Introduction and Prayer
Pray
Read Acts 20:1-5
Paul Goes to Macedonia and Greece
When the uproar was over, Paul sent for the believers[a] and encouraged them. Then he said good-bye and left for Macedonia. 2 While there, he encouraged the believers in all the towns he passed through. Then he traveled down to Greece, 3 where he stayed for three months. He was preparing to sail back to Syria when he discovered a plot by some Jews against his life, so he decided to return through Macedonia.
4 Several men were traveling with him. They were Sopater son of Pyrrhus from Berea; Aristarchus and Secundus from Thessalonica; Gaius from Derbe; Timothy; and Tychicus and Trophimus from the province of Asia. 5 They went on ahead and waited for us at Troas. 6 After the Passover[b] ended, we boarded a ship at Philippi in Macedonia and five days later joined them in Troas, where we stayed a week.
Referring back to chapter 19 verse 1 talks about the uproar from the townspeople. What religious topics in our culture today could spark an uproar?
How can we navigate through divisional discussions without compromising truth?
Paul gave encouragement to believers. How do we encourage other believers around us in the faith?
What did Paul do when he discovered there was a plot on his life? Did this thwart his mission?
What enemy tactics have been used against you as you attempt to follow God’s mission in obedience?
What is your response to trying to follow God when the enemy attempts to thwart your mission?
Verse four lists the names of believers who were a part of the mission with Paul. What does this tell us about engaging in God’s mission with other believers?
Read Acts 20:7-12
Paul’s Final Visit to Troas
7 On the first day of the week, we gathered with the local believers to share in the Lord’s Supper.[c] Paul was preaching to them, and since he was leaving the next day, he kept talking until midnight. 8 The upstairs room where we met was lighted with many flickering lamps. 9 As Paul spoke on and on, a young man named Eutychus, sitting on the windowsill, became very drowsy. Finally, he fell sound asleep and dropped three stories to his death below. 10 Paul went down, bent over him, and took him into his arms. “Don’t worry,” he said, “he’s alive!” 11 Then they all went back upstairs, shared in the Lord’s Supper,[d] and ate together. Paul continued talking to them until dawn, and then he left. 12 Meanwhile, the young man was taken home alive and well, and everyone was greatly relieved.
When did the believers take the Lord’s supper? What is the significance for us today?
We live in a day of impatience and instant gratification. How does this contrast to Paul’s environment?
If you were in the room where Paul was teaching how would you respond to his sermon?
What happened there?
In verse 10 the miraculous takes place. In verse 11 how does Paul respond? What might this tell us about his character?
How does this story help us to respond as it pertains to falling asleep during one of Dr. Prince’s messages?
Read Acts 20:13-16
Paul Meets the Ephesian Elders
13 Paul went by land to Assos, where he had arranged for us to join him, while we traveled by ship. 14 He joined us there, and we sailed together to Mitylene. 15 The next day we sailed past the island of Kios. The following day we crossed to the island of Samos, and[e] a day later we arrived at Miletus.
16 Paul had decided to sail on past Ephesus, for he didn’t want to spend any more time in the province of Asia. He was hurrying to get to Jerusalem, if possible, in time for the Festival of Pentecost.
Paul and the team spent much time traveling, why was it necessary for him to do so?
Sometimes on our mission from God we might not seem we are taking the most efficient or direct route. How can we reconcile God’s sovereign plan with man’s projected plans?
What is the impending result of Paul’s journey to Jerusalem? Why does this not stop him?
If you knew that God’s mission required difficulty, even imprisonment, how might you respond?
Read Acts 20:17-21
17 But when we landed at Miletus, he sent a message to the elders of the church at Ephesus, asking them to come and meet him.
18 When they arrived he declared, “You know that from the day I set foot in the province of Asia until now 19 I have done the Lord’s work humbly and with many tears. I have endured the trials that came to me from the plots of the Jews. 20 I never shrank back from telling you what you needed to hear, either publicly or in your homes. 21 I have had one message for Jews and Greeks alike—the necessity of repenting from sin and turning to God, and of having faith in our Lord Jesus.
22 “And now I am bound by the Spirit[f] to go to Jerusalem. I don’t know what awaits me, 23 except that the Holy Spirit tells me in city after city that jail and suffering lie ahead. 24 But my life is worth nothing to me unless I use it for finishing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus—the work of telling others the Good News about the wonderful grace of God.
25 “And now I know that none of you to whom I have preached the Kingdom will ever see me again. 26 I declare today that I have been faithful. If anyone suffers eternal death, it’s not my fault,[g] 27 for I didn’t shrink from declaring all that God wants you to know.
Who does Paul wish to have an audience with and what is his message?
Why is he taking time to share this with this particular audience?
How does Paul describe his own life in comparison to God’s assignment?
Has there ever been someone when you said goodbye you felt as though you may not see them again?
What would be the central theme of your message if you knew you were sharing for a final time?
Read Acts 20:28-38
28 “So guard yourselves and God’s people. Feed and shepherd God’s flock—his church, purchased with his own blood[h]—over which the Holy Spirit has appointed you as leaders.[i] 29 I know that false teachers, like vicious wolves, will come in among you after I leave, not sparing the flock. 30 Even some men from your own group will rise up and distort the truth in order to draw a following. 31 Watch out! Remember the three years I was with you—my constant watch and care over you night and day, and my many tears for you.
32 “And now I entrust you to God and the message of his grace that is able to build you up and give you an inheritance with all those he has set apart for himself.
33 “I have never coveted anyone’s silver or gold or fine clothes. 34 You know that these hands of mine have worked to supply my own needs and even the needs of those who were with me. 35 And I have been a constant example of how you can help those in need by working hard. You should remember the words of the Lord Jesus: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”
36 When he had finished speaking, he knelt and prayed with them. 37 They all cried as they embraced and kissed him good-bye. 38 They were sad most of all because he had said that they would never see him again. Then they escorted him down to the ship.
What warnings does Paul give?
What instructions does Paul give?
How are these warnings and instructions relevant to us today?
How was Paul encouraging the listeners when he said “It is more blessed to give than to receive”?
How can giving be the greater blessing?
Think on This…
When hardship comes and you are faced with challenges, from where do you draw strength, and how can you ensure you stay on mission?
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