Paul wanted to take Timothy, a disciple from Lystra, along on his journey. He circumcised Timothy because Timothy's father was Greek. As they traveled, Paul and his companions strengthened churches by delivering decisions from Jerusalem leaders. The Holy Spirit prevented them from preaching in Asia and Bithynia. During the night, Paul had a vision of a man from Macedonia asking for help, so they concluded God was calling them to preach there.

1. Acts 16:1-2
He came to Derbe and then to Lystra, where a
disciple named Timothy lived, whose mother
was a Jewess and a believer, but whose father
was a Greek. The brothers at Lystra and Iconium
spoke well of him.
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2. Acts 16:3-4
Paul wanted to take him along on the journey, so
he circumcised him because of the Jews who
lived in that area, for they all knew that his
father was Greek. As they traveled from town to
town, they delivered the decisions reached by
the apostles and elders in Jerusalem.
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3. Acts 16:5-6
So the churches were strengthened in the faith
and grew daily in numbers. Paul and his
companions traveled throughout the region of
Phrygia and Galatia, having been kept by the
Holy Spirit from preaching the word in the
province of Asia.
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4. Acts 16:7-8
When they came to the border of Mysia, they
tried to enter Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus
would not allow them to. So they passed by
Mysia and went down to Troas.
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5. Acts 16:9-10
During the night Paul had a vision of a man of
Macedonia standing and begging him, ‘Come
over to Macedonia and help us.’ After Paul had
seen the vision, we got ready at once to leave for
Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to
preach the gospel to them.
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6. WALKING with God cannot be reduced to a
formula or method.
The problem with ‘methods’
is we are still left with how
to DEFINE and INTERPRET
them.

7. It is possible to be completely in the will of God
APART from a clear word from God.
Paul WANTING to take him along.
Keep the word of God you KNOW and live for Him
as you GO.
Divine guidance does not
erase human INITIATIVE; nor
initiative the need for
guidance.

8. Don’t REDUCE the Spirit’s leading to a formula or
method.
Trust God in the MEANTIME.
Do the best you can with
what you know trusting God
to GUIDE as you go.

9. The vision was WEIGHED by group decision.
God can LEAD through no’s and yes’s, clear words,
or thoughtful reflection, etc.
Study God’s word, pray, walk by His Spirit and trust
the Holy Spirit INSIDE you to guide you.
God’s POSTIVE direction
doesn’t come until v9-10.

10. Please take a moment to fill out your
Communication Card
My Next Step Today is to:
( ) Do the home life help (in bulletin)
( ) Reflect on what it means to walk with God
( ) Evaluate if I am living by the Word of God I
know.
( ) Ask myself if I am truly open to God’s leading
( ) Keep trusting God in the “meantime”
( ) Other________________________