Paul & Barnabas

Opening question: What is the religion of your parents?

Lets read a true story from Acts.

8 In Lystra there sat a man who couldn't walk. He hadn't been able to use his feet since the day he was born. 9 He listened as Paul spoke. Paul looked right at him. He saw that the man had faith to be healed. 10 So he called out, "Stand up on your feet!" Then the man jumped up and began to walk. 11 The crowd saw what Paul had done. They shouted in the Lycaonian language. "The gods have come down to us in human form!" they exclaimed. 12 They called Barnabas Zeus. Paul was the main speaker. So they called him Hermes. 13 Just outside the city was the temple of the god Zeus. The priest of Zeus brought bulls and wreaths to the city gates. He and the crowd wanted to offer sacrifices to Paul and Barnabas. 14 But the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard about this. So they tore their clothes. They rushed out into the crowd. They shouted, 15 "Why are you men doing this? We are only human, just like you. We are bringing you good news. Turn away from these worthless things. Turn to the living God. He is the one who made the heavens and the earth and the sea. He made everything in them. 16 In the past, he let all nations go their own way. 17 But he has given proof of what he is like. He has shown kindness by giving you rain from heaven. He gives you crops in their seasons. He provides you with plenty of food. He fills your hearts with joy." 18 Paul and Barnabas told them all these things. But they had trouble keeping the crowd from offering sacrifices to them.

Word List:
Lystra – a city in modern-day Turkey.
Lycaonian – the langage of the people living in Lystra.
gods – people or things that are worshipped or given the highest place of honor and respect.
Zeus – the Greek word for the Latin word Jupiter, one of the major Italian gods.
Hermes – the Greek word for the Latin word Mercury, one of the major Roman gods.
tore their clothes – a demonstration of extreme anger or deep sorrow.

Discussion Questions:
1. What was happening in verses 8-10?
2. How did the people of Lystra treat Paul & Barnabas?
3. Why did Paul & Barnabas get so freaked out?
4. How did Paul describe God?
5. What are some of the gods that people pay special attention to in today’s world?
6. What do you think God wants people to “turn away from” and “turn to” in 2011? Please explain.