02 October 2022 (am) – Acts 20:1-12

Andy Bruins preaching from Acts on Sunday 2nd October 2022.

Acts chapter 20 gives us a wonderful insight into the community of churches that had been planted through the missionary journeys of Paul and his co-workers. We are entering the last phase in the book where Paul’s missionary journeys are coming to an end and he is now heading to Jerusalem where he knows that prison and hardship are awaiting him. But the legacy he leaves behind is a strong community of churches founded on the Apostles Doctrine.

Q What advice would you give a young person who is leaving home and wants to find a good local church to join?

Q Read v1-6. Why is Paul visiting these churches again (v2)? What does v4 tell you about the group of men that Paul travelled and ministered with?

Q Look at what Paul writes about some of these churches: What do these letters reveal about them?
2 Corinthians 8:1-6
1 Thessalonians 1:6-10
Philippians 1:3-5
Romans 15:25-27

Q Read v7-12. The incident with Eutychus has a striking parallel with 1 Kings 17:17-24. What does this miracle prove to the widow (v24)? What does this incident tell us about the church in Troas? What then is the cause of the generosity, maturity, unity and mission focus of these early churches?

Q How have the priorities of many local churches changed today? How can we imitate the good example of these 1st Century Christians?