Whether you’re new to Bible study or you’re an experienced disciple, the Bible Study Guide for Acts 20 will help you make the most of your Bible study time. With this guide, you’ll learn about the many themes of the book of Acts. You’ll find out how Paul preached to the Greeks in Troas, walked from Troas to Melia, and met with the Ephesian elders.
ACTS 20:1-6 PAUL TRAVELS IN MACEDONIA AND GREECE
During Paul’s third missionary journey, he visited Greece and Macedonia. Paul was encouraged and helped by his fellow apostles and believers. In addition to encouraging the believers, he also preached the gospel.
When he visited Greece, Paul urged his followers to continue following him. He also spoke words of encouragement to the people in Macedonia. He also visited churches in Macedonia and Philippi.
Paul stayed in Greece for three months. He also traveled through Macedonia and returned to Corinth. He probably stayed in Macedonia for at least a year. He probably visited other cities in Macedonia and Achaia during his three years of missionary work in Greece and Macedonia.
When Paul and his entourage departed from Corinth, they sailed to Troas, Assos, and Miletus. The ship stopped at each port along the way, as ships usually do. They would have had delays in repairs and unloading cargo. The ship also would have had delays to exchange seamen.
ACTS 20:7-12 PAUL PREACHED IN TROAS
ACTS 20:7-12 PAUL PREACHED IN TROAS is a short synopsis of the meeting of Paul and the church at Troas. It contains Paul’s thoughts and concerns. The speech is close to Paul’s own letter to the church at Miletus.
The speech at Troas was not the only thing Paul did that night. He also taught private meetings, gave public speeches, and taught in individual houses. He also sent disciples to quell the uproar. He had been told of a plot against him by the Jews. Paul changed his travel plans. He chose to go back through Macedonia.
Paul had spent two fruitful years with the Ephesian Christians. He had preached the gospel to both Jews and Greeks.
He traveled through Macedonia, Greece, and Rome. He also went to Achaia. This visit was cut short by a trip to Rome. He would eventually die there. His ministry was fruitful. Among his many accomplishments was the establishment of a gospel-centered church in Ephesus. It developed lasting bonds.
ACTS 20:13-16 TRAVELING FROM TROAS TO MILETUS
Upon hearing about the Jewish plot to kill Paul, he decided to change his itinerary. He changed his plans from sailing to Syria to sailing back through Macedonia. Paul wanted to be on his way to Jerusalem by Pentecost.
He sent a letter to his traveling companions to get them to meet him at Miletus. He also sent his personal messenger Tychicus to help pacify the uproar. He also wanted to avoid spending time in Asia.
In the end, Paul opted for a coastal voyage to Miletus. He had been to the island of Lesbos before, but this was his first visit to the eastern Aegean coast. He had also visited the island of Samos and the island of Crete. He had even visited the island of Cyprus, but he had never been to the island of Illyricum. He also had a good reason to stop at Miletus.
He decided to sail past Ephesus, and he was not alone in that decision. A few of his traveling companions, including the Sopater of Berea and the Secundus of Thessalonica, also made the journey.
ACTS 20:17-38 MEETING WITH THE EPHESIAN ELDERS
ACTS 20:17-38 reveals Paul’s farewell speech to the elders of Ephesus. They are the last people to hear him. He had spent over two years in Ephesus. The elders were a group of experienced men. They were appointed for their ability to teach and their spiritual character. They acted as pastors and heads of the house church.
Paul is a passionate man. He mirrored the love that Jesus had for his church. He wanted to be in Jerusalem on Pentecost. Fortunately, God had a plan for Paul’s life.
As Paul prepared to depart Ephesus, he called for a special meeting of the Ephesian elders. The elders were the leaders of the church in Ephesus. They were also responsible for the local congregation. They supervised the government of the church.
The elders of Ephesus presided over a large congregation that numbered over a thousand. They had heard of the persecution that Paul was facing from the Jews. The elders also knew about the Jewish plot at Corinth.
