
Paul’s First Missionary Journey
Jay Haugh
February 21, 2021
Acts 13:1-12
You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. —Acts 1:8
The Antioch Church is a sending church
Now there were at Antioch…then when they fasted and prayed and laid their hands on them, they sent them away. —Acts 13:1, 3 NASB
They pursued God and God sent them out to pursue others.
And when he [Barnabas] found him [Paul], he brought him to Antioch. And for an entire year they met with the church and taught considerable numbers; and the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch. —Acts 11:26 NASB
Disciples are making disciples
Now there were in the church at Antioch prophets and teachers, Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen a lifelong friend of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them. —Acts 13:1-2
P.A.I.L.
P: Paphos
A: Antioch of Pisidia
I: Iconium
L: Lystra
When they arrived at Salamis, they proclaimed the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews. And they had John to assist them. —Acts 13:5
Sharing the gospel isn’t an event. It’s a lifestyle.
When they arrived at Salamis, they proclaimed the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews. And they had John to assist them. —Acts 13:5
Christianity is a continuity and correct appraisal of the Old Testament
When they arrived at Salamis, they proclaimed the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews. And they had John to assist them. —Acts 13:5
Paul always has a younger guy with him.
When they had gone through the whole island as far as Paphos, they came upon a certain magician, a Jewish false prophet named Bar-Jesus. —Acts 13:6
He was with the proconsul, Sergius Paulus, a man of intelligence, who summoned Barnabas and Saul and sought to hear the word of God. —Acts 13:7
But Elymas the magician (for that is the meaning of his name) opposed them, seeking to turn the proconsul away from the faith. —Acts 13:8
Elymas means “wise one.”
But Saul, who was also called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked intently at him and said, “You son of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness, full of all deceit and villainy, will you not stop making crooked the straight paths of the Lord?” —Acts 13:9-10
“And now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon you, and you will be blind and unable to see the sun for a time.” Immediately mist and darkness fell upon him, and he went about seeking people to lead him by the hand. —Acts 13:11
Miracles validate the message and the messenger.
Then the proconsul believed, when he saw what had occurred, for he was astonished at the teaching of the Lord. —Acts 13:12
BIG IDEA
The Gospel saves those who are blind, trains the saints and is meant to be shared with others.
SMALL GROUP STUDY GUIDE
The First Missionary Journey Acts 13:1-12
Lectio Divina
Lectio Divina is a spiritual practice developed by St. Benedict in the sixth century as a way to meditate on and engage with the Word of God. As a group you will read through a passage of Scripture slowly three times, pausing between each reading to reflect and share. While theology may inform what you hear, this encounter is meant to highlight what the Word is brushing up against right now in your life. Expect this practice to take 15-20 minutes. Specific details for your group are laid out below.
Select one person to read Acts 13:4-12. Take a 10-15 second pause before you begin reading slowly through the passage. If you are not the one reading, feel free to follow along in your own Bible. While the passage is read, pay attention for a word or phrase that jumps out to you. When the passage is complete, pause for another 10-15 seconds. Go around your group and invite everyone to simply share the word or phrase that stuck out to them or say “pass.”
Select a new person to read Acts 13:4-12. Pause for 10-15 seconds before beginning to read slowly through the passage. During this reading let an image come to mind. This image may or may not be literal; figurative images can help you process the passage and hear what God has to say. Not everyone has a visual mind, so if an image doesn’t surface, that’s ok. When the passage is complete, pause for another 10-15 seconds. Again, go around your group and invite everyone to share the image that came to mind. If nothing came to mind or you do not want to share, just say “pass.”
Select a new person to read Acts 13:4-12. Again, pause for 10-15 seconds before starting. This time listen for an invitation from God. To what is He inviting you today? At the end of this reading, pause for 30-45 seconds to allow everyone a few moments to be still and quiet with God. Invite everyone to share what they experienced during this time through the passage. Limit this time of sharing to just one minute per person so everyone gets a chance to share.
Open the conversation to the group. Are there ways God is trying to activate you or your group? The “activated” group processing questions (page 6) are a helpful guide as your group engages with this material and with God.
ACTIVATED: GROUP PROCESS
How is God activating your group this week?
Share how you are sensing God’s call on your 2 life this week. Listen as others share with you.
Lean into the Holy Spirit and spur one another on. This may include encouragement or asking questions.
Pray over these specific activations in the lives of one another.
What did you enjoy about this group experience?
What was uncomfortable?
How do you think a regular practice of this could benefit our group?
SELF-REFLECTION
How did God get your attention during your personal rhythms with Him this week?
What is one thing God brought to your attention while listening to the sermon this week?