January’s memory verse:

“...they should seek God, and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him. Yet he is actually not far from each one of us, for ‘In him, we live and move and have our being’; as even some of your own poets have said, ‘For we are indeed his offspring.’ '” — Acts 17:27-28

Acts Chapter 18:

We are close to the end of our second missionary j0urney with Paul. Are you getting to know him and the author of Acts, Luke, quite well? Chapter 18 opens up with Paul leaving Athens and arriving in Corinth. He meets Pricilla and Aquila and continues to work with them as a tentmaker. However, every Saturday he reasoned in the synagogues persuading both Jews and Greeks that Jesus was the Christ! We see how Paul handles conflict in this chapter, and we also can stand amazed at what happens when the synagogue ruler believes. Paul presses on with the message and the gospel continues to go forward. It is not an easy journey, but God is gracious to give Paul a vision and protection. He is encouraged to not be afraid and to keep speaking. His time before the tribunal in the middle of this chapter mirrors Jesus' time before Pilate. Despite the road blocks, Paul continues to circle back, going from place to place to follow up, teach, and strengthen the disciples. At the end of the chapter, we meet a Jew named Apollos and note that the work of growing the church was not just Paul's, the Lord used many.

Here are a few application questions from this chapter to ponder this week:

Read Matthew 10:5-12, noting the instructions that Jesus gives as he sends out the twelve Apostles. How does Paul apply these instructions as he journeyed from city to city teaching the Good News? Which one(s) do not apply to Paul’s ministry?
Why do you think the Lord reassured Paul through a vision? Would you have been close to giving up because of the persecution and rejection, or would you have been energized by the new believers that were accepting Christ in each city?
Why did Paul shave his head in verse 18 according to Jewish custom if Christian believers were no longer bound by the Jewish laws because of the new Covenant (grace through faith)? Some cross-references are Acts 21:23-24, Numbers 6:1-21 and 1 Corinthians 9:19-23.

If you need a quick synopsis of the events in the previous chapter, keep scrolling.

Summary of chapter 17:

As they arrive in Thessalonnica, Paul spends days in the synagogues proving that it was necessary for Christ to suffer and rise from the dead. Devout Greeks and leading women come to a saving knowledge of Jesus.
The Jews are jealous and some who declare that the world has been turned upside down, form a mob and seek out Paul and Silas
Paul and Silas (in an underground railroad rescue) head to Berea.
Paul spends time in with the Bereans, encouraged by their eagerness and examination of the Scriptures. The Jews in Thessalonnica are irritated by Paul's proclamation of the gospel and come to Berea to stir up the crowds.
Paul departs from the city quickly, leaving Silas and Timothy, and travels on to Athens.
As Paul walks through the marketplace, and listens to the stoics and the philosophers, he perceives and observes the objects of their worship and encourages them to worship a God not made by human hands, but one who lives in the temple of man.
In Athens, some men mocked Paul and others believed and joined him in faith.

This Year’s Memory Verse

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. “

Acts 1:8