How Paul discipled Timothy
Paul found Timothy in Derbe and Lystra — a young man with a good testimony among the believers. His mother Eunice was a Jewess who believed, and his father was…
Lesson 8 · Course 55
Acts Continued
Jerusalem Council, Galatians, second journey, Spirit-led ministry, Athens, and Romans.
At a glance
Summary
Jerusalem Council, Galatians, second journey, Spirit-led ministry, Athens, and Romans. The Jerusalem Council rejected requiring Gentiles to become Jews first. Salvation is by grace through faith. Gentiles were asked to abstain from idolatry-related food, blood and strangled meat, and sexual immorality.
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Big ideas
What to teach and remember
- The Jerusalem Council rejected requiring Gentiles to become Jews first. Salvation is by grace through faith. Gentiles were asked to abstain from idolatry-related food, blood and strangled meat, and sexual immorality.
- Galatians contrasts law and faith. It was written to the churches in the Roman province of Galatia.
- On the second missionary journey, Paul took Silas while Barnabas took John Mark. The split did not stop the work — two teams went out.
- Paul discipled Timothy through Scripture, example, shared ministry, and practical prep. He circumcised Timothy so he could minister among the Jews — ministry access, not salvation or a forced Jewish identity.
- Spirit-led ministry includes planning, goals, strategy, open and closed doors, patience, visions, support, hindsight, and confirming circumstances. The Macedonia vision redirected them to Europe.
- Lydia was the first convert in Europe; the Philippian jailer came later. Prayer and praise still work under oppression.
- In Athens, begin where they are. Paul used the unknown God as a point of contact, then still preached the Creator, repentance, resurrection, and judgment.
- Romans teaches that sin is a universal problem for both the pagan and the religious person — justification by faith, and victory in the struggle.
Key terms
People, places, and words that matter
Ten principles on how to be led of the Spirit (Acts 16:
The ten principles in Acts 16:6–11 are these: (1) Make a plan to carry out God’s work, but be willing for the Spirit to change it. (2) Have a clear goal of…
Paul’s experience in Athens (Acts 17:15-34)
Paul’s experience in Athens teaches us to begin with people where they are. Athens was full of idols, and the people liked to discuss new ideas. Paul was…
Salvation
Salvation is by grace through faith
Lydia
Lydia is the first convert in Europe; the Philippian jailer came later
Justification
Romans teaches that sin is a universal problem for both the pagan and the religious person — justification by faith, and victory in the struggle.
Structure
Outline / timeline
- How Paul discipled Timothy
- Ten principles on how to be led of the Spirit (Acts 16:6-11)
- Paul’s experience in Athens (Acts 17:15-34)
Must remember
Facts to keep straight
| Quiz score | 100% (2 attempts) |
|---|---|
| Audience | churches in the Roman province of Galatia |
| Reject | The Jerusalem Council rejected requiring Gentiles to become Jews first. Salvation is by grace through faith. Gentiles were asked to abstain… |
| Key claim | Galatians contrasts law and faith. It was written to the churches in the Roman province of Galatia. |
| Key claim | On the second missionary journey, Paul took Silas while Barnabas took John Mark. The split did not stop the work — two teams went out. |
For the pulpit
Sermon hooks
- Paul used the unknown God as a point of contact, then still preached the Creator, repentance, resurrection, and judgment.
- (2) Have a clear goal of what you want to accomplish — Paul wanted to preach the Word.
Quiz drill
Quiz drill / review · open to practice · 10 items
Quiz score: 100% · 2 attempt
1. James, the human brother of Jesus, was the leader of the Jerusalem Church
TrueJames, the human brother of Jesus, led the Jerusalem Church when the Council met.
2. Galatians was written to the churches in the Roman province of Galatia.
TrueGalatians is a letter to the churches in the Roman province of Galatia — law set against faith.
3. The Jerusalem Council concluded that new believers must first become Jews before they can be followers of Jesus.
FalseThe Council rejected that. Salvation is by grace through faith, not by becoming a Jew first.
4. On the Second Missionary Journey, Paul took John Mark, while Barnabas took Silas.
FalsePaul took Silas; Barnabas took John Mark. Two teams went out after the split.
5. Paul circumcised Timothy in order to force him to have a Jewish identity.
FalseCircumcision was for ministry access among Jews, not salvation or a forced Jewish identity.
6. Hindsight helps us understand and interpret God's plan for our life
TrueOne of the Spirit-led principles in Acts 16: hindsight helps us put the pieces together.
7. Sometimes circumstances confirm we are being led of the Spirit.
TrueCircumstances can confirm the Spirit’s leading — the trip to Neapolis and what followed.
8. The first convert in Europe was the Philippian jailer.
FalseLydia was the first convert in Europe. The Philippian jailer came later.
9. When preaching to a secular crowd, we must begin where they are. (
TrueAthens: begin where they are. Paul used the unknown God as a point of contact.
10. Romans teaches that sin is a universal problem for both the pagan and religious person.
TrueRomans: sin is universal — for the pagan and the religious person alike.
Essay themes
If you preach or review
How Paul discipled Timothy
Paul found Timothy in Derbe and Lystra — a young man with a good testimony among the believers. His mother Eunice was a Jewess who believed, and his father was a Greek. Grandmother Lois and mother Eunice had taught him the Holy Scriptures and given him a sincere faith. Timothy had also seen Paul suffer when Paul was stoned at Lystra. After John Mark left, Paul invited Timothy to travel and minister with him. Paul had Timothy circumcised, not to save him or force a Jewish identity, but so the Jews would not be offended and Timothy could minister among them. Paul gave him the decrees from the Jerusalem church and trained him by serving beside him. Timothy became Paul’s son in the faith and a trusted helper. Through his help the churches were strengthened in the faith and increased in number.
Ten principles on how to be led of the Spirit (Acts 16:6-11)
The ten principles in Acts 16:6–11 are these: (1) Make a plan to carry out God’s work, but be willing for the Spirit to change it. (2) Have a clear goal of what you want to accomplish — Paul wanted to preach the Word. (3) Have a strategy. Paul planted churches in large cities, looked for places with a Jewish population, and looked for responsive people first. (4) Follow both open doors and closed doors. God can lead by giving an opportunity or by forbidding a way. (5) When the way is not clear, obey the last clear direction and wait on God instead of forcing a door. (6) Go as far as you can go. Paul continued to Troas, the farthest point he could reach. (7) God may lead by an unusual event or vision. Paul received the vision of the Macedonian man. (8) Take others with you for support. Luke, Timothy, Silas, and Paul went together, and the passage changes to “we.” (9) Hindsight helps us put the pieces together and understand God’s plan. (10) Circumstances can confirm the Spirit’s leading. The quick, straight trip to Neapolis and the events that followed confirmed the direction. Being led by the Spirit includes prayerful planning, obedience, patience, and checking our direction against God’s work.
Paul’s experience in Athens (Acts 17:15-34)
Paul’s experience in Athens teaches us to begin with people where they are. Athens was full of idols, and the people liked to discuss new ideas. Paul was troubled by the idols, but he still spoke respectfully. He reasoned with the Jews and Gentile worshipers in the synagogue, then spoke daily in the marketplace. He used the altar to the unknown God as a point of contact. He did not approve their idols; he used what they knew to explain the true God who made the world and is Lord of heaven and earth. He taught that God is near, that people must turn to Him, and that God will judge the world through the Man He raised from the dead. When Paul mentioned the resurrection, some mocked him, but others believed. This is contextualization: making contact with unsaved people and helping them give an honest hearing to the Gospel. Meet people where they are and lift them to the truth. Paul did not change the Gospel even though some called his approach a compromise.