Study Guide and Daily Devotion
Monday, June 6
Begin by looking at the leaders of the church in Antioch. Antioch was the
third largest city in the Roman Empire. If you have a map in your Bible look
for Antioch. It is north of Israel in what is Syria today. This quickly became
a major center of Christianity and the place Paul spent many years before
undertaking his missionary journey with Barnabas. Read Acts 13:1-3. Simeon
was also known as “Niger”, which is Latin for black. He was likely
a black African. Barnabas was from Cyprus, Lucius was from northern Africa,
Paul was from Turkey, Manaen was a playmate of King Herod Antipas. What does
God’s choice of leaders for the church tell us about God? Tell us about
Christianity? Paul captures this in Galatians 3:26-28. Finally notice that
Paul did not go on the mission alone, but went with Barnabas, whose name meant,
“son of encouragement”. What does this say about the Christian
life?
Tuesday, June 7
According to Paul in Galatians 1:17 his first missionary journey was to Arabia.
But according to Acts, the first missionary journey of Paul begins in Antioch.
This journey was all traveled by ship and on foot over 1000 miles. Look at
a map in your Bible and see where Paul and Barnabas traveled. Read Acts 13:4-12.
Barnabas was from Cyprus, here we see his desire to share Christ with his
homeland. I verse 5 we read about John also called Mark. Legend has it that
this is the one who wrote the Gospel of Mark. Paul’s encounter with
Elymas is reminiscent of the confrontation between Elijah and the prophets
of Baal in I Kings 18:19-40. Read Acts 13:13—52. here you will read
Luke’s version of Paul’s first sermon. What strikes you about
this sermon? What is the emphasis that Paul gives to Jesus’ life? Notice
the success Paul has in his first sermon. See how Paul addresses both the
Jews and devout converts. It was Paul’s success with recruiting the
devout converts who were Gentiles that threatened the existing Synagogues.
What was Paul’s response to being driven out of town? How could they
feel this way?
Wednesday, June 8
Paul continues his journey. Read Acts 14:1-20. At first Paul is hailed as
a god. How is Paul’s response different from Herod Agrippa, read Acts
12:19-23? Paul tasted success at Lystra that people praised him. What is the
danger of being successful? Do you ever struggle with pride or feelings of
superiority? What should the heart of a Christian be regarding success? Notice
also that Paul’s success is short lived. What happens to us when we
build ourselves up with pride?
Thursday, June 9
Read Acts 14:21-28. In this brief passage we read a bit of Paul’s strategy
for helping the fledgling churches get established. What did Paul do to help
these churches become established as he revisited them on the way home? Imagine
the return to Antioch and Paul telling the stories of what God had done through
them.
Friday, June 10
Let’s end by examining the major theme from last Sunday, humility. Read
Philippians 2:3-4. How did Paul exemplify this in Lystra when he refused to
be hailed as a god? Read Galatians 4:13-15 at Paul’s physical infirmity.
This might also be the “thorn in the flesh” in 2 Corinthians 12:7-10.
Read Galatians 6:14-15. What is it that Paul has to boast about? What does
it mean to be crucified in the sense that Paul uses?
First
United Methodist Church 