Week 1 Introduction Deployed Paul on Mission Presented

Week 1: Introduction Deployed: Paul on Mission Presented by Warm / Interactive / Relevant / Challenging / Action Oriented

Purpose • Learn about Paul; his mission, his motivation. • Explore what it means to be deployed; i. e. on mission. • By proxy, better understand our mission; i. e. our purpose, what God expects from us. • DEPLOY!

Paul, Apostle to the Gentiles • Of the 27 books of the New Testament, 13 came by way of Apostle Paul. • His writings were authenticated to be inspired scripture by Peter. ( 2 Peter 3: 1516 ) • Paul's influence on Christian thinking arguably has been more significant than any other New Testament author

Paul, Apostle to the Gentiles • His leadership, influence and legacy led to the formation of communities dominated by gentile groups that adhered to the Judaic "moral code" but relaxed or abandoned the "ritual" obligations of the Mosaic law on the basis of the life and works of Jesus Christ and the New Covenant. • These communities eventually formed Christianity

Thoughts • In his later life, after his conversion, where did Paul live? • He is not known for where he lived, but where he went; i. e. on mission • What causes a person to “leave home”, and “deploy”? • Thinking of Paul led me to remember many of our friends and acquaintances who are deployed. Can we learn something from them?

Survey • What cause someone to sacrifice self and commit to something bigger? • Three question survey: – What was your motivation for volunteering to deploy to a dangerous location? – What did you feel like you accomplished when you were there? – What was the personal cost that you paid to deploy? • What did you hear?

Next Week • I want to update our email list • Re acquaint yourself with our wiki (http: //connexionsonline. pbworks. com/ ). I’ll be posting class content and study guide. • Topic: Getting Acquainted with Paul

Week 2: Who Was Paul? Deployed: Paul on Mission Presented by Warm / Interactive / Relevant / Challenging / Action Oriented

Study Organization

Who Was Paul? • Paul or Saul? Why two names? – Saul – Hebrew “home” name – Paul – for use in the Gentile world. • Why do we predominantly know him as Paul? • Native of Tarsus, the capital of Cilicia, a Roman province in the SE of Asia Minor. • Tarsus was on the Cydnus river, and a center of commercial traffic, a university town.

Who Was Paul? • Paul’s father was a Jewish Pharisee, of the tribe of Benjamin (Acts 23: 6, Phil. 3: 5) and also a Roman citizen. • Paul had a sister and a nephew (Acts 23: 16) and the Bible speaks of other family (Rom. 16: 7, 11, 12). • There is no indication that Paul was ever married.

Who Was Paul? • According to Jewish custom Paul learned a trade before his higher education. What was Paul’s profession? • Tarsus was well known for a type of black goat’s hair – from which strong cloth (cilicium) was made; also used in tents • At age 5 Paul would have begun studying the Pentateuch. • At age 10 he would have graduated to the advanced study of the Mishnah.

What is Mishnah • In Judaism, the first part of the Talmud. The Mishnah is the systemized collection of both the Oral Law of the Old Testament, and of the political and civil laws of Judaism. • Mishnah is Hebrew and means "repeated study". The traditions of Mishnah goes back as far as 450 BCE, a period when all material was transmitted orally. • Mishnah is written in Hebrew, but has many words from Aramaic and Greek. It is arranged to 6 orders with 63 tractates, each tractate divided into chapters.

Who Was Paul? • By 13 he would have completed the study of the Mishnah and would be ready formal rabbinical school. • This is when Paul probably left home for Jerusalem, probably accompanied by his married sister (Acts 23: 16), to attend the Hillel rabbinical school. • Paul got his “Ph. D. ” under the renown rabbit Gamaliel I (Acts 22: 3).

Who Was Paul? • Paul grew up in the “Ivy League” town of Tarsus where he would have been exposed to Hellenistic thought (e. g. Stoicism). • His rabbinical training & pedigree were top notch. • Look at the tools that God equipped this man with; seemingly uniquely outfitted as “Missionary to the Gentiles. ”

Who Was Paul? • With this great pedigree, it’s no surprise that Paul rose to the rank of Sanhedrin. • Paul also led the defense of Judaism against this “cancerous corruption of Judaism”; i. e. Christianity. • Can you think of a personality today whose conversion would be more shocking that the conversion of Paul was to his contemporaries?

Next Week • See study guide and helps at http: //connexionsonline. pbworks. com/ ) • Topic: Section 2: Paul’s Conversion

Week 3: Paul’s Conversion Deployed: Paul on Mission Presented by Warm / Interactive / Relevant / Challenging / Action Oriented

Paul’s Conversion • Paul could have had an easy life! – – Excellent educational credentials Member of the Sanhedrin (e. g. Supreme Court) Well respected Jew – “Pharisee of Pharisees” Businessman / respected bloodline • Just when it looked like he was coming into his own something dramatic happened! What was it? • Some people have said this is the 2 nd most important event in human history.

Paul’s Conversion • Read Acts 9: 1 -9 • Paul was a man of action, not just words (see v. 2) • In v. 4 a voice asked, “. . . Why persecutest thou me? . . . ” • Who was speaking? • Had Paul persecuted Jesus? • Jesus identifies with His people!

Paul’s Conversion • Paul asked two questions; #1 in v. 5 & #2 in v. 6. What happened between those two questions. • Did Paul pray a sinner’s prayer? • Paul’s was a silent conversion but one can detect in his own statements that he had submitted to God’s purpose (i. e. will) for his life.

Paul’s Conversion • Who was with Paul at the time of his conversion? • Did they experience the same thing Paul did? • Paul’s conversion: – was both public and personal – was lifelong – changed his perspective

Paul’s Conversion • Was Paul physically changed at the time of his conversion? • He could not see and lost his appetite • Why do you think he was blind? • Thoughts: – Punishment? – Proof that he had a glimpse of God? – A parable acted out (a brief, succinct story that illustrates a moral or religious lesson) – the spiritual bankruptcy of his prior life

Paul’s Conversion • The Jews, especially the rabbis, used the image “guide to the blind” to describe their God-given role among the Gentiles. • Read Acts 26: 17. • What do you think was on Paul’s mind during those 3 days of blindness?

Paul, Welcome to Your New Life! • • Starts blind & hungry Healed & baptized Regained strength by eating Started preaching in the synagogue to the amazement of those who knew him before Jews plotted to kill him Escaped by cover of night to Jerusalem Other Christians were afraid of him “Sponsored” by Barnabus

The Bab Kisan (The Kisan Gate)

Paul, Welcome to Your New Life! • So we see early on Paul making a decision to “deploy”. Why? • Did he have a choice? • With a start like that now you know why I almost titled this study; “Paul, The Original Action Adventure Figure!” • Other observations? • Stay tuned, we’re just getting started.

Next Week • See study guide and helps at http: //connexionsonline. pbworks. com/ ) • Topic: Section 3: Early Christian Life

Week 4: Early Christian Life Deployed: Paul on Mission Presented by Warm / Interactive / Relevant / Challenging / Action Oriented

A Model for Ministry • Read Acts 9: 10 -19 • Ananias ministers to Saul as a convert: – He heals him – sight is regained – He instructs him – He comforts him – Finally He feed him – physical restoration – He baptized him • Ananias’s ministry models for us the supportive, restorative role the church is to play in the lives of the newly converted.

Paul’s Chronology Paul at Damascus 37 -40 AD First Journey 45 -47 AD Second Journey 51 -53 AD Third Journey 54 -58 AD Imprisonment in Judea 58 -60 AD Voyage to Rome 60 -61 AD Imprisonment in Rome 61 -63 AD Post-Imprisonment Journeys 63 -67 AD

Chronology Review • The crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ occurred in the spring of 32 AD. • Day of Pentecost (Acts 2), Stoning of Stephen (Acts 7: 59) • In about 37 AD, Jesus Christ speaks to Saul (Paul) on the road to Damascus. Paul is led blind to Damascus (Acts 9: 8). • After the visit by Ananias, Paul then goes to Arabia and returns to Damascus where he spends 3 years (Galatians 1: 17 -18 and Acts 9: 22 -23). • In 37 AD King Aretas took control of Damascus when Emperor Tiberius Caesar died. Paul departed from Damascus at night, being let down from the city wall in a basket (Acts 9: 25 and 2 Corinthians 11: 32). This could not have been after 40 AD, the year that King Aretas died.

Chronology Review (cont. ) • Paul met with Barnabus, Peter, and James in Jerusalem (Acts 9: 26 and Galatians 1: 18 -19). Paul in Caesarea and Tarsus (Acts 9: 30) Peter goes to house of Cornelius (Acts 10) • Barnabus gets Paul and they stay in Antioch (Syria) for one year (Acts 11: 26). This must be between 41 AD (beginning of Claudius Caesar's reign) and 44 AD (Acts 11: 28). Believers are first called Christians at Antioch. • James, brother of John, killed by Herod Agrippa I (Acts 12: 2). Herod Agrippa I dies in 44 AD (Acts 12: 23).

Divine Revelation • Read Acts 9: 17. Did Paul see a vision on the Damascus road? • Was this a “normal” conversion? • Read Galatians 1: 15 -17. • Where did Paul derive his authority? • Paul was chosen by God as an Apostle to the Gentiles. • We will see over and over that Paul spoke as one who had authority.

Then Jerusalem & Home • Read Gal. 1: 18 -19. • After 3 years Paul went to Jerusalem to see Peter and the other Apostles. Why? • Read Acts 11: 19: 26 • Barnabus went to Tarsus to get Paul. Why? • Antioch was the 3 rd most important city behind Rome and Alexandria; i. e. “the eastern Rome”. Christianity was on the move.

Summary / Next Week • What are some things that impressed you from this week’s study? • See study guide and helps at http: //connexionsonline. pbworks. com/ ) • Topic: Section 4: 1 st Deployment

Week 5: 1 st Deployment Deployed: Paul on Mission Presented by Warm / Interactive / Relevant / Challenging / Action Oriented

Ready to Go • Do you remember what Ryan Watkins said about his preparation for deployment and how that affected his willingness for put his life at risk in Iraq? • Paul had spent at least three years after his conversion in preparation. Where had he spent that time? • It’s possible that Paul went to the very location of the revelation of the 1 st covenant promise to receive revelation.

Deployment Map

1 st Deployment Overview • The first journey begins when Paul, Barnabus, and Mark set out from Antioch (Acts 13: 4). This journey started after 44 AD and ended a "long time" (Acts 14: 28) before 50 AD. • They left Antioch for Seleucia and sailed to Cyprus, large island 100 miles off Syrian coast. There they went to Salamis and Paphos where Paul met Bar-Jesus the sorcerer. (Acts 13: 4 -6). • Then they sail to Perga in Pamphylia, which is now southern Turkey. From here, Mark returns to Jerusalem.

1 st Deployment Overview • At Antioch in Pisidia (not to be confused with the one in Syria), Paul and Barnabas turn to the Gentiles (Acts 13: 46). • Then it was on to Iconium, where they abode a "long time" (Acts 14: 3), Lystra, where Paul was stoned, but lives (Acts 14: 19), and Derbe. Then they retraced their steps back through Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch (in Pisidia) (Acts 14: 21). • Paul and Barnabas went throughout Pisidia, Pamphylia, then to Perga, Attalia, and sailed back to Antioch in Syria (Acts 14: 24 -26) • The first journey ends in Antioch, Syria, where Paul and Barnabus stay there a long time (Acts 14: 28).

Paul’s Chronology Paul at Damascus 37 -40 AD First Journey 45 -47 AD Second Journey 51 -53 AD Third Journey 54 -58 AD Imprisonment in Judea 58 -60 AD Voyage to Rome 60 -61 AD Imprisonment in Rome 61 -63 AD Post-Imprisonment Journeys 63 -67 AD

What Was It Like? • How did people travel in the 1 st century BC? • How much territory (i. e. distance) did Paul cover on his 1 st missionary journey? • 1400 miles • Where did he sleep? • What did he eat? • What did he do?

The Launch • Read Acts 13: 1 -3 • What were they doing when God instructed Barnabus and Saul to make their first trip? • Where were they going? • Read 13: 4 -5 • How did they know which direction to go? • Where did they preach at Salamis?

Full of the Holy Spirit • Read Acts 13: 6 -12 • A Roman Proconsul (provincial governor) called for Paul to come share the word of God with him. What happened? • What caused the proconsul to believe. • What occurred in v 9? • Read 13: 13 • Why did John leave?

Jewish Jealousy • Read Acts 13: 14 • Paul’s regular practice was to begin by preaching in the synagogue. Why? • If we would read the remainder of the chapter we’d find that the Gentiles gladly received the Gospel and that the Jews were jealous for the attention was would seek to harm the missionaries. • Why did God’s people have a closed mind to the message?

Summary / Next Week • See study guide and helps at http: //connexionsonline. pbworks. com/ ) • Topic: Section 4: 1 st Deployment

Week 6: 1 st Deployment (cont’d) Deployed: Paul on Mission Presented by Warm / Interactive / Relevant / Challenging / Action Oriented

Last Week • Through worship, a mission trip was initiated. • The trip “guide” was the Holy Spirit • Normal practice was to preach first in the synagogue. Why? • Why did Barnabus and Saul become Paul and Barnabus? • Why did John Mark leave the team?

At Iconium • Read Acts 14: 1 -5 • Does the Gospel always bring peace? • If the Gospel incites disagreement and disharmony, should we go low key? • What is the purpose of the miracles that Paul and Barnabus performed? • How do you know when it’s time to move on?

At Lystra and Derbe • Read Acts 14: 6 -7 • Lystra (home of Timothy) was about 20 miles from Iconium and Derbe was 40 miles further. • Read Acts 14: 8 -19 • What caused the people of Lystra to worship Paul and Barnabus as Gods? • How did Paul and Barnabus respond? • Who convinced the crowd to harm them? • After Paul recovered from a stoning what did he do?

Returning Home • Read 14: 21 -28 • As they returned they circled back to some of the cities that they had visited on the way out. • What was the message that they shared as visited the churches? • What did they do to build church leadership? • What was the nature of the report they gave when they got back to Antioch?

Summary / Next Week • See study guide and helps at http: //connexionsonline. pbworks. com/ ) • Topic: Section 5: Between Journeys

Week 7: Between Journeys Deployed: Paul on Mission Presented by Warm / Interactive / Relevant / Challenging / Action Oriented

The Council at Jerusalem • • • Read 15: 1 -6 What was a problem? How did Paul and Barnabus respond? Why did they respond as they did? How were they received in Jerusalem? So were the “Judaizers” from the church in Jerusalem? If not who were they? • Did some Pharisees become Christians? • How did the church handle the problem?

The Council at Jerusalem • Read 15: 7 -11 • Why did Peter speak so forcefully in favor of not requiring the Gentiles to adhere to strict Jewish rules of conformity? • Read Acts 10: 28 -29 • What was the proof that the Gentiles had been “received” by God. • What was the way to a purified heart?

The Council at Jerusalem • Read 15: 12 -20 • What argument did James use to support the decision of the leadership? Read Amos 9: 11 -12 • Notice how the leadership took the time to lay out the proof (or the argument) for people to understand. • Four stipulations were laid down. What were they? • Gentiles had weaknesses in these areas and the Jewish Christians were particularly repulsed.

The Council at Jerusalem • What principles can we learn from this passage that speaks to us about how to resolved differences with fellow Christians

Summary / Next Week • See study guide and helps at http: //connexionsonline. pbworks. com/ ) • Topic: Section 5: Between Journeys (cont’d)

Week 8: Between Journeys (cont’d) Deployed: Paul on Mission Presented by Warm / Interactive / Relevant / Challenging / Action Oriented

The Council at Jerusalem (Review) • What was a problem that led to the Council at Jerusalem? • How did the church leadership in Jerusalem respond? • What were some of the arguments that convinced the leadership to take a certain direction? • What was their decision?

The Action Taken • Read Acts 15: 22 -29 • “…the whole church…” – the church apparently was in unanimous agreement over the decision and the messengers. • What was the reason for the messengers • Why were Judas and Silas particularly qualified for the task (see v 32 and 16: 37)? • What was a “prophet” in the early church? • By whose authority was the message sent?

“Soldiers” On Leave • Read Acts 15: 35 • What do “soldiers” do on their “leave”?

“Paul Rebukes Peter” • • Read Galatians 2: 11 -21 What was Peter doing that Paul disagreed with? What group was intimidating Peter? Can you think of another time when Peter let someone intimidate him? • When we make compromises we take the risk of leading others astray (see v. 2: 13 – “other Jews”). • According to the Bible, what justifies a man in the eyes of God?

“Paul Rebukes Peter” • “Justification by faith” (v 16) is one of the key teachings of the NT. • So by requiring Gentile converts to “obey the law” they were denying a key tenet of Christianity; (…for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!”) • Remember that Paul was a “Pharisee of Pharisees”, who now on behalf of the Gentiles, was willing to abandon all Jewish traditions for complete freedom in Christ. • How did this incident with Peter align with the outcome of the Council at Jerusalem?

Summary / Next Week • What are some characteristics of Paul that have impressed you so far in our study? • How have you been challenged by this look at his life? • See study guide and helps at http: //connexionsonline. pbworks. com/ ) • Topic: Section 6: 2 nd Deployment

Week 9: 2 nd Deployment Deployed: Paul on Mission Presented by Warm / Interactive / Relevant / Challenging / Action Oriented

Review / Setup • So what has impressed you about Paul so far? • What are some things that he has experienced in his Christian ministry? • Read Acts 15: 35 – 36 • Who initiated the 2 nd Deployment? • What was the motivation?

The Problem • Read Acts 15: 37 - 38 • There was a disagreement between Paul and Barnabus. What was the problem? • Read Acts 15: 39 – 41 • What was the result of the disagreement? • With the overall big picture in mind, what was the impact of the disagreement

Paul’s Chronology Paul at Damascus 37 -40 AD First Journey 45 -47 AD Second Journey 51 -53 AD Third Journey 54 -58 AD Imprisonment in Judea 58 -60 AD Voyage to Rome 60 -61 AD Imprisonment in Rome 61 -63 AD Post-Imprisonment Journeys 63 -67 AD

Revisiting Derbe and Lystra • Read Acts 16: 1 - 5 • They pickup up a helper in Derbe / Lystra. Who was it? • What was unusual about his heritage? Did this impact his effectiveness as a minister? Why / Why not? • In light of the decision at the Council of Jerusalem, why did Paul circumcise Timothy? • Was Paul a hypocrite as he had accused Peter of being?

“Holy” Directions • Acts 16: 6 - 11 • Why didn’t they turn toward Asia? • Something happened to cause Paul to turn toward what we know as the “Western world”? What was it? • If viewed from the perspective of world history, what impact did Paul’s western turn have? • Look at verse 10. Notice anything peculiar? • From this point forward Luke (“we” / the author) was included in the traveling party.

Next Week • See study guide and helps at http: //connexionsonline. pbworks. com/ ) • Topic: Continue in Section 6: 2 nd Deployment

Week 10: 2 nd Deployment (cont’d) Deployed: Paul on Mission Presented by Warm / Interactive / Relevant / Challenging / Action Oriented

Review / Setup • Paul and Barnabus had a disagreement. Who won the argument? • What can we learn from Paul and Barnabus’ disagreement that we could apply in our church life? • Let’s pick up the storyline on the 2 nd deployment as they turn westward forever changing the history of the world.

Philippi • Read Acts 16: 13 -15 • What is the most significant thing that you see happening in these two verses? • Read Acts 16: 16 -24 • What was wrong with the girl? • How did Paul respond? • Why was this a big deal? • Christianity is a champion for the disadvantaged. • What happened to Paul as a consequence of the “healing” of the girl?

Philippi (cont’d) • Read Acts 16: 25 -33 • How did Paul and Silas respond to the imprisonment? • What freed Paul and Silas? • How did the guard respond when he thought that the prisoners had escaped? • Why didn’t Paul and Silas escape? • The testimony of the jailer resulted in the salvation of his entire family.

On to Thessalonica & Berea • Read Acts 17: 1 -4 • Paul preached in the synagogue in Thessalonica. What was the result? Why is it a little surprising? • What is “prominent women? ” Why would they be singled out for mention? • Read Acts 17: 10 -14 • How were the Bereans different than the Thessalonicans? • Why did Paul leave Berea?

Athens • Read Acts 17: 14 -16 • What disturbed Paul about Athens? • What parallel can you draw between Athens and the USA? • Read Acts 17: 22 -34 • What device did Paul use to get the attention of the “marketplace” philosophers? • Once he had their attention, how did he share the gospel? • What was their response?

Summary / Next Week • Are we sometimes ready to give up when things take a turn for the worst? • How can we ensure that our response will be as commendable as Paul and Silas when we face adversity? • How can we prepare for the marketplace? • See study guide and helps at http: //connexionsonline. pbworks. com/ ) • Topic: Continue in Section 6: 2 nd Deployment

Week 11: 2 nd Deployment (cont’d) Deployed: Paul on Mission Presented by Warm / Interactive / Relevant / Challenging / Action Oriented

Review / Setup • Paul and Barnabus chose not to escape when the earthquake “loosed” them in Philippi. What kind of impact did that have on the jailer? • Paul continued his habit of using the synagogue (or Jewish gathering) as his initial stopping point in communities. Why? Who was responding? • Let’s pick up the storyline on the 2 nd deployment as they travel to Athens, the cultural center of ancient Greece.

Athens • Read Acts 17: 14 -16 • What disturbed Paul about Athens? • What parallel can you draw between Athens and the USA? • Read Acts 17: 22 -34 • What device did Paul use to get the attention of the “marketplace” philosophers? • Once he had their attention, how did he share the gospel? • What was their response?

Corinth • Read Acts 18: 1 -11 • Why did Paul take up with Aquila and Priscilla? • When help arrived (i. e. Silas and Timothy), Paul’s ministry took on a focus. What was it? How did it work out for him? • Titius Justus was referred to in v 7 as a worshiper of God. What did that mean? • Crispus was a synagogue ruler. What was that? (See 1 Cor. 1: 14) • Paul was not intimidated by the Jewish troublemakers. Why not?

Ephesus • Read Acts 18: 18 -21 • Why did Paul get a haircut? (See Nu 6: 1 -21) • Why do you think Paul did not agree to stay on to work with the Jews in Ephesus?

Summary / Next Week • One gets the notion that Paul was near exhaustion as he completed this 2 -3 year journey. • See study guide and helps at http: //connexionsonline. pbworks. com/ ) • Topic: Section 7: 3 rd Deployment

Week 12: 3 rd Deployment Deployed: Paul on Mission Presented by Warm / Interactive / Relevant / Challenging / Action Oriented

3 rd Journey / Apollos • Read Acts 18: 23 -26 • What was the purpose of the 3 rd journey? • Do we have a responsibility for those that we lead to the Lord? What is it? • Where was Apollos from? What did he know about Jesus? • When did Apollos become a Christian? • What should our response be when we encounter a Christian with incomplete or limited knowledge of Jesus. • When you’re deployed you see unusual things.

Ephesus • Read Acts 19: 1 -6 • What was missing in the life of the Ephesians when Paul met them? • Did that mean that they were not Christians? • How did Paul solve the problem? • How do you know when you have the Holy Ghost? • What is speaking in tongues and prophesying? • What does it mean if we don’t do that?

Ephesus • Read Acts 19: 8 -12 • When people are not receiving the gospel how do you know when it’s time to move on? • Why did Paul “separate the disciples”? • What was the result of the two years of daily “discussions“? • Why was Paul able to perform “extraordinary” miracles? Why can’t we do the same thing?

Ephesus • Read Acts 19: 13 -16 • Others appear to be able to “drive out evil spirits”. What was the difference between them and Paul? Why is it dangerous? • Read Acts 19: 17 -19 • Why did they burn the books? • What example were they setting for us?

Summary / Next Week • See study guide and helps at http: //connexionsonline. pbworks. com/ ) • Topic: Continuing in Section 7: 3 rd Deployment

Week 15: Paul at Jerusalem Deployed: Paul on Mission Presented by Warm / Interactive / Relevant / Challenging / Action Oriented

Review • Why was Paul heading to Jerusalem? • What was he expecting once he arrived? • Then why did he go?

Paul at Jerusalem • • Read Acts 21: 26 -36 Why did Paul go to the temple? What happened to him while he was there? Was there a legitimate basis to the charge? Who rescued Paul? Read Acts 21: 37 -40 What did Paul ask to do? Why?

Paul at Jerusalem • • • Read Acts 22: 1 -2 What did Paul share with the crowd? What lesson can we learn from Paul’s example? Was his testimony accepted by the crowd? Sometimes it is God’s purpose for us to share our testimony of faith even though it appears it is for naught. • Sometimes there is long term purpose in short term frustration. How do we know the difference?

Summary / Next Week • See study guide and helps at http: //connexionsonline. pbworks. com/ ) • Topic: Continuing in Section 8: Paul at Jerusalem

Week 17: Paul at Caesarea Deployed: Paul on Mission Presented by Warm / Interactive / Relevant / Challenging / Action Oriented

Review • Why was Paul heading to Caesarea? • What was the accusation against Paul? • How did Paul buy time when his case was being heard before the Jewish Council? • Why did it take so many soldiers to transfer Paul from Jerusalem to Caesarea?

The Hearing before Felix • Read Acts 24: 1 -9 • When Paul’s case was being heard before the Roman governor Felix, who was presenting the case against him. • What does this tell us about Paul and “the Nazarene sect”? • Why was he accusing him of “stirring up riots”? • Who was actually guilty of the dissension? • Who were the witnesses? • What can we learn from Paul’s experience?

Paul’s Defense • Read Acts 24: 10 -22 • Pauls’ Answer: – – – – He was not a troublemaker He had not been involved in disturbances He had just arrived in Jerusalem He was a “follower of the Way” He also believes the Law and the Prophets He shares the same hope as the Jews He did shout about the resurrection • How is Paul characterizing the Way? Why

Paul’s Defense (cont’d) • How does Paul characterize his purpose in going to Jerusalem in v 17? • Why did Paul refer to the Asian Jews? • Felix “punts” – stay tuned.

Summary / Next Week • See study guide and helps at http: //connexionsonline. pbworks. com/ ) • Topic: Continuing in Section 9: Paul at Caesarea

Week 18: Paul at Caesarea Deployed: Paul on Mission Presented by Warm / Interactive / Relevant / Challenging / Action Oriented

Review • The Jews in Jerusalem trumped up charges against Paul. • When it became known that Paul was a Roman citizen he was spirited away to Caesarea. • The High Priest himself; Ananias presents the weak case to Felix the Governor. • Ananias was trying to make a charge stick of sedition against Rome but he really had no legitimate Roman charge or witnesses. • In his defense Paul actually shows that He was a part of the Jewish faith, which was legal.

Captured on Mission? • Read Acts 24: 27 • Paul was in a state of legal limbo because Felix was either hoping for a bribe from Paul (remember the offering that he had received) or he was trying to placate the Jews. • How do you think Paul felt during this time frame? • Do you sometime feel like God has abandoned you? • How would you know it’s part of God’s plan?

Appeal to Caesar • Read Acts 25: 1 -12 • Once again the Jews were trying to kill (ambush) Paul. • Why is Paul having to defend himself against the false charges? • What do you think Paul’s motive was for appealing to Caesar? • This may have been a chance for Paul to present Christianity to Caesar himself and possibly resulting in official recognition of “the Way” by Rome.

Before King Agrippa • Read Acts 26: 13 -18 • Felix acknowledge that they did not bring up the type charges against Paul that he expected. • The charges were disputes about their religion. • Why do you think Agrippa wanted to hear from Paul himself? • What did Paul tell Agrippa?

King Agrippa’s Response • Read Acts 26: 27 -28 • Paul was boxing Agrippa into a corner. • If he admitted that he believed the prophets then Paul would have pressed him to recognize their fulfillment in Jesus. • If he said no, he would be in trouble with devout Jews. • What was Agrippa’s response? Why? • What was Agrippa’s legal opinion?

Food for Thought • These sections on Paul in Jerusalem and Caesarea; are they just a bunch of interesting facts; a part of the historical narrative? What is the significance? • Does Paul have some grand scheme guiding him; a playbook? • What is / was Paul’s mission? • As if he was executing a carefully conceived marketing plan, these series of events were pushing Paul toward the ultimate “exposure”. Any publicity is good publicity.

Food for Thought • What was the cost to Paul? • Who would you pattern your life after?

New Age Religion in Contrast • WASHINGTON, April 10, 2008 /Christian Newswire/-- On her television show Oprah Winfrey has been pushing a new book by Eckhart Tolle called A New Earth. In fact, Oprah has now taken up preaching as a new past time and has determined in her own mixed-up mind there are now millions of ways to get to heaven. • When a lady in her audience asked, "What about Jesus? " Oprah defiantly answered her by repeating the question, "What about Jesus? " Oprah went on to explain how she had been a Baptist until she heard a charismatic Pastor make the statement that God was a jealous God. She told her viewers in her opinion God was simply love and God being described as a Jealous God made her really stop and think.

Summary / Next Week • See study guide and helps at http: //connexionsonline. pbworks. com/ ) • Topic: Read Section 10: Voyage to Rome

Week 19: Voyage to Rome Deployed: Paul on Mission Presented by Warm / Interactive / Relevant / Challenging / Action Oriented

Review • King Agrippa reviewed Paul’s case and would have probably released him had he not appealed to Caesar. • In order to have his appeal heard Paul had to travel to Rome. • From last week’s lesson what is the biggest upside to Paul traveling to Rome? • What does Paul believe will be the outcome of his appeal to Caesar?

Setting Sail • • Read Acts 27: 1 -13 Who is “we”? Where was Luke? Who is Aristarchus? (See 19: 29, 20: 4, Phm 24, & Col. 4: 10) • From Sidon to Myra would normally be a voyage of 15 days. • Westerly winds would not allow a direct passage and they were using some islands (e. g. Cyprus) to shield them from weather.

Setting Sail (cont’d) • Eventually they made a transfer to another ship (i. e. Alexandrian – v. 6) • Some people think that Aristarchus stayed with the first ship and went home (i. e. Macedonia) to tell of Paul’s coming imprisonment in Rome. He would have caught up with him later. • From Myra to Cnidus was about 170 miles and probably took another 10 -15 days. • Crete is an island 160 miles long and the ship went on the underside for protection from wind.

Setting Sail (cont’d) • What was “the Fast” referred to in v. 9 • The Day of Atonement fell in later Sept. or Oct. The usual sailing season lasted from Pentecost (May – June) to Tabernacles which was 5 days after the Fast. • The Romans considered sailing after Sept. 15 doubtful and after Nov. 11 suicidal! • So they were sailing on the edge of the season and Paul issued a warning. • He was overruled and they set off for Phoenix, a harbor to winter in on Crete.

The Storm • Read Acts 27: 14 -21 • So a storm came along and drove them off course. • It was so fierce they had to pass ropes under the hull to reinforce it (v. 17) • They feared being driven all the way to the northern coast of Africa to the sandbars of Syrtis. • They reduced weight by throwing “cargo / tackle” overboard. • The dire circumstances led to loss of hope?

Encouragement • Read Acts 27: 22 -24 • What was Paul’s response to the discouragement of his fellow passengers? • Where did Paul receive his encouragement? • Why was the entire ship saved? • Sometimes everything around us will become wrecked but our “soul” is safe in the storm for God’s intended purpose. • You remember reading last week from 20: 20 -24 Paul had a mission and God would see him through until his completion (I have run the race)

Food for Thought • Do you find yourself in a tough spot? • Do you know and understand your “mission”? • If God was faithful to protect Paul through his deployment until the successful conclusion of his mission do you think that he will do anything less for you? (See Romans 2: 11)

Summary / Next Week • See study guide and helps at http: //connexionsonline. pbworks. com/ ) • Topic: Continue Reading Section 10: Voyage to Rome

Week 20: Voyage to Rome Deployed: Paul on Mission Presented by Warm / Interactive / Relevant / Challenging / Action Oriented

Roman Merchant Ships • So, what kind of ship was Paul on when he shipwrecked on Malta? It is described as a merchant vessel. There were 270 (and some odd) people on the ship. The text mentions a foresail and a figurehead showing Castor and Pollux, the twin gods. • These ships are thought to be the largest of this time of about 200 tons and maybe averaged about 100' long. • They are thought not to be crewed no more than a few men based on how these ships were rigged.

Roman Merchant Ships • They were powered by a large mainsail and two steerage tillers. • The mainsail had brails and braces rigged to the stern so that the helmsman could have both steerage and sail control. • Some ships are thought to maybe have had a foresail on a jury mast (hence as described in Luke's text) and a topsail and spritsails for better maneuverability in shallow water.

Roman Travel • Paul normally sailed from Greece to Israel, but always travelled by land from Israel to Greece. The only time he travelled west by ship was on his journey to Rome as a prisoner. • The prevailing winds during the summer sailing season blew from the north-west. This made the eastward journey quicker and easier. • It could take ten days to sail from Rome to Alexandria in Egypt and up to two months to return.

Roman Travel • The return trip was made by sailing north from Egypt along the coast of Israel, then west along the southern coast of Turkey. • Ancient ships normally only had one main square sail, so their ability to tack against the wind was limited. • Whenever they could, ships would sail close to the shore to avoid bad weather.

Roman Travel • There were no ships dedicated to carrying passengers. Passengers had to travel on cargo ships when space was available. It cost a family two drachma (two days wages) to sail from Alexandria to Athens. • Because the ships carried cargo, they would often dock at night. Water was provided for passengers, but no food or accommodation. Passengers would go ashore to find their own housing and they were always responsible for their own food.

Roman Travel • The Romans did more to facilitate travel than any other empire. They built major roads, cleared the seas of pirates, and instituted one currency. Until the invention of the steam engine, there was no time easier to travel than in Paul's day. It is estimated that Paul travelled the equivalent of more than half-way around the world. In his three missionary journeys, Paul covered eight thousand miles by land sea. • Digging Deeper (http: //julianspriggs. com/travel. aspx)

Review • In Acts 23: 11 God told Paul that he would testify about him in Jerusalem. At the time this was an encouragement that Paul would survive an ordeal. Do you think Paul envisioned that his testimony in Rome would be in chains? • At multiple times and circumstances God assured Paul that he would see him through to the conclusion of his mission. Sometimes the message comes from Angels (Acts 27: 24) • When we last left Paul he was in the middle of a hurricane.

Shipwrecked • Read Acts 27: 40 -44 • For two weeks they were driven by hurricanes and storms with nothing to eat. Paul gave them hope and demonstrated by example taking nourishment and thanking God. • Why did the soldiers plan to kill the prisoners? • Why did the centurion decide to spare them. • The survivors swam to shore, wet and shaken but alive. How many survived?

Snake Bitten • Read Acts 28: 3 -6 • After all that he had been through a little snake was not going to stop him. How did Paul respond to the snake bite? • How did the locals interpret this? • When we are on Mission the little stuff should not phase us. Others are amazed at how a Christian can shake that off and keep on. They don’t see the big picture.

Service • Read Acts 28: 8 -9 • Paul could have been beaten down by now and sidetracked. • But we find him playing the roll of minister to his “host”. • Have you ever noticed that persons who appear to be “on mission” also tend to be persons who are externally focused (on others) as opposed to persons who are inwardly focused (on themselves).

Voyage Resumed • Read Acts 28: 11 -13 • After 3 months of “wintering” Paul resumed his voyage on another Alexandrian cargo ship. • In just a matter of days, Paul arrived in Rome.

Summary / Next Week • See study guide and helps at http: //connexionsonline. pbworks. com/ ) • Topic: Read Section 11: Paul at Rome

Week 21: Paul at Rome Deployed: Paul on Mission Presented by Warm / Interactive / Relevant / Challenging / Action Oriented

Review • Months after beginning his journey from Caesarea to Rome, he finally arrived. • Have you ever given thought to God’s timetable in respect to life’s decision or even God’s will for your life. • What has been your experience? • What do we learn from Paul about timetables?

Paul in Rome • Read Acts 28: 15 -16 • A church was already in existence in Rome. How did that occur? • What prison was Paul remanded to when he arrived? • Why was Paul at Rome? • Paul was allowed to live by himself which gave him the freedom to fulfill his Roman mission. • Why was Paul allowed to live by himself?

Paul in Rome • • • Read Acts 28: 30 -31 How long was Paul in Rome? What happened after the two years were up? Read Php 2: 24 Evidence is that Paul wrote Phillipians during his first visit to Rome and that he anticipated release in order to come visit them again.

4 th Journey • Read Romans 15: 24, 28 • What was the planned destination for the 4 th journey? • Early Christian literature records Paul in Spain. • This literature is bolstered by statements of intentions in Paul’s writings an by mention in the Pastoral letters. • The best information says that Paul was released from house arrest in Rome in AD 62 and ministered and traveled for another 5 – 6 years before martyrdom.

Food for Thought • What has impressed you about Paul during our study? • What has challenged you as we went on mission with Paul? • Are the parallels that we drew between current military deployments and Paul’s mission pertinent or not? Why?

Supporting the “Troops”

A Mission Complete • How does a warrior fight? • Acts 20: 24 However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me-the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace. • How does a warrior finish? • II Timothy 4: 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith

To you and yours a Merry Christmas