51 - To Europe! (1)1 Paul and his companions traveled throughout the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been kept by the Holy Spirit from preaching the word in the province of Asia. When they came to the border of Mysia, they tried to enter Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them to … During the night Paul had a vision of a man of Macedonia standing and begging him “Come over and help us…” (Acts 16:6-9).

51 - To Europe! (2)2 So when we could stand it no longer, we thought it best to be left by ourselves in Athens. We sent Timothy, who is our brother and God’s fellow-worker in spreading the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you in your faith … I sent to find out about your faith. I was afraid that in some way the tempter might have tempted you and our efforts might have been useless (1 Thess. 3:1,2,5).

51 - To Europe! (3)3 Discussion & dialogue Describe how the Holy Spirit gave expression to God’s heart for the nations (theme nine) in the night vision that Paul received Which other four themes of the ten feature in this story and how? Discuss what happens, if pioneer evangelism is not followed by discipling and church planting

52 - More co-workers (1)4 Then he left the brothers and sailed for Syria, accompanied by Priscilla and Aquila … They arrived at Ephesus, where Paul left Priscilla and Aquila … Apollos … was a great help to those who by grace had believed … He sent … Erastus to Macedonia … (Acts 18:18,19,27; 19:22).

52 - More co-workers (2)5 Greet Andronicus and Junia, my relatives who have been in prison with me. They are outstanding among the apostles … Greet Urbanus, our fellow-worker … (Rom. 16:7,9).

52 - More co-workers (3)6 Discussion & dialogue Discuss with your study group the plans YOU have made – in addition to your own ministry – to select, train and send new missionaries to areas where the Gospel has not yet been made available. If you never made such plans, do it as soon as possible!

53 - Meat, idols & ancestors (1)7 Be careful, however, that the exercise of your freedom does not become a stumbling-block to the weak … When you sin against your brothers in this way and wound their weak conscience, you sin against Christ (1 Cor. 8:9,12). You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons too; you cannot have a part in both the Lord’s table and the table of demons (1 Cor. 10:21).

53 - Meat, idols & ancestors (2)8 But the man who has doubts is condemned if he eats, because his eating is not from faith; and everything that does not come from faith is sin (Rom. 14:23).

53 - Meat, idols & ancestors (3)9 Discussion & dialogue Discuss what challenges, similar to the ones Paul mentions, are found in your church, denomination, or on the mission field you intend to serve – and how they can be addressed in a biblical, spiritually mature way Which four themes of the ten feature in this story and how?

54 - Missions & money (1)10 After this, Paul … went to Corinth. There he met … Aquila … with his wife Priscilla … Paul went to see them, and because he was a tentmaker as they were, he stayed and worked with them (Acts 18:1-3).

54 - Missions & money (2)11 If others have this right of support from you, shouldn’t we have it all the more? But we did not use this right. On the contrary, we put up with anything rather than hinder the gospel of Christ (1 Cor. 9:12,13). We put no stumbling-block in anyone’s path, so that our ministry will not be discredited … poor, yet making many rich … (2 Cor. 6:3,10).

54 - Missions & money (3)12 I robbed other churches by receiving support from them so as to serve you. And when I was with you and needed something, I was not a burden to anyone, for the brothers who came from Macedonia supplied what I needed. I have kept myself from being a burden to you in any way, and will continue to do so (2 Cor. 11:8,9).

54 - Missions & money (4)13 … you Philippians … not one church shared with me in respect to giving and receiving, except you only; for even when I was in Thessalonica, you sent me aid again and again when I was in need (Phil. 4:15,16). We worked night and day in order not to be a burden to anyone while we preached the gospel of God to you (1 Thess. 2:9).

54 - Missions & money (5)14 Discussion & dialogue In your study group, compare Paul’s financial policy with that of yourself or your church Think of more reasons why it could be expedient to receive funds from other areas than from the field of ministry Explain how theme six features in this chapter

55 - Resurrection: the central message (1) 15 If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith … And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost. If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men (1 Cor. 15:13,14,17-19).

55 - Resurrection: the central message (2) 16 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven … and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air (1 Thess. 4:16,17).

55 - Resurrection: the central message (3) 17 … there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death (Rom. 8:1,2). “Well done, my good servant!” his master replied, “Because you have been trustworthy in a very small matter, take charge …” (Luke 19:17).

55 - Resurrection: the central message (4) 18 Discussion & dialogue Discuss with your study group how the doctrine of the resurrection can best be explained to Folk-religionists, Muslims, Hindus and Buddhists, in a contextualized way, that is, in a way that is understandable and relevant for them Which seven of the ten themes feature in this chapter, and how?