Together

Session 8

Acts 18:1-11,18-21

Believers find greater effectiveness when partnering with other believers.

ENGAGE

Introduce:

create a list of tasks that cannot be done alone.
Point out that this activity would have been much harder if they had done it individually and not as teams.

Explain:

Read aloud the introductory paragraph on page 69.

Some parents jokingly say their children’s first words were not “Mama” or “Dada,”
but “I can do it myself.”
Unfortunately, many of us never grow out of the “I can do it myself” stage.
Instead of asking for help, or even letting others volunteer to help, we often prefer to do tasks alone.
Maturity requires more than personal ability.
Like the apostle Paul, we should recognize the value of others
and the strength that results from doing things together. (PSG, p. 73)

Encourage the group to share stories of how their children have shown a desire for independence at an early age.
Explain that the ability to cooperate is a sign of maturity.

Discuss:

• Why are some people reluctant to work with others?
• How has cooperation with others helped you serve the Lord more effectively? (p. 69)

Transition:

Today’s study will show us that we can be more effective witnesses when we partner with other believers.

EXPLORE THE TEXT

Introduce:

Corinth
the city had an important location in the Roman Empire.

A major Greek city that rivaled Athens as a commercial center.
Home to many resettled people who had migrated from other places.

This mixture of people gave Corinth a multicultural flavor
and contributed to the city being the most Roman of all Greek cities.

As a multiethnic metropolis, the city also had a large Jewish population.