July through September our series is entitled: Paul's Odyssey II
Odyssey means "a long and adventurous journey or experience". It is the second of a three-part series about the life and ministry of Paul. The text for these three months will cover Acts 15 - 18, Paul's second missionary trip.

This series is focussed on how the early Church spread Christianity amid a pagan society while enduring hostile religious persecution.
Last week we paused to consider the birth of the church in Philippi. We learned "What is the church?" from the 5 biblical images God gave us.

Today's scripture is Acts 17:1-9. In it, we will follow Paul and his team as they leave the Middle East and venture through the continent of Europe.

Previously the team had traveled 800 miles from Antioch to Troas. From Troas to Philippi was another 150 miles. In Acts 17:1 they complete an additional 100-mile journey from Philippi to Thessalonica on the Engatian Road.

Thessalonica was named after the half-sister of Alexander the Great and was the next largest city in Greece after Athens. It attracted the rich and famous with its large hot spring and beautiful harbor.

The book of 1 Thessalonians reflects the moral climate of the city - mostly pagan, with a large Jewish population, but also many God-fearing gentiles who were open to the basic teachings of the Jewish faith.

The strategy Paul used when coming to a new city was as Jesus had modeled. Go to those closest to you, those with whom you have the most in common, and the venture out from there.

LESSON - God has prepared a path for each of us to travel, it's called His will. Along this path are places with people who He desires us to minister to and bring into His Kingdom. He has set them out for us and prepared a way, before we ever thought of them.

1. Paul took his time and built relationships.
2. Paul used scripture in a way that opened their curiosity.
3. Paul helped them understand the culture and times of the Bible.
4. Paul used practical examples to help with application.
5. Paul focused on Christ.
6. Some will trust Christ, others will not.

LESSON - Our role as a disciple is to tell the Story. It is God's role to save people, and it's the role of the person to whom we are talking to decide.

LESSON - Satan will bring problems and persecution to a person's life or a ministry that is committed to God's purpose for their existence. We have no control over the actions of Satan or the problems of life, only over our reactions to them.

Conclusion:

1. Paul cared about the places and people on his path.
2. Paul communicated the story to those he encountered.
3. Paul was committed to reacting in a godly way to the problems he faced.