November 5, 2015
Scripture Reading: Acts 17:10-15
10As soon as it was night, the believers sent Paul and Silas away to Berea. On arriving there, they went to the Jewish synagogue. 11Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true. 12As a result, many of them believed, as did also a number of prominent Greek women and many Greek men.
13But when the Jews in Thessalonica learned that Paul was preaching the word of God at Berea, some of them went there too, agitating the crowds and stirring them up. 14The believers immediately sent Paul to the coast, but Silas and Timothy stayed at Berea. 15Those who escorted Paul brought him to Athens and then left with instructions for Silas and Timothy to join him as soon as possible.
Questions for Reflection:
As the threat to their life increased in Thessalonica, Paul and Silas are snuck away in the middle of the night to nearby Berea. Once again, Paul and Silas immediately go to the synagogue. How did the Berean Jews respond according to the author of Acts? How does this contrast to the experience in Thessalonica.
What happened when the crowd in Thessalonica heard where Paul and Silas had escaped to? Berea was located 50 miles from Thessalonica. To get to Berea, it would have been a two day walk. What does it say about the animosity the Jews in Thessalonica felt for Paul that they would quickly make that journey? Understanding this anger, what does this tell you about the climate and situation that Paul is writing back into in 1 Thessalonians? As you read through 1 Thessalonians over the coming weeks, remember the persecution and hostility that Paul was helping to address.