Lesson Date: August 21, 2011

Focal Scripture Passage: Acts 13:1-52

AIM: To lead adults to discover some basic facts about Christian missionaries, and to participate in missions through personal involvement and financial support.

 

INTRODUCTION (Create Learning Readiness): Before class: Write the following question on the white board or chalkboard: “How Would You Describe A Missionary?”

When class begins: Ask the class to brainstorm that question (in a brainstorming activity, members suggest any thoughts that come to their minds as quickly as possible without comment or evaluation by the teacher).

Allow a few moments for the brainstorming activity, and then tell the class that today they will learn about part of Paul’s First Missionary Journey.  They will also discover some basic facts about missionaries in today’s lesson.  Give everyone a copy of the worksheet titled “Missionaries.”

 

HEART OF THE LESSON (Bible Study):

1.     Review.

a.     Tell the class that they have already studied 12 chapters of the book of Acts. 

b.     Briefly review those chapters, using the “Chapter Summaries” found on pages 9-10 of the Sunday School Teacher Book.

2.     The Beginning of Paul’s First Missionary Journey.

a.     Read Acts 13:1-5 to the class.

b.     Ask: “What did the Holy Spirit tell the prophets and teachers in the church at Antioch?” (to set Barnabas and Saul apart and send them forth as missionaries).

c.     Ask: “What did the church do to show their approval of Barnabas and Saul, and to show that the two men were under the church’s authority?” (they laid hands on them).

d.     Ask everyone to locate the maps in the back of their Bibles.  Most Bibles include a map of Paul’s missionary journeys.  The verses you have just read describe the beginning of Paul’s First Missionary Journey.

e.     Verses 4-5 tell us that Barnabas, Saul, and John Mark traveled from Antioch to Cyprus.

f.      Locate Antioch and Cyprus on the classroom map and help everyone find them on their maps.  Barnabas was a native of Cyprus (Acts 4:36).

3.     Cyprus.

a.     On Cyprus, the missionaries encountered some interesting people.  They witnessed to a government official and a sorcerer.

b.     Ask the class to listen for what the sorcerer tried to do, as you read Acts 13:6-12 (he tried to turn the government official away from faith in Jesus Christ).

c.     Ask: “What happened to the sorcerer?” (he was struck blind).

d.     Ask: “What happened to the government official?” (he was saved).

e.     Using information in the Sunday School Teacher Book (page 59), explain why Saul is now called Paul.

4.     Paul’s Ministry in Antioch of Pisidia.

a.     Direct everyone’s attention to their maps again.

b.     Read Acts 13:13-15, and explain that the missionaries traveled to southern Turkey, and then moved inland to an important city named Antioch of Pisidia.  Explain that this is a different Antioch from the one where Paul and Barnabas began their journey.  Locate Antioch on the classroom map and be sure everyone has found it on their maps.

c.     Ask: “Where did they go first in Antioch?” (the synagogue).

d.     Synagogues were places where Jews met each Sabbath for scripture reading, teaching, and prayer.  Paul always took the gospel message first to the Jews.

e.     Paul and Barnabas were invited to speak to the Jews assembled in the synagogue.

5.     Paul’s Message to the Jews.

a.     Ask a volunteer to read Acts 13:16-26.

b.     Paul recounted Israel’s history from their time in Egypt up to the time of King David.  He made it clear in verse 23 that Jesus Christ, a descendant of David, is the Messiah and Savior.

c.     Ask: “According to verse 26, what word did Paul bring to the Jews?” (the word of salvation through Jesus Christ).

d.     Ask a volunteer to read Acts 13:27-37.

e.     Paul said that the Jews in Jerusalem did not believe Jesus was the Messiah so they put Him to death.  He also told about Jesus’ resurrection.

f.      Ask: “According to verses 36-37, what was different about David and Jesus?” (Jesus arose from the dead but David did not).

g.     Read Acts 13:38-41.

h.     Ask: “According to verse 38, what can a person have through Jesus Christ?” (forgiveness of sins).

i.      Ask: “According to verses 39-40, what is possible through Jesus Christ that is not possible through the Law of Moses?” (justification – being made right with God).

j.      Paul urged his Jewish listeners to believe these things.

6.     Paul Took His Message to the Gentiles.

a.     Ask a volunteer to read Acts 13:42-47.

b.     Ask: “How many people came together the next Sabbath to hear Paul preach God’s Word?” (almost the whole city).

c.     The Jews grew envious of Paul because of the large crowd that came to hear him, so they opposed Paul.

d.     Ask: “Since the Jews rejected the gospel, to whom did Paul turn his attention?” (the Gentiles – this was in obedience to the command God had given the Jews centuries earlier in Isaiah 49:6 to evangelize the world).

7.     Salvation and Opposition.

a.     Read Acts 13:48-52.

b.     The Gentiles rejoiced that Paul would preach to them about Jesus.

c.     Ask: “Who believed the gospel and was saved?” (the elect – those whom God had appointed to receive eternal life – see (Rom. 8:29-30; Eph. 1:4-5; 1 Pet. 1:2; Rev. 17:8).

d.     The Jews stirred up more trouble, so Paul and Barnabas traveled on to the next town.

e.     Ask: “How did they react to the opposition they encountered?” (they didn’t let it bother them; in fact, they were even filled with joy).

 

PERSONAL APPLICATION: Ask everyone to take out their “Missionaries” worksheet.  Ask the questions on the sheet and allow time for some public responses.  Lead the class to get the right answers on their sheets:

What is a missionary?  A person who carries the gospel message of salvation to other people.

Who can be a missionary?  A Christian who is called by God and approved by his or her local church.

Missionaries should operate under the authority of the church.

What message should missionaries proclaim?  Salvation by grace through faith in Jesus Christ.

To whom should missionaries take this message?  Those who are willing to hear.

How should missionaries respond to opposition?  Shake it off, be joyful, and continue on.

Ask the class members to answer the last two questions privately.  Encourage them all to become personally involved in missions by participating in outreach efforts through their Sunday School class.  In the weeks leading up to Christmas we will promote the Lottie Moon Offering for International Missions.  Encourage everyone to give to that.  Lead a prayer of commitment to be involved in missions.

 

CONCLUSION: Ask everyone to memorize Acts 13:47.  Encourage them to look for opportunities to tell others about Jesus Christ this week.  Remind them to read Acts 14.  Be certain everyone receives a Sunday School Member Quarterly for Fall 2011.