The Story
Jun 16, 2019 • Chris Reighley
The Story:
The Bible As One Continuing Story of God and His People
by Mac Lucado & Randy Frazee
The Story tells the grandest, most compelling story of all time!
God goes to great lengths to rescue lost and hurting people. That is what The Story is all about: the story of the Bible, God’s great love affair with humanity. Condensed into 31 accessible chapters, The Story sweeps you into the unfolding progression of Bible characters and events from Genesis to Revelation. Like any good story, The Story is filled with intrigue, drama, conflict, romance, and redemption—and this story’s true!
Saul of Tarsus becomes Paul the Apostle—the greatest missionary the world has known. His journeys, letters, and suffering shaped the early church and clarified the gospel. His life is a masterclass in perseverance, boldness, and grace. Paul lived and died proclaiming that Jesus is Lord—and left us letters that still shape our faith.
Passages:
Acts 9, 13–14, 16–28; Romans 1, 3–6, 8, 12, 15;
1 Corinthians 1, 3, 5–6, 10, 12–13, 15–16;
Galatians 1, 3, 5–6; 1 Thessalonians 1–5;
Ephesians 1–6; 2 Timothy 1–4
Main Idea: The gospel goes global through the tireless faith of one transformed man.
Lesson 19: The Life of Paul
I. Paul’s Conversion and Early Years (33–40 A.D.)
- Road to Damascus – Jesus appears, and Paul is blinded (Acts 9:1–9)
- Ananias Heals Paul – baptized and filled with the Spirit (Acts 9:10–19)
- Early Ministry and Escape from Damascus (Acts 9:20–25)
- Time in Arabia and Tarsus – preparation and obscurity (Gal. 1:17; Acts 9:30)
II. Paul and Barnabas in Antioch (40 A.D.)
- Ministry in Antioch Begins – the disciples are first called “Christians” (Acts 11)
- Famine Relief Sent to Judea (Acts 11:27–30)
III. First Missionary Journey (46–47 A.D.) – Acts 13–14
- Sent Out by the Church at Antioch
- Cyprus, Pisidian Antioch, Iconium, Lystra, Derbe
- Opposition, Miracles, and New Churches
- Returns to Antioch to Report
IV. Jerusalem Council and Division with Barnabas (49 A.D.)
- Debate Over Circumcision – salvation by grace alone affirmed (Acts 15)
- Paul Opposes Peter’s Hypocrisy (Gal. 2:11–14)
- Split with Barnabas over John Mark – Paul chooses Silas (Acts 15:36–41)
V. Second Missionary Journey (49–51 A.D.) – Acts 16–18
- Timothy Joins the Team
- Philippi: Imprisoned and Freed
- Thessalonica and Berea: Reasoning from the Scriptures
- Athens: Paul Preaches at the Areopagus
- Corinth: Founding of a Key Church and Writing 1 Thessalonians
VI. Third Missionary Journey (52–57 A.D.) – Acts 18–21
- Three Years in Ephesus – major revival and riot (Acts 19)
- Strengthens Churches Across Asia and Greece
- Writes Romans, Corinthians, Galatians
- Farewell to the Ephesian Elders in Miletus
VII. Arrest, Trials, and Voyage to Rome (60 A.D.) – Acts 21–28
- Arrested in Jerusalem; Claims Roman Citizenship
- Tried Before Felix, Festus, and Agrippa
- Shipwreck on the Way to Rome; Preaches Even in Chains
- Arrives in Rome and Preaches Boldly for Two Years
VIII. Paul’s Final Years (61–66 A.D.)
- Writes “Prison Epistles” – Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, Philemon
- Continued Ministry After Release – Sends Titus and Timothy
- Writes 1 & 2 Timothy and Titus (Pastoral Epistles)
- Final Imprisonment and Martyrdom in Rome (c. 64–66 A.D.)
- “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” (2 Tim. 4:7)
Key Teachings from Paul’s Letters
- Justification by Faith – Romans 3–5
- Life in the Spirit vs. Flesh – Galatians 5
- Spiritual Gifts and Love – 1 Corinthians 12–13
- The Resurrection Hope – 1 Corinthians 15
- Unity in the Body of Christ – Ephesians 4
- Encouragement Amid Suffering – Philippians
- Readiness for Christ’s Return – 1 Thessalonians 4–5
- Faithful Leadership and Sound Doctrine – 1 & 2 Timothy
Key Themes & Takeaways
- Paul’s life proves no one is too far gone for God to redeem and use.
- The gospel must go out boldly, even in suffering.
- Faithfulness, not fame, is the mark of a servant of Christ.
- Every believer is a missionary—and every church is a sending center.
- To live is Christ. To die is gain.