December 17
Lesson 3 (KJV)
Faith to Persevere
Devotional Reading: 2 Corinthians 1:3–11
Background Scripture: Acts 14; Colossians 2:6, 7
Acts 14:8–11, 19–23
8 And there sat a certain man at Lystra, impotent in his feet, being a cripple from his mother’s womb, who never had walked:
9 The same heard Paul speak: who stedfastly beholding him, and perceiving that he had faith to be healed,
10 Said with a loud voice, Stand upright on thy feet. And he leaped and walked.
11 And when the people saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voices, saying in the speech of Lycaonia, The gods are come down to us in the likeness of men.
19 And there came thither certain Jews from Antioch and Iconium, who persuaded the people, and, having stoned Paul, drew him out of the city, supposing he had been dead.
20 Howbeit, as the disciples stood round about him, he rose up, and came into the city: and the next day he departed with Barnabas to Derbe.
21 And when they had preached the gospel to that city, and had taught many, they returned again to Lystra, and to Iconium, and Antioch,
22 Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.
23 And when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed.
Photo: mokee81 / iStock / Thinkstock
Key Verses
When [Paul and Barnabas] had preached the gospel to that city, and had taught many, they returned again to Lystra, and to Iconium, and Antioch, confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.
—Acts 14:21, 22
Faith in Action
Unit 1: The Early Church Proclaims Faith in Christ
Lessons 1–5
Lesson Aims
After participating in this lesson, each learner will be able to:
1. Describe the experiences of Paul and Barnabas in Lystra and nearby cities.
2. Compare the experiences of Paul and Barnabas with those of Christians experiencing opposition in the present.
3. Choose attitudes and behaviors that express faithful persistence in challenging circumstances.
Lesson Outline
Introduction
A. Misheard Lyrics
B. Lesson Background
I. Miracle and Misidentification (Acts 14:8–11)
A. Result of Faith (vv. 8–10)
B. Conclusion of Crowd (v. 11)
II. Attack and Aid (Acts 14:19, 20a)
A. Opposition (v. 19)
What Goes Around Comes Around?
B. Support (v. 20a)
III. Departure and Return (Acts 14:20b–23)
A. To Derbe (v. 20b)
B. In and from Derbe (vv. 21, 22)
Back to the Front Lines
C. Selection (v. 23)
Conclusion
A. Power Seen in Suffering
B. Prayer
C. Thought to Remember
HOW TO SAY IT
Antioch
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An-tee-ock.
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Barnabas
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Bar-nuh-bus.
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Corinthians
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Ko-rin-thee-unz (th as in thin).
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Cyprus
|
Sigh-prus.
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Derbe
|
Der-be.
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Galatians
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Guh-lay-shunz.
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Iconium
|
Eye-ko-nee-um.
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Lycaonia
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Lik-uh-o-ni-uh.
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Lystra
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Liss-truh.
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Pisidia
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Pih-sid-ee-uh.
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synagogue
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sin-uh-gog.
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Syria
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Sear-ee-uh.
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Tarsus
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Tar-sus.
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________________________________________________________
What Do You Think?
What did you learn about God from an occasion when you exercised your Christian faith publicly?
Talking Points for Your Discussion
■ Regarding surprising results and reactions
■ Regarding unsurprising results and reactions
________________________________________________________
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What Do You Think?
What can we do to correct misperceptions of what being a Christian implies?
Talking Points for Your Discussion
■ As perceived through the lens of pop culture
■ As perceived through the lens of former churchgoers
■ As perceived through the lens of science
■ Other
________________________________________________________
Visual for Lesson 3. Start a discussion as you point to this visual while asking, “What interferes with our hearing God’s call on our lives?”
________________________________________________________
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What Do You Think?
When was a time God called you to minister in a hostile environment? How did things turn out?
Talking Points for Your Discussion
■ Regarding ministry to a fellow believer
________________________________________________________
■ Regarding ministry to an unbeliever
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________________________________________________________
What Do You Think?
Whose experience with suffering inspires you? Why is that?
Talking Points for Your Discussion
■ Regarding one who suffered loss of health
■ Regarding one who suffered loss of job
■ Regarding one who lost a family member
________________________________________________________
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What Do You Think?
What specific situations call for prayer and fasting today? Why?
Talking Points for Your Discussion
■ Among fellow Christians
■ By Christians in the presence of unbelievers
_______________________________________________________
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Weatherly, Jon, Charles R. Boatman, et al. “Faith to Persevere.” The KJV Standard Lesson Commentary, 2017–2018. Ed. Jim Eichenberger et al. Vol. 65. Colorado Springs, CO: Standard Publishing, 2017–2018. 143. Print.
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