Friday: Further Study – Paul’s First Missionary Journey
Further Study: “During the life of Christ on earth he had sought to lead the Jews out of their exclusiveness. The conversion of the centurion and of the Syrophenician woman, were instances of his direct work outside of the acknowledged people of Israel. The time had now come for active and continued work among the Gentiles, of whom whole communities received the gospel gladly, and glorified God for the light of an intelligent faith.
Image © Stan Myers from GoodSalt.com
The unbelief and malice of the Jews did not turn aside the purpose of God; for a new Israel was grafted into the old olive-tree. The synagogues were closed against the apostles; but private houses were thrown open for their use, and public buildings of the Gentiles were also used in which to preach the word of God.”—Ellen G. White, Sketches From the Life of Paul, p. 51.
“In all their missionary endeavors Paul and Barnabas sought to follow Christ’s example of willing sacrifice and faithful, earnest labor for souls. Wide-awake, zealous, untiring, they did not consult inclination or personal ease, but with prayerful anxiety and unceasing activity they sowed the seed of truth. And with the sowing of the seed, the apostles were careful to give to all who took their stand for the gospel, practical instruction that was of untold value. This spirit of earnestness and godly fear made upon the minds of the new disciples a lasting impression regarding the importance of the gospel message.”—Ellen G. White, The Acts of the Apostles, p. 186.
Discussion Questions:
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This weeks lesson has been about Paul's first missionary journey and while some approach was made to the Gentiles, it seems that much of the real work was among the Jews.
I see a parallel with modern times where we are to continue to spread the gospel to the whole world, yet we are in danger of ignoring our own unchurched neighbors. If Jesus or Paul was to come into our churches today, I wonder if they would be preaching to us about the mind-shift that we need to make in order to spread the Gospel to our "Gentiles" - the unchurched secular people of the world. Would we perhaps be admonished to give up "traditional ways" of talking about spiritual things?
Personally, I have a burden for the unchurched, because so many of my secular friends reject Christianity, not because they disagree, but because they see the hypocrisy that masquerades as Christianity. The only spiritual language that these folk understand is the one where they see us living a life consistent with the principles that Jesus taught.
We use a lot of spiritual self-justification to explain why we cannot convince these folk about Christianity, but maybe we need to examine ourselves more deeply. So much of our discussion in our Bible study is in a language that our "Gentiles" would not understand. I have made this point before but I would like to restate it here. In the modern context, if the Holy Spirit was poured out on us and we spoke in tongues, would the language that we speak be one that unchurched folk would understand?
I agree if the 'unchurched' don't see Jesus reflected in our lives they won't be interested in what we say.
However if they do see Jesus in our lives and are interested - how would we explain the benefits (in secular terms) of accepting Jesus as one's Lord & Saviour?
How or what would we teach them in the beginning
I think that sometimes we confuse "teaching" with "learning". As a teacher, it took me longer than it should have to get my head around that idea. As a Chemistry teacher, I initially thought that teaching the right answers was a good thing and it took a lot of failures on my part to recognize that teaching the right answers was not the way. I had to model the way to learn. When students saw me working in learning mode they responded and developed and together we learned.
With our spiritual witness, we will be more effective if we ditch the idea that we are spiritual "know-it-alls" and use a "let's learn together" approach. That requires patience and persistence, gifts that only the Holy Spirit can provide.
Absolutely "know-it-all" will be the worst case. With people who are churched, I share by saying I am always looking for treasures in the Bible and "look what I have discovered the other day"
I understand the Principles you have put forward, what I am looking for are suggestions how to start conversations with unchurched people when they show some interest.
I believe one of the best ways to get to a point where we can share Jesus is to ignore the teaching for a while and just live like Jesus feed the hungry heal the sick and generally love the broken and unchurched (along with the the churched- never forget that the membership may not all be as understanding as we wish). At any rate I am convince when kind acts are performed without the ulterior motive of convincing the unchurched to see things my way more will see Jesus and want to know more! Try to love without a motive to change and watch the holy Spirit do the changes needed!
Yes Sharon you are so right, however I asking what do you say when "they want to know more"? Peter says we need to be ready to give an answer
1Pe 3:15 ... be ready always to give an answer to everyone who asks you a reason of the hope in you, with meekness and fear;
'Altitude' they say: 'is everything'. One way I think we can get to the 'unchurch' in our various locality in this modern age is through our altitude to issues. Feeding the hungry with smelling altitude will not market the gospel an inch.
Perhaps we should just "hold forth the word of Truth", and teach from the bible with a "Thus saith the Lord". We can deal with the personal responses once they are given. If filled with the Holy Spirit, self will be buried deep and make no claim of knowing it all. Jesus was "meek and lowly of heart", as will any be who take His yoke and learn of Him.
If we focus on the life of faith, the wrong influences will fall away with all pride, selfishness, and love of this world. This is how the gospel works if received. Those who exhibit a wrong character have not yet received the gospel have they? This is why the church must fast and pray for God to reveal whom should be sent to labor in public for the lost. The Holy Spirit will not appoint an unfaithful soul, while we might do so quite easily because we look on the outward appearance. The disciples mostly thought Judas was the most qualified, and at times, even above Jesus. Seems they were wrong. But once converted, they sought the Lord in every decision and were led by the Holy Spirit as promised. This may yet be our experience today.
I agree with what you are saying Robert. My concern is that sometimes we get the bit between the teeth and in our enthusiasm go beyond the leading of the Holy Spirit. Sometimes Christianity is best expressed by being silent. For example, in the public forums where I have an interest, I sometimes hear atheists express an anti-christian sentiment. I know that an answer would only create a flame-war and be totally unproductive. I am reminded of the times that "Jesus answered them not a word". Actions speak loudly when words are not appropriate.
Shirley, why the need for "secular terms"? Study Jesus' methods, which alone will work. He proclaimed the truth, and those open to it responded. The Holy Spirit is already bringing conviction to every soul, no matter their claim to believe or deny God. We need only to provide the invitation to receive the Lamb of God in Christ. If they ask "who?!", the door of opportunity has just been open wide to teach them "Who". Otherwise, most of them will already know, and either accept or reject the invitation. If our "success" matches the success of Jesus' efforts, we could expect that very few will accept, while many will wish to "crucify" us. This is the peril of gospel work in this fallen world where Satan controls most minds. Wasn't this point made clear in our lesson this week?
Sorry about your friends Maurice, yet this is everywhere because false "christianity" is prevalent in every church. The church has done more harm to the cause of Christ through unbelief, and we need to look no further than self to confirm this. As we repent of this unbelief, we may be transformed and become partakers of the Divine nature as promised. We can only be Christ's witnesses if we are personally yoked together with Him and walk as He walked among men.
I'm not sure why you see no effort for the unchurched as you mention. Every church I have been a member of, save one perhaps, was very active in such outreach in their respective communities. There was no distinction of whom we invited to meetings and classes opened to the whole community. I'm sure you can find like-minded fellow believers and begin in some way to reach those being neglected. It's God's work and He will prosper all efforts to be obedient to His will.
Saturday: Commitment - Now the just shall live by faith; but if any man draw back, My soul shall have no pleasure in him.
Sunday: sought - Someone might seek HIM (Jesus), with curiosity, for political advantage, and some with a true desire to know HIM but the Spirit of the Lord uses every opportunity of the seeker to germinate a new blade of grass in the heart of the one who is seeking.
Monday: Know - the Jewish leaders did not KNOW Him, nor even the voices of the Prophets which are read every Sabbath but the bible says, my sheep know my voice.
Tuesday: law - Sinners redeemed by grace is no longer under the suppression of the law. Those who are under grace, the moral law is written within the heart so that they might not sin.
Wednesday: Message - for I made the decision to know nothing [that is, to forego philosophical or theological discussions regarding inconsequential things and opinions while] among you except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified [and the meaning of His redemptive, substitutionary death and His resurrection].
Thursday: Faith - Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.
Friday: Presentation - The gospel presented to the Jews in the biblical historical perspective (Acts 13). The gospel presented to the gentiles in Lystra, Paul mentions creations, rain, fruitful crops which would be related to the gentiles (Acts 14). When we present the gospel, we must ask for discernment to present the gospel in clarity of the audience.
I agree with Maurice regarding the parallel with modern times. Last night I watched the last of three episodes (on SBS) television of the state of homeless people mainly around Sydney in Australia. What a tragedy it was. We the 'ordinary' walk past these folks; we walk past them on the street and don't look them in the eye, or treat them as humans with their human problems.
The program highlighted there is not enough support or places for the mentally ill, or affordable housing for youth and the elderly particularly women who because of the culture of the stay at home housewife after the war -have not been able to put away finance for their old age. Preventative measures for youth also was highlighted in lack of family support, and involvement in domestic violence; generally men are silent in their need for male support; and the program also showed the effects and long lasting damage of paedophilia.
I felt the viewing audience had no problem in understanding why a lot of these homeless people resort to taking drugs as they feel incapable of finding solutions they are able to satisfactorily put into place for themselves. Many are in fear of harm from others in like conditions and circumstances. Self harm is often a way of coping or actually suiciding.
In my view, a lot of folks seem in the program just wanted simple love. Love for someone to listen to their needs; Love enough for us to share our resources including money. Love enough to adequately supervise any church work/worker, that it is actually not causing harm, and reporting what they find if it is not meeting standards. And love from governments too, but that depends on US leading our politicians in what is necessary in our communities. As church goers I can see we have a lot of work to do in our society. Arguing over the colour of carpets in church buildings or excluding folk to a church service on the way people dress – (or smell) or on the same sex- partner they may have– is futile for a Christ centred people in the city or in the countryside.
Godbless today and send to us an increasing measure of your Holy Spirit.
Mrs A Stolz.
"the purpose of God; for a new Israel was grafted into the old olive-tree"
This is one of my concerns that so many Christians do not understand that Spiritual Israel are part of God's plan that started with literal Israel.
God's character has not changed! His Principles and His Plan of Salvation for the human race has not changed! Because of human limitation God has had to progressively real His full Plan to us. His Principles of Life have not changed only sometimes the applications may appear different because He takes into consideration the understanding and maturity of the people at different stages.
For example EG White once said every woman should learn how to harness a horse to a buggy (if I remember correctly) but that wouldn't apply to day, maybe she would say every woman should be able to change a tyre. The application is different but the Principle is the same - woman should be able to travel on their own.
1. The experience with Mark was similar to the experience with Peter. How did Jesus deal with Peter after his denial? If looking to men, their examples will often be flawed. Wouldn't Paul be the first to remind us of this?
2. If our mind is not stayed upon the Lord, we will often forget to glorify Him for what He has done.
3. If keeping always before us the prosperity of the gospel, prayer together and encouragement will be a constant activity, especially when the dangers of this world are recognized. Today many seemed to be embracing the spirit of the world, and see no real need for encouragement to resist temptation and stand apart from the worldly ways, being faithful in all things as God has given us counsel.
4. We may avoid falsehood by studying to show ourselves approved unto God through a knowledge of and obedience to His word(Ps 119:9-16). As Jesus taught: “if any man will do His(God) will, he shall know of the doctrine”. Any departure from His statues will blind us to our unbelief, thinking that we are believers, while only taking Jesus name(Isa 4:1).