The Pattern?

Pete Kersker - Jul 23, 2026

At Iconium Paul and Barnabas went as usual into the Jewish synagogue. There they spoke so effectively that a great number of Jews and Greeks believed (Acts 14:1 NIV).

Paul and Barnabas are developing a pattern in this Spirit-led journey from town to town. They travel to a new town, find the local synagogue, and attend church services on the sabbath (Saturday) after their arrival. There, they share the good news that Jesus from Nazareth, who was put to death, God raised from the dead declaring him Messiah and Lord.

But the Jews who refused to believe stirred up the other Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brothers (Acts 14:2 NIV).

Once the synagogue attenders heard the message, the second part of the pattern would unfold. Some of the Jews would listen to the eyewitness accounts about Jesus, compare them to the prophecies about the Messiah in Scripture, and believe that Jesus is the Christ. Others would not. This split had resulted in Paul and Barnabas eventually leaving the town before. This time, however, the pattern changed.

So Paul and Barnabas spent considerable time there, speaking boldly for the Lord... (Acts 14:3a NIV).

Do you see the pattern developing as Paul and Barnabas travel from town to town?
Why do you think they changed their pattern in Iconium?

Have you ever encountered resistance to your faith and walked away?
Have you ever encountered resistance and stayed to keep the conversation going?
What was different about the two situations? Why did your pattern change?