From Acts 19:1-10, this lesson describes the Apostle Paul’s arrival in Ephesus on his third apostolic journey, where he finds disciples who had only received John the Baptist’s baptism of repentance and had never heard of the Holy Spirit’s coming at Pentecost. Upon hearing from Paul that John’s ministry pointed toward faith in the coming Messiah, these men believe, are baptized, and receive the Holy Ghost—demonstrating Paul’s apostolic authority and the transition to the full revelation of grace. Paul then boldly teaches about the kingdom of God in the synagogue and in the school of Tyrannus, giving us a snapshot of the Book of Acts—from Israel in her unbelief, to Paul separating and turning to the Gentiles.

The practice of the occult is for many a constant temptation and comes in many different forms like fortune-telling, tarot cards, astrology, and horoscopes. In this episode, we see the occult was also prevalent in Ephesus. But in Acts 19, we learn of a revival that took place when God wrought “special miracles” through the Apostle Paul and when vagabond exorcists failed to imitate His works. Consequently, many who believed in Christ confessed their evil deeds and burned their books of the occult, turning instead to the truth of the Word of God and demonstrating how the gospel triumphs over darkness when the Word is faithfully proclaimed.

After learning in the previous two episodes of spiritual revival in Ephesus, here we examine the riot that ensued there, sparked when the silversmith Demetrius felt his business was threatened by the Apostle Paul’s gospel, which turned away many from idolatry throughout Asia. After two hours of chaos, during which companions of Paul were seized by a mob, the town clerk calmed the crowd and eventually dismissed the assembly. This account shows how the powerful spread of the Word of God produced both revival and demonic opposition, reminding believers to expect spiritual warfare and to stand firm by putting on “the whole armour of God” (Eph. 6:13).

This episode chronicles Acts 14:1-7, how the Apostle Paul and Barnabas, after being expelled from Antioch, boldly preached the gospel of grace in the synagogue at Iconium, resulting in a powerful revival where both Jews and Greeks believed. Unbelieving Jews, however, poisoned minds against the believers and created division in the city—yet Paul and Barnabas remained steadfast, testifying to the Word of His grace, while performing signs and wonders. When opposition escalated into a mob, they fled to Lystra and Derbe and continued preaching the gospel, modeling courageous, Christ-driven love, even amid division and persecution.

This lesson from Acts 14:8-20 recounts the Apostle Paul and Barnabas preaching the gospel in Lystra, where Paul heals a man lame from birth who had faith to be healed. The amazed crowd mistakes them for gods, but Paul and Barnabas firmly deny being deities and declare they are only men, while urging people to turn from idols to the one true and living God. Unbelieving Jews from Antioch and Iconium, however, then incite a riot, during which Paul is stoned, dragged out of the city, and left for dead. After miraculously rising, the apostle re-enters Lystra and the next day continues to Derbe—showing Paul’s fearless example of fortitude for the gospel.

There is a rescue from sin and the lake of fire available for all through the Cross of Christ, but many don’t know how desperate their situation is spiritually, and they refuse the gospel. Knowing this drove the Apostle Paul all over the world to share the gospel of the grace of God, often leading to revival in places like Thessalonica. This lesson from Acts 17:1-9 recounts Paul’s ministry there on his second apostolic journey, where he reasoned in the synagogue that Jesus is the Christ. While many believed, there was also opposition that forced Paul and his companions to escape by night to Berea. This account shows how the gospel divides people and calls believers to look for Christ’s return amid persecution.