Acts 14

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TALKS FOR GROWING CHRISTIANS

Paul’s First Missionary Journey Concludes

BACKGROUND NOTES



DOCTRINAL POINT(S)

  1. It is not wrong for believers to flee dangerous situations.

  2. It is wrong for believers to receive worship.

PRACTICAL APPLICATION

  1. Don’t forget to follow up!

  2. Don’t forget to report back!

QUESTIONS

  1. Where is Iconium?

  2. Where did Paul and Barnabas go first in Iconium?

  3. What is a proselyte?

  4. What did Paul and Barnabas do when their opposition attempted to physically mistreat and stone them?

  5. What happened when Paul and Barnabas arrived in Lystra?

  6. How do Paul’s experiences recorded in 2 Corinthians 12 relate to this passage?

ANSWERS

  1. Iconium was a city in central Asia of the Roman Empire and would be in central Turkey today.

  2. They went to the Jewish synagogue where they would have an audience of both the Jews and the Gentile proselytes.

  3. A proselyte was a non-Jew who believed in the one true God of Israel and followed Judaism to one degree or another.

  4. They left Iconium and fled to Lystra and Derbe.

  5. After they healed a lame man they were looked on as Greek gods by the citizens of Lystra. But Paul and Barnabas would not receive their worship. Instead they pointed them to the true God.

  6. It might have been following this severe stoning that Paul was “caught up to the third heaven.”

DISCUSS/CONSIDER

  1. It is not wrong for believers to flee dangerous situations. Discuss this point and how it could combat wrong thinking some believers might have about “Christian courage.”

  2. You might be surprised to learn how many people today are not familiar with the Christian story. When witnessing to people who have no knowledge of Scripture, we can always follow Paul and Barnabas’ example and start with the witness of Creation. Practice how you would actually do this.

CHALLENGE

  1. Paul and Barnabas retraced the steps of their missionary journey to strengthen and encourage the new believers. Responsible evangelism not only shares the gospel with people, but also trains them on how to become disciples of Christ.

KEY VERSES

  • “Therefore they stayed there a long time, speaking boldly in the Lord, who was bearing witness to the word of His grace, granting signs and wonders to be done by their hands.” Acts 14:3

  • “The gods have come down to us in the likeness of men!” Acts 14:11

  • “You should turn from these useless things to the living God, who made the heaven, the earth, the sea, and all things that are in them.” Acts 14:15

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