Unstoppable! 'A Fresh Start' — Acts 16:1

Today, we join Paul on a fresh new journey! Paul and Silas (Acts 15:40) began this missionary journey with the support of the Antioch and Jerusalem churches. On Paul's first missionary journey, John Mark accompanied Barnabas and Paul, probably at Barnabas' suggestion since Mark and Barnabas were related (Colossians 4:10). On this second journey, Paul similarly looked for a younger partner to join the team. The wisdom of having a team of three resonated in Paul's heart,* so Timothy was added to the team (Acts 16:2-3). As their journey unfolded, the spiritual wisdom of having this group, with ties to Jerusalem as well as familiarity with the Gentile world, became apparent. Imagine Paul's excitement with this new beginning so full of anticipation and wonder. Where would the Lord lead them on their journey? What opportunities, challenges, and obstacles would they face? Luke celebrates this new missionary journey as the start of his third section of Acts with the primary focus on missionary efforts for reaching the Gentile world.**

* See the Related Scripture Readings for more on the wisdom of having three partners as well as Paul's love for Timothy.

** Acts: Jesus' Spirit-Empowered Witnesses to the World (Acts 1:8)
— Growing into Mission 1.8: chaps. 1-9 — (Focus on Jerusalem) {Time of Peter}
— Deciding for Mission 1.8: chaps. 10-15 — (Focus on Antioch) {Time of Transition}
— Carrying out Mission 1.8: chaps. 16-28 — (Focus on Ephesus & Rome) {Time of Paul}