Vision. Perhaps we’re skeptical of receiving visions from the Lord, but Paul was not. His vision showed him God’s heart and plan for him to minister to a particular group of people, the Macedonians.

Is the Lord calling you to minister to a particular group of people–the moms at the local playground, your colleagues, your housemates, or a specific ethnic group in the world? Are you willing to step out in faith and obedience to love them and share the good news of Jesus with them?

[Acts 16.6-10]

16.6 And they went through the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia. 7 And when they had come up to Mysia, they attempted to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them. 8 So, passing by Mysia, they went down to Troas. 9 And a vision appeared to Paul in the night: a man of Macedonia was standing there, urging him and saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” 10 And when Paul had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go on into Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.

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

+ Where does the Holy Spirit block them from going on this missionary journey? [vv. 6-7] Paul wants to go East, but the Spirit directs them West, (Macedonia being north of Greece is thus the gateway to Europe.)

+ What does Paul see in his vision? What does the man say? [v. 9]

+ What does Paul conclude after seeing this vision? [v. 10]

+ What does he immediately do? [v. 10]

[ 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?

+ Who is your Macedonian? Who has the Lord put in your life or is the Lord calling you to reach that is calling out for help?

+ Are you willing to change the direction of your life to answer this call?

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

+ What is my next step?

+ Do I need to pray and discern what this obedience might look like?

+ Who in my life currently can I be faithful to pray for or bring up Jesus with?