GOLDEN TEXT: "In him we live, and move, and have our being." (Acts 17:28.) SCRIPTURE, to be read in school or class: Acts 17:16-34. REVIEW AND PRELIMINARY QUESTIONS. 1. Which Part of the history of the apostolic church as given in these lessons are we now studying? 2. Which two of its three principal characteristics have been brought to our notice in the lessons thus far, and how? 3. What caused the separation between Paul and Barnabas at Antioch? 4. What three companions did Paul have on his second missionary journey, and where did each join him? 5. How was Paul divinely guided from Galatia to Philippi? 6. Who was the first convert in Philippi? 7. Tell the story of the conversion of the Philippian jailer. 8. What is the title of this lesson? its topics? its Golden Text? THE LESSON OUTLINE, WITH WRITTEN-ANSWER QUESTIONS. 1. A Church Established in Thessalonica. Acts 17: I-9. 1. What custom of his did Paul follow in Thessalonica? (Acts 17: I-3.) 2. What four results followed? (See Expl. Notes.) vs. 4. vs. 5. vss. 6, 7. vss. 8, 9. 2. Paul's Description of his Work in Thessalonica. I Thes. 2: I-12. 3. What were some of the characteristics of Paul's preaching in Thessalonica? I Thes. 2: I, 2. I Thes. 2:3-6. 4. How did he conduct himself toward the Thessalonian converts? (vss. 7, 10, 11.) 5. How did he show that he was preaching from no selfish motive? (vs. 9, comp. Acts 18: 1-4.) 3. Paul and Silas in Berca. Acts 17: 10-15. 6. What is said of the Jews at Beroa? (Acts 17: 10-12.) 7. What former experience of the apostle was repeated here? (vs. 13.) 8. Whom did Paul leave in Bercea when he went to Athens? (vss. 14, 15.) 4. Paul in Athens. Acts 17: 16-34. 9. What especially moved Paul while waiting in Athens? 16; see Expl. Note.) (Acts 17: 10. What did he do because of this? (vs. 17; see Expl. Note.) 11. Why was he taken to the Areopagus? (vss. 18-21; see Expl Notes, and B. D.) 12. At the beginning of his aadress, to what conspicuous trait of the Athenians did Paul call attention? (vs. 226, 23; see Expl. Notes.) 13. What did he then teach his hearers about God? (vss. 24, 25.) 14. What did he say which opposed their notion that the Greeks were superior to all other nations? (vss. 26-28.) 15. How did he show the unreasonableness of idolatry? (vs. 29.) 16. What did he say that is now necessary for all men to do, and why? (vss. 30, 31.) 17. What results followed his preaching in Athens? (vss. 32-34.) 18. Describe the route of Paul from Philippi to Athens, and trace it on Map No. 4. LESSON TEACHINGS, WITH QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION. 19. To what authority did Paul appeal in his reasonings with the Jews (Acts 17: 2, 3)? How does he elsewhere describe these writings (2 Tim. 3: 15, 16)? How does he characterize the gospel message (1 Thes. 2:13)? Why is the Bible worthy of our most careful study? 20. Why is the world disquieted at the preaching of the gospel (Acts 17:6)? Mention one of the purposes for which Christ came into the world (Mt. 10:34). What must be accomplished before the kingdom of God can become supreme among men? 21. Why was the attitude of the Beroans toward the truth especially commendable? Why is it hard for men to be open-minded and unprejudiced about religious truth? 22. What did Paul tell the Athenians about God's overruling care of nations (Acts 17:26)? To what else does his care extend (Ps., 147:6, 9, 13, 14; Mt. 10:29, 30)? What is it to live in God (Acts 17:28)? What is his principal desire concerning us? TOPICS FOR SPECIAL INVESTIGATION AND THOUGHT. 1. The constant persecution of Paul by the Jews, and his attitude toward them. 2. The city of Athens. 3. Epicureans and Stoics: their doctrines. 4. The Areopagus. 5. The argument of Paul's speech at Athens. 6. Feeling after God (Acts 17:27). 7. God our Father (Acts 17:28). Lesson 20. THE FOUNDING OF THE CHURCH IN Continuation and Close of the SECOND Acts 18:1-22; 1 Thes., ch. 3; 1 Cor., ch. 2; 2 Cor. II: I-15. A.D. 52-54. Note 32.- From Athens Paul sent Timothy to strengthen the church at Thessalonica concerning which he felt great anxiety (1 Thes. 3: 1, 2), and to which he himself had intended to return but was unable to do so (1 Thes. 2:18). A little later Paul proceeded to Corinth, forty-five miles distant by land. Here he was presently rejoined by Timothy with news from Thessalonica which greatly comforted him (1 Thes. 3:6). Paul tarried in Corinth a year and a half, working at his trade and preaching first to the Jews and afterwards to the Gentiles. Toward the close of this period the Jews made an attack on him which, however, recoiled upon their own heads. This Corinthian ministry resulted in the founding of one of the most important churches established by Paul; and is especially memorable as marking the beginning of his immortal contributions to Christian literature (see Note 33, Lesson 21). From Corinth he crossed the Ægean sea to Ephesus, where he tarried but a short time and then sailed to Cæsarea. Thence he went to Jerusalem for a brief visit (the fourth after his conversion), and then hastened to Antioch. He was absent on this second missionary journey about three years, A.D. 51–54. GOLDEN TEXT: "Be not afraid, but speak . . . for I am with thee." (Acts 18:9, 10.) SCRIPTURE, to be read in school or class: Acts 18: 1-II. DAILY MONDAY....Acts 18: 1-11. TUESDAY ...1 Thes., ch. 3. WEDNESDAY. I Cor. 9: 7-22. THURSDAY .2 Cor. 11: 1-15. FRIDAY .....I Cor., ch. 2. SATURDAY...1 Cor. 3:1-17. SUNDAY.. .Acts 18: 12-22. ..... SCRIPTURE READINGS. Paul's Work in Corinth. Paul Comforted by News from Thessalonica. The Manner of Paul's Preaching in Corinth. Paul before Gallio. The Return to Syria. REVIEW AND PRELIMINARY QUESTIONS. 1. Describe Paul's route from Antioch in Syria to Corinth, while on his second missionary journey, naming in order the places visited, and stating briefly the principal events at each. 2. In which of these places was his work most successful? in which least? 3. How did he show that he was not preaching the gospel from any selfish motive? 4. For what were the Jews in Berca especially commended? 5. What did Paul take as the text of his address to the Athenians? 6. What is the title of this lesson? its topics? its Golden Text? THE LESSON OUTLINE, WITH WRITTEN-ANSWER QUESTIONS. 1. Paul's Work in Corinth. Acts 18: 1-11. 2. Paul Comforted by News from Thessalonica. I Thes., ch. 3. 3. Paul Aided by Gifts from Macedonia. 2 Cor. 11:1-15. 1. With whom did Paul stay in Corinth, and why? (Acts 18: 1–3.) 2. Why had these persons come to Corinth? (vs. 2; see Expl. Note.) 3. When Timothy returned from Macedonia (vs. 5), what word did he bring that greatly comforted Paul? (1 Thes. 3:6-8.) 4. To whom did Paul turn when the Jews opposed him? (Acts 18:4-6; see Expl. Notes.) |