Barnabas and Saul Sent Off - Acts 13:1-3
Understand It
- Who made up the leadership of the church at Antioch? (13:1)
- What was the leadership like at the church in Antioch? (13:1)
- What was the background of the church leaders at Antioch? (13:1)
- How did the church at Antioch become so cosmopolitan? (13:1)
- Despite their various backgrounds, how did the leaders of the church at Antioch function? (13:2)
- While they were worshiping and fasting, what did the Holy Spirit say to the men? (13:2)
- What did God want the church to do with Barnabas and Saul? (13:2)
- Why did the Holy Spirit tell the leaders to "set apart" Barnabas and Saul? (13:2)
- What were Barnabas and Saul called to do? (13:2)
- What preceded the departure of the missionaries? (13:3)
- Why did the church leaders lay hands on Barnabas and Saul? (13:3)
- Where did the missionaries go? (13:3)
Apply It
- What time can you commit to prayer each day for the staff of your church?
- When can you find time this week to write a letter of encouragement to a missionary?
On Cyprus - Acts 13:4-12
Understand It
- Who directed Barnabas and Saul on their journey? (13:4)
- Where did Barnabas and Saul go? (13:4-5)
- What did the missionaries do in Salamis? (13:5)
- Who helped Barnabas and Saul? (13:5)
- Whom did Barnabas and Saul meet at Paphos? (13:6-7)
- Why did the proconsul send for Barnabas and Saul? (13:7)
- What did Bar-Jesus (Elymas) do? (13:8)
- How did Saul (also called Paul) respond to Elymas? (13:9-11)
- Why did Elymas oppose the Word of God? (13:10)
- What was the judgment against the sorcerer? (13:11)
- When Sergius Paulus saw the miracle, what did he do? (13:12)
Apply It
- How can you be helpful to a missionary or Christian worker in your church this week?
- In what situation do you need the Holy Spirit’s guidance this week?
In Pisidian Antioch - Acts 13:13-52
Understand It
- What happened at Perga? (13:13-14)
- Where did the missionaries go after leaving Perga? (13:14)
- What did the synagogue rulers say to Paul and Barnabas? (13:14-15)
- What were Paul and his companions invited to do in the synagogue? (13:14-15)
- In his initial response to the invitation to speak, what did Paul say? (13:16)
- In surveying the history of Israel, what key events did Paul mention? (13:17-22)
- How was the mention of David an easy transition to refer to Jesus (and his forerunner, John) in Paul’s message? (13:23-25)
- To whom was the message of salvation sent? (13:26)
- How did Paul confirm the fact of Jesus’ resurrection from the dead? (13:33-37)
- How is forgiveness of sins possible? (13:38-39)
- What did Paul say would happen to his hearers if they failed to recognize Jesus as Savior? (13:40-41)
- How did people respond to the message Paul preached? (13:42-43)
- What did the people do and say as Paul and Barnabas were leaving the synagogue? (13:42-43)
- What happened on the Sabbath after Paul first spoke in Perga? (13:44-45)
- Why did Paul and Barnabas turn their attention to non-Jewish (Gentile) audiences? (13:45-48)
- How did Paul and Barnabas turn to the Gentiles? (13:46-48)
- How did the Gentiles respond to the Word of the Lord? (13:48)
- What happened to Paul and Barnabas while God was causing the church to grow and become strong? (13:49-52)
- What price did Paul and Barnabas pay for telling people about Christ? (13:50)
- What effect did the opposition have on Paul and Barnabas? (13:51-52)
- What gave Paul and Barnabas joy? (13:52)
Apply It
- What verse or principle will help you have joy in whatever circumstances you face?
- In what settings can you be a witness for Christ this week?
- How can you stand strong when your Christian identity leaves you alone or isolated in some way?
