Do you ever wonder what good the Lord can bring out of suffering? I’m sure the early church wondered that as persecution caused them to leave Jerusalem. But this was the way the Lord would expand His mission globally, spreading the gospel as they spread throughout the Roman Empire.

Today we read an account of the church being established in a major city, Antioch, or modern day Antakya, Turkey. A Greek-speaking metropolis where the church was growing rapidly among the Gentiles, not just the Jews. Be encouraged by this account of the work of the Holy Spirit among all peoples!

[Acts 11.19-30]

11.19 Now those who were scattered because of the persecution that arose over Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia and Cyprus and Antioch, speaking the word to no one except Jews. 20 But there were some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who on coming to Antioch spoke to the Hellenists also, preaching the Lord Jesus. 21 And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number who believed turned to the Lord. 22 The report of this came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. 23 When he came and saw the grace of God, he was glad, and he exhorted them all to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast purpose, 24 for he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great many people were added to the Lord. 25 So Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, 26 and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. For a whole year they met with the church and taught a great many people. And in Antioch the disciples were first called Christians.

27 Now in these days prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. 28 And one of them named Agabus stood up and foretold by the Spirit that there would be a great famine over all the world (this took place in the days of Claudius). 29 So the disciples determined, every one according to his ability, to send relief to the brothers living in Judea. 30 And they did so, sending it to the elders by the hand of Barnabas and Saul.

[ WHAT ] is this passage saying and what is a key truth or thought that we learn?

+ Those who scattered had different ideas of who to share the gospel with [vv. 19-21]. What is the result of their witness?

+ What does the church in Jerusalem do when they hear of this growing church in Antioch? [ v. 22]

+ What does Barnabas find in Antioch? Who does he bring to Antioch? [vv. 23-26]

+ How does the church seek to serve their brothers and sisters living in regions of the world that would be impacted by famine? [vv. 27-30]

[ HOW ] is the Lord calling me to action/obedience?

+ Is there sin to confess or a next step to take? How has it gone since last time?

+ What does this account reveal about God’s heart for all the peoples of the world?

+ When Barnabas finds the church in Antioch, he “saw the grace of God, he was glad, and he exhorted them all to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast purpose” [v. 23]. If someone were to look at your life, what would they see?

+ The church meets the needs of their brothers and sisters in Christ. Are you meeting the needs of the brothers and sisters? Do you let the brothers and sisters meet your needs?

[ WHO ] am I walking with and praying for to discover Jesus?

+ What is my next step?