CHAPTER 2: The Roman Road

Share that after Jesus ascended into heaven, the Holy Spirit came down upon the people at Pentecost. Tippit points out that “the great miracle [that day] was not the disciples speaking in tongues but rather that the people heard in their own languages. That has been one of the most powerful missionary principles since that time.”

KEY: Every person deserves to hear the gospel in his or her own language.

When the followers of Christ went out from Jerusalem, they carried the message of Jesus went them wherever they went. And they traveled on the roads created by the Roman empire. Discuss:

• What did you learn about the building of the Roman roads? (built 200-300 years before Pentecost; created to be the shortest distance between two points; patrolled by the Roman military)
• How did God used these Roman roads? Note that God used what was created by pagans for His glory.

Explain that in first 12 chapters of the Book of Acts, thousands of people came to Christ. However, in chapter 13, the focus turns to Paul’s evangelistic efforts and how he used the technology of the time (the Roman Road) to take the message of Christ out. Discuss:

• How did the Roman Road facilitate the spread of Christianity?
• How effective would their evangelistic efforts have been without Roman Roads for travel?