Acts 16

“The Lord Had Called Us … to Preach the Gospel”

In His parting words to His Apostles, the Savior commanded them to “teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost” (Matthew 28:19). Paul and his companions made remarkable progress in fulfilling this commandment. The intent of this lesson is to help you recognize the help that the Savior desires to give you as you strive to share His gospel with others.

Sharing the gospel with others

You might remember that after the Savior’s Resurrection, He gathered His Apostles together and gave them the following commandment: “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost” (Matthew 28:19).

Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles shared the following thoughts about the Savior’s command to preach the gospel. You may want to watch the video “Missionary Work: Sharing What Is in Your Heart” from time code 2:46 to 3:30 or read the statement below.

Missionary Work: Sharing What Is in Your Heart

I have often pondered and prayed about the Savior’s great commission to His disciples … to “go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost” [Matthew 28:19].

I wrestled with the question “How can we, as members and disciples of Christ, best fulfill that great commission in our daily lives?”

Today I invite you to ponder that same question in your heart and mind.

(Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “Missionary Work: Sharing What Is in Your Heart,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2019, 15–16)

In addition to the question Elder Uchtdorf invited you to ponder, think about your answers to the following questions. Consider recording your responses in your study journal.

On a scale of 1–5, how much of a desire do you have to share the gospel with others? Why did you respond this way?
What obstacles do you face in sharing the gospel with others?

The Apostle Paul was a powerful missionary who brought many souls unto Jesus Christ through his preaching. During this week, you will learn about some of the events that occurred during Paul’s second and third missionary journeys (see Acts 15:36–41; 16; 17; 18:1–22 and Acts 18:23–28; 19; 20; 21:1–15). The following map illustrates Paul’s travels during these journeys:

Bible Map. The Missionary Journeys of the Apostle Paul.

As you study some of Paul’s experiences from his second mission in this lesson, you will see examples of the following truth: the Lord can lead us to those He has prepared to receive His gospel. Pay attention to the promptings of the Spirit that can help you in your efforts to share the gospel with others.

Paul and his companions preach in Macedonia

Depicton of Lydia, “a seller of purple” in the New Testament.

Read Acts 16:6–15, looking for what Paul and his companions experienced early in Paul’s second missionary journey.

What can you learn about Heavenly Father from this account that can help you in your efforts to find those the Lord has prepared to receive His gospel?
How have you seen the Lord preparing others to receive His gospel? How has He prepared or how can He prepare you to find individuals who are seeking Him?

To see an illustration of how the Lord prepares people to receive and to share His gospel, watch the video “Prayer” (4:12), available at ChurchofJesusChrist.org.

Paul and Silas are imprisoned and continue to preach

Paul and Silas are whipped and put in prison. - ch.61-4

After Paul and his companions taught and baptized Lydia, Paul cast an evil spirit out of a young female servant (see Acts 16:16–18). He and his companion Silas were then beaten and imprisoned (see Acts 16:19–24). Being thrown in prison for preaching the gospel might seem like an understandable reason to give up. But for Paul and Silas, it became an opportunity to help others come unto Christ.

Read Acts 16:25–36 to find out how the Lord turned the imprisonment of Paul and Silas into an opportunity for them to preach the gospel.

What Christlike attributes did Paul and Silas demonstrate in this account?
How did these attributes enable them to share the gospel more effectively?
What did you learn from this account that can help you in your efforts to find those the Lord has prepared to receive His gospel?

Applying what you learned

Through the Holy Ghost, seek inspiration from Heavenly Father to determine something you can do to share the gospel of Jesus Christ with others. Select one of the following invitations that you feel would be most beneficial for you:

Pray every day for the Lord to lead you to someone He has prepared to receive the gospel.
Consider listing two names of friends or classmates at school who may be receptive to hearing the gospel of Jesus Christ. Then ask Heavenly Father to help you know how you can be an instrument in His hands to bring them to the Savior.
With proper approval from your parents and leaders, work with a missionary companionship for a couple of hours. Share your experience with the class at a later time.
Think of your own idea of something you could do to share the gospel with others.

Writing on a piece of paper with a pen or pencil.

Optional: Want to Learn More?

How can social media help me share the gospel?

In the video “To Sweep the Earth as with a Flood” (2:56), Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles speaks about using social media to spread the gospel. This video is available at ChurchofJesusChrist.org.

Sweep the Earth as with a Flood – Highlight

What if people reject my invitation to learn more at this time?

Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught:

God does not need you to “sell” the restored gospel or the Church of Jesus Christ. He simply expects you not to hide it under a bushel. And if people decide the Church is not for them, that is their decision. It does not mean you have failed. You continue to treat them kindly. Nor does it exclude that you invite them again. The difference between casual social contacts and compassionate, courageous discipleship is—invitation!

(Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “Your Great Adventure,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2019, 88)

Elder Neil L. Andersen of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles said:

Even with a strong desire to share the gospel, you may be less than happy with the success of your past efforts. You may feel like a friend who said, “I have talked to our family and friends about the Church, but few have shown any interest, and with each rejection, I have become more hesitant. I know I should do more, but I am stuck, and all I feel is enormous guilt.” …

I suggest that you stop feeling guilty about any insufficiency you think you have in sharing the gospel. Rather, pray, like Alma taught, for opportunities “to stand as [a witness] of God at all times and in all things, and in all places … that [others] may be redeemed of God, and be numbered with those of the first resurrection, [and] have eternal life” [Mosiah 18:9]. This is a much stronger motivation than guilt.

(Neil L. Andersen, “A Witness of God,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2016, 36–37)

How do I find people to teach?

President Dallin H. Oaks of the First Presidency taught:

We must pray for the Lord’s help and directions so we can be instruments in His hands for one who is now ready—one He would have us help today. Then, we must be alert to hear and heed the promptings of His Spirit in how we proceed.

Those promptings will come. We know from countless personal testimonies that in His own way and His own time the Lord is preparing persons to accept His gospel. Such persons are searching, and when we are seeking to identify them the Lord will answer their prayers through answering ours. He will prompt and guide those who desire and who sincerely seek guidance in how, where, when, and with whom to share His gospel.

(Dallin H. Oaks, “Sharing the Gospel,” Ensign, Nov. 2001, 8)