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The Scriptorium

Macedonian Call

A small band of disciples, an inauspicious beginning, a world turning upside-down.

Introduction to 1 and 2 Thessalonians (1)

Pray Psalm 25.4, 5.

Show me Your ways, O LORD;
Teach me Your paths.
Lead me in Your truth and teach me,
For You arethe God of my salvation;
On You I wait all the day.

Read Acts 16.6-15.

Reflect.

1. How does the Lord show you His paths? How does He lead you into them day by day?

2. How can you see that Paul was waiting on the Lord? Are you?

Meditate.
The apostle Paul crossed the Bosphorus from Troy to Macedonia with a handful of devoted followers, armed only with the glorious Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. Their first line of assault on the European continent took them, not before kings and armies, but to a women’s prayer group.

The rest, as they say, is history. Beginning in Philippi and spreading to Thessalonica and Berea, Paul and his companions established a beachhead for the Gospel in Europe which would grow and expand until all of Greece and Rome and lands beyond came under the rule and sway of King Jesus.

Paul was clear about his calling: “Come over to Macedonia and help us” (v. 9). He was also clear about what that calling entailed: seek the lost and proclaim Jesus to them (v. 10). As Paul was faithful in what the Lord showed him day by day, leading him in His ways and along His paths, God opened doors, provided for his needs, and began the work of turning an upside-down world rightside-up for Jesus.

As we begin our study of 1 and 2 Thessalonians, let’s follow Paul’s example of being clear about our calling and faithful in our every next step. Have you mapped out your Personal Mission Field? Are you seeking the Lord daily to show you His ways and guide your steps into His paths? Are you spending time in His truth, so that He can teach and equip you for every good work (2 Tim. 3.15-17)? And are you waiting on Him, like Paul did, throughout the day to guide, empower, and bless you in all your walk with and work for Him?

Prepare.
1. God does not typically guide our steps through visions, but He does guide our steps and open up paths before us. Does your daily reading of God’s Word do this for you? How might you improve your time in God’s Word, so that each day you see some new direction or path for your walk with and work for the Lord?

2. Are you praying that the Lord would “open the heart” of people in your Personal Mission Field, so that you can talk with them about Jesus (Acts 16.14)? Do you think that would be a good idea to do each day?

3. How can you tell when you are doing the Lord’s will or merely your own will? If you were more consistent in waiting on the Lord throughout the day, do you think you would be more open to Lord’s leading? Explain.

It should be noted that the apostle did nothing according to his own will. Rather, whatever he did or did not do, it was under the impulse of the Spirit. Ammonius (late 5th-early 6thcentury), Catena on the Acts of the Apostles

Lord, help me to know my calling, and to discern for today and every day, the steps I should take to…

Pray Psalm 25.10-22.

Pray slowly and reflectively. Let the words of this psalm guide you in thinking about the day ahead. As much as possible, use the David’s words to express your own words as you praise and submit to the Lord for the day ahead.

Sing to the Lord.
Psalm 25.10-22 (Festal Song: Revive Thy Work, O Lord)
The paths of God are all of love and faithfulness;
All they who keep His covenant the Lord will surely bless.

For Your sake, Lord, forgive. All they who fear You, Lord,
Shall know Your blessings day by day and follow in Your Word.

Your friends are they who fear and seek Your holy face;
Your covenant with them You share and save them by Your grace.

Be gracious, Lord, to me; my heart is weighed with woe.
My troubles and affliction see; let my transgressions go.

Consider all my foes, who hate me all the day;
And rescue my poor soul lest I should stumble in the way.

Preserve me in Your way, redeem Your people, Lord!
We wait for You and refuge seek in Your own faithful Word.

Pray Psalm 25.20.
Keep my soul, and deliver me;
Let me not be ashamed, for I put my trust in You.

T. M. Moore

You can map out your Personal Mission Field by watching this brief video (click here). Download the worksheet that goes with the video and get started in your own Macedonian call!

Forward today’s study to some friends, and challenge them to study with you through this series on 1 and 2 Thessalonians. Each week’s lessons will be available as a free PDF download at the end of the week. Get a copy for yourself and send the link to the download to your friends. Plan to meet weekly to study Paul’s ministry and prepare for your own.


If you value Scriptorium as a free resource for your walk with the Lord, please consider supporting our work with your gifts and offerings. You can contribute to The Fellowship by clicking the Contribute button  at the website or by sending your gift to The Fellowship of Ailbe, 19 Tyler Drive, Essex Junction, VT 05452.

Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All psalms for singing are from The Ailbe Psalter (available by clicking here).

T.M. Moore

T. M. Moore is principal of The Fellowship of Ailbe, a spiritual fellowship in the Celtic Christian tradition. He and his wife, Susie, make their home in the Champlain Valley of Vermont.
Books by T. M. Moore

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