Keep Missions in Mind

Mission Reports

Gather

• Missionary newsletters, emails, or social media posts.

Steps

1 . Make several missionary reports available to your students. Have them read the reports aloud.

2. Talk about the reports.

ASK: What surprised you in the reports?

ASK: What did you learn about mission work from the reports?

ASK: Why do missionaries give reports to their supporters?

Because they are accountable to their supporters and in particular their sending church.

3. Transition to the Bible lesson.

This session covers Paul's first missionary journey. Luke's account provides us with a snapshot of mission work. The snapshot should encourage all of us to be involved in mission work.

Introduction

Acts 13:2–3 KJV 1900

As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them. And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.

Mission Work Is Supernatural

The Spirit conducts the work

Acts 12:25–13:1 KJV 1900

And Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem, when they had fulfilled their ministry, and took with them John, whose surname was Mark. Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.

God placed quality leadership in the church at Antioch. Along with Paul and Barnabas, Simeon, Lucious, and Manaen served as prophets and teachers. It's possible Simeon was from Africa. Manaen grew up as an adopted brother of Herod the Tetrarch (Antipas), who reigned during the time of Christ. Manaen would have witnessed familial rivalries and betrayal while growing up. He no doubt recognized the stark difference Christ makes in relationships and leadership.

While conducting their regular spiritual disciplines of worshiping God and fasting, the Holy Spirit spoke to the leaders and instructed them to separate Barnabas and Saul for a special work. The leaders readily responded and sent them out.

Acts 13:4 KJV 1900

So they, being sent forth by the Holy Ghost, departed unto Seleucia; and from thence they sailed to Cyprus.

ASK: How might the Holy Spirit select and send out missionaries today? He introduces them to the need for missions and works in their hearts to draw them to mission work, giving them an irresistible desire.

Consider all the work that went into preparing Saul to be a missionary. The Spirit took an active role all along the way. The Holy Spirit faithfully prepares and sends His missionaries.

Satan counterfeits the work

DISPLAY: Bible Map poster. Point out the route of the first missionary journey as you cover it.

Paul and Barnabas left the mainland for the island of Cyprus. Rome governed Cyprus at that time. The Roman senate appointed a deputy, or proconsul, named Sergius Paulus to rule the island.

The missionaries landed near Salamis. They preached there and then crossed the mountains to get to Paphos on the western shore. While at Paphos, Paul encountered a Jewish false prophet named Bar-jesus, also caned Elymas the sorcerer. Bar-jesus meant "Son of Jesus. 'l Elymas claimed to be the Jewish spokesperson for the island. When Elymas tried to turn Sergius Paulus away from hearing the gospel, Saul looked at him intently and sternly rebuked him.

Acts 13:9–10 KJV 1900

Then Saul, (who also is called Paul,) filled with the Holy Ghost, set his eyes on him, And said, O full of all subtilty and all mischief, thou child of the devil, thou enemy of all righteousness, wilt thou not cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord?

Elymas didn't fool Paul (Saul). Paul exposed him as a fraud working for the devil to pervert, or twist, the straight ways of the Lord. Satan uses counterfeit religions to distract unbelievers from God's truth. He twists elements of God's truth.

ASK: What twisted versions of the gospel does Satan use today? A person can only be saved by belonging to the Catholic church; infant baptism saves a person; good works can save a person; God will save everyone.

Paul's judgment on Elymus illustrated the sorcerer's spiritual blindness.

Acts 13:11–12 KJV 1900

And now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon thee, and thou shalt be blind, not seeing the sun for a season. And immediately there fell on him a mist and a darkness; and he went about seeking some to lead him by the hand. Then the deputy, when he saw what was done, believed, being astonished at the doctrine of the Lord.

ASK: In what way was Paul's harsh judgment on Elymus also kind? It exposed Elymus's personal need to accept the truth about Jesus.

When Sergius Paulus witnessed the judgment on Elymus and heard Jesus' teaching from Paul, he was astonished and believed in Jesus. No doubt he influenced the island for Christ.

Today, Islamic Muslims from Turkey control the northern third of Cyprus.

Satan uses Islam to sow hatred for Jews and Christians among Muslims. Like Elymus, Muslims believe a twisted version of God's truth. They are spiritually blind and in need of a faithful witness to show them the truth. Southern Cyprus still has traces of the gospel. About seventy-eight percent call themselves Christians, but most of them are Greek Orthodox or Catholic. Those groups neither believe nor preach the true gospel. The island nation, then, is again ripe for missionary work.

DISPLAY: Resource 25-RIO. The image is an aerial view of a modern village in Aradippou, Cyprus.

Mission Work Is Instructional

Paul knew the Bible

Paul and his company sailed from Cyprus to Pamphylia, where John Mark left the journey. Perhaps John didn't agree with Paul's ministry to the Gentiles.

Paul and Barnabas traveled inland to Antioch in Pisidia. Paul visited a Jewish synagogue and spoke to the assembly. His sermon summarized key truths from the Old Testament and revealed his deep knowledge of the Bible.

Acts 13:16–22 KJV 1900

Then Paul stood up, and beckoning with his hand said, Men of Israel, and ye that fear God, give audience. The God of this people of Israel chose our fathers, and exalted the people when they dwelt as strangers in the land of Egypt, and with an high arm brought he them out of it. And about the time of forty years suffered he their manners in the wilderness. And when he had destroyed seven nations in the land of Chanaan, he divided their land to them by lot. And after that he gave unto them judges about the space of four hundred and fifty years, until Samuel the prophet. And afterward they desired a king: and God gave unto them Saul the son of Cis, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, by the space of forty years. And when he had removed him, he raised up unto them David to be their king; to whom also he gave testimony, and said, I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfil all my will.

ASK: What was the key difference between

King Saul and King David? Saul was the people's choice for a king; God eventually removed Saul for ongoing disobedience; David, a man after God's own heart, loved and obeyed God.

Paul used the contrast between Saul and David to emphasize God's authority over Israel and the coming of God's Son, Jesus.

Acts 13:23–26 KJV 1900

Of this man’s seed hath God according to his promise raised unto Israel a Saviour, Jesus: When John had first preached before his coming the baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel. And as John fulfilled his course, he said, Whom think ye that I am? I am not he. But, behold, there cometh one after me, whose shoes of his feet I am not worthy to loose. Men and brethren, children of the stock of Abraham, and whosoever among you feareth God, to you is the word of this salvation sent.

ASK: What noticeable transition does Paul make in his message in verse 26? He transitions from Israel's history to God's dealing with the Jews in the present.

Paul connected Israel's history to Jesus' offer of salvation. And though Paul spoke the message, he said the word of salvation had been sent to them. The audience would have understood that God, not Paul, primarily sent them the message of salvation. Paul went on to describe the gospel so they might accept it.

Acts 13:27–31 KJV 1900

For they that dwell at Jerusalem, and their rulers, because they knew him not, nor yet the voices of the prophets which are read every sabbath day, they have fulfilled them in condemning him. And though they found no cause of death in him, yet desired they Pilate that he should be slain. And when they had fulfilled all that was written of him, they took him down from the tree, and laid him in a sepulchre. But God raised him from the dead: And he was seen many days of them which came up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are his witnesses unto the people.

ASK: What did Paul include in the gospel? The death, burial, resurrection, and resurrection appearances of Christ.

Paul declared God's glad tidings—the gospel—to the Jews. But in case they were still skeptical, he wisely presented Old Testament prophesies of Jesus' resurrection.

Acts 13:32–37 KJV 1900

And we declare unto you glad tidings, how that the promise which was made unto the fathers, God hath fulfilled the same unto us their children, in that he hath raised up Jesus again; as it is also written in the second psalm, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee. And as concerning that he raised him up from the dead, now no more to return to corruption, he said on this wise, I will give you the sure mercies of David. Wherefore he saith also in another psalm, Thou shalt not suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. For David, after he had served his own generation by the will of God, fell on sleep, and was laid unto his fathers, and saw corruption: But he, whom God raised again, saw no corruption.

David wrote in Psalm 16:10 that God would not allow His Holy One to see corruption. David wasn't the Holy One, for David's body saw corruption. The verse points to Jesus, Who rose from the grave and escaped corruption. Jesus' resurrection made salvation possible. The gospel hinges on Jesus' resurrection.

Acts 13:38–39 KJV 1900

Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins: And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses.

Paul offered the Jews justification through the resurrected Christ. To be justified means to be legally declared righteous. The law of Moses, by contrast, can't justify the sinner. It simply expresses God's standard of righteousness and exposes sin.

Paul ended his address to the Jews by quoting Habakkuk 1 as a warning to those who despised the gospel.

Acts 13:40–41 KJV 1900

Beware therefore, lest that come upon you, which is spoken of in the prophets; Behold, ye despisers, and wonder, and perish: for I work a work in your days, a work which ye shall in no wise believe, though a man declare it unto you.

Those who rejected Paul's message did so in fulfillment of God's prophecy through Habakkuk. Their denouncement of Paul's message proved the prophecies about Christ's resurrection are true!

Paul had to know Scripture before he could share it effectively. He knew Scripture well enough to present a strong argument to the Jews.

Paul Knew His Audience

Some of those who heard Paul were persuaded to continue in the gospel. The Gentiles, who had been listening in on Paul's sermon, showed interest in hearing more. The next Sabbath, Paul returned to address the eager Gentiles (13:42—44).

Acts 13:44–46 KJV 1900

And the next sabbath day came almost the whole city together to hear the word of God. But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with envy, and spake against those things which were spoken by Paul, contradicting and blaspheming. Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles.

Any interest the Jews had in Paul's message was lost when they saw the synagogue filled with Gentiles. They tried to contradict Paul before he even started preaching. Knowing this, Paul directed his message to the Gentiles.

Acts 13:47–48 KJV 1900

For so hath the Lord commanded us, saying, I have set thee to be a light of the Gentiles, that thou shouldest be for salvation unto the ends of the earth. And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of the Lord: and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed.

Paul quoted Isaiah 42:6 as evidence that God's plan all along was to offer salvation to the Gentiles. That verse brought great joy to the Gentiles. They put their faith in Jesus and became His witnesses.

The Jews despised Paul and Barnabas even more and made them leave town. The gospel, though, had taken root. The disciples left behind were filled with joy and the Holy Spirit (Acts 13:50-52).

Paul used Scripture to make points his audience would understand. He maintained that pattern throughout his ministry while never compromising the truth.

Conclusion