PAUL’S SECOND MISSIONARY JOURNEY

Summary

Paul's second missionary journey, around 49-51 AD, followed a dispute with Barnabas, leading Paul to travel with Silas. They visited various cities, including Lystra, where they recruited Timothy. Paul received a vision to preach in Macedonia, where they converted Lydia and her household. After casting out a demon, Paul and Silas were imprisoned but later freed, converting a jailer in the process. They traveled to Thessalonica, Berea, Athens, and Corinth, facing opposition yet spreading the gospel. Paul’s time in Corinth saw significant ministry, and he later journeyed to Ephesus and Jerusalem.

Takeaways

• ✝️ Paul and Barnabas had a disagreement over taking John Mark on their second missionary journey, leading them to part ways.
• 🔀 Barnabas took John Mark to Cyprus, while Paul chose Silas and traveled through Syria and Cilicia to strengthen the churches.
• 👥 Paul recruited Timothy in Lystra, and Timothy was circumcised to better reach the Jewish community.
• 📜 Paul, Silas, and Timothy delivered the decrees from the apostles and elders in Jerusalem, strengthening the faith of believers.
• ⛔ The Holy Spirit forbade Paul and his companions from preaching in Asia and Bithynia, redirecting them through a vision to Macedonia.
• 🌊 Paul and his team traveled to Philippi, where they preached by a river, and a wealthy woman named Lydia and her household were converted and baptized.
• 👻 Paul cast out a demon from a slave girl in Philippi, angering her owners and leading to Paul and Silas being imprisoned. However, they continued to pray and sing hymns.
• 🌍 An earthquake freed the prisoners, but they stayed, leading to the conversion of the prison guard and his household.
• 💡 Paul preached in Athens, using the altar to the 'Unknown God' as an entry point to share the gospel, but received mixed reactions.
• ⛪ Paul spent a year and a half in Corinth, where he successfully converted many, including Crispus, a synagogue leader, and wrote 1 & 2 Thessalonians to encourage believers.

Q & A

What was the reason for Paul and Barnabas's disagreement before the second missionary journey?

Paul and Barnabas had a sharp disagreement over whether John Mark, who had left them during the first missionary journey, should accompany them on the second journey.

Who accompanied Paul after his disagreement with Barnabas, and where did they go?

After the disagreement, Barnabas took John Mark to Cyprus, while Paul took Silas and traveled through Syria and Cilicia to encourage the churches.

Why did Paul decide to have Timothy circumcised before continuing their mission?

Paul had Timothy circumcised to help them reach the Jews in the region, as it would remove any barriers when preaching to the Jewish community.

What vision did Paul receive in Troas, and how did it affect their journey?

Paul received a vision of a man from Macedonia asking for help. This vision convinced Paul and his team that the Lord was calling them to preach the gospel in Macedonia, so they changed their plans and traveled there.

Who was Lydia, and what role did she play during Paul's time in Philippi?

Lydia was a wealthy merchant and worshiper of God. After hearing Paul's preaching by the river in Philippi, she and her family were baptized, and she offered her home to host Paul and his companions.

What event led to Paul and Silas being imprisoned in Philippi?

Paul cast a demon out of a slave girl who made money for her masters by fortune-telling. This angered her owners, who brought Paul and Silas before the city magistrates, leading to their imprisonment.

How did Paul and Silas convert the Philippian jailer to Christianity?

After an earthquake freed all the prisoners, none of them fled, which astonished the jailer. Fearing for his life, the jailer asked Paul and Silas what he must do to be saved, and they told him to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ. He and his household were then baptized.

What was Paul's experience in Thessalonica, and why did he flee to Berea?

Paul preached in the synagogue in Thessalonica for three Sabbaths, but the non-believing Jews stirred up a violent mob against him and Silas. To avoid the unrest, they fled to Berea.

How did the Bereans react to Paul's preaching compared to the Thessalonians?

The Bereans were more noble and open-minded than the Thessalonians. They eagerly received Paul's teachings and diligently examined the scriptures to confirm his message, leading many to believe.

What significant events occurred during Paul's time in Corinth?

In Corinth, Paul met Aquila and Priscilla and stayed with them. He preached in the synagogue but faced rejection from the Jews. Paul then focused on the Gentiles, and many Corinthians believed and were baptized. During this time, he also wrote 1 and 2 Thessalonians.