BIBLE STUDY LESSON 07
SERIES V --- JOURNEYS FOR YESHUA
TWO CITIES
THE SECOND MISSIONARY JOURNEY: THESSALONICA AND BEREA
From Acts 17:1-15
After Paul and Silas said goodbye to Lydia and the other believers at Philippi, they travelled through Amphipolis and Apollonia to Thessalonica. Paul began his ministry as usual at the local synagogue. For the next three Sabbaths he taught from the Scriptures and reasoned with the people, showing how the Moshiach promised by the prophets had to suffer, die and rise again, and how Yeshua was that Moshiach. Some became believers, including a large number of godly Greek men and also a number of prominent women. When the Jewish leaders saw that, they became jealous, formed a mob and started a riot. They attacked Jason’s house, searching for Paul and Silas. When they discovered that the apostles were not there, they dragged Jason and some other believers before the city authorities. [The two men who upset the world have been guests in Jason’s home,] they charged. [They teach that there is another king Named Yeshua, which is clearly against Caesar.] The crowd and city authorities were disturbed by these charges and forced Jason and the other believers to put up money for their release. That night the believers took Paul and Silas secretly to Berea. Paul and Silas, as usual, began their ministry in the synagogue, where they taught from the Scriptures. The people in Berea were much more receptive than those in Thessalonica, listening carefully to the missionaries. For many days they kept on searching the Scriptures to make sure the message which Paul and Silas preached was true. Many Bereans believed, including a number of men and prominent Greek women. But before long, news of Paul’s Berean ministry reached Thessalonica, so the Jewish leaders sent troublemakers to stir up the people against them. The Berean believers immediately sent Paul to Athens, accompanied by some of their people, while Silas and Timothy remained behind. As soon as Paul’s escorts saw him safely to Athens, they returned to Berea with word that Silas and Timothy should join Paul as soon as possible.
COMMENTARY
SIGHTS THAT PAUL SAW: THE PARTHENON
From its position high atop the Acropolis the ruined Parthenon sits like a crown over the city of Athens. It was there when Paul preached at Mars’ Hill, only a few hundred feet away, and he, too, must have marvelled at its stunning beauty. The Parthenon was built in the fifth century B.C., during the time of Pericles. Athen’s greatest artist, Pheidias, supervised the construction of the temple. Except for the wooden roof, the entire building was made of gleaming white marble. Every block was carefully cut and polished by skilled masons. The temple was dedicated to the city’s patroness, Athena, the goddess of truth and justice. Pheidias himself carved the tremendous gold and ivory statue of the goddess that stood inside the shrine. The Parthenon stood on the highest point of the Acropolis. Although it was the largest and most impressive building, it was not the only temple on the sacred hill. Athena shared the Acropolis with the shrine of Artemis Brauronia, the bear-shaped goddess worshiped by the young women of Athens. Nearby stood the Erectheion, dedicated to Poseidon, god of the sea. Two more temples honoured Zeus, king of all Olympian gods and goddesses.
And he called the twelve and began to send them out two by two, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits.
Mark 6:7
#yeshua gave his disciples authority to cast out demons before his resurrection and Pentecost. This is a reminder that, although there was a change in the nature of the relationship between the faithful and God's Spirit at Pentecost/Shavuot, people were also filled with the Spirit and did mighty works through his power before that day.
Happy 5th month!
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Happy Tuesday! Today we're going to talk about ways to manage time without looking like people who don't have a loving Father to take care of us. https://archive.aweber.com/awlist6425868/CavZk
Everyone wants to be healthy, there is a two part secrete that goes together to achieve that. If you want to be healthy make wise choices about the things you eat, if you want to be Holy make wise choices about the things you do. Together these two seemingly very different things can keep your mind, heart and body healthy.
DEVOTIONAL
A Transformed People
Have you ever had a major status change? Maybe you graduated from school, became a parent, or got a promotion at work. It can be disorienting waking up the next morning and everything has changed.
We all go through an instant status change when we become Christians. Whatever labels others might put on us—or we might put on ourselves—God chooses to offer us transformation and give us a new identity as people of light, His beloved children. We read this in John’s gospel:
"Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God. We are all children of God."
John 1:12-13 NIV
In 1 Peter 2:9-10, Peter also uses other descriptions, saying that we have become a royal priesthood and a holy people. God sought us out even when we were stuck in our own ways, and transformed us by His Spirit. Instead of being held captive by our past, we are blameless and free in Him.
The word “people” is important. This isn’t just about us as individuals. We are now part of God’s family, called to be in relationship with one another. We don’t have to go on the journey of following Jesus alone. We are given the gift of brothers and sisters who are often very different from ourselves. Through and with them, we see aspects of God we could never have discovered alone.
We are invited to see every person as someone made in God’s image, and to be curious about their story. Who are the people who come to mind whose story you don’t know so well?
Spend some time thanking God for welcoming you with open arms into His family. Think of a few ways that you could show others that they are welcome and valued this week.
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