Bible Studies

Acts of the Apostles
Lesson 8
The Second Missionary Journey

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Reading assignment for this lesson: Acts 15:36 - 18:22

Paul's second missionary journey covered much more territory than his first journey had. For the first time, Paul extended his mission into Europe. Along the way, Paul converted many people to Christianity and established enduring Christian communities. However, he met opposition wherever his teachings were perceived as a threat to established religious authority or economic interests. Paul's greatest success was in establishing a church in Corinth, a city of a half million merchants, sailors, professional gamblers, athletes, freed slaves and prostitutes. Paul spent a year and a half in Corinth trying to mold these diverse peoples into a godly Christian community.

1. Look at the map of Paul's Second Missionary Journey in the Introduction.
a) Where did Paul and Silas begin and end their journey?
b) What cities did they visit?
c) Where are those cities located in the modern world?

2. Why did Paul refuse to take John Mark with him on the second missionary journey? (See Acts 15:36-40, 13:13.)

3. Who was Silas? (See Acts 15:22, 15:40).

4. Who was Timothy? (See Acts 16:1-3, 17:14-15, 18:5, 1 Corinthians 4:17, 1 Timothy 1:2, 4:12.)

5. What made Paul decide to extend his mission into Macedonia? (See Acts 16:6-10.)

6. Why does the author shift from third person (they, them) to first person (we, us) in Acts 16:10-17?

7. a) Who was Lydia? (See Acts 16:11-15.)
b) What was the role and status of women in the early Church? (See Acts 9:36, Romans 16:1-2, Galatians 3:28, Philippians 4:2-3.)

8. a) Why were the slave girl's owners mad at Paul? (See Acts 16:16-23.)
b) What would your reaction be if you read a story like this in the newspaper today?

9. A sudden earthquake opened the doors of the prison where Paul and Silas were being held. Why didn't they escape when they had the chance? (See Acts 16:25-40)

10. a) What was the motive for the opposition to Paul and Silas in Thessalonica? (See Acts 17:1-8.)
b) What actions did the Jewish leaders take against them?
c) What are the motives for religious intolerance in general?

11. How did Paul try to convince the philosophers in Athens of the truth of the Gospel message? (See Acts 17:22-31.)

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