Lesson Forty Three

TIMOTHY, THE YOUNG MISSIONARY

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Memory Verse: Acts 17:11
Further Study: Acts 17:1-15; The Acts of the Apostles, pp. 202-210; 221-233; The Bible Story, vol. 10, pp. 89-93

I first entered a church at the age of 7. My mother had left her childhood faith in her college years. I was born during that time away and she finally returned believing I needed “religious education.” I encountered some of the most loving and accepting people in that small church. I attended public school and the members began to press my mother about enrolling me in a Christian school associated with the church. She finally conceded and I began my fourth grade year in a Christian school. Without going into a lot of detail, almost 60 years later it still ranks as one of the worst years in my life. For many reasons, but first and foremost was the bullying I received on the bus ride to and from the school by an older student while the others laughed. I don’t know why they singled me out other than I was a newcomer, and the school was made up of interconnected families.

Paul and Silas knew what it was like to be persecuted for their beliefs. We know because we read story after story of their experience. But what struck me about our story for this week is the behavior of the “members.” It was the believers of that day, the Jews, that relentlessly pursued Paul, driving him from city to city, arousing mobs. It was those who knew God, but didn’t act as if they did.

It was those who knew God, but didn’t act as if they did.

Later as a new mother, still in the same church I attended at age 7, my husband and I went through another bad experience, this time with what were the loving people, but who now turned critical, judgmental, and difficult. Without a pastor to mediate, a group of people wanting control within the church drove member after member away eventually turning on my family. Shocked and hurt, we left to another church where we have put down roots and thrived. While to some extent, like Paul, I can see how God used the experience to bring us where we are today, it doesn’t take away the memory of the pain caused by believers.

Christians are held to a higher standard if we are truly followers of Christ. Difficult situations, challenging people, adverse conditions can tempt us to be unkind, critical, or judgmental, but we must approach them in the spirit of Jesus. Our children must be taught kindness and sympathy toward others who may be unlike them or challenged by physical or emotional conditions. It is not enough to simply take them to church. We must teach them life lessons, instilling within them the spirit of Jesus, so that when they see something they can react or when someone treats them unkindly, they can endure.

There is more and more unkind, unfair, unchristian treatment in this ever increasingly sinful world. Let us not be part of it but resist and confront it so that others see Jesus in us and are renewed.

Digging Deeper 

Acts 17:6 uses an interesting expression. Paul and Silas arrived in Thessalonica and taught for three weeks in the local synagogue. Things appeared to be going well until some Jews began to cause trouble. Apparently, someone realized that Paul and Silas might be in danger and hid them, so when the troublers arrived to seize them, they instead grabbed who they could find, Jason and some others, seen as supporters. 

But what they charged them with is “turning the world upside down.” While an interesting description of how the gospel was penetrating city after city, this was not meant in a positive way. Instead, the Jews were using specific language that they hoped would rile up the Romans. The Romans took pride in Pax Romana, otherwise known as “Roman peace.” To anyone who disturbed this peace would have severe consequences. It was an apt phrase to use against Paul and Silas.

A similar expression was used against Elijah when he was called “the troubler of Israel” (1 Kings 18:17). And we’re warned that similar charges will be brought against believers in the last days.

Making it Real

This week is a good time to be reminded of Bible bullies. If you have children, each day for worship talk about one of these “bullies” found in the Bible. Then talk again of Paul’s missionary trips where he was “bullied” for his faith. As a family, talk about how to deal with those who make fun of your faith. If an adult, the lessons are also appropriate. How will you deal with anyone who assaults your faith?

Bible bullies to consider are: Goliath (1 Samuel 17), Nebuchadnezzar (Daniel 3), Joseph’s brothers (Genesis 37), Pharaoh (exodus 5), Peninnah (1 Samuel 1), King Saul (1 Samuel 23, 24), Haman (Esther 3), the Pharisees (multiple places in the Gospels)

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Merle Poirier writes from Silver Spring, Maryland, where she works as the operation manager for Adventist Review and Adventist World magazines as well as the designer for KidsView, a magazine for 8-12-year-olds. She enjoys spending time with her family including being a grandmother to two active little boys, who greatly enjoy Starting With Jesus, and a granddaughter, who’s delighting everyone with her smiles. She is blessed to have all three living close by, continually bringing joy and delight.