Paul’s First Missionary Journey

✨ The Holy Spirit sends out Barnabas and Saul from the church at Antioch, marking the beginning of Paul’s first missionary journey. They travel through multiple cities, facing spiritual opposition, preaching boldly, witnessing miracles, enduring persecution, and strengthening brand-new believers along the way. Everywhere they go, God moves, God opens doors, and the gospel spreads.

Journey Map: Where Paul Went and What Happened

1. Antioch in Syria
• The Holy Spirit calls Barnabas and Saul.
• The church fasts, prays, lays hands on them, and sends them out.
(Acts 13:1–3)

2. Cyprus
• Preach in Salamis.
• Encounter Elymas the magician in Paphos.
• Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, confronts him, and the proconsul believes.
(Acts 13:4–12)

3. Perga in Pamphylia
• John Mark leaves and returns to Jerusalem.
(Acts 13:13)

4. Pisidian Antioch
• Paul preaches a sweeping message from Israel’s history to Jesus the Savior.
• Some Jews reject the message; many Gentiles rejoice and believe.
• Opposition rises and they are driven out.
(Acts 13:14–52)

5. Iconium
• Many Jews and Greeks believe.
• Signs and wonders confirm the message.
• Unbelieving Jews stir up division, leading to threats of stoning.
(Acts 14:1–7)

6. Lystra
• Paul heals a lame man.
• Crowds mistake them for gods; Paul and Barnabas tear their clothes and redirect glory to God.
• Opposing Jews arrive and stone Paul, leaving him for dead.
• Paul rises, reenters the city.
(Acts 14:8–20)

7. Derbe
• Preach the gospel, make many disciples.
(Acts 14:20–21)

8. Return Trip (Lystra → Iconium → Pisidian Antioch → Perga → Attalia)
• Strengthen and encourage believers.
• Appoint elders in every church.
• Sail back to Antioch where their journey began.
(Acts 14:21–28)

Paul’s First Missionary Journey

✨ The Holy Spirit sends out Barnabas and Saul from the church at Antioch, marking the beginning of Paul’s first missionary journey. They travel through multiple cities, facing spiritual opposition, preaching boldly, witnessing miracles, enduring persecution, and strengthening brand-new believers along the way. Everywhere they go, God moves, God opens doors, and the gospel spreads.

🗺 Journey Map: Where Paul Went and What Happened

1. Antioch in Syria
• The Holy Spirit calls Barnabas and Saul.
• The church fasts, prays, lays hands on them, and sends them out.
(Acts 13:1–3)

2. Cyprus
• Preach in Salamis.
• Encounter Elymas the magician in Paphos.
• Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, confronts him, and the proconsul believes.
(Acts 13:4–12)

3. Perga in Pamphylia
• John Mark leaves and returns to Jerusalem.
(Acts 13:13)

4. Pisidian Antioch
• Paul preaches a sweeping message from Israel’s history to Jesus the Savior.
• Some Jews reject the message; many Gentiles rejoice and believe.
• Opposition rises and they are driven out.
(Acts 13:14–52)

5. Iconium
• Many Jews and Greeks believe.
• Signs and wonders confirm the message.
• Unbelieving Jews stir up division, leading to threats of stoning.
(Acts 14:1–7)

6. Lystra
• Paul heals a lame man.
• Crowds mistake them for gods; Paul and Barnabas tear their clothes and redirect glory to God.
• Opposing Jews arrive and stone Paul, leaving him for dead.
• Paul rises, reenters the city.
(Acts 14:8–20)

7. Derbe
• Preach the gospel, make many disciples.
(Acts 14:20–21)

8. Return Trip (Lystra → Iconium → Pisidian Antioch → Perga → Attalia)
• Strengthen and encourage believers.
• Appoint elders in every church.
• Sail back to Antioch where their journey began.
(Acts 14:21–28)

🚀 Launching Point Learning Lesson

Acts 13–14 gives us a front-row seat to what everyday faithfulness looks like in motion. Paul and Barnabas weren’t trying to be impressive; they were simply obedient, and the Holy Spirit did the heavy lifting. Opposition didn’t shut the door on ministry. If anything, it highlighted God’s power even more. Their journey is a reminder that when God opens a door, our job is just to walk through it, trusting Him to work on the other side.

🗝 Key Word: Opened
(Use this to trace moments throughout Scripture where God opens doors, hearts, opportunities, or understanding.)

📜 Key Verse:
Acts 14:27 (BSB) – “When they had arrived and gathered the church together, they reported all that God had done with them, and how He had opened a door of faith to the Gentiles.”

🔗 Key Cross-Reference:
1 Corinthians 16:9 (BSB) – “For a great and effective door has opened to me, and there are many adversaries.”

✨ Self-Reflection Questions
• Where have I seen God open doors that I could not have created on my own?
• What current discouragement might actually be a doorway God is using to strengthen my faith?

© Nicki Drake 2025 All rights reserved for personal use only

Acts 13–14 gives us a front-row seat to what everyday faithfulness looks like in motion. Paul and Barnabas weren’t trying to be impressive; they were simply obedient, and the Holy Spirit did the heavy lifting. Opposition didn’t shut the door on ministry. If anything, it highlighted God’s power even more. Their journey is a reminder that when God opens a door, our job is just to walk through it, trusting Him to work on the other side.

🗝 Key Word: Opened
(Use this to trace moments throughout Scripture where God opens doors, hearts, opportunities, or understanding.)

📜 Key Verse:
Acts 14:27 (BSB) – “When they had arrived and gathered the church together, they reported all that God had done with them, and how He had opened a door of faith to the Gentiles.”

🔗 Key Cross-Reference:
1 Corinthians 16:9 (BSB) – “For a great and effective door has opened to me, and there are many adversaries.”

✨ Self-Reflection Questions
• Where have I seen God open doors that I could not have created on my own?
• What current discouragement might actually be a doorway God is using to strengthen my faith?

© Nicki Drake 2025 All rights reserved for personal use only