Sixth Sunday of Easter Acts 16:9-15

Context

This week’s reading from Acts recounts the call to Paul on his second missionary journey to go to Macedonia and his encounter with Lydia in Philippi. 

Textual Context

The structure of the Book of Acts can be read in the last words of Jesus in the first chapter (Acts 1:8). The disciples (now apostles) are to be witnesses in Jerusalem (1-8:3), Judea and Samaria (8:4-12:25), and to the ends of the earth (12:26-28:31). As we have progressed through Acts since Easter, we have only now jumped forward into this last third of the book.

The last third of Acts is mostly concerned with the missionary journeys of Paul. Having parted ways with Barnabas, Paul and Silas have picked up Timothy at Lystra, they ended up…

1. What are some times where you felt that God told you “no” when you wanted to do something? What are some times when you felt like God was telling you to do a specific thing? What was it like? How did you discern whether it was God speaking rather than just your own thoughts or desires?

2. Have you ever been on a foreign missions trip? (or even just a trip to another country?) What surprised you about the cultural differences you encountered? Why was cross-cultural missions so important to Paul?

3. Put yourself in Lydia’s shoes. How do you think she might have reacted to Paul, Silas, Timothy, and Luke (a mix of Jewish people and gentiles) who came to tell her…