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International S. S. Lessons

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Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Jun 19, 1893

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 19, No. 32.

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International S. S. Lessons.

"So they read in the book in the law of God distinctly, and gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading." —Neh. 8:8

LESSON I.—SUNDAY, JULY 2, 1893.

PAUL CALLED TO EUROPE.

[Note.—The questions which follow are merely suggestive for the student on the leading points of the lesson; it is presumed that the thorough student will think of many more as he studies the subject. References, where verses alone are given, always refer to the lesson scripture printed above. All other references are given in book, chapter, and verse. The text printed is that of the Revised Version, not because it is especially preferred, but because it is not found in every family, as is the common version.]

Lesson Scripture, Acts 16:6-15.

  1. And they went through the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been forbidden of the Holy Ghost to speak the word in Asia;
  2. And when they were come over against Mysia, they assayed to go into Bithynia; and the Spirit of Jesus suffered them not.
  3. And passing by Mysia, they came down to Troas.
  4. And a vision appeared to Paul in the night; there was a man of Macedonia standing, beseeching him, and saying, Come over into Macedonia, and help us.
  5. And when he had seen the vision, straightway we sought to go forth into Macedonia, concluding that God had called us for to preach the gospel unto them.
  6. Setting sail therefore from Troas, we made a straight course to Samothrace, and the day following to Neapolis;
  7. And from thence to Philippi, which is a city of Macedonia, the first of the district, a Roman colony; and we were in this city tarrying certain days.
  8. And on the Sabbath day we went forth without the gate by a riverside, where we supposed there was a place of prayer; and we sat down, and spake unto the women which were come together;
  9. And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, one that worshiped God, heard us; whose heart the Lord opened, to give heed unto the things which were spoken by Paul.
  10. And when she was baptized, and her household, she besought us, saying, If ye have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house, and abide there. And she constrained us.
Golden Text.—"Go ye therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost." Matt. 28:19.
Introductory Note.—Six months ago we left our lessons on Acts, at the council of Jerusalem, chap. 15:31. Paul, with Barnabas, had just set out with the instructions of the council, which were received with joy by the new converts. Paul begins his second journey with Silas (Acts 15:36-40); starting from Antioch, he went through Syria and Cilicia (verse 41); thence over the mountains to Derbe and Lystra, where Timotheus, whom Paul chose as a helper, was circumcised (Acts 16:1-5). The churches were by his visits established. Here our present lesson begins, about A.D. 50.

SUGGESTIVE QUESTIONS.

  1. Where did Paul go from Derbe and Lystra? Verse 6.
  2. Why did he not labor in Asia? Note 2.
  3. When reaching Mysia, where did they think of going? Verse 7.
  4. Why did they not go?
  5. Where did they go? Verse 8.
  6. What vision appeared to Paul in the night? Verse 9.
  7. What plea was made in the vision?
  8. How did this vision affect Paul? and why? Verse 10. Note 3.
  9. What were the two first places he stopped at? Verse 11.
  10. What was the first city of Macedonia reached? and what was the character of that city? Verse 12.
  11. How long did Paul and his companions remain?
  12. What did they do on the Sabbath day? Note 4.
  13. What notable woman heard them? Verse 14.
  14. Why did she give heed to these things?
  15. What followed her faith? Verse 15, first clause.
  16. What hospitality did she show toward the apostles? Verse 15.

NOTES.

  1. For the location of the cities and provinces mentioned in this lesson see any good map of Paul's travels, such as is found in nearly all teachers' Bibles. For a description of these places, see any Bible dictionary.
  2. Spirit suffered them not.—This was not simply an impression, it was so distinct an intimation of the will of God that Paul had no doubt. And so in verse 7. God promised his Spirit to guide and lead; he is the same God to-day; his Spirit is the same. Oh, for more of the same faith and consecration!
  3. Straightway we sought to go forth.—That is the way to obey God. David said he "delayed not." Paul was God's; he recognized the fact; he went without question or delay when God called.
"Oh, be swift my soul to answer Him; be diligent my feet; Our God is marching on." It is never safe to refuse God's call. 4. Sabbath day.—The seventh-day Sabbath, the day which the Jews kept. See Acts 15:21. Paul seeks a place of prayer and worship. He observes the day. He never intimates that he regarded another day. God calls us to his truth to-day; he calls us to carry that same truth to others. Will we obey both calls "straightway"?