WEEK 6(May 24?30)
THE GOSPEL ADVANCES (ACTS 13?14)
VERSE FOR MEDITATION
After the reading from the Law and the Prophets, the rulers of the synagogue sent a message to them,
saying, “Brothers, if you have any word of encouragement for the people, say it.” So Paul stood up, and
motioning with his hand said….Let it be known to you therefore, brothers, that through this man
forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you.
ACTS 13:15, 38
OPENING THOUGHT
The rulers of the synagogue had no idea what they were in for when they asked Paul and his friends to
give the people a word of encouragement. They certainly didn’t expect a history lesson that
crescendoed with Christ’s forgiveness for the Gentiles beyond that of the hardhearted Jews. They were
livid and incited to violence.
Strangely enough, words of encouragement are intended to provoke. “Let us consider how to stir up
one another to love and good works,” writes the author of Hebrews. Stirring up (the Greek word
“paroxysmos”) is actually a provocation. Proverbs 18:21 reads, “Death and life are in the power of the
tongue.” Words have power, and Christians are to wield their words powerfully and purposefully.
Ironically, this practice takes great sensitivity. There are few opportunities, like Paul’s at
Antioch in Pisidia, afforded to us to formally give a word of encouragement to an individual or a group.
We must be sensitive to the needs of others—attentively ready to stir things up when the opportunity
presents itself. In their book Encouragement, Larry Crab and Dan Allender write, “Encouragement
occurs most effectively when opportunities are seized rather than created…if we attend to
commonplace interactions with a sensitive ear, a ministry motivated mind, and a loving heart, we will
not lack for opportunities to encourage.”
Paul’s message of forgiveness was exactly what the crowd needed to hear. There are words that others
need to hear from us—words that may only flash in our minds for a moment, words that, if we’re not
careful, may come and go without action. The call on the believer’s life is to be sensitive to needs, to
hear and to respond to the Spirit’s prompting and to encourage.
QUESTIONS
Read Acts 13:1?12 and work through the following directions.
1. There is something powerful about a smaller community rallying behind an international missionary.
As FaithPoint prepares missionaries to go to Haiti, there are opportunities for groups to support and
care for those being sent. Pray for one or all the missionaries and even consider how upir group may
serve them.
Read Acts 13:13?52 and answer the following questions.
2. The journey from Perga to Antioch was a hike—100 miles over a mountain range to a plateau some
3,600 feet above sea level and through passes notorious for hiding bandits. Beyond the physical
training required for such a feat, consider the level of spiritual commitment to the mission. Where can
we tighten up our routine to get in better shape for the mission? What excuses do we fall back on
when we are undisciplined? Where do we find grace when we get lazy?
Read Acts 14 and answer the following questions.
3. Upon arrival to a new city, Paul regularly goes first to the Jewish synagogues. Paul, while an apostle
to the Gentiles, never gives up on the Jews—his heritage. While there is a time, in the face of continual
rejection of the gospel, to dust off your sandals and move on, there are those we will never give up
hope on. Who among you—family or friends—will always top your prayer list? Who are those you will
never give up on?
4. Chapter 14 concludes with what is known as Paul’s first missionary journey. The summary statement
on the trip home is, “We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God.” What are
some hardships you’ve experienced on your journey of faith? Share your stories with the group.
Rejoice in how you’ve been sanctified by these trials.
ACTIONS TO CONSIDER
• “How delightful is a timely word” (Prov. 15:23). Make it a practice to immediately message
(email, text, call) a friend when God lays that individual on your heart.
• Take a look at your daily and weekly spiritual routine and make adjustments.
• Pray for lost family and friends that continually reject the gospel