1. John Mark goes home (13)

The journey was more than young Mark had anticipated. Paul had now clearly taken over the leadership, and Paul was quite different from gentle Cousin Barnabas. Perhaps Mark had been shocked by the encounter with Elymas the sorcerer, and especially by Paul's strong language and uncompromising spirit. At any rate, when they left Cyprus and sailed to Perga in Pamphylia, Mark left them and went back to his mom in Jerusalem (12:12).

2. The first Sabbath in Antioch (14-15)

Paul and his companions traveled on to Antioch in Pisidia. Following his custom, Paul and Barnabas went to the synagogue on the Sabbath. They sat down and listened to the reading of the Scriptures. When invited to speak words of encouragement to the brothers, Paul stood up and delivered a gospel message to the men of Israel and the Gentiles who worshiped God.

Application: Lord, help us to overcome hardships, and go through whatever doors you open for us to serve you as missionaries.
One Word: First to the Jews...