Today, we looked at the story of Paul's calling from the Holy Spirit and his first missionary journey.
The journey is full of success - many come to know the Lord and are eager to know Christ (Acts 13:42-44).
And yet they also faced many challenges: slander, reviling, hatred, exile, and even stoning!
And yet, despite the hostility, the two missionaries persevere and we see their suffering is not in vain as the Spirit fills them! (Acts 13:51-52)
Acts 14:21-22:
21 When they had preached the gospel to that city and had made many disciples, they returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch, 22 strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying that through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.
In our own walks with God, we are not promised it will be easy. In fact, it will be the hardest thing we will ever do in our lives. And yet, scripture reminds us to keep our HOPE and our FAITH and to remain steadfast in the Lord when times get tough!
Without Christ as our hope and shelter, we cannot persevere!
James 1:2-4:
2 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, 3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
Questions for your student: