Further Study: "If we would humble ourselves before God, and be kind and courteous and tenderhearted and pitiful (emphasis supplied), there would be one hundred conversions to the truth where now there is only one. But, though professing to be converted, we carry around with us a bundle of self that we regard as altogether too precious to be given up. It is our privilege to lay this burden at the feet of Christ and in its place take the character and similitude of Christ. The Saviour is waiting for us to do this."-Ellen G. White, Testimonies for the Church, vol. 9, pp. 189, 190.

"During His ministry, Jesus had kept constantly before the disciples the fact that they were to be one with Him in His work for the recovery of the world from the slavery of sin. . . . In all His work He was training them for individual labor, to be extended as their numbers increased, and eventually to reach to the uttermost parts of the earth."-Ellen G. White, The Acts of the Apostles, p. 32.

Discussion Questions:

Summary: In a mere three weeks, Paul had become intensely bonded to the new believers in Thessalonica. Not being able to return to them, he first sent Timothy. Under the power of the Holy Spirit, he also put his heart in two letters. Meaningful evangelism must not settle for mere acceptance of Christian beliefs. The whole life-physical, mental, and emotional-is involved in Christian faith.

Read 1 Thessalonians 2:17-3:10. What does this passage tell us about Paul's emotional attachment and relationship to these believers? What can we learn from it regarding how we should relate with those to whom we minister?

Paul's depth of thought and confrontational tone (see, for example, Gal. 1:6, 7; 3:1-4; 4:9-11) sometimes make him appear dismissive of feelings and personal relationships. But this delightful interlude in 1 Thessalonians shows otherwise. He was an intensely relational evangelist along the lines of the Great Commission, which places primary emphasis on making disciples (Matt. 28:19, 20).

In the above passage Paul reveals his inner emotions. He misses the Thessalonian believers with "intense longing." When Jesus comes, Paul intends to present the Thessalonian believers to Jesus as examples of his ministry. Paul is not content merely to be saved at the end of time; he wants evidence that his life made a permanent difference for the kingdom of God.

When Paul could "no longer endure" his intense longing for the Thessalonians, he sent a mutual friend to learn how they were doing. Paul was afraid that somehow Satan might lure them away from their original convictions. But he was comforted tremendously when Timothy reported that they were standing firm in the faith.

There is an interesting hint of a deeper dynamic in 1 Thessalonians 3:6. Paul rejoices at Timothy's report that they have a good opinion of him and that they are longing to see him as much as he is longing to see them. Paul's departure from Thessalonica was sudden, and he seems to have some uncertainty about how they viewed him and his absence. Thessalonian faithfulness made a big difference to Paul. Paul's sense of personal worth was, perhaps, to some degree tied to the success of his mission. He was, after all, only human.

Timothy's report brings Paul an intense experience of joy in his prayers to God. But his present joy does not squelch his intense longing to see them face to face and to complete their education in the Christian walk. However, unable to be personally present with them, Paul first sends an emissary, Timothy, and then engages the Thessalonians by letter. Those letters make up part of the New Testament corpus.

Prayer: Father help us to surrender to you more fully. In Jesus name amen.

Read 1 Corinthians 1:18-2:2. What's Paul's main point in this passage? What do we learn from these verses about Paul's missionary strategies in Athens and Corinth?

When Paul came to Corinth he understood that Jesus was the the strength of his message. Paul sought to lift up Jesus and Jesus alone. While it is important to understand extra information, this extra information must not subvert the centrality of Jesus Christ.

Read again the passages for today. How is the main message there relevant to us today, when the "wisdom" of the world so often clashes with the "foolishness" of the Cross?

This message is very relevant for today. The worlds wisdom seeks to subvert the gospel of Jesus Christ. Today we need a wisdom which is wholly different from the wisdom of this world.

Prayer: Father help us to keep Jesus Christ at the center of our lives.

When speaking to Jews in Acts 17:2, 3, Paul begins with the theme of the Messiah in the Old Testament. When speaking to the pagan philosophers of Athens (Acts 17:16-34), where does he begin? What can we learn from these different approaches?

When Paul Speaks with the Pagan philosophers of Athens he begins with their concept of the UNKNOWN GOD. Paul beings with a concept that the people could understand and then reasons to something that that did not understand or know about. We can take this same principle and utilize it when we minister. We should seek to connect with people on a common ground then move to that ground which is uncommon.

How well do we understand the worldviews and religious beliefs of those around us? Why is it important for us to have at least some knowledge of these things as we seek to witness?

First of all when we seek to minister to people we should have a relationship with them. When we have a relationship with them when we seek to minister to them they will listen to us. As we have developed a relationship with them most likely we would have some knowledge of who they are and their religion. When you understand a persons religion you can bridge the gap with the gospel.

Prayer: Father help us to be able to connect with those who are lost. Thank you in Jesus name amen.

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Read Acts 11:1–18. How did the leaders and members of the Jerusalem church respond to Peter's report of the work among the Gentiles? How could the principles revealed there prove important for us today?

In the beginning the Apostles overlooked the fact that God was working among the Gentiles. The Apostles were more concerned that Peter ate with Gentiles. The Torah forbids eating unclean food it did not forbid eating with Fentiles. A tradition developed indicating that eating with Gentiles was somehow wrong.

Peter shared a vision with the other Apostles showing how this tradition was not of God. When this was reported the people were filled with the Spirit, praised God Giving Him Glory. The Apostles recognized that God was working among the Gentiles. Reflecting on this story I see that we can learn a few lessons.

Peter was open to Gods criticizing of his tradition. The people praised God giving Him glory , and not taking the credit to themselves. When we go to work for God we must also be open to His leading, and point back to Him as the instigator of any success.

Prayer: Lord God Almighty , We thank you for the opportunity to work for you. Help us to be open to Your leading. Change our hearts and minds. May You be glorified in all we do. In Jesus name Amen.

Read Numbers 13:17–33. All twelve spies saw the same things; what caused only two of the twelve to respond as they did? What lesson should we take from this incident for ourselves, today?

Wow this is a  very good example of where good reporting can lead you and where bad reporting can lead you. Two of the twelve responded favorably because they believed they would be successful in dispossessing the inhabitants. The other spies saw that giants and it caused them to fear and give a bad report. The other spies were motivated by fear when they reported. When we are motivated by our fears we view things in a negative way. The spies masked there fear in an unfavorable report , rather than being honest with how they felt. We are the same way. When we do not want to do something or we are afraid we give bad reports. The phrases stated ;That will never work, we have tried that before, this is unrealistic, can simply be code words for; I am afraid. Acting from fear and not faith hinders the work of God, and the people of God.

How do we strike the balance between living by faith, claiming God's promises, and acting on them—as opposed to living by presumption and doing things that might not be the wisest but utilizing dubious claims of God's "leading" in order to justify them? How can we do the first and avoid the latter?

I believe that we have to cooperate with God. The balance is found in this cooperation. To cooperate with God means we do our part and let him do his. The wisdom is in understanding where this fine line is drawn. Presumption some into place when we try to act on things that God has in no way condoned ; This behavior is a mask for wanting to do our own will. Obedience to God also helps us to not be presumptuous. When are avoiding doing the things God has clearly revealed to us  and waiting for a sign we may be presuming.

Prayer: Lord God Almighty, sometimes we are motivated by the wrong things. Help us to be motivated by your love, and faith and hope. Help us to not be presumptuous with our faith. Father please balance us out. We thank you in Jesus name we pray amen.

If we removed all reports of evangelistic activity from the book of Acts, what exciting and encouraging information would we miss that is provided in the following verses? Acts 5:14; 8:4, 12; 11:21; 14:21.

When we read the book of Acts the reports have a significant impact on the stories. The book of Acts can rightfully be called Acts of the Holy Spirit rather than Acts of the Apostles. We see throughout the book manifestations of the power of the Holy Spirit and the results that it produces. The reports in the book of acts helps us to see clearly the work that God was doing in and through the the early Church.

It is, of course, encouraging when we hear stories of successful evangelistic efforts. How do we respond, however, when things don't go so well, when our plans seem to fail, when our efforts appear to do no good at all? What should our response be? Discuss your answer in class on Sabbath.

When we look at evangelistic efforts which were not effective we often times try to sweep it under the rug. When things do not go as planned we must look at what went wrong with our plans. Even when things do not go right we must still report. I believe that that feedback from the community of faith will help us to develop better plans moving forward in the future. I have never thought about how important reporting is but I am beginning to see the importance of reporting.

Prayer: Thank you Lord God Almighty for all the wonderful things that you have done through us. Help us to report the good things and the bad. Help us all to do better. In Jesus name Amen.