1 Paul’s Second Missionary JourneyActs 17-21 Paul’s Second Missionary Journey
2 Paul’s second missionary journey lasted about three years and covered about 3,000 miles. This journey began in Antioch in Syria. Paul likely wrote both epistles to the Thessalonians after he arrived in Corinth.
3 “In Athens, Paul encountered philosophers of the Epicureans and Stoics (see Acts 17:18). Epicureanism was named for Epicurus (341–270 B.C.). According to his philosophy, the world came into existence by chance and was without purpose or design. Epicureans believed that the gods, if they did exist, did not involve themselves in the lives of humans and that happiness was to be found in the absence of cares and pain and the enjoyment of pleasures in moderation. “Stoicism began with the teachings of a man named Zeno (333–264 B.C.). Stoicism held that all things were created, ordered, and set in motion by divine reason. Stoics believed that man was endowed with a spark of reason and should seek harmony with the divine order of things, overcome passions, and live a moral and upright life” (New Testament Student Manual [Church Educational System manual, 2014], 315–16; see also BibleDictionary, “Epicureans,” “Stoics”).
4 Acts 17 Paul’s preaching: Acts 17:1-5 Acts 17:10–12Acts 17:6–9 A mob of unbelievers went to the rulers of Thessalonica and claimed that Paul’s teachings threatened Caesar’s authority, but Paul and Silas had fled to neighboring Berea. Acts 17:10–12 Define ‘readiness’ What might be happening in the heart and mind of someone who is ready to receive a gospel message? In what ways can daily scripture study influence our ability to believe truth?
5 Acts 17 “The more we incline our hearts and minds toward God, the more heavenly light distills upon our souls. And each time we willingly and earnestly seek that light, we indicate to God our readiness to receive more light. Gradually, things that before seemed hazy, dark, and remote become clear, bright, and familiar to us” (President Uchtdorf, “Receiving a Testimony of Light and Truth,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2014, 22).
6 Acts 17-21
7 Acts 17-21
8 Acts 17-21
9 Acts 17-21
10 Acts 17:22-23 Is God still an unknown God?In what ways is Satan trying to make God unknown or less known or clouded? In what ways do people have a skewed view of Jesus? Acts 17:24-31: Truths about the God who was unknown to the people of Athens (one truth in each verse).
11 Acts 17:22-23 Verse 24: God created the world.Verse 25: God gives life to all things. Verse 26: God governs all life. Verse 27: If we are willing to seek God, we will find that He is not far from us. Verse 28: We are God’s offspring. Verse 29: We were created in God’s image. Verse 30: God commands everyone to repent. Verse 31: God will judge us; God will raise all people from the dead.
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13 Acts 17:24-29 “Some years ago I returned home to find our little children were waiting in the driveway. They had discovered some newly hatched chicks in the barn. “I soon gathered a handful of little chicks for them to see and touch. “As our little girl held one of them, I said in a teasing way, “That will make a nice watchdog when it grows up, won’t it?” She looked at me quizzically, as if I didn’t know much.
14 Acts 17:24-29 “So I changed my approach: “It won’t be a watchdog, will it?” She shook her head, “No, Daddy.” Then I added, “It will be a nice horse.” “She wrinkled up her nose and gave me that “Oh, Dad!” look. “Even a four-year-old knows that a chick will not be a dog, nor a horse, or a turkey. It will become a chicken. It will follow the pattern of its parentage. “Since every living thing follows the pattern of its parentage, are we to suppose that God had some other strange pattern in mind for His offspring?” (Elder Boyd K. Packer)
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16 Why is it so important to understand the doctrine of divine parentage?“Be careful how you characterize yourself. Don’t characterize or define yourself by some temporary quality. The only single quality that should characterize us is that we are a son or daughter of God. That fact transcends all other characteristics, including race, occupation, physical characteristics, honors, or even religious affiliation” (“How to Define Yourself,” New Era, June 2013, 48).
17 Elder Jeffrey R Holland“The Grandeur of God” Elder Jeffrey R Holland https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4iU8KATZBkA
18 In Acts 18, left Athens and traveled to Corinth to teach for 18 months and received a great promise: Acts 18:10 “Now, some of you may be shy by nature or consider yourselves inadequate to respond affirmatively to a calling. Remember that this … is the Lord’s work, and when we are on the Lord’s errand, we are entitled to the Lord’s help. Remember that the Lord will shape the back to bear the burden placed upon it” (“To Learn, to Do, to Be,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2008, 62). When has the Lord been with you as you did His work? How did you know He was with you?
19 Paul traveled to the Jerusalem area and then north to AntiochPaul traveled to the Jerusalem area and then north to Antioch. At Antioch, he concluded his second missionary journey. After some time, he departed Antioch and began his third missionary journey, traveling to the branches he had previously established and strengthening the members. Acts 19:2–6 – some needed rebaptism. Why? “It seems … that some had been baptizing like John the Baptist but had forgotten to baptize with fire and the Holy Ghost—which showed these converts that their first baptism was illegal, and when they heard this they were gladly baptized, and after hands were laid on them, they received the gifts, according to promise” (“Baptism,” editorial published in Times and Seasons, Sept. 1, 1842, 904; spelling modernized; Joseph Smith was the editor of the periodical).
20 PRINCIPLE OF AUTHORITY“You might as well baptize a bag of sand as a man, if not done in view of the remission of sins and getting of the Holy Ghost. Baptism by water is but half a baptism, and is good for nothing without the other half—that is, the baptism of the Holy Ghost” (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith[2007], 95). PRINCIPLE OF AUTHORITY Acts 19:11–12: Miracles in Ephesus while Paul was there. Acts 19:13–16: What happened when some Jews tried to cast out devils as Paul had done.
21 Acts 19:17-20 What are some principles for application hereActs 19:17-20 What are some principles for application here? What things do you need to throw into the fire? Acts 20:28-21
22 Video presentation—“Reclaimed”President Thomas S. Monson: “Courage comes in many forms. Wrote the Christian author Charles Swindoll: ‘Courage is not limited to the battlefield … or bravely catching a thief in your house. The real tests of courage are much quieter. They are inner tests, like remaining faithful when no one’s looking, … like standing alone when you’re misunderstood.’ I would add that this inner courage also includes doing the right thing even though we may be afraid, defending our beliefs at the risk of being ridiculed, and maintaining those beliefs even when threatened with a loss of friends or of social status. He who stands steadfastly for that which is right must risk becoming at times disapproved and unpopular” (“Be Strong and of a Good Courage,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2014, 67).
23 Paul’s Second Missionary JourneyActs 17-21 Paul’s Second Missionary Journey