LGC - Unstoppable Part 22

Curriculum

Dive Deeper

Unstoppable (Part 22)

Serene Lim

INTRODUCTION

This week, we continue with Paul and Barnabas’ first missionary journey to the cities of Iconium, Lystra and Derbe. They had great evangelism success in Iconium. And God confirmed their message as true with many signs and wonders. However, just as before, their success triggered opposition from the unbelieving Jews who then instigated the crowd to rise up against them. They then fled to Lystra and Derbe and continued preaching the gospel there.

In the course of their mission to spread the gospel, Paul and Barnabas faced many violent oppositions and threats on their lives, yet these threats did not stop them from being single-minded in the task that God wanted them to do. Expect opposition when you are part of the Kingdom of God, but press on!

DISCUSSION

Have you faced opposition when sharing the gospel? How did you respond? How can we grow in spiritual maturity even in the midst of opposition?
Read Acts 14.

a. What do you think caused Paul and Barnabas to spend a considerable amount of time speaking boldly (14:3) in Iconium despite the intense persecution? Can you think of a time in your life where opposition spurred you on to greater effort? Explain.

b. Compare Acts 14: 8-18 with Acts 3:1-10 where the apostles Peter and John healed the lame man begging at the temple gate.

i. Discuss the similarities and differences. Why do you think the reactions to the same type of healing were so different?

ii. What reaction did Paul and Barnabas have toward those who wished to worship them (14:14-18)? What are the “useless things” that Paul referred to in verse 15? What are some examples of contemporary useless things?
What did Paul say is involved with entering the Kingdom of God (14:22)?

a. How do you see this as true today? Give specific examples.

b. When you think of Paul’s comment, what kinds of things do you fear?
Seeing all the opposition they faced, why do you think Paul and Barnabas considered the journey a success (Acts 14:24-27)?

WHAT WILL YOU DO

The spread of the Gospel message is Unstoppable. History has proven it. Paul and Barnabas, Peter and John, missionaries in the field, and those serving God in the fields, persevere in their mission despite intense hardship and persecution with a single-mindedness of fulfilling God’s call on their lives. Are you committed to that single-mindedness of being focused on completing God’s assignment for your life? All believers are on their own missionary journey. Can you stop focusing on the opposition and start looking for what God is doing through you?

MEMORY VERSE

“Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 3:13