Session 9: Reaching Out (11:19-26)
Today, we more or less take for granted that the Christian movement is a world-wide phenomenon. Such was not the case in the beginning. In our last session we studied how the Holy Spirit enabled Jesus’ followers to understand that the salvation made possible by Jesus was even for non-Jews. The Jewish disciples were amazed that Samaritans and Gentiles received the gift of the Holy Spirit just as they had. The Jewish Christians accepted the Gentile Christians as fellow-believers in Jesus as Lord. It was now up to the disciples to take the initiative to take the gospel to people everywhere.
Read 11:19-26
1. What are the places mentioned that the dispersed Christians had traveled to?
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2. Why was Antioch an important place to start this mission to the Gentiles?
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3. Who were they preaching the message to? _______________________________
4. Who began preaching to the Gentiles, also called Hellenists? __________________
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5. What was the result of their work? ______________________________________
6. Who was sent from Jerusalem to check on this new work? ___________________
7. Who did Barnabas enlist to help him with the work at Antioch? _______________
8. What are some of the benefits of a cooperative or a shared ministry?
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9. What significant event concerning the name of the Jesus movement came about at Antioch?
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Often we forget that each of us, unless we are Jewish Christians who can date our family back to the first century, are products of the mission movement. Our life as Christians, even our name, derives from this first work to take the gospel to the world and to “make disciples of all nations”. Missions are not just a program of the church but are the essential ingredient. Mission ministry is not just for foreign efforts but right here in our own Jerusalem. A church, and each member, should share the gospel with all people regardless of their race, culture, language, lifestyle, social position, economic standing or political affiliation
What, in your opinion, is a mission/ministry need in our community that came be used to “make disciples of all nations”?