Immanuel Lutheran Church, Mankato
St. Paul—His Life and Letters
Paul’s First Missionary Journey – Iconium to Syrian Antioch

IX. Paul’s First Missionary Journey
Iconium to Syrian Antioch

1. Read Acts 14 and trace the path of Paul and Barnabas’ travels on your map.

2. Compare the mission work of Paul and Barnabas in Inconium as described in Acts 13:14,43-45,50 with their work in Antioch in Pisidia as described in Acts 14:1-6:

3. What was the unexpected result of Paul’s miracle in Lystra?

   Acts 14:11-12—

   The Greeks did not believe that the gods created the universe. It was the other way around—the universe created the gods. Before there were gods, the heavens and earth simply formed. They were the first parents. The Titans were their children, and the Greek gods were their grandchildren. The Titans, often called the "elder gods," were supreme in the universe for untold ages, according to Greek mythology. The most important Titan was Cronus. He ruled over the other Titans until his son, Zeus dethroned him and seized power. Zeus was one of the twelve Olympian gods and considered to be the supreme god. Hermes was his son. The Olympian gods were not omnipotent or omniscient and were plagued by human foibles. Zeus, who ruled the sky, is often portrayed in mythology as being deceived by others as well as being unfaithful and deceptive himself. Hermes was Zeus’ messenger and is often depicted as having wings on his feet. We are most familiar with him because he is the symbol for FTD florists.

4. Contrast Paul’s description of God in Acts 14:15-17 with that of Acts 13:16-41. What does that description tell you about the population of Lystra?

5. What two-fold purpose did Paul’s return trip serve?

   Acts 14:21-23—

Discussion Topics:

1. Read Matthew 10:16-26. How did these words of Jesus come true during Paul’s First Missionary Journey? How did Paul deal personally with such persecution? How did he help other believers deal with persecution? What types of persecution must believers endure today? What can we learn from Paul to help us deal with persecution?
2. Review Acts 14:3,15-17,23,27 . Who is the moving force behind the First Missionary Journey? What meaning does that fact have for us today, as we seek to evangelize our world as individuals, congregations, and synods?