Jesus & The City Journal

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Jesus &The CityF A L L 2 0 2 1 | A D A B I B L E C H U R C H

Jesus &The City

t h i s b o o k b e l o n g s t o

W E L C O M E T O

Welcome to our fall series, Jesus & The City, as we look at Acts 18–19. We’ll explore with the Apostle Paul and his team the challenges they faced as they worked to establish a thriving Jesus-community in Ephesus. Much like our own lives, the story is marked by deep friendships, disappointing setbacks and seasons of incredible opportunity paired with challenging opposition. Our hope is that we are inspired by what the message of Jesus can do in the hearts of his people and the heart of a city—whether Ephesus or our own.

We invite you to come each weekend with an open heart as we explore this transformational material together. May our gracious Lord be pleased to meet us powerfully in this season.

With Gratitude,

Pastors Jeff Manion & Aaron Buer

TA B L E O F C O N T E N T S

S E PTE MB E R 1 1 / 12

S E PTE MB E R 18/ 19

S E PTE MB E R 25/26

OCTOB E R 2/3

OCTOBER 9/ 10

OCTOBER 16/ 17

OCTOBER 23/24

OUR M IS S ION + CONTACT

LOCAT IONS

MIN ISTR I E S

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This fall, we anchor our sermon series with Paul in Ephesus in what is now western Turkey. In Jesus & The City, we’re covering Acts 18–19 and exploring what happened when the story of the crucified and resurrected Jesus came to one of the most renowned cities in the Roman Empire.

Together, we’ll travel through the geography, history, opportunity and challenges of the first believers in Ephesus.

Over seven weeks, we hope Jesus & The City gives us a fresh vision of the impact Jesus can have in our lives, our community and our cities.

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This journal will help you dig deeper into our Jesus & The City series. It gives you space to make notes as you tie together what we call three environments of spiritual growth in The Row (the weekend service), The Circle (your small group) and The Chair (your time alone with God). It also shares information about Ada Bible ministries to help you connect with others as you grow in your faith. Be sure to bring your journal to weekend services and use it throughout the week as you identify the next steps God is calling you to during this series.

HOW TO USE YOUR JOURNAL

Write whatever you find encouraging, compelling or challenging from the weekend service.

Write big ideas, prayer requests and areas of application during your small group discussion.

Write prayers, things you are thankful for and areas of spiritual growth as you invite God into your day.

HERE ARE SOME WAYS TO USE YOUR JOURNAL

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PAUL & THE JESUS-MESSAGEWe first meet Paul in the book of Acts where he is introduced as a rising Jewish religious leader driving the persecution of the early church. He encounters the risen Christ while hunting down Jesus-followers. God radically redirects his life, changing his mission from persecutor to pastor.

For the next two decades, Paul leads three journeys to spread the message of Jesus and establish communities of Jesus-followers across the Roman Empire. His message is simple: Jesus’s death and resurrection offers life for both Jews and Gentiles.

Paul repeatedly risks his very life to talk about Jesus. This controversial message results in beatings, stonings, shipwrecks and imprisonment while traveling on his first two journeys.

Despite the physical toll, Paul sets off on a third journey and heads to Ephesus.

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ancient ephesusFirst-century Ephesus trails only Rome and Athens in cultural influence in the Roman Empire. Given its prime location and harbor, major empires of the east and west spent centuries wrestling over its control.

Full of remarkable buildings such as a gymnasium, synagogue, stadium, marketplaces, Roman baths, and lecture halls, two structures stand out—the theater and the temple of Artemis.

Artist’s Interpretation of 2nd Century Ephesus.

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TheaterEvery major city had a theater. The theater is where you would spend an evening absorbing a drama like a Greco-Roman comedy or a tragedy.

First constructed in the 3rd Century BC by the Greeks, the Romans continued expanding and improving the theater in Ephesus. The sound of artisans hammering and chiseling away to upgrade the theater likely rang out in the background during Paul’s stay. Impeccably designed acoustics in the 25,000-person theater allow patrons to hear the actors from the cheapest seats, some sixty-six rows from the stage.

Paul soon finds himself as the protagonist in a real-life drama with high stakes. The Jesus-message threatens one of the foundations of Ephesian society–Artemis worship.

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Temple of ArtemisPaul’s Jesus-message faces serious competition. Goddess worship permeates Ephesian culture. The mother-goddess temple dates back to at least the 11th Century BC when conquering Greeks absorb the local worship into their goddess Artemis (known as Diana in the Roman world).

Paul’s ministry in Ephesus takes place in the shadow of the temple—the largest known building in the Ancient world and larger than a modern-day football field. Rows of 127 columns, each measuring 6 feet in diameter, tower 60 feet in the air. The massive columns, Cyprus paneling and cedar roof beams make this one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Ephesian life revolves around this majestic building and its goddess worship, with city coins proudly bearing the inscription “temple-warden.”

Paul’s message disrupts the culture and industry surrounding the temple, resulting in a rioting mob of craftsmen determined to get rid of him.

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Paul in EphesusWhile Paul could have selected any destination, he chose to invest almost three years in Ephesus. He isn’t in Ephesus by accident. It’s a strategic move.

Ephesus is the central city of Asia Minor and connects to major land and sea trade routes. Think of it as an ancient version of Hong Kong or New York City. You could find whatever you wanted in the Ephesian marketplace. Sea routes connect Ephesus to other metropolises like Rome, Carthage, Alexandria and Corinth. Roads link Ephesus with cities in the region like Thyatira, Sardis, Laodicea, Colossae, Antioch, and even the exotic goods of India and China.

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Trade routes carry not only goods but ideas. If the Jesus-message catches on in a city like Ephesus, the Good News of Jesus could spread with the traders and travelers along the roads and shipping lanes. The influential metropolis can become a hub for Christianity.

That’s precisely what Paul set out to do. He shows up day after day and finds ways to turn opposition into opportunity.

It’s not one or two large events in a packed theater. Paul’s time in Ephesus is a daily grind. He works his day job, teaches when others rest, then repeats.

Paul doesn’t show up time and again to change just one city. He knows if the Jesus-message can reach the people of Ephesus—it can help change the world.

Hear what happens each week this fall with our sermon series Jesus & The City.

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S E P T E M B E R 1 1 / 1 2

ACTS 16:6-8 &ACTS 18:18-23

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18 Paul stayed on in Corinth for some time. Then he left the brothers and sisters and sailed for Syria, accompanied by Priscilla and Aquila. Before he sailed, he had his hair cut off at Cenchreae because of a vow he had taken. 19 They arrived at Ephesus, where Paul left Priscilla and Aquila. He himself went into the synagogue and reasoned with the Jews. 20 When they asked him to spend more time with them, he declined. 21 But as he left, he promised, “I will come back if it is God’s will. “Then he set sail from Ephesus. 22 When he landed at Caesarea, he went up to Jerusalem and greeted the church and then went down to Antioch.

23 After spending some time in Antioch, Paul set out from there and traveled from place to place throughout the region of Galatia and Phrygia, strengthening all the disciples.

6 Paul and his companions traveled throughout the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been kept by the Holy Spirit from preaching the word in the province of Asia. 7 When they came to the border of Mysia, they tried to enter Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them to. 8 So they passed by Mysia and went down to Troas.

ACTS 16:6-8

ACTS 18:18-23

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What I found encouraging, compelling or challengingfrom the weekend service.

My major takeaway from the sermon this week is

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One thing I’d like to discuss from The Row or The Chair is

M Y G R O U P ’ S P R AY E R R E Q U E S T S

S M A L L G R O U P C O N V E R S AT I O N N O T E S

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What are a few things I am learning this week fromThe Row or The Circle?

N O T E S / P R AY E R

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S E P T E M B E R 1 8 / 1 9

Acts 18:24-28

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Acts 18:24-2824 Meanwhile a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, came to Ephesus. He was a learned man, with a thorough knowledge of the Scriptures. 25 He had been instructed in the way of the Lord, and he spoke with great fervor and taught about Jesus accurately, though he knew only the baptism of John. 26 He began to speak boldly in the synagogue. When Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they invited him to their home and explained to him the way of God more adequately.

27 When Apollos wanted to go to Achaia, the brothers and sisters encouraged him and wrote to the disciples there to welcome him. When he arrived, he was a great help to those who by grace had believed. 28 For he vigorously refuted his Jewish opponents in public debate, proving from the Scriptures that Jesus was the Messiah.

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S E P T E M B E R 2 5 / 2 6

Acts 19:1-7

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Acts 19:1-71 While Apollos was at Corinth, Paul took the road through the interior and arrived at Ephesus. There he found some disciples 2 and asked them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?”

They answered, “No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.”

3 So Paul asked, “Then what baptism did you receive?”

“John’s baptism,” they replied.

4 Paul said, “John’s baptism was a baptism of repentance. He told the people to believe in the one coming after him, that is, in Jesus.” 5 On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 6 When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied. 7 There were about twelve men in all.

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O C T O B E R 2 / 3

Acts 19:8-10

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ACTS 19:8-108 Paul entered the synagogue and spoke boldly there for three months, arguing persuasively about the kingdom of God. 9 But some of them became obstinate; they refused to believe and publicly maligned the Way. So Paul left them. He took the disciples with him and had discussions daily in the lecture hall of Tyrannus. 10 This went on for two years, so that all the Jews and Greeks who lived in the province of Asia heard the word of the Lord.

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O C T O B E R 9 / 1 0

Acts 19:11-20

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ACTS 19:11-2011 God did extraordinary miracles through Paul, 12 so that even handkerchiefs and aprons that had touched him were taken to the sick, and their illnesses were cured and the evil spirits left them.

13 Some Jews who went around driving out evil spirits tried to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those who were demon-possessed. They would say, “In the name of the Jesus whom Paul preaches, I command you to come out.” 14 Seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, were doing this. 15 One day the evil spirit answered them, “Jesus I know, and Paul I know about, but who are you?” 16 Then the man who had the evil spirit jumped on them and overpowered them all. He gave them such a beating that they ran out of the house naked and bleeding.

17 When this became known to the Jews and Greeks living in Ephesus, they were all seized with fear, and the name of the Lord Jesus was held in high honor. 18 Many of those who believed now came and openly confessed what they had done. 19 A number who had practiced sorcery brought their scrolls together and burned them publicly. When they calculated the value of the scrolls, the total came to fifty thousand drachmas. 20 In this way the word of the Lord spread widely and grew in power.

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O C T O B E R 1 6 / 1 7

Acts 19:9,Acts 20:20

& Acts 20:34

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Acts 19:9

Acts 20:20

Acts 20:34

But some of them became obstinate; they refused to believe and publicly maligned the Way. So Paul left them. He took the disciples with him and had discussions daily in the lecture hall of Tyrannus.

You know that I have not hesitated to preach anything that would be helpful to you but have taught you publicly and from house to house.

You yourselves know that these hands of mine have supplied my own needs and the needs of my companions.

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O C T O B E R 2 3 / 2 4

Acts 19:23-41

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23 About that time there arose a great disturbance about the Way. 24 A silversmith named Demetrius, who made silver shrines of Artemis, brought in a lot of business for the craftsmen there. 25 He called them together, along with the workers in related trades, and said: “You know, my friends, that we receive a good income from this business. 26 And you see and hear how this fellow Paul has convinced and led astray large numbers of people here in Ephesus and in practically the whole province of Asia. He says that gods made by human hands are no gods at all. 27 There is danger not only that our trade will lose its good name, but also that the temple of the great goddess Artemis will be discredited; and the goddess herself, who is worshiped throughout the province of Asia and the world, will be robbed of her divine majesty.”

28 When they heard this, they were furious and began shouting: “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!” 29 Soon the whole city was in an uproar. The people seized Gaius and Aristarchus, Paul’s traveling companions from Macedonia, and all of them rushed into the theater together. 30 Paul wanted to appear before the crowd, but the disciples would not let him. 31 Even some of the officials of the province, friends of Paul, sent him a message begging him not to venture into the theater.

Acts 19:23-41

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32 The assembly was in confusion: Some were shouting one thing, some another. Most of the people did not even know why they were there. 33 The Jews in the crowd pushed Alexander to the front, and they shouted instructions to him. He motioned for silence in order to make a defense before the people. 34 But when they realized he was a Jew, they all shouted in unison for about two hours: “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!”

35 The city clerk quieted the crowd and said: “Fellow Ephesians, doesn’t all the world know that the city of Ephesus is the guardian of the temple of the great Artemis and of her image, which fell from heaven? 36 Therefore, since these facts are undeniable, you ought to calm down and not do anything rash. 37 You have brought these men here, though they have neither robbed temples nor blasphemed our goddess. 38 If, then, Demetrius and his fellow craftsmen have a grievance against anybody, the courts are open and there are proconsuls. They can press charges. 39 If there is anything further you want to bring up, it must be settled in a legal assembly. 40 As it is, we are in danger of being charged with rioting because of what happened today. In that case we would not be able to account for this commotion, since there is no reason for it.” 41 After he had said this, he dismissed the assembly.

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A D A B I B L E M I S S I O NWe think our mission is pretty simple:

to lead others into a relationship with God and his church that transforms them to Christ-likeness.

C O N N E C T W I T H U Sadabible.org | [email protected] | 616-868-7005

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O N E C H U R C H W I T H F O U R L O C AT I O N S

Cascade Campus 8899 Cascade Road SE

Ada, MI 49301

East Paris Campus1640 East Paris Avenue SE

Kentwood, MI 49546

Kentwood Campus2045 68th Street SE Caledonia, MI 49316

Knapp Street Campus3869 Knapp Street NE

Grand Rapids, MI 49525

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https://goo.gl/maps/BigAAJgEubL2

https://goo.gl/maps/NoqjmJgzYyB2

https://goo.gl/maps/dnGpd8QuUYr

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MINISTRIESa t Ad a B i b l e C h u rc h

Our ministries are a great way to find your community and learn how to become more like Jesus.

We have a lot going on this fall. Check out these ministries and contact us with any questions.

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C H I L D R E N , S T U D E N T S & Y O U N G A D U L T S

Children’s Ministry. Discovery Village cares for and teaches ages birth–fifth grade, and students with special needs, to become Jesus-followers with energetic Bible stories, small group time and family events. adabible.org/children Grades 6–12. Lifeline helps students engage with life-changing teaching, relationships and experiences. It’s a place to explore the story of God and find their place in that story.adabible.org/students Young Adults. UNION connects young adults (ages 18–35) to live out the fullest expression of faith, discover community, pursue Christ and love the world well. UNION is for you whether you are in college, working, married or single.adabible.org/union

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A D U L T G R O U P SSmall Groups. God created us for community. That’s why we do small groups. Small groups are our place to belong, grow and serve with others.adabible.org/smallgroups

Women’s Ministry. Pursue deeper faith and build relationships through small groups, monthly gatherings and special events.adabible.org/women

Men’s Ministry. Build strong faith in God and strong bonds with other men through men’s small groups and events. adabible.org/men

Singles 35+. Find your place for community and dig deeper into God’s word with our Singles Ministry for ages 35+. adabible.org/singles

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R E S O U R C E S

Beyond the Weekend. Invite God into your day with devotionals, online or delivered to your inbox, connected to the sermon each week. Sign up to receive an email Monday–Friday or read it anytime online.beyondtheweekend.org

Digital Bulletin. All our church information each week is in one handy place. Find this week’s sermon verses, sign up for an event, give online or investigate your next step.adabible.info

Ada Bible App. Watch sermons live or later, read Beyond the Weekend, find our digital bulletin and more. Download for your mobile device and stay connected wherever you are.adabible.org/app

Care. We want to help people, in all phases of life, have a better relationship with God and others. Please contact us if you need prayer, meals, mentoring or other care.adabible.org/care

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N E X T S T E P S AT A D A B I B L E

No matter where you are in your spiritual journey—we all have a next step.

Serving. Everyone is uniquely gifted to help those in need. We share the love of Jesus when we serve in our local and global communities. Many opportunities available.adabible.org/serving

Baptism. Baptism is the outward expression of our inward decision to follow Jesus. Read more about baptisms at Ada Bible and sign up to start a conversation.adabible.org/baptism

Membership. Attending church each week is not the same thing as being a member. Church membership means we make a commitment to take care of each other and the church. Attend a NEXT STEPS class for details and to ask questions.adabible.org/membership

Giving. From Ada Bible ministries, to local projects in communities around Grand Rapids and on the other side of the world—we couldn’t do it without you. As you make Ada Bible your home, we hope you will be led to give generously with your finances.adabible.org/give

© 2021 Ada Bible Church

Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version ®, NIV ® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used with permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

The “NIV”, “New International Version”, “Biblica”, “International Bible Society” and the Biblica Logo are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc. Used with permission.

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Jesus & The City Journal