Opposition Faced (Acts 14:19-20)

Application Point:
We can prepare for opposition by building strong relationships with other believers.

19 Some Jews came from Antioch and Iconium,
and when they won over the crowds, they stoned Paul
and dragged him out of the city, thinking he was dead.
20 After the disciples gathered around him, he got up and went into the town.
The next day he left with Barnabas for Derbe.

Consider:

the escalation of danger that the apostles faced.

Key Background

Paul’s positive experiences in Lystra

Paul and Barnabas certainly did not enjoy the opposition and persecution they faced in Lystra.
No one wants to be attacked by a murderous mob, dragged out of a city, and left for dead.
But not every experience in Lystra was negative for Paul.
In Acts 16, Luke mentioned that Paul later met a young man from Lystra named Timothy (Acts 16:1). In time, Timothy would become one of Paul’s most trusted ministry partners.

Also, in his second letter to Timothy,
Paul highlighted Timothy’s grandmother, Lois, and his mother, Eunice (2 Tim. 1:5).
It is reasonable to assume that each of these ladies were natives of Lystra
and had come to faith in Christ under Paul’s ministry.
Then, they raised Timothy in the faith, as well.

Describe:

Explain where the outsiders came from and why they could influence the people of Lystra.

Ask:

• Why would the Jews from Antioch and Iconium travel more than 100 miles to harass Paul and Barnabas?

Discuss:

contrast the attitude of the mob toward Paul
and those who surrounded him outside the city.

Ask:

• Why is it significant that Paul went back into the city after being stoned and left for dead?
• How would you react if sharing your faith meant putting yourself in danger? (p. 31)

Transition:

Other believers can support us during the hard times we face.
Despite the persecution they faced, Paul and Barnabas found that true in every city they visited.
Think about people who have been that kind of support for you and how God can use you to support others.