THE SEND: Luke & ActsSample

Acts 17 and 18 are packed with many stories of Paul as he continues his missionary journeys. But one of the things that stands out to me from these chapters, particularly, is the number of friends Paul has around him.

Across just two chapters, Luke specifically names eleven people who came alongside Paul in his mission (Silas, Timothy, Jason, Dionysius, Damaris, Aquila, Priscilla, Titius Justus, Crispus, Sosthenes, Apollos). And there were many more that went unnamed but were still acknowledged.

Paul isn’t just going it alone. He is traveling with others and working with others. He is relying on the community of the Church and releasing others to see the Kingdom of God come with him.

Sometimes, we treat our ‘calling’ like it’s a solo mission—something God has spoken just to us personally, or something that’s based just on our individual gifts. And, don’t get me wrong, God has uniquely gifted you, and he does speak to you personally. But here’s the challenge: What if we limit ourselves by choosing to only work within the boundaries of our own giftings or callings?

If God can do amazing things through one person surrendered to him, how much more can he do through friends and communities surrendered to him—and committed to one another?

I don’t know what this looks like for you. Maybe it means doing some kind of outreach with your friends in youth group. Maybe it’s choosing to evangelize with your siblings. Maybe it’s starting a lunchtime Bible study at school with your friends.

I don’t know how God might want to use you, your friends, your family, and your church. But as I look at the life of Paul, I’m convinced that his favorite way to bring his Kingdom is through communities working together.

What could it look like to live out the call of Jesus to preach the Gospel alongside the people around you?

Ask God to show you one or two people you could partner with. Then pray together, dream together, and see what he might want to do as you say yes together.