This week we read of Paul’s second and third missionary journey. Paul has new traveling companions now that he and Barnabas are no longer a team. Paul meets the young man, Timothy, and travels with him, as well as Silas. A dream directs Paul to “Macedonia”, and the gospel is taken to Europe due to this dream. The wonderful story of the founding of the Church at Philippi, and the conversion of Paul’s jailers, is told in Chapter 16.
In Chapter 17 we find Paul planting a church in Thessalonia, and Beroea and then preaching his famous sermon in Athens.
In Chapter 18 Paul visits Christians in Corinth, Ephesus and Jerusalem before returning to Antioch for the last time.
In Chapter 19 we read of Paul’s two year ministry in Ephesus – a fruitful time of preaching, teaching and writing. Paul also sets out on his last trip to Europe, Greece and Jerusalem.
As this chapter comes to an end, and Chapter 20 begins, the mood of this recollection changes – and it becomes clear that Paul turns his face to Rome, and to the end of his freedom and his life.
A few things to look for:
Watch the way the Spirit directs Paul and the early church.
Watch the way Paul and the leaders of the churches work together, especially in solving doctrinal disputes.
Watch the genuine love and affection that the Church leaders have for Paul, and the way the Church gathers to support and encourage the missionaries.
