Help Lord, I’m Discouraged!- Acts 18:1-17
Icebreaker: Describe a time in your life where you had the final say on any given matter. What did you do with the feeling of “power”?
Read: Acts 18:1-6
18 After this, Paul left Athens and went to Corinth. 2There he met a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, who had recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla, because Claudius had ordered all the Jews to leave Rome. Paul went to see them, 3and because he was a tentmaker as they were, he stayed and worked with them. 4Every Sabbath he reasoned in the synagogue, trying to persuade Jews and Greeks. 5When Silas and Timothy came from Macedonia, Paul devoted himself exclusively to preaching, testifying to the Jews that Jesus was the Christ. 6But when the Jews opposed Paul and became abusive, he shook out his clothes in protest and said to them, “Your blood be on your own heads! I am clear of my responsibility. From now on I will go to the Gentiles.”
- Describe what it means for you to testify to another person that “Jesus was the Christ”. (John 1:41)
- What was Paul’s reaction to the opposition and abuse?
- What is the significance of “Paul” saying he is clear of his responsibility? Can we as Christians clear our responsibilities to continue witnessing to the “unreceptive”? Please explain any thoughts you may have related to this subject. (Ezekiel 18:22, 32; 1 Timothy 2:3-4)
Read: Acts 18:7-11
7Then Paul left the synagogue and went next door to the house of Titius Justus, a worshiper of God. 8Crispus, the synagogue ruler, and his entire household believed in the Lord; and many of the Corinthians who heard him believed and were baptized.
9 One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision: “Do not be afraid; keep on speaking, do not be silent. 10 For I am with you, and no one is going to attack and harm you, because I have many people in this city.” 11 So Paul stayed for a year and a half, teaching them the word of God.
4. Why do you think Paul and others just did not get up and travel into another place for “ministry”?
5. Who else did Paul have on his mind? (read Acts 18:7)
6. What can we do to expand our list of those to whom we could be witnesses?
7. Why were some people receptive to the message of Paul while others were not?
8. In Acts 18:9-10, what were three directions the Lord gave to Paul and what result did God promise?
9. Describe a time when God helped you face your fears when you were witnessing.
10. What caused Paul to stay an extended amount of time and what was he doing?
Read Acts 18:12–17
12 While Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews made a united attack on Paul and brought him into court. 13 “This man,” they charged, “is persuading the people to worship God in ways contrary to the law.”
14 Just as Paul was about to speak, Gallio said to the Jews, “If you Jews were making a complaint about some misdemeanor or serious crime, it would be reasonable for me to listen to you. 15 But since it involves questions about words and names and your own law — settle the matter yourselves. I will not be a judge of such things.” 16 So he had them ejected from the court. 17 Then they all turned on Sosthenes the synagogue ruler and beat him in front of the court. But Gallio showed no concern whatever.
11. Describe how God used Gallio to protect Paul and the accusations of false statements regarding Paul’s messages. (Acts 18:12–17)
12. How do we recognize that God is at work in today’s world through unbelievers? How does knowing that God can work through unbelievers give us comfort to continue through difficult times?