Wind of Growth – The First Mission Trip
April 28-29, 2011
I. WELCOME, 15 mins.
Plan one to two icebreakers for the purpose of mixing around and getting group participation or getting acquainted.
II. WORSHIP, 20 mins.
Prayerfully choose a few songs to lead people into God’s presence. During this time, cell leaders will encourage cell members to listen to the Holy Spirit and release the words of strengthening, encouragement, and comfort they have received for the cell group, the church and nations. Upon each word shared, the cell leader will lead members by thanking and praising God for His promise and/or praying aloud together for the needs, etc.
III. WORKS, 20 mins.
During this time, the cell will break into groups of 3 to pray for the followings: (1) the mission organization or daughter church adopted by the cell (2) the church ministry needs as printed on Sunday bulletin (3) individual’s needs, new comers, the sick, and blessings for one another.
IV. WORD, 35 mins.
Use the format of sharing & discussion to apply God’s word in our daily lives.
Scriptures: Acts 13:13-16,42-52 (Please take turns to read the passage verse by verse and reflect upon it for 5 minutes.)Memory Verse: For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile. (Romans 1:16 NIV 2011)
Reflection on the Words
1. Life training while in mission (Act 13:13):
On the spiritual part, Paul depended on the gift and the power of the Spirit to discern the spirits and to boast victory to the enemies. He was able to bring people to see the work of God and to receive the grace of salvation.. How wonderful it is to co-labor with God. On the part of working with people, Paul also had to face with and to be trained on. The mission team sailed from Paphos to Perga in Pamphylia (present day southern Turkey). Mark who was called John left. While the specific reason for this was not mentioned, this was their life training:
1. Problem of co-working in serving: During the initial phase of development of the ministry, problems occurred frequently due to the differences of the personality and the spiritual maturity of the coworkers. The departure of Mark might have caused Paul to self-reprove and to see the areas that he himself needed to change. Mark’s life on the other hand also needed more experiences. Later on the two of them reconciled. Paul said that Mark was helpful in ministry. And Mark was also used by God to write the Gospel of Mark.
2. Faithfully abiding in the Lord: The enemies set against the believers through many problems. Paul did not cower back because of this. He and Barnabas continued in their missionary journey because what they sought was the kingdom of God and the fulfillment of His will. This should also be the attitudes that we have in our live and ministry.
Discussion 1: Due to the differences in personalities and the maturity levels of spiritual lives, there will often be conflicts in working together in ministries. Have you had such experiences? How did you solve them?
Discussion 2: From this example, what are the things that you think you can learn from Paul?
2. Paul’s first public preaching (Acts 13:14-16):
They left for Pisidian Antioch from Perga. On Sabbath they went to join the gathering in the synagogue to meet and connect with the local Jews. After the reading from the Law, the leaders of the synagogue asked them to share to exhort the congregations. Paul stood up and used the opportunity to start his first public message testify for Jesus (The content of his message are in verses 17 to 41):
1. Going back to the history of the Israelites leading to Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 13:17-23)
2. Lord Jesus is the promised Messiah (Acts 13:24-37)
3. Righteousness through faith (Acts 13:18-41)
Discussion 3: How did Paul start with his strategy for evangelization? Why did he first go to the gathering in the synagogue?
Discussion 4: From this example, how would you share the Gospel with others in the future?
3. Paul’s sermon brought great influence (Acts 13:42-52):
Paul’s testimony opened the spiritual knowledge of the local Jews. As a result of this, it brought positive and negative influences:
1. Positive influences:
· They were invited to share on the next Sabbath. Many believed in their messages and they encouraged these people to continue in the grace of God (Acts 13:42-43).
· Almost the whole town came to listen to the preaching on the next Sabbath (Acts 13:44)
· The Gentiles gladly accepted what Paul had preached and received salvation. The word of the Lord was spread in Antioch (Acts 13:48-49)
· The disciples were filled with joy and the Spirit (Acts 13:52).
2. Negative influences:
· Jews were jealous that so many believed in what Paul had preached. They started to contradict and heap abuses on him.
· Jews were stiff-necked and rejected the words of God. Hence Paul turned and preached to the Gentiles (Acts 13:46-47).
· Jews incited women of high standing and leading men to persecute them. They were expelled. As a result, the local Jews lost the benefit of the Gospel (Acts 13:50)
· They shook the dust off their feet to these people that unwelcomed them and went off to Iconium (Acts 13:51)
Discussion 5: What are the usual results as the Gospel is shared? How are we to look at the positive and the negative results?
Our Response
Praise the Lord! While we were still sinner, He had already prepared the grace of salvation. This grace is not only for us, but also for those that God prepared to save in Christ Jesus. Let us share His word and testify Christ Jesus and share the salvation of Jesus Christ to those that we know. At the same time, let us concentrate in following Christ Jesus. Let what we seek in our hearts be His kingdome and His righteousness. He will surely lead us to our beautiful land of Canaan. Let us receive the land in His wind of opportunity and publicize His grace to the ends of the earth.