How do people come to faith in Christ? How do Christians grow in Christ? One thing is central to both – the scriptures. Apart from the scriptures, apart from teaching the Word, disciples cannot be made, and teaching them cannot happen.

This text shows us that Paul, Aquilla and Priscilla, and Apollos all rely on the scriptures to help non-believers come to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Savior, and to help believers grow in their faith in Christ.

The text begins at the end of the second missionary journey and takes us through to Paul’s first significant stope on the third missionary journey. Luke points us, triumphantly, in verse 10 to the results of all this work in the Word, “This continued for two years, so that all the residents of Asia heard the word of the Lord, both Jews and Greeks.”

What would it take for all the residents of Ahwatukee to hear the Word of the Lord? How many people groups are here (Jews and Greeks), because unique peoples require unique approaches. Are we raising up gospel teachers who can spread the gospel and disciple others?

Foothills was planted over 30 years ago by a group of believers who had a vision for the gospel to fill the Ahwatukee Foothills! 30 years on, do we dare dream with them again? (Acts 5:28) Do we dare believe that God has planted us here, like gospel seed, among so many who need Jesus? (Acts 8:1-2; Acts 17:26) And if we believe God has done this in His sovereign purpose, then what should we do to see that “all the residents of Ahwatukee hear the Word of the Lord… and have an opportunity to be discipled to follow Jesus?” What does it look like to engage people to put Jesus first for the sake of others through the scriptures?

Scripture: Acts 18:18-19:10; Matthew 28:19-20; Acts 5:28, 8:1-2, 17:6, 17:26