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1. An apology or a promise? Paul sent a message to the early church with an assurance and a promise (Phil 3:13-14.) What were they? Imagine it happening today. What would Paul do with a laptop computer and email? Not to mention our church’s many other communications channels. How far would you be willing to travel to hear Paul speak? As missionaries in the 21^st century today, how should we evaluate Paul’s work as an apostolic missionary in the early days of the church?
2. Greeks and Jews. All we’ve been hearing lately about Greece is the country’s severe financial and political problems. In Paul’s day what were the people of Greece known for? Did Paul adjust his missionary style for each country or cultural group he visited? How should we follow his example in today’s missionary programs? Can every culture of the world be approached through a ministry based on common beliefs or feelings? Did Paul ever modify any of his Christian beliefs in order to make friends with those from another culture? Examples, please.
3. Paul and the Big Screen. Did Olympic-type contests of physical might and prowess make entertainment for the ancient Greeks in the same way that competitive sports events do for us today? What differences stand out in the comparison? How did the Roman military take advantage of  the availability of young men who savored the opportunity to compete for military victories? How were people recruited from other cultures rewarded for signing up with the Romans? Is there a lesson there for us today that shows us how we should train and employ volunteers in Christ’s army?
4. Laws for Jews only. What confusion resulted when Paul began preaching the difference between God’s laws for the Hebrews and those for Christians? How would you feel after your people had followed the sacrificial system to the last detail for centuries—only to learn that its meaning had been fulfilled in Christ and was no longer needed? How can you as a Christian distinguish between the law of Sabbath observance and the laws of the Hebrew people? How do you feel when people tease us by calling us “Jews”? Has it always been “teasing”?
5. The cross and the resurrection. Why is our church’s strong belief in earthly death so hard for people to accept or even consider? What is there about “resting in peace” that is such a barrier to our non-Adventist Christians friends? What about you? Do you find disappointment or peace in God’s way of letting us sleep after death, uninterrupted until He comes? Did Paul believe that only God has immortality? Why? Which way does God’s immortality extend: future? Past? both? What concerns God the most—the future of God’s people? the past?
6. Mark and forgiveness. Are you surprised to read about disagreement between Paul and Mark and other church leaders of his time? Why or why not? Do you feel sympathy for Mark  in his struggle with missionary life? What did Barnabas see that was promising about Mark that Paul could not or would not see? How should the story of Mark help to arm us develop a desire to be understanding and sympathetic to those who are younger or not as settled in the gospel mission of the church?

Current Lesson

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