16:6-7

Application Point: The Holy Spirit helps us to know where God can use us best for His purposes.

Evangelization of Europe

6 They went through the region of Phrygia and Galatia; they had been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia. 7 When they came to Mysia, they tried to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them.

SN: Plans change from time to time, and even the best plans require some sort of flexibility, especially when one is sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit. As a result, they stopped following their own itinerary and started focusing on the plans of the Spirit. 

Question: When have you felt God tell you "No" when you thought you were doing something good? How did that feel?

Q: How can we respond when God's plans take us to unexpected places? How would you contrast experiences when you've followed and when you've resisted God's direction?

Transition: After being told "no," Paul is given a "yes."

Plan Confirmed: Acts 16:8-10

Application Point: God will show us where and how He can use us for His plans.

8 Passing by Mysia they went down to Troas. 9 During the night Paul had a vision in which a Macedonian man was standing and pleading with him, “Cross over to Macedonia and help us!” 10 After he had seen the vision, we immediately made efforts to set out for Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.

Question: How would you react to the vision if you were Paul? Why?

Q: How does the Holy Spirit speak to believers today?

SN: Paul received a vision that established a new direction and a new priority for the team. Visions were fairly common in Acts, especially for Peter and Paul. The Greek wording emphasizes the divine origin of what was seen.

Sometimes, our plans align perfectly with what God is doing. Other times, He needs to close a door on us. Either way, we need to trust Him. Like Paul, we need to listen for His voice and focus on His purposes for our lives and ministries. 

 Application Points: 

1. When disagreements arise between believers, they can choose to separate amiably.
2. God uses His people to grow His kingdom.
3. The Holy Spirit helps us to know where God can use us best for His purposes.
4. God will show us where and how He can use us for His plans.

CHALLENGE: 

God wants to use you for the furtherance of His kingdom

***What "open doors" has the Lord given you to share your faith with others? 

Make a list of opportunities that you will pursue this week. ***