A Man on a Mission
God did miraculous things through Paul (19:11). Now this same man has another mission, i.e. to go to Jerusalem, the city of peace. Acts tells us that he was in a hurry to reach Jerusalem by Pentecost if possible.
Acts 20 tells us that Paul retraced his steps from Corinth to Macedonia, and then set sail to meet the elders from Ephesus.
Read Acts 20: 17-21
- Describe Paul’s feelings about the church at Ephesus from these verses.
- A missionary’s life is not without pain and tribulation. What phrase does Luke use in verse nineteen to describe Paul’s trials?
- Is a missionary (different) (same as) a pastor? Can a person be a missionary without being a pastor today? List types of missionaries used by your church today.
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- Do we have any missionaries in the city <insert your city>? If so, give examples.
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- Verse twenty gives us some idea about Paul’s role as missionary to the Ephesians.
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- How does verse twenty-one tell us that our Lord Jesus is the Savior to ALL people?
Paul concludes his meeting with the elders at Ephesus. Read Acts 20:22
- This verse tells us that the Holy Spirit compelled Paul to go to Jerusalem. While not mentioned here, can you list one purpose of his return?
- The following verse tells us that Paul faces danger in Jerusalem. How can Paul’s words in verse twenty-four comfort you and me in our walk with Jesus? Look up these references and escribe the similarities to Luke’s passage.
- Hebrews 12:1b-2 _________________________
- Revelation 2:10 __________________________
Read Acts 20:25-38
- List instructions given:
- Verse 28: Keep _______________________
- Verse 28: Be _________________________
- Verse 31: Be _________________________
- Verse 32: God and His grace can ___________________
- Verse 34: In hard work, we must help ________________
- Verse 35: It is more ___________________________
- Paul and Silas depart Ephesus with tears. What does Luke tell us about what troubled the elders?
Overseer:
episkopos ep-is’-kop-os: a superintendent, that is, Christian officer in general charge of a (or the) church (literally or figuratively): bishop, overseer.
Paul’s long sea journey to Jerusalem begins. We are told that Paul stopped several times and was greeted by disciples in those locations. List their stops:
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Each time the disciples were concerned for Paul’s welfare regarding his return to Jerusalem. Agabus, the prophet, said, “Jews of Jerusalem will bind (you). . .and hand you over to the Gentiles.” What was Paul’s reply?
Paul concludes his statement with “The Lord’s will be done.” When Paul wrote his epistle of Romans, he reminds you and me that we are to be living sacrifices. Go to Romans 12:1-2. Under what circumstances can we know the will of God?
Paul’s words in Romans are heavy words, but nonetheless, very applicable to the household of faith. We must throw off that baggage that would prohibit us from doing God’s will and offer ourselves as “living sacrifices” holy and pleasing to God.
Let’s use this time to talk about those “things” that attempt to hold us back from doing God’s will in our lives.
Heavenly father You alone are one who has given us the perfect role model in Your Son Jesus. Help us to know your will for each of us as “Gospel vessels.” Help us to pour out the Good News from our hearts, our lips and by our actions. And when we fail, lift us up by your grace and mercy to continue on our path for the sake of the Kingdom. Thank you for the lessons of Paul today as we see that he faced many dangers for the sake of the Gospel. We pray for all missionaries of all types everywhere that they may boldly profess the name of Jesus from their lips. In Jesus’ name, Amen.