Pastor's Sunday School Blog
Sunday School Lesson
“The Method: Missionaries”
January 28, 2018
Acts 13:1-3; 14:8-28
Pastor’s Notes:
God’s plan for growing His kingdom is the process of moving and multiplication; believers creating ever widening circles, planting the seeds of the Gospel along the way.
This is the Great Commission: As you are going make disciples …
The question we need to be asking is not what should we be doing (that answer doesn’t change), but where (“Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and the ends of the world”).
God sends out missionaries through His church (Acts 13:1-3).
Verse one reveals the early organization of the church. The Holy Spirit gifting believers to perform certain tasks.
Verse two reveals the ongoing ministry of the church: “worshiping and fasting”
(prayer).
The Holy Spirit is ultimately the leader (as He represents Christ, the Head of the Church) in the organization of the church.
Seeking the Lord through worship and prayer will set the Holy Spirit free to work in the midst of the church.
Where the Holy Spirit is leading the hearts of believers in the framework of the church there will be teaching, worshiping, and intercession.
This passage shows God’s plan for church planting … Grow and divide; it’s not about how big is your congregation, but the number you are willing to send out to start new works.
DISCUSS – When was the last time God chose someone from our congregation to leave where they are and go somewhere else for the purpose of sharing the Gospel to a lost world? How can we be involved in church planting or starting a new work.
God sustains missionaries through opposition and suffering (Acts 14:8-20).
Miracles had a three-fold purpose in the early church: (1) provide for a need (2) authenticity of the Gospel message and messenger (3) the glory of God. This is the criterion by which we should judge the validity of miracles today.
Miracles are not intended to prosper the miracle-worker. Miracles are not conditioned by cost (when a price tag is attached to the miracle), but by grace and faith.
APPLICATION – When you succeed at a task make sure GOD gets all the credit, all the glory.
NOTE – verses 15-17 speak to God’s general revelation; God revealing Himself through nature. See Romans 1:19-20.
Persecution often follows obedience. See 2 Timothy 3:12.
Many believe that the events recorded in verses 19 -20 are referenced in 2 Corinthians 12:1-9.
Paul’s commitment is highlighted by the fact that after he was stoned, and left for dead, not only survived or revived, he went back into the city and resumed his ministry. What does that say to those who quit the ministry, or quit the church, because SOMEONE offended them, hurt their feelings.
God strengthens His church through missionary efforts (Acts 14:21-28).
Evangelism was the initial emphasis of their missionary journey; however, on their return discipleship seems to take priority, teaching disciples, strengthening believers reminding them of their responsibilities, the reality of hardship associated with obedience to God, and the organization of the local church body.
Note the association between prayer and fasting (fasting is the sacrifice of self in some form in order to become more fully devoted/attentive to the Lord.
Paul and Barnabas gave a “praise report” making sure what they accomplished was accomplish by God through them … To God be the glory great things He has done
Theological Theme: God’s kingdom grows through missionary outreach to the unreached.
Christological/Christ Connection: The message of the missionary is the offer or a relationship with God through Jesus Christ.
Missional Application: God calls His church to send and support missionaries. As believers we are all missionaries tasked with reaching the lost world starting with those closest to us.