Dear Parents,

Paul’s third missionary journey was unlike his first two because he didn’t set out to plant churches. Instead, his mission was to encourage and strengthen existing churches. Paul wrote letters to the churches, but he knew some guidance was best given in person

Paul’s journey began when he traveled to the city of Corinth. To make a living, Paul was a tentmaker. Paul became friends with two other tentmakers in Corinth: a man named Aquila and his wife, Priscilla. In his business dealings, Paul was able to share the gospel with many people. The church in Corinth grew.

Paul took Aquila and Priscilla with him to Ephesus. Ephesus was a thriving city in the Roman Empire. Aquila and Priscilla stayed in Ephesus while Paul traveled to other churches and encouraged the believers. While Paul traveled, Aquila and Priscilla interacted with a Jewish believer named Apollos. Apollos was a leader in the early church, and Aquila and Priscilla helped him better understand about Jesus and the Scriptures. Apollos went on to greatly help other believers by showing through Scripture that Jesus is the Messiah.

The Holy Spirit led Paul to go to Jerusalem. This wasn’t an easy call to obey. The Spirit revealed to Paul that imprisonment and suffering awaited in Jerusalem. (See Acts 20:23.) Hadn’t Paul done enough? He had spent years preaching the gospel, and many people believed. Wasn’t now a good time for Paul to retire comfortably on a beach somewhere?

But Paul did not cling to his own life. God helped Paul preach with courage even when he was in danger. Paul boarded the ship to Jerusalem, uncertain of the future but certain of the goodness and grace of the Lord Jesus.

As Paul traveled on his third missionary journey, he used every opportunity to tell people the good news about Jesus and to help the church. Paul was dedicated to Jesus, who called him to do the work of sharing the gospel.

God Bless,

David Feiser
Family Ministry Director
The Well Community Church

Family Starting Points

Scripture Memory: Psalm 100:1-3

Psalm 100:1-3 “1 Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth. 2 Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs. 3 Know that the Lord is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.”

Big Picture Question:

How do people hear about Jesus? God uses Christians to tell others so they can repent and be saved.

Bible Story: “Paul’s Third Journey” (Acts 18:1-4, 24-28; 20:17-38)

• Paul continued traveling and sharing the gospel.
• Paul met people who helped him spread the Word, like Aquila, Priscilla, and Apollos.
• Paul knew he would face danger in the future.
• God helped Paul preach with courage, even when he was in danger,

Family Discussion Starters:

• What dangers did Paul face while sharing the gospel?
• What dangers might we face while sharing the gospel?
• How can we be brave?

Family Activity:

• Take your family on a camping trip in the backyard where you sleep in a tent. Discuss Paul’s job as a tentmaker and how God used that to provide for him. Ask how God provides for you.

Next Week:

• “Paul’s Third Journey” (Acts 18:1-4, 24-28; 20:17-38)