November 15
Lesson 11
FROM DERBE TO PHILIPPI
DEVOTIONAL READING: Matthew 8:18–22
BACKGROUND SCRIPTURE: Acts 16:1–15
ACTS 16:1–5, 8–15
1 Then came he to Derbe and Lystra: and, behold, a certain disciple was there, named Timotheus, the son of a certain woman, which was a Jewess, and believed; but his father was a Greek:
2 Which was well reported of by the brethren that were at Lystra and Iconium.
3 Him would Paul have to go forth with him; and took and circumcised him because of the Jews which were in those quarters: for they knew all that his father was a Greek.
4 And as they went through the cities, they delivered them the decrees for to keep, that were ordained of the apostles and elders which were at Jerusalem.
5 And so were the churches established in the faith, and increased in number daily.
8 And they passing by Mysia came down to Troas.
9 And a vision appeared to Paul in the night; There stood a man of Macedonia, and prayed him, saying, Come over into Macedonia, and help us.
10 And after he had seen the vision, immediately we endeavoured to go into Macedonia, assuredly gathering that the Lord had called us for to preach the gospel unto them.
11 Therefore loosing from Troas, we came with a straight course to Samothracia, and the next day to Neapolis;
12 And from thence to Philippi, which is the chief city of that part of Macedonia, and a colony: and we were in that city abiding certain days.
13 And on the sabbath we went out of the city by a river side, where prayer was wont to be made; and we sat down, and spake unto the women which resorted thither.
14 And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worshipped God, heard us: whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul.
15 And when she was baptized, and her household, she besought us, saying, If ye have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house, and abide there. And she constrained us.
KEY VERSE
After he had seen the vision, immediately we endeavoured to go into Macedonia, assuredly gathering that the Lord had called us for to preach the gospel unto them.
—Acts 16:10
THE CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY COMES ALIVE
Unit 3: Spreading the Gospel
LESSONS 9–13
LESSON AIMS
After participating in this lesson, each learner will be able to:
1. List the significant events in Paul’s travels through Derbe, Lystra, Troas, and Philippi.
2. Compare and contrast Paul’s decision to circumcise Timothy with Paul’s opposite decision regarding Titus (Galatians 2:1–5).
3. Identify a short-term mission trip in which to participate and plan to do so.
LESSON OUTLINE
Introduction
A. Macedonian Call
B. Lesson Background
I. New Helper (ACTS 16:1–3)
A. Timothy’s Pedigree (vv. 1, 2)
B. Paul’s Decision (v. 3)
Building Bridges
II. Renewed Strength (ACTS 16:4, 5)
A. Message (v. 4)
B. Growth (v. 5)
III. New Mission Field (ACTS 16:8–15)
A. Vision in Troas (vv. 8, 9)
B. Journey to Macedonia (vv. 10–12)
Sensing God’s Leading
C. Woman of Faith (vv. 13–15)
Conclusion
A. Worldwide Evangelism Today
B. Prayer
C. Thought to Remember
HOW TO SAY IT
Aegean
Uh-jee-un.
Bithynia
Bih-thin-ee-uh.
Cyprus
Sigh-prus.
Derbe
Der-be.
Egnatian
Egg-nay-shun.
Galatia
Guh-lay-shuh.
Iconium
Eye-ko-nee-um.
Lystra
Liss-truh.
Macedon
Ma-seh-dawn (a as in mad).
Macedonia
Mass-eh-doe-nee-uh.
Mysia
Mish-ee-uh.
Neapolis
Nee-ap-o-lis.
Perga
Per-gah.
Philippi
Fih-lip-pie or Fil-ih-pie.
Phrygia
Frij-ee-uh.
Pisidian Antioch
Pih-sid-ee-un An-tee-ock.
Samothracia
Sam-o-thray-shuh.
Syrian Antioch
Sear-ee-un An-tee-ock.
Timotheus
Ti-mo-the-us (th as in thin).
Troas
Tro-az.
_______________________________
What Do You Think?
What are some concessions or accommodations that we might need to make in order to minimize distractions to the gospel message?
Talking Points for Your Discussion
■ Within the local church as a whole
■ In our individual lives
■ In our patterns of family life
■ Other
_______________________________
What barriers limit our church’s spiritual and numeric growth? What can we do about these?
Talking Points for Your Discussion
■ Regarding “out front” ministries
■ Regarding “behind the scenes” ministries
■ Regarding collaboration with other churches
■ Other
_______________________________
How should we evaluate what seem to be God’s directional calls today?
Talking Points for Your Discussion
■ Regarding biblical tenets
■ Regarding the weight to be given to subjective impressions (feelings, etc.)
■ Regarding the seeking of objective viewpoints (input from others, etc.)
■ Other
What Do You Think?
Where are your favorite places to pray? Why?
Talking Points for Your Discussion
■ Places with minimal distractions
■ Places having certain visual aids
■ Other
_______________________________
What Do You Think?
How can you help your church enhance ministry to its members whose occupations keep them on the road a lot?
Talking Points for Your Discussion
■ Regarding needs assessment
■ Regarding prayer support
■ Other
_______________________________
What Do You Think?
How can you help your church enhance ministry to its members whose occupations keep them on the road a lot?
Talking Points for Your Discussion
■ Regarding needs assessment
■ Regarding prayer support
■ Other
_______________________________
Prayer
Lord, how can they hear without a preacher? Give us urgency and commitment for the task of taking the gospel to the lost throughout the world. We pray in the name of Jesus, the one who commanded us to make disciples of all nations; amen.
Thought to Remember
Listen for God’s call and heed it.
Krause, Mark S. et al. “From Derbe to Philippi.” The KJV Standard Lesson Commentary, 2015–2016. Ed. Ronald L. Nickelson and Jim Eichenberger. Vol. 63. Cincinnati, OH: Standard Publishing, 2015. 95. Print.
Comments