Pathways to the Nations Sample

Day 5

A Month That Spread the Message

How much difference can one month make? A huge difference, when the Good News of Jesus spreads through more than words alone. When Paul combined the gospel’s life-giving message with a life-modeling ministry filled with power, the Holy Spirit, and conviction, that message rang out far beyond Thessalonica.

The port city of Thessalonica, north of Athens and Corinth, held the potential to help spread the gospel to the broader Gentile world. Paul’s missions team invested three sabbaths in Thessalonica at the synagogue, where they would meet not only Jews but Greek Gentiles interested in the Jews’ God. Paul’s team, including his disciple Silas, persuaded many to follow Jesus as the Messiah, including Jews and Greeks, men and women. In the process, Paul said they shared “not only the gospel of God but our lives as well” (1 Thessalonians 2:8). Their Spirit-empowered, Life-to-Life® message came with the conviction of changed lives. Things were hopping.

Then it was over, almost as quickly as it started—or so it seemed. When Paul’s local believing friends, including Jason, got caught in a riot and the mob showed up at Jason’s house, it looked like the movement may be snuffed out as quickly as it began. The believers sent Paul and his “short-term mission trip” team on to Berea under cover of night. 

That’s when the power of God at work through Paul’s team took hold in Thessalonica. When Paul, Silas, and Timothy wrote back to the Thessalonians, they overflowed with thankfulness for the lives of the young disciples they’d had to leave behind. Word had spread. In fact, Paul said, “The Lord’s message rang out from you not only in Macedonia and Achaia—your faith in God has become known everywhere” (1 Thessalonians 1:8). The young believers of Thessalonica amplified the missionaries’ lives and teaching throughout Macedonia and Achaia and beyond, moving the needle of the gospel’s influence.

Short-term mission trips can still spread the message of Jesus today. Maybe you’re thinking about an overseas short-term mission trip. Short-term trips can have long-term impact, especially when trip members partner with local receivers to advance the local team’s goals. God can employ His power through people like you to help pioneer the gospel. You could ask God to use your team the same way as He used Paul’s team in Thessalonica, joining others to share the Good News far and wide. Consider how just one month can spread the message and make a huge difference.