The Macedonian Call

Acts 16:6-10

Key verse 16:9

1.  Look at the map below. Locate the following places: the province of Asia, Phrygia, Galatia, Mysia, Mithynia, Troas, and Macedonia. See if you can trace Paul and his companions' journey. How was Macedonia different from Asia?

*see the map

*Macedonia was the kingdom of Alexander the Great. It's cultural influence could be felt throughout the Roman world and beyond in those days. Macedonia was also closer to Rome, both geographically and culturally, than Asia. In economic, political, and cultural terms, Asia was a second or third-world area compared to Macedonia in those days. 

2.  Read verse 6.  What do you think it means that they were "kept by the Holy Spirit from preaching the word in the province of Asia"? How do you think Paul and his companions felt at this time?

*We don't know exactly what this means. Most likely, they found that the "door" was closed to these areas in some way--maybe they were not allowed to enter or maybe some problems came up when they tried to enter.

*They could have felt really frustrated. They were trying to serve God, but God wasn't helping them. In fact, it seemed that God was hindering their work, making them do a lot of difficult traveling for nothing. They could have been discouraged, but it seems that they accepted this as God's will. Rather than despair, they submitted to God who closes doors, and they moved on. 

3.  Read verse 7.  What happened when they tried to enter Bithynia? How do you think they felt now? 

*Again, the "Spirit of Jesus" would not allow them to enter.

*They might have become really frustrated now. They were running out of places on the continent to preach. Didn't God call them to be missionaries? How could they be missionaries if Jesus kept closing all the doors? But, it seems that they continued to keep their faith. They saw this from God's point of view. 

4.  Read verses 8-9. Where did Paul and his companions spend the night? What vision did Paul have during the night?  What did this vision reveal about the Macedonians? Why do you think God gave Paul this vision?

*They spent the night in Troas. Troas was an important seaport for travel from the northwestern part of the Roman province of Asia to Macedonia and the west. God had driven Paul and his companions to this place intentionally. 

*God gave Paul a vision of a man of Macedonia standing and begging him, "Come over to Macedonia and help us." 

*This vision reveals that the Macedonians were in need of help. What help could Paul give them? He could give them the gospel of Jesus.

*It was God's will for Paul and his companions to preach the gospel to the Macedonians. Why? Because God wanted to bring his salvation to the ends of the earth. 

5. Read verse 10. How did Paul and his companions respond to the vision? What can we learn from them in serving the Lord's work? 

*They got ready at once to go to Macedonia. This was a big new step in their ministry, and they had not had much rest. Yet they didn't delay.

*They were God's soldiers, ready to go wherever God sent them at a moment's notice. We can learn from them to keep our faith in God even when he "closes doors" and then be ready to move immediately when God "opens doors." 

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