The Gospel Goes Out: Season 3
From Called to Sent
The church at Antioch listened to God’s voice, prayed together, and sent Barnabas and Saul to share the gospel. Through their faithfulness, the message of Jesus began reaching new cities, cultures, and communities.
Called and Sent
The early Church prayed, listened to God, and sent believers to share the gospel. Today, Christians continue that mission through service, outreach, compassion, and witness.
3.2- Lesson 3.2 From Called to Sent
Acts 13–14
Season 3: The Gospel Goes Out
Introduction
The Church was no longer centered only in Jerusalem.
New congregations had formed. New believers had joined the movement. The gospel was reaching people from different backgrounds and cultures.
Now God was preparing the Church for another important step.
The church at Antioch had become a thriving center of worship, teaching, and discipleship. While believers gathered for prayer and worship, the Holy Spirit called Barnabas and Saul for a special mission.
For the first time, the Church intentionally sent missionaries to carry the gospel into new regions.
Acts 13–14 marks the beginning of Paul’s first missionary journey and a major turning point in the story of Christianity. The Church moved from simply receiving new believers to actively sending people into the world.
The mission of Jesus was expanding.
Scripture References
Acts 13–14 (NASB)
Key Verse
“So, being sent out by the Holy Spirit, they went down to Seleucia and from there they sailed to Cyprus.” — Acts 13:4 (NASB)
Historical Background
Antioch had become one of the most important churches in the early Christian movement.
Located in a major city with people from many cultures, Antioch was uniquely positioned to help spread the gospel beyond Judea.
As church leaders worshiped, prayed, and fasted, the Holy Spirit directed them to set apart Barnabas and Saul for missionary work.
Their journey would take them to cities throughout Cyprus and Asia Minor, where they would proclaim Jesus Christ, establish churches, and encourage new believers.
The missionary movement that began here would eventually carry the gospel throughout the Roman Empire.
GROW Framework
Grounded in Scripture
The Church Sends Missionaries
(Acts 13:1–3)
The church at Antioch gathered for worship, prayer, and fasting.
During this time, the Holy Spirit called Barnabas and Saul for a special task.
Notice that the mission began with worship.
Before the Church sent missionaries, it sought God’s guidance.
The believers prayed, laid hands on Barnabas and Saul, and sent them out.
Mission begins with listening to God.
The Gospel Reaches New Places
(Acts 13:4–12)
Barnabas and Saul traveled to Cyprus, where they proclaimed the message of Jesus.
They encountered both openness and opposition.
A Roman official named Sergius Paulus listened to the gospel and believed.
Even in the earliest stages of the journey, God was opening doors for the message to spread.
Paul’s Sermon at Pisidian Antioch
(Acts 13:13–52)
Paul preached in the synagogue and explained how Jesus fulfilled God’s promises throughout Israel’s history.
Some people welcomed the message.
Others rejected it.
Paul and Barnabas experienced both encouragement and resistance.
This pattern would continue throughout their ministry.
Wherever the gospel is proclaimed, people must decide how they will respond.
Strength Through Challenges
(Acts 14:1–20)
As the missionaries traveled, they faced opposition, misunderstandings, and even violence.
In one city, people attempted to worship Paul and Barnabas as gods.
In another city, Paul was stoned and left for dead.
Yet the mission continued.
The apostles remained faithful because they trusted God’s calling.
Strengthening New Believers
(Acts 14:21–28)
Rather than simply moving from place to place, Paul and Barnabas revisited the churches they had planted.
They encouraged believers, appointed leaders, and helped strengthen the congregations.
Discipleship was just as important as evangelism.
The goal was not only to make converts but to develop mature followers of Christ.
Reasons We Believe
God Calls and Sends People
The mission of the Church is not accidental.
God continues to call believers to serve, witness, teach, lead, and share the gospel.
Mission Begins with Worship
The church at Antioch listened to God through worship, prayer, and fasting.
Mission grows out of a relationship with God.
The Gospel Is for Every Community
Paul and Barnabas traveled to many cities because God’s love extends to all people.
The Church is called to share the good news beyond its own walls.
Discipleship Matters
The missionaries returned to strengthen believers because spiritual growth requires encouragement, teaching, and community.
The Church exists not only to reach people but also to help them grow.
Obedience in Action
Acts 13–14 challenges believers to ask:
Where might God be calling me to serve?
How can I support the mission of the Church?
Am I willing to follow God’s leading even when it requires sacrifice?
How can I encourage someone growing in faith?
What gifts has God given me to use in His service?
God continues to call ordinary people to participate in His mission.
Walk It Out
Consider these questions:
Why was Antioch an important church in the growth of Christianity?
What stands out to you about the way Barnabas and Saul were sent?
Why do you think Paul continued serving despite opposition?
What does this passage teach about perseverance?
How can your church help strengthen and encourage believers today?
Possible Responses
You may identify areas where God is inviting you to serve.
You may recognize the importance of supporting mission work and outreach ministries.
You may feel encouraged to help someone who is growing in faith.
Living the Message
The Church was never intended to remain in one place.
From the beginning, God’s people were called to share His love with the world.
Paul and Barnabas remind us that mission involves both going and sending.
Some believers travel to new places.
Others pray, encourage, support, and strengthen those who go.
Every Christian has a role in God’s mission.
The question is not whether God is calling His people.
The question is whether we are willing to respond.
Sent to Share
Acts 13–14 reminds us that the Church is a sending community.
The gospel moves outward through believers who are willing to follow God’s leading.
What began in Antioch continues today whenever Christians worship, pray, listen for God’s guidance, and share the hope of Jesus Christ with others.
The mission is still moving forward.
Related Pages
Season 3: The Gospel Goes Out- Overview
Prayer and Worship Preparation
Next Lesson
Lesson 3.3: The Gospel Crosses Boundaries
Acts 15–18
As more Gentiles come to faith, the Church wrestles with important questions about unity, grace, and what it means to follow Christ together.
Learn more about Christian discipleship and spiritual growth through worship, study, prayer, service, and daily faith.
Come and See. Join us for Sunday School at 9:30 AM and Worship at 10:30 AM. Visit PGUM.org to continue the journey.
