FRONT MATTER Setting and Target Group: The target group is an adult Sunday school class with learners

forty years or older containing married couples, and other married individuals who attend Sunday school without their spouses. All have children ranging in age from middle school through adults. The majority of the learners are college educated, several with advanced degrees in their fields. The length of teaching time after prayer requests and fellowship is usually forty minutes. Since class members tend to add to the lessons, time is always allotted for member input. Lesson Titles and Applications: The lesson series entitled, Paul: Before and After His Conversion, will include four lessons. The intent of the lessons is to demonstrate the total transformation of a life fully committed to Christ and controlled by the Holy Spirit. The titles include: 1) Saul: Persecutor of the Church: Learner will examine his own life to see if he has ever acted in a way that he thought was correct only to discover later that the action was wrong. Learner is to look for opportunities to befriend someone who might be struggling with his or her past. 2) Saul: Conversion Experience: Learner will examine his own life to see if he has been radically transformed and will look for occasions to speak boldly for Christ this week. 3) Paul: Church Missionary: Learner will be challenged to go to God in prayer and seek His advice about a situation where he has felt defeated. Next week he will report back to the class any good news as a result of his actions and prayers. 4) Paul: Imprisoned but Free: Learner will determine if he has allowed situations to prevent him from sharing the gospel and will be asked to respond.

LIBERTY UNIVERSITY LIBERTY BAPTIST THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY

A FOUR LESSON SERIES PAUL: BEFORE AND AFTER HIS CONVERSION

A RESEARCH PAPER SUBMITTED TO DR. MYRON KAUK IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE COURSE NBST 522

BY DEBORAH BASKIN: I.D. # 23181365

VIDALIA, GA TUESDAY, AUGUST 7, 2012

TABLE OF CONTENTS

LESSON ONE: HOOK................................................................................................................... 1 BOOK..1 THE PASSAGE...1 WHO WAS STEPHEN?..2 WHAT WAS THE SANHEDRIN?.....................................................................................3 LOOK..4 PAUL'S CREDENTIALS....4 INFLUENCE THIS HAD ON HIS ACTIONS...5 TOOK..5 APPLICATION...5 CLOSING PRAYER...6 LESSON TWO: HOOK .................................................................................................................. 7 BOOK..7 PASSAGE....7 BACKGROUND INFORMATION....8 LOOK..9

QUESTIONS ABOUT ANANIAS.9 QUESTIONS ABOUT BARNABAS10 TOOK....10 APPLICATION.....11 CLOSING PRAYER.11 LESSON THREE: HOOK.12 BOOK14 PASSAGE..14 HEALING FAITH.14 REACTION OF THE CROWD.15 RESPONSE OF PAUL AND BARNABAS.....15 LOOK15 TOOK....16 APPLICATION.16 CLOSING PRAYER.17 LESSON FOUR: HOOK...18 BOOK19 PASSAGE..19

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BACKGROUND...19 LOOK....21 TOOK....21 APPLICATION.21 CONCLUSION..22 CLOSING PRAYER.22 BIBLIOGRAPHY FOR LESSON ONE....23 BIBLIOGRAPHY FOR LESSON TWO ...................................................................................... 23 BIBLIOGRAPHY FOR LESSON THREE...24 BIBLIOGRAPHY FOR LESSON FOUR.24

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LESSON ONE: HOOK I have had opportunities to minister to women who have had abortions. For whatever reason, they believed the lie that their baby was nothing more than a blob of tissue. Later, usually after they had children of their own, they realized that they had not solved a problem or simply gotten rid of an inconvenience but had murdered their first child. Often, this will send them into deep depression, grief, and feelings of unworthiness. They are amazed that God is now giving them a second chance a second blessing at being a mother. These women often make some of the best mothers and Christians that I have ever seen. I suspect this is because they realize the enormity of their sin, which makes their salvation through the sacrifice of Christ all the more meaningful to them. This morning we are going to be taking a look at Acts 7:54 8:3. This section of the narrative describes the stoning of Stephen and the part Paul played in persecuting the church. Paul believed the lie that the church was against God. This group of people posed a problem that needed to be dwelt with quickly. BOOK THE PASSAGE (Ask a student to read the passage Acts 7:54 8:3.)
54

When the members of the Sanhedrin heard this, they were furious and gnashed their teeth at him. 55 But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. 56 Look, he said, I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God. 57 At this they covered their ears and, yelling at the top of their voices, they all rushed at him, 58 dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. Meanwhile, the witnesses laid their coats at the feet of a young man named Saul. 59 While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. 60 Then he fell on his knees and cried out, Lord, do not hold this sin against them. When he had said this, he fell asleep.

And Saul approved of their killing him. On that day a great persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria. 2 Godly men buried Stephen and mourned deeply for him. 3 But Saul began to destroy the church. Going from house to house, he dragged off both men and women and put them in prison.1 WHO WAS STEPHEN? Christian writers may have preserved early traditions on the first martyr, but no scholarly inquiry has been undertaken to recover them.2 Therefore, for the purpose of our brief discussion on Stephen, we will look at the scripture to see if we can gather some information about him. By reading the earlier portion of chapter seven, we learn that Stephen boldly proclaimed the gospel. He gave an amazing message before the Sanhedrin, which cost him his life. Verse fifty-five describes him as being full of the Holy Spirit. The word, full, is the Greek word (transliteration: plrs), defined as: 1) full, i.e. filled up (as opposed to empty) of the soul, thoroughly permeated with; 2) full, i.e. complete lacking nothing, perfect.3 Luke uses this same word in Luke 4:1 when describing Jesus as being full of the Holy Spirit before He went to the wilderness to be tempted by Satan. Earlier in Acts 6:8 when first describing Stephen, Luke stated, Stephen, a man full of Gods grace and power, did great wonders and miraculous signs among the people. Being full of the Holy Spirit seemed to equip one to be bold, face

All scripture will be NIV unless otherwise noted.

Franois Bovon, The Dossier On Stephen, the First Martyr, Harvard Theological Review 96, no. 3 (2003): 282.,http://search.ebscohost.com.ezproxy.liberty.edu:2048/login.aspx?direct=true&db=rfh&AN=ATLA0001365167 &site=ehost-live&scope=site (accessed August 6, 2012). All Greek words and definitions will be defined using The Blue Letter Bible. Dictionary and Word Search for that particular word in Strongs. Blue Letter Bible. 1996-2012. The footnote will reference Blue Letter Bible and indicate the permanent link. Hence, 2 Blue Letter Bible. s.v. Strongs G4134 plrs. http://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?Strongs=G4134&t=NIV (assessed August 6, 2012).
3

tribulation, and enabled the Holy Spirit to work through a person. Stephen certainly demonstrated these attributes during his trial and stoning. WHAT WAS THE SANHEDRIN? According to numerous passages in the New Testament the council (gerousia, sunedrion) suggest an existing body with the powers of judgment and under the control of the high priest or the chief priests.4 The council that Stephen was testifying before was the same council that had Christ arrested, found Him guilty and sent him to Pilate (detailed in Luke). Luke 22:66 describes the Sanhedrin as a Council of Elders of the people, both chief priests and scribes. Obviously, this powerful and hostile group unfairly judged Jesus, a fact that was not missed by Stephen. Undeterred by the councils opposition, Stephen boldly preached Christ to this group and was killed because of his testimony. It is at this juncture that we meet Saul. Saul, who we know as Paul, approved of the killing. After the stoning of Stephen, Paul continued to persecute the church going from house to house and dragging men, women, and children off to prison. In order to understand the third character (the young man Saul) of this narrative, I want to separate the class into a couple of groups. (Divide class into two to four groups depending on the number of students.) Please take about five minutes to read and discuss Acts 22:3-5.
3

I am a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city. I studied under Gamaliel and was thoroughly trained in the law of our ancestors. I was just as zealous for God as any of you are today. 4 I persecuted the followers of this Way to their death, arresting both men and women and throwing them into prison,

Lester L. Grabbe Sanhedrin, Sanhedriyyot, or Mere Invention? Journal For The Study Of Judaism In The Persian, Hellenistic And Roman Period 39, no. 1 (2008): 13, http://search.ebscohost.com.ezproxy.liberty.edu:2048/login.aspx?direct=true&db=rfh&AN=ATLA0001654882 &site=ehost-live&scope=site (accessed August 7, 2012).

as the high priest and all the Council can themselves testify. I even obtained letters from them to their associates in Damascus, and went there to bring these people as prisoners to Jerusalem to be punished. LOOK (Give the class a time warning when there is about one minute left before rejoining the large group.) It sounds like you had some interesting discussion going on within your groups; however, lets share with the class what you discovered in these verses. (Allow each group to share their findings. Give each group three to five minutes. Calculate the group discussion according to your remaining time.) PAULS CREDENTIALS As you pointed out Paul gave his credentials to the Jews. He wanted them to understand that he was a Jew but not just your run-of-the-mill Jew. He was a Pharisee who trained under Gamaliel. Pauls self-portrait depicts him as being part of a select group of Pharisees who were known for their strict commitment to the law.5 In verse three, Paul said that he was zealous for God. The Greek word for zealous is (transliteration: zlts) meaning: 1) one burning with zeal, a zealot; 2) used of God as jealous of any rival and sternly vindicating his control; 3) most eagerly desirous of, zealous for, a thing - a) to acquire a thing, (zealous of) or, b) to defend and uphold a thing, vehemently contending for a thing.6 Pauls actions show that his persecution of the Church was clearly related to his zeal for the law and the traditions of the

Johnny B. Awwad, From Saul to Paul: The Conversion of Paul the Apostle, Theological Review 32, no. 1 (April 1, 2011): 5, http://search.ebscohost.com.ezproxy.liberty.edu:2048/login.aspx?direct=true&db=rfh&AN=ATLA0001837752&s ite=ehost-live&scope=site (accessed July 15, 2012). Blue Letter Bible, s.v. Strongs G2207 zlts. http://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?Strongs=G2207&t=NIV (assessed August 6, 2012).
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fathers.7 However, we will discover in later lessons that his zealous nature included obedience to God and Christ. INFLUENCE THIS HAD ON HIS ACTIONS In recent years, we have witnessed Muslims who are zealous for their faith. They believe that Christians are infidels and will kill them. They show no remorse or sorrows for their hideous actions. They feel justified. Paul felt justified. He truly believed that the Church was an enemy of God. According to Deuteronomy 21:23b, anyone who is hung on a pole is under Gods curse. Pauls ardent fervor for the law assured him that he was right in rejecting Jesus as the Messiah. Paul had no guilt in tormenting the church even to the point of death. To Saul, as to every Jew, a Messiah crucified was a stumbling-block, a contradiction in terms.8 TOOK Paul was convinced that his actions were just. Have you ever been convinced of the rightness of a situation? Did you act upon it and later find out it was wrong? (Allow for discussion.) APPLICATION This week, I want you to review that situation in your life, if you have one. I realize that while most of you have probably not authorized a murder, you might have hurt someone. Perhaps, you have said or done something to someone that you felt was justified only to find out later you were in the wrong. Remember that feeling. I also would like for you to look for
7

Awwad, 6.

Philippe H. Menoud, Revelation and Tradition: The Influence of Paul's Conversion On His Theology, Interpretation 7, no. 2 (April 1, 1953): 133, http://search.ebscohost.com.ezproxy.liberty.edu:2048/login.aspx?direct=true&db=rfh&AN=ATLA0000654783 &site=ehost-live&scope=site (accessed July 12, 2012).

opportunities to encourage those around you (i.e., at home, at work, in the community, or in the church) that might be struggling with their past. Be a friend to them. Next week we will be looking at the conversion of Saul and the faithful people who took him under their wings. CLOSING PRAYER (Ask for a member to close the class with prayer.)

LESSON TWO: HOOK Thank you each for coming to Sunday school this morning. I am excited as we get to this section in Pauls life because its a story of redemption. Our focal passage today will be Acts 9:1-9. But, before we read the passage I would like to share a bit of information about Chuck Colson. Most of you remember him from the Nixon years and the Watergate Scandal. Colson became a born again believer in 1973 in the midst of the Watergate inquiry.9 He entered a guilty plea to Watergate-related charges and pleaded guilty to obstruction of justice in the Daniel Ellsberg Case in 1974.10 He served seven months and emerged from prison with the mission of activating the church to minister to prisoners.11 Colsons passion was coupled with a sense of commitment to Gods calling. This led him to visit over 600 prisons in the United States and forty other countries. He mobilized over 50,000 prison ministry volunteers at one time.12 Colson advocated for criminal justice reform.13 As you can see, Chuck Colsons life was radically changed once he accepted Jesus Christ as his Savior. Today as we look at the scriptures, please note Sauls transformation once he became a Christian. BOOK THE PASSAGE (Ask a student to read the passage Acts 9:1-9.)

The Life of Chuck Colson, Charles Colson Legacy Fund, http://chuckcolson.org/the-life-of-chuckcolson/ (accessed August 7, 2012).
10 11 12 13

Ibid. Ibid. Ibid. Ibid.

Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lords disciples. He went to the high priest 2 and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem. 3 As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. 4 He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me? 5 Who are you, Lord? Saul asked. I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting, he replied. 6 Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do. 7 The men traveling with Saul stood there speechless; they heard the sound but did not see anyone. 7 Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could see nothing. So they led him by the hand into Damascus. 9 For three days he was blind, and did not eat or drink anything. BACKGROUND INFORMATION You should remember from last week that Paul was traveling from town to town in order to have Christians put into prison. However, if we were to continue reading in Acts 8, we would find that the Church is still growing despite Pauls efforts to extinguish it. In fact, it was spreading to Gentiles. God needed a man that would continue with the mission to the Gentiles and He had one already chosen. Meanwhile, (which is the Greek word (transliteration: de) and means but, moreover, and, etc.14) Paul is still intent upon his mission. The Acts of the Apostles says that Paul was sent as an official prosecutor by the Jerusalem authorities to seek out Christians, though Paul himself says he did it purely out of zeal for the law.15 Regardless of the impetus, the result was the same. Christians were being imprisoned and executed due to Pauls efforts.

Blue Letter Bible, s.v. Strongs G1161 de. http://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?Strongs=G1161&t=NIV (assessed August 7, 2012). Jerome Murphy-O'Connor, Road Scholar, U. S. Catholic 73, no. 3 (2008): 25,http://search.ebscohost.com.ezproxy.liberty.edu:2048/login.aspx?direct+true&db+rvh&AN+NTA0000059561&s ite+ehost-live&scope=site (accessed August 7, 2012).
15

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Paul was single-minded in his mission to destroy (ravage) the Church. In fact, he had procured letters from the high priest to go to the synagogues in Damascus in order to find and arrest Messianic Jews. This dedicated Pharisee, devoted to his mission, was the unlikely man that God had chosen as his messenger to the Gentiles. In Acts 22:3, Paul described himself as zealous for God. God knew that He would be able to speak to the heart and mind of Paul. On the road to Damascus, Paul had an experience that forever changed his life.16 When Christ spoke to Paul, he did not tell him his commission. He told him that he was persecuting Him and that he (Paul) needed to go to the city to receive instructions. At this crisis in the narrative, Paul was blind. Once he got to the city, he did not eat or drink for three days.17 While God knew His intentions for Paul, the Christians in Damascus did not. They only knew of the Saul who was arresting Jews who were believers. Lets divide into two groups and explore the response of two other men that God had special plans for in regard to the life of Paul. (Divide class into groups. Tell one group to read Acts 9:10-17 and discuss Ananias and the other group to read Acts 9:26-30 and discuss Barnabas. Allow about five minutes of group learning.) LOOK (Give the class a time warning when there is about one minute left before rejoining the large group.) QUESTIONS ABOUT ANANIAS I know that you have some interesting observations to share with the class. (Ask pointed questions to the groups.)
16

Ibid., 26.

Charles W. Hendrick, Paul's Conversion/call: A Comparative Analysis of the Three Reports in Acts, Journal of Biblical Literature 3 (1981): 415, http://search.ebscohost.com.ezproxy.liberty.edu:2048/login.aspx?direct=true&db=rfh&AN=ATLA0000789177 &site=ehost-live&scope=site (accessed June 26, 2012).

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In what way did God communicate with Ananias? (After the answer add this information.) I wanted to clarify the meaning of vision used in verse ten. It is the Greek word (transliteration horama) and it means a sight divinely granted in an ecstasy or in a sleep, a vision.18 Can you think of other instances in the Bible where God spoke to someone in a vision? Do you think Ananias needed encouragement to go to Paul? What did Ananias do for Paul? Would you have gone? QUESTIONS ABOUT BARNABAS When Paul went to Jerusalem, the believers were afraid of him. Remember, Saul the zealot was well known here. (Ask the following.) Who did God use on this occasion? Is there a record of God speaking to Barnabas? What prompted Barnabas to befriend Paul? (Looking for the answer: the prompting of the Holy Spirit or something similar.) TOOK All of the early Christians were justified in their suspicions of Paul. He had proved to be an enemy of the church. However, what they saw displayed in Paul was a life radically transformed because of the work of Christ.

Blue Letter Bible, s.v. Strongs G3705 horama. http://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?Strongs=G3705&t=NIV (assessed August 7, 2012).

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APPLICATION This week, I would like you to examine your life. Have you been radically transformed? Is there measurable evidence of this transformation? Is this transformation a one-time event or a continuous happening? (Allow a few minutes for discussion.) How can you display your transformation? This week I challenge you to speak boldly for Christ. Be brave!

CLOSING PRAYER (Ask for a member to close the class with prayer.)

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LESSON THREE: HOOK Its great to see each of you this morning. We will be looking at the bold strengthening of the Holy Spirit in the life of the Apostle Paul. I want to share a testimony today that is a little longer than our usual opening, but I believe it will help to illustrate Paul and Barnabas situation in our passage. Several years ago the Perkins family were missionaries with the Southern Baptist Foreign Mission board to Africa. While serving in Africa, their sixteen-year-old son died from an asthma attack. They were devastated. Ken and his wife questioned how this could happen when they were being faithful to their calling. However, they remained on the field. Ken felt the Lord telling him to go to one of the inner countries of Africa where Christian missionaries were not allowed. The only way to get into this country was through a feeding program. He ignored Gods leading for four weeks because he didnt think he should leave his grieving wife and other children so shortly after the tragic loss of their son. Finally, he told his wife what he believed the Lord was telling him to do. She encouraged him to follow Gods leading. With the help of a Presbyterian missionary, it took him two weeks to line up a program with which he could work. When Ken landed in this radically Muslim country, a black man walked up to him as he was getting off the plane and asked him, Are you the one? Ken told the man that he wasnt the one and continued to the feeding station. Government officials questioned Ken about his conversation, but he assured them that he did not know anyone in their country. That afternoon while working the food lines, another black man approached Ken and asked him the same question. This happened again the next morning. The officials seriously began to question Ken about the three different men talking with him. Ken was getting worried that he would be forced to leave the country.

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The next day was a worship day for the Muslims. Ken was restless and decided to go for a walk. As he was out walking the deserted streets, he heard footsteps behind him. He glanced around and the three black men who had approached Ken were following him. Quickening his steps, he turned down an alley only to discover it was a dead end. Resolutely he turned to face his attackers. However, the men did not attack him but asked him the same question, Are you the one? Suddenly, Ken remembered a small piece of paper that the Presbyterian missionary had given to him with the names of three men. Ken reached into his pocket to fetch his wallet and pulled out a scarcely readable piece of paper. The ink had smeared due to the heat and his sweat. Ken read the names on the paper and all three men were visibly afraid because the three names were theirs. Several months prior, these three men whose families had converted to Christianity came home one day to find their wives and children murdered by the Muslims. Each man had blindly run to different countries, broken and wondering why this God they had chosen to serve would allow their families to be brutally killed. The Holy Spirit spoke to each mans spirit and told him to return to his country. All three men arrived within days of each other, six weeks prior to Kens arrival. Together, they had been praying for God to send them a Christian who would teach them more about Jesus and help to alleviate their suffering. These new Christians did not even own a Bible. They had no one to teach them about Christ. God had heard their prayers and sent Ken. Ken was able to stay in their country for several months, meeting secretly with these three men at night, teaching them more fully of Christ.19 Today, we are going to discover the strength one receives from the Holy Spirit when doing ministry, which can be difficult or life threatening.

Ken Perkins shared this testimony at a church in Kentucky, where my husband was staff in 1995. I have shared it as faithfully as possible.

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BOOK THE PASSAGE (Ask someone to read Acts 14:8-19.)

8

In Lystra there sat a man who was lame. He had been that way from birth and had never walked. 9 He listened to Paul as he was speaking. Paul looked directly at him, saw that he had faith to be healed 10 and called out, Stand up on your feet! At that, the man jumped up and began to walk. 11 When the crowd saw what Paul had done, they shouted in the Lycaonian language, The gods have come down to us in human form! 12 Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul they called Hermes because he was the chief speaker. 13 The priest of Zeus, whose temple was just outside the city, brought bulls and wreaths to the city gates because he and the crowd wanted to offer sacrifices to them. 14 But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of this, they tore their clothes and rushed out into the crowd, shouting: 15 Friends, why are you doing this? We too are only human, like you. We are bringing you good news, telling you to turn from these worthless things to the living God, who made the heavens and the earth and the sea and everything in them. 16 In the past, he let all nations go their own way. 17 Yet he has not left himself without testimony: He has shown kindness by giving you rain from heaven and crops in their seasons; he provides you with plenty of food and fills your hearts with joy. 18 Even with these words, they had difficulty keeping the crowd from sacrificing to them. 19 Then some Jews came from Antioch and Iconium and won the crowd over. They stoned Paul and dragged him outside the city, thinking he was dead. HEALING FAITH In this miracle narrative we have an unnamed man who had been lame since birth. The lame man showed a glimmer of faith (v. 9). Perhaps it was in response to Pauls speaking; he may well have been bearing testimony of to the gospel. In any event, the healing is told with the utmost brevity. Paul directed him to stand, and the man immediately jumped to his feet and began to walk about.20

20

J.B. Polhill, The New American Commentary: Acts (Nashville: Broadman & Holeman Publishers, 1995),

26:313.

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REACTION OF THE CROWD This miracle may seem insignificant in the telling; however, it had a monumental impact on the city of Lystra. The citizens were certain that Paul and Barnabas were gods and tried to offer sacrifices to them. Lystra primarily was a city of Gentile pagans; and their reaction to the lame mans healing reflects that background. The gods have come down to us in human form!21 Even the priest of Zeus got excited about these miracle workers and wanted to sacrifice to them. RESPONSE OF PAUL AND BARNABAS When Paul and Barnabas discovered that the people were calling them gods and preparing to offer sacrifices to them, they showed their aguish by tearing their clothing. They told the people that they were men - human. The word human is the Greek word (transliteration: homoiopaths) and means suffering the like with another, of like feelings or affections.22 One would think that the crowd would have been interested in how men, like themselves, could possibly heal another person. But, this statement had the opposite result. The people still wanted to offer Paul and Barnabas sacrifices. However, when the Jews from Antioch and Iconium arrived on the scene, they were able to get a difficult result from the crowd. No longer did the crowd want to honor Paul and Barnabas. They wanted to kill them. They stoned Paul and dumped his body outside the city believing that he was dead. LOOK This reaction shows how fickle people can be. This is true even in todays world. Look at our political arena. Society is often looking for the next Savior the next president who will

Ibid. Blue Letter Bible, s.v. Strongs G3663 homoiopaths. http://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?Strongs=G3663&t=NIV (assessed August 7, 2012).
22

21

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solve all of our countrys problems. This crowd was thrilled to see a miracle but it had to be on their terms by their gods. When Paul said he wasnt one of their gods, the praise quickly turned to condemnation. (Ask someone to read Acts 14:20-22.)
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But after the disciples had gathered around him, he got up and went back into the city. The next day he and Barnabas left for Derbe. 21 They preached the gospel in that city and won a large number disciples. Then they returned to Lystra, Iconium and Antioch, 22 strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith. We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God, they said. The disciples gathered around Paul and he got up. The text does not tell us if they prayed but I suspect that they did. And, I suspect that the believers had faith, perhaps the same type of faith displayed in the lame man that was healed by Paul. Both Paul and Barnabas left for a season and proclaimed Jesus boldly to the Jews and the Gentiles.23 Personally, I might have remained away but Paul and Barnabas made a surprising decision. They went back to the city. Would you have gone back into Lystra? (Allow time for discussion.) What enabled or equipped Paul and Barnabas to go back into Lystra? (Allow time for discussion). TOOK APPLICATION Some might say that Paul and Barnabas were simply two very brave men. And, granted, they were brave and they were bold. But, another more important element to this story is the presence of the Holy Spirit. Paul had been transformed from a killer of Christians to a Christian leader willing to die so that others might come to know Christ. Ken Perkins is just a man, a

Jonathan S. Murphy, The Role of Barnabas in the Book of Acts, Bibliotheca Sacra 167, no. 667 (2010): 334,http://search.ebscohost.com.ezproxy.liberty.edu:2048/login.aspx?direct=true&db=rfh&AN=ATLA0001798233 &site=ehost-live&scope=site (accessed August 7, 2012).

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father, and a husband but he is also a man of faith who listened to the Holy Spirit. Sometimes, the call of God in our lives takes us into situations where we might face devastating losses. This week, I challenge each of you to go to God in prayer and seek His advice about a situation where you have felt defeated, betrayed, or hurt. Ask for his direction. Report back to us any good news as a result of your actions and your prayers. Remember to pray for each other this week. CLOSING PRAYER (Ask a class member to close in prayer.)

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LESSON FOUR: HOOK Today we will be looking at our final lesson on Paul. I am so glad that each of you has come to Sunday school this morning. Our focal passage will be Acts 28:11-16 & 30. However, before we read our text I want to share with you a little bit about my husband, Mark and my journey after the kidnapping. As most of you know, my parents kidnapped our two oldest children, Christi and Bobby, in February of 1989, when Mark was attending Southern Seminary. We left seminary feeling totally defeated and wondering if we had completely missed the call of God in our lives. The last day in Louisville, as we drove through campus, Mark managed to say through chocked tears that he would never serve God again or return to finish his degree. Of course, that was sorrow and anguish talking. God had plans for our lives but they were not going to be orchestrated by us. After a time (six years) of regaining our strength (though not finding our beloved children) and the blessing of adopting a beautiful five-week-old little boy, God again spoke His plan of seminary to Mark. At first, Mark was reluctant to return to seminary because of our great sorrow the first time. However, after we prayed together and he contacted the school (and received a scholarship), we decided that it was Gods timing for us to return to Southern. The decision was difficult in the physical realm but Mark had a peace that he was following the Lords guidance. I have to admit that I didnt have the peace that Mark had when we returned to seminary. But, I trusted God to direct my husband and I knew that God had a call in Marks life. Following God is not always easy. Sometimes horrible tragic things happen to people who are serving Christ. While most of us in this class have not been sent to prison for proclaiming the Gospel, there are times when we face personal tragedy and attack. It is during those times that we have to make a choice. We will either remain faithful or we will deny our

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faith and become bitter. My prayer for each of you is that you will remain faithful during the difficult times. BOOK PASSAGE (Ask someone to read Acts 28:11-16 & 30.)
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After three months we put out to sea in a ship that had wintered in the islandit was an Alexandrian ship with the figurehead of the twin gods Castor and Pollux. 12 We put in at Syracuse and stayed there three days. 13 From there we set sail and arrived at Rhegium. The next day the south wind came up, and on the following day we reached Puteoli. 14 There we found some brothers and sisters who invited us to spend a week with them. And so we came to Rome. 15 The brothers and sisters there had heard that we were coming, and they traveled as far as the Forum of Appius and the Three Taverns to meet us. At the sight of these people Paul thanked God and was encouraged. 16 When we got to Rome, Paul was allowed to live by himself, with a soldier to guard him. 30 For two whole years Paul stayed there in his own rented house and welcomed all who came to see him. BACKGROUND From Pauls conversion on, this apostle was clearly on the move. He traveled on three missionary journeys and planted many churches among both the Gentiles and the Jews. However, in this passage, Pauls travels came to an end. More particularly, from 19:21 on, Pauls focus had been on Rome, the capital and hub of the empire. Now at last his vision was fulfilled as he reached the great city, the ends of the earth. It was the fulfillment not just of Pauls vision but of the Lords commission (cf. 1:8).24 Paul was in prison for two years while waiting to appear before Nero.25 Paul traveled to Rome during the winter. Traveling during the
24 25

Polhill, 535. Hunter B. Blakely, The Gospel of Paul: A Study in the Prison Epistles, Theology Today 3, no. 3

(1946): 345,http://search.ebscohost.com.ezproxy.liberty.edu:2048/login.aspx?direct=true&db=rfh&AN=ATLA0001399181 &site=ehost-live&scope=site (accessed August 7, 2012).

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winter was not a comfortable thing to do. Nothing about this journey would have been comfortable. Yet, it was a journey Paul desired to make. This trip to Rome, as a prisoner, was where Paul would write his three of his letters known as the prison epistles.26 These letters written around 63 A.D. still have tremendous significance for the church.27 Granted, being in prison is not a desirable objective but this captivity halted Pauls journeys, and provided him the opportunity to write to churches. These letters contain important theological information that is still prevalent in the church of today. Even though Paul was in prison, he was under house arrest and was allowed to have visitors. Verse 30 tells us that he was able to entertain and teach all who came to see him while in his chains. Paul had an interesting group of friends while in Rome. Included were the following: Luke, a fellow traveler and historian; John Mark who had once disappointed Paul but had matured and grown in the faith, and others such as Timothy, Aristarchus of Thessolonica, Demas (who later quit), Epaphras of Colosse, Jesus Justus, Tychicus, and Onesimus who was a runaway slave.28 It is interesting to note, that God did not allow the church to forsake Paul while he was in prison. I imagine that Paul would have much more preferred to arrive in Rome a free man able to establish his own course of action and schedule. Yet, one has to wonder if these letters would have been written if Paul had been able to continue to travel and plant churches.

26

Ibid. Ibid. Ibid., 346.

27

28

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Lets divide into a couple of groups so that you can read and discuss for about five minutes the following passages: Ephesians 1:3-5a and Philippians 1: 18b-21. We will be quickly looking at a couple of Pauls epistles. LOOK (Give the class a time warning when there is about one minute left before rejoining the large group.) We do not know the specific purpose for the writing of Ephesians but there is a theme of unity throughout the book concerning the Christian walk. What type of language did you notice in the salutation? Did this letter sound like it came from a man in chains? What are spiritual blessings? (Allow for a time of discussion.) Many Christians know Philippians as a joyful book. Yet, the author was in prison when he penned it. Do you think that you would be able to write such a positive letter if you were in chains? (Allow time for discussion.) The church in Philippians was not without her problems. But, Paul still remains faithful to his calling as a pastor. He wrote letters that were pastoral and that were instructive. Instead of being depressed about his incarceration, Paul stayed busy with ministry and with other believers. TOOK APPLICATION Pauls circumstances were not good. But, he did not let them stop him from fulfilling his calling. He used his imprisonment as an opportunity to teach and to share the gospel. What situations have you allowed to stop your proclamation of Christ? As you have studied these snapshots of Pauls life have they inspired you to be bold regardless of your circumstances?

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Your health, finances, losses, and blessings can all be used as a means to share Christ. How will you respond? CONCLUSION I hope that these lessons on Paul have challenged and encouraged each of you. In our first lesson, we discovered that a person could be zealous toward God but wrong in his actions. Paul wanted to please God but he only had part of Gods message. This partial truth led Paul to arrest Christians. However, we are thankful in lesson two that Christ can save us despite the magnitude of our sins. Paul was called and used by Jesus as an effective missionary, pastor, and writer of the gospel. The third lesson reminded us that our calling is not always easy and sometimes, we have to go back and share the gospel message with those who would rather we died. Paul and Barnabas demonstrated that very often we simply have to keep going back regardless of the reaction of the people. Finally, in lesson four we discovered that often our plans for our lives are not always exactly in line with Gods plan for our lives. Obstacles, such as prison or tragedies, will try to hinder our calling. We may not always understand Gods method for ministry. However, we still need to be faithful in our calling and be flexible to the molding and shaping of the Holy Spirit for He is transforming us into the image of His Son. My prayer for each of you is that regardless of lifes sorrows, you will be strengthened through the Holy Spirit and be a reflection of Christ that draws the lost to Him. CLOSING PRAYER (Ask a class member to close in prayer.)

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BIBLIOGRAPHY FOR LESSON ONE Awwad, Johnny B. From Saul to Paul: The Conversion of Paul the Apostle. Theological Review 32, no. 1 (April 1, 2011):314. http://search.ebscohost.com.ezproxy.liberty.edu:2048/login.aspx?direct=true&db=rfh& AN=ATLA0001837752&site=ehost-live&scope=site (accessed July 15, 2012). Bovon, Franois. The Dossier On Stephen, the First Martyr. Harvard Theological Review 96, no. 3 (2003): page nr. http://search.ebscohost.com.ezproxy.liberty.edu:2048/login.aspx?direct=true&db=rfh &AN=ATLA0001365167&site=ehost-live&scope=site (accessed August 6, 2012). Grabbe, Lester L. Sanhedrin, Sanhedriyyot, or Mere Invention? Journal For The Study Of Judaism In The Persian, Hellenistic And Roman Period 39, no. 1 (2008): 119.http://search.ebscohost.com.ezproxy.liberty.edu:2048/login.aspx?direct=true&db=rfh &AN=ATLA0001654882&site=ehost-live&scope=site (accessed August 7, 2012). Menoud, Philippe H. Revelation and Tradition: The Influence of Paul's Conversion On His Theology.Interpretation 7, no. 2 (April 1, 1953): 13141.http://search.ebscohost.com.ezproxy.liberty.edu:2048/login.aspx?direct=true&db=rfh& AN=ATLA0000654783&site=ehost-live&scope=site (accessed July 12, 2012).

BIBLIOGRAPHY FOR LESSON TWO Hendrick, Charles W. Paul's Conversion/call: A Comparative Analysis of the Three Reports in Acts.Journal of Biblical Literature 3 (1981): 41532.http://search.ebscohost.com.ezproxy.liberty.edu:2048/login.aspx?direct=true&db=rfh& AN=ATLA0000789177&site=ehost-live&scope=site (accessed June 26, 2012). Murphy-O'Connor, Jerome. Road Scholar. U. S. Catholic 73, no. 3 (2008): 2428.http://search.ebscohost.com.ezproxy.liberty.edu:2048/login.aspx?direct+true&db+rvh& AN+NTA0000059561&site+ehost-live&scope=site (accessed August 7, 2012). The Life of Chuck Colson. Charles Colson Legacy Fund. http://chuckcolson.org/the-life-ofchuck-colson/(accessed August 7, 2012).

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BIBLIOGRAPHY FOR LESSON THREE Murphy, Jonathan S. The Role of Barnabas in the Book of Acts. Bibliotheca Sacra 167, no. 667 (2010): 31941. http://search.ebscohost.com.ezproxy.liberty.edu:2048/login.aspx?direct=true&db=rfh& AN=ATLA0001798233&site=ehost-live&scope=site (accessed August 7, 2012). Polhill, J.B. The New American Commentary: Acts. Vol. 26. Nashville: Broadman & Holeman Publishers, 1995.

BIBLIOGRAPHY FOR LESSON FOUR

Blakely, Hunter B. The Gospel of Paul: A Study in the Prison Epistles. Theology Today 3, no. 3 (1946): 34557. http://search.ebscohost.com.ezproxy.liberty.edu:2048/login.aspx?direct=true&db=rfh& AN=ATLA0001399181&site=ehost-live&scope=site (accessed August 7, 2012). Polhill, J.B. The New American Commentary: Acts. Vol. 26. Nashville: Broadman & Holeman Publishers, 1995.

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