To Europe

To be baptized with the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:5) is to be empowered for witness and subject to the Spirit’s leadership. The Apostle Paul discovered this reality during his second missionary journey when the Spirit continually frustrated Paul’s plans. He was blocked from expanding his ministry in Asia Minor and then redirected to Macedonia through a vision in the night. Paul’s submission to the Spirit’s direction resulted in Europe’s first Christian congregation. This reliance on the Spirit for direction and timing demonstrates the crucial importance of partnership with the Spirit as the global church carries the gospel to the ends of the earth.

Read Acts 16:6-10 and then consider:

1. How might Paul and his team have experienced being forbidden by the Spirit to preach in western Asia Minor? Have you ever been blocked from ministering in a situation or place that seemed logical? How did you respond?
2. In response to Paul’s vision, his team immediately set off on a 200 km journey over sea and land to the city of Philippi. To what extent do you expect to receive specific instructions from the Holy Spirit in ministry situations? What might need to change in you or your team for this to happen more often?
3. Lydia was from the Asian city of Thyatira, yet the Spirit arranged for Paul to meet her in the European city of Philippi. Why did the Holy Spirit orchestrate for them to meet in Philippi rather than in Thyatira? How was this beneficial for the spread of the gospel?
4. How might this story of the gospel entering Europe inform the Church’s approach to global mission today?