Page 75 - Acts Student Textbook

Study Section 16: Second Missionary Journey

16.1 Connect.

This mission trip took much longer than the first journey, possibly lasting 3-4 years. It
focused primarily in Macedonia, and Achaia which is modern Greece. This section teaches us
two important facts about an effective missionary. Firstly, an effective missionary has to
have some time to study the culture of a people group he intends to reach. Paul in this
section demonstrates how such kind of an approach effectively worked. Secondly, he needs
to have a team that has the same goals and zeal for ministry. We will see how Paul’s men would
unwaveringly suffer with him and willingly submitted to go in dangerous places Paul sent them for
the sake of the gospel. Let’s get started…

16.2 Objectives.

1. The student should be able to describe different approaches to presenting the gospel as
we look at Paul employing a variety of methods in his second missionary journey.

2. The student should be able to explain why the Holy Spirit is called the Spirit of Jesus.

3. The student should be able to describe how the leading converts at Philippi came to the faith.

4. The student should be able to explain the underlying reasons for Paul’s protest when they
released him secretly from the Philippian jail.

5. The student should be able to observe the character of the Bereans toward Paul and the
Scriptures and how that affects us today.

6. The student should be able to analyze Paul’s hearers at the Areopagus.

7. The student should be able to determine how Paul contextualized his sermon to the Athenians in
helping them understand the gospel.

8. The student should be able to summarize Paul’s content of his message to the Athenians.

9. The student should be able to explain how the Book of Acts helps us understand some background
matters of the letters to the Thessalonians (1, 2Thessalonians).

16.3 Paul’s Second missionary journey: evangelization of Macedonia and Achaia (15:36-18:22)

Launching the second missionary journey begins immediately after the Jerusalem council
(15:36-16:5). John Mark was part of the missionary team (13:13; sequel in Col. 4:10; Phlm.
24; 2 Tim. 4:11; 1 Pet. 5:13; 1 Cor. 9:6). They moved through Phrygia-Galatia to Troas and
the call to Macedonia (16:6-10).

Did Paul understand the Great Commission?

He definitely did! In 16:5 we see another Luke’s summary statements (cf. 6:7; 9:31; 12:24; 16:5;
19:20; 28:31). Here shows that Paul had a heart for discipling others (cf. 14:22; 15:36; 15:5).

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