The Lecture Hall of Tyrannus

Acts 19:8-41                                                                                                                                                                 Key verse 19:9b

“He took the disciples with him and had discussions daily in the lecture hall of Tyrannus.”

Read verses 8-10.  What was the focus of Paul’s ministry his first three months in Ephesus?  How did some of the Jews react to Paul’s message?  How did Paul change the focus of his ministry?  Why was this change significant?  What was the result? 

For three months Paul focused his ministry on the Jews.  He spoke boldly in the synagogue and argued persuasively about the kingdom of God.  Paul continued to have a broken shepherd’s head for his own people (Romans 9:1).  

Some Jews responded negatively to Paul’s message.  They became obstinate and refused to believe because they didn’t want to repent (Romans 2:5).  At first, Paul might have been able to bear them, but when they publically maligned the way (negatively influenced others) Paul left them.     

Paul changed the focus of his ministry to training the disciples through daily Bible study.  He led a two year discipleship program.  

Paul’s change of focus was significant because disciple making is God’s wisdom for effectively advancing the kingdom of God.

When Paul focused on disciple making the entire province received positive influence through the word of God.  

Read verses 11-16.  What miracles did God perform through Paul?  How did others try to copy Paul’s ministry?  What happened in the case of the seven sons of Sceva?

God did extraordinary miracles through Paul.  These miracles show that through his focus on disciple making ministry it was Paul himself who was blessed the most.  The spiritual power at work in Paul became so great that it was manifested even on physical objects like clothing.

Others tried to copy Paul by invoking the name of the Lord Jesus to drive out demons.  

The seven sons of Sceva were revealed as imposters and were punished for their irreverent attitude toward the name of Jesus.    

Read verses 17-20.  How did God use the event involving the Seven sons of Sceva?   What shows that people truly feared and honored the Lord?  What was the effect of their sincere repentance (20)?

God used the event involving the seven sons of Sceva to plant fear of God; that the name of the Lord Jesus would be highly honored.  

People showed that they feared and honored the Lord through their repentance.  

When people repented the word of the Lord spread widely and grew in power.  Open confession and practical repentance provided a powerful spiritual influence, helping the ministry to grow quantitative and qualitatively.    

Read verses 21-22.  What vision did Paul pick up for his next missionary journey?    Why might have such a vision come to Paul at this particular time?   What was the significance of this vision?

Paul picked up the vision to pioneer Rome.

Ephesus was a spiritual testing ground through which Paul could gain world mission vision; to pioneer the entire world.  

Rome was the superpower nation of Paul’s time.  Paul saw the vision to pioneer all nations through Rome.  In our present age, disciple making ministry is the wisdom for pioneering the modern day superpower nation America and the world through America.    

Read verses 23-41.  Why did Demetrius the silversmith and the workmen from related trades oppose Paul?  Describe the ensuing riot (29, 32, 34)?  Why didn’t Paul appear before the crowd (30, 31)?  How was the city clerk able to dissolve the riot?

Demetrius the silversmith and the workmen from related trades were idol makers and saw that their financial security was threatened if people continue to repent of their idol worship.  The bottom liked the almighty dollar.  

 The riot involved lots of shouting and lots of confusion.  

Paul wanted to appear before the crowd, but his coworkers in Christ warned him not to.  

The city clerk quieted the crowd by devaluing the threat posed by Paul and his ministry and by threatening to give a ticket for rioting.