a. What did Paul and Barnabas do when they heard about the plot? Small Group Questions “The Church Afire: The Road Beyond” 8. How was the miracle of healing that occurred at Lystra Acts 14:1-28 (14:8-10) similar to one that occurred in Acts 3:1-10?

1. What does joining God’s mission mean to you? In what a. Why was it significant to say the man was lame ways has your life changed since you accepted God’s from birth? message and mission? b. How do you think Paul knew the man had faith? 2. According to verse 1, what happened when Paul and Barnabas arrived at Iconium? c. Why do you think the reactions to the same type of healing were so different? 3. If they spoke effectively, how could the unbelieving Jews poison the minds of the Gentiles (14:2)? 9. Why did the people of Lystra want to worship Paul and Barnabas (14:11)? a. Can you give a modern-day example of a similar occurrence? a. What did people call Paul and Barnabas (14:12)?

4. What do you think caused Paul and Barnabas to spend 10. What reaction did Paul and Barnabas have toward a considerable amount of time speaking boldly (14:3)? those who wished to worship them (14:14-18)?

a. Can you think of a time in your life where opposition a. How might you respond to someone who wants to spurred you on to greater effort? Explain. give you praise for something you have done?

5. Paul and Barnabas came with a message of grace. b. What are the “useless things” that Paul referred to Why do you think people divided over this message? in verse 15?

a. Can you think of a major issue where people are c. What are some examples of contemporary useless not divided? things?

b. How does such division affect the church? 11. The Jews from Antioch and Iconium persuaded the people of Lystra to take action against Paul. What did 6. Do you think that it’s possible to be right even if large they do to Paul (14:19)? numbers of people disagree? Explain. a. What happened to Paul next (14:20)? 7. What do you think prompted the Jews to conspire against the Apostles (14:5-7)? b. How did a crowd that wanted to worship him suddenly change to stoning him? c. How do you think it was possible for Paul to walk 20. Why do you think the role of elder was important to the away after being stoned? church in Paul’s day?

12. Do you think what Paul and Barnabas decided to do a. How is the role of elder used today? Is this the same or next was the right thing to do (14:20)? different from Paul’s day? 21. Seeing all the opposition they faced, why do you think Paul 13. What three things did Paul and Barnabas do when they and Barnabas considered the journey a success? returned to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch (14:21-23)? 22. After Paul got up and returned to Lystra, do you think there a. What was the importance of these actions? would have been anyone left who was neutral about the Gospel? Do you think there are genuinely neutral people 14. What did Paul say is involved with entering the today? Why or why not? Kingdom of God (14:22)? 23. All believers are on their own mission journey. Can you stop a. How do you see this as true today? Give specific focusing on the opposition and start looking for what God is examples. doing through you? 24. Why, when you know it will bring hardship, do you still join b. When you think of Paul’s comment, what kinds of God in his mission? things do you fear? 25. Chapter 14 continues the missionary journey. Look in verses 15. What would it look like to have your whole life described 1, 6, 20, 21, and 23 to find the next five cities where by the Gospel? churches were planted.

16. Once Paul and Barnabas returned to the church at Antioch in Syria, what did they do (14:26-28)? Next Steps: a. How important is this step for the church? GI’ve resisted allowing the Gospel to describe my whole life. b. How is this similar to what our missionaries still do today? GI’ve been afraid of the consequences and hardships of allowing the Gospel to describe my whole life. 17. What principles of missions and outreach do you find in Paul’s first journey that are applicable today? GI have typically only thought about the Kingdom of God as a 18. How do you know when you have completed a future concept, not a present reality. mission? When is “enough, enough”? GBecause the Kingdom of God is here and because I want the 19. Why do you think Paul never rented or bought buildings Gospel to describe my whole life, despite the hardships, my in which to have church services? next step is ______.