The life of Apostle Paul by Clint Davison
Teacher
Lesson Summary
The class began with a vivid recounting of the Lystra episode, where Paul and Barnabas healed a crippled man and were mistakenly worshiped as Zeus and Hermes, only to be later rejected and stoned. Clint then shifted focus to Timothy, outlining his mixed Jewish‑Greek background, his upbringing in the Scriptures (2 Timothy 3:15), and Paul’s decision to have him circumcised (Acts 16:1‑3) to avoid unnecessary controversy among Jewish believers. The discussion moved to the broader missionary journey, highlighting the Jerusalem council’s decision on circumcision (Acts 15) and the subsequent travel through Phrygia, Galatia, and the Spirit‑directed diversion from Asia and Bithynia to Troas (Acts 16:5‑10). Clint connected these events to Paul’s later remarks about Timothy’s importance in Philippians 2:19, emphasizing the deep relational bond that sustained Paul’s ministry. He also noted how the Holy Spirit’s guidance shaped strategic decisions, illustrating the tension between human plans and divine direction. The class closed with reflections on how these early church experiences model faithful obedience, cultural sensitivity, and partnership in spreading the gospel today.
Key Scriptures
Paul came also to Derbe and to Lystra. A disciple was there named Timothy, the son of a Jewish woman who was a believer, but his father was a Greek. He was well spoken of by the brothers at Lystra and Iconium. Paul wanted Timothy to accompany him, and he took him and circumcised him because of the Jews who were in those places, for they all knew that his father was a Greek.
So that, I mean, we're right here in Acts 16. We're introduced to the kind of genesis of their relationship. A few years down the line, that's what Paul is going to say about Timothy. That this, it matters so much that this guy is with me.