“Come over into Macedonia, and help us.” Acts 16:9
A call by revelation, a stoning at Lystra, a vision at Troas, an opened heart in Philippi, tents in Corinth, and a tearful goodbye on the shore. Sail the routes and follow the Spirit.
In Antioch, the Holy Ghost said, “Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work.” After fasting and prayer, Church leaders laid their hands on them and sent them out. On this first journey, Paul was stoned at Lystra and left for dead, yet he returned to strengthen the new branches.
On his second journey, the Spirit closed the way into Asia, and at Troas Paul saw a vision of a man pleading, “Come over into Macedonia, and help us.” He went immediately. In Philippi the Lord opened Lydia’s heart; in Athens he taught of the unknown God; in Corinth he made tents with Aquila and Priscilla. On his third journey the word grew mightily in Ephesus, and at Miletus Paul knelt and prayed with the Ephesian elders, reminding them of the Lord’s words, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.”
Who’s who
Paul: an Apostle and missionary
Barnabas: his first companion
Silas and Luke: later companions
Lydia: a seller of purple in Philippi
Aquila and Priscilla: tentmakers in Corinth
Where and when
Antioch, Lystra, Troas, Philippi, Athens, Corinth, Ephesus and Miletus, across the eastern Mediterranean.
Watch for the Savior
Watch how the Holy Ghost guides every step, and how Paul keeps testifying of the grace of Jesus Christ.
Eight stops across the sea, from Antioch to Miletus. Scroll, or tap a number on the map.
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The story, plainly
Four scenes: the call, the vision, the workshop and the farewell. Look for the Savior in each one.
Read it plainly
The words that trip people up
Tap any dotted word for its meaning. The scripture stays exactly as written.3
Acts 13:2“Meaning: set apart for a special work. me Barnabas and Saul”
Acts 14:22“Meaning: strengthening. the souls of the disciples”
Acts 16:10“we Meaning: tried hard, made every effort. to go”
Acts 16:10“Meaning: concluding with confidence.”
Acts 20:24“finish my Meaning: race, path of life. with joy”
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Look closer
Small details tell the story. Some cards are details in the text; others share insights from prophets or Church resources. Each card says which.
0 of 9 turned
All nine. The hands, the ship, the sandals, the dream, the tent, the letters, the window, the farewell and the path. Acts 13–20
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Where are you?
Ready to set out, facing a closed door, serving in ordinary work, or saying goodbye. Which feels most like you right now?
A next step for you
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Try it
Sail with Paul
Follow Paul across the sea, one city at a time. A light goes ahead of you, and the route you’ve traveled stays on the map. At Troas, you choose.
“Come over into Macedonia, and help us.” Acts 16:9
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Their world, their words
A little background helps us see how far Paul traveled, and why. Outside sources are labeled.
Church resource · Bible Dictionary
Three journeys
The Bible Dictionary: Paul “started with Barnabas and Mark on his first missionary journey,” and his second “lasted about three years.”10
Thousands of miles, on foot and by ship.
Church resource · Student manual
Called by revelation
The student manual: the leaders who called Saul and Barnabas “had fasted and received revelation before making this important calling.”6
Missionaries are still called this way.
Church resource · Student manual
Lydia
“She has the distinction of being Paul’s first known European convert.”7
Her heart “the Lord opened.”
Church resource · Student manual
“We” in Acts
The student manual: the words “we” and “us” starting in Acts 16:10 “indicate that this part of Luke’s record is an eyewitness account.”7
Luke joined Paul at Troas.
Word study · Greek
parakaleō παρακαλέω · “prayed him” (Acts 16:9)
Bible Hub: “To call to one’s side, to exhort, to encourage, to comfort.”11Outside · lexicon
The man of Macedonia was pleading for someone to come to his side and help.3
Word study · Greek
episterizō ἐπιστηρίζω · “confirming” (Acts 14:22)
Bible Hub: “To strengthen, to support, to establish.”12Outside · lexicon
Paul went back to strengthen the branches, even after being stoned.2
What the text does not say
The story does not say Paul’s journeys were easy or always successful. He was stoned, beaten and turned away, and he taught that “we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.”2
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Look to Him
Paul went “to testify the gospel of the grace of God.” Every road led back to Jesus.
Paul’s farewell: “It is more blessed to give than to receive.”
“In the school of mortality, the tutor is often pain and tribulation, but the lessons are meant to refine and bless us and strengthen us, not to destroy us.”
Elder Robert D. Hales, quoted in the student manual6
Paul to the Ephesian elders
The gospel of grace
“So that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.” Acts 20:24
The Lord to Paul in Corinth
I am with thee
“Be not afraid, but speak, and hold not thy peace: for I am with thee.” Acts 18:9–10
Everything on this page as a 11-page letter-size PDF: the map, scenes, cards, activity, word studies, tracker, Go deeper and sources. For home, class or a quiet Sunday.
Paul’s Missionary Journeys is part of the Scripture Story Sketch Notes for the New Testament, set alongside Come, Follow Me for July 19–25, 2027 (Acts 16–21).
Independent study notes from Weak Things, not an official publication of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Scripture quotations are from the King James Version. The story draws on Acts 13–20; the insights in “Look closer” are labeled by source.
