School of Tyrannus

Acts 19:9] But when divers were hardened, and believed not, but spake evil of that way before the multitude, he departed from them, and separated the disciples, disputing daily in the school of one Tyrannus.
Paul was in Ephesus around 52 AD during his third missionary journey. Prior to having his discussions in the leture hall of Tyrannus, Paul had begun his ministry in a Synagogue, but when some were hardened and did not believe, but spoke evil of the Way before the multitude, Paul departed from them and withdrew the disciples, reasoning daily in the school of Tyrannus. (Tyrannus was a Gentile teacher), but why a school? The word used for school in the original Greek….schole….meant “leisure”. Not exactly my definition of school being an educator, but in Paul’s day discussions and debates were done during leisure time, and the word finally came to refer to a group of persons meeting for the purpose of having discussions or the place where the meeting was held. Schools during Paul’s time can be thought of as modern day literary or philosophy clubs. And this continued for two years, so that all who dwelt in Asia heard the word of the L-rd Y’Shua both Jews and Greeks.
The Greek manuscript of Acts, the Codex Beza, advises discussions were held between 11 am and 4 pm…..the part of the day when men were expected to be conducting leisure activities….not work. During those hours men pursued their hobbies, they rested, or they took part in great discussions in a lecture hall or school, as it were. This would have been the time most people were resting from work, including Paul, who worked to support himself while in Ephesus. These may have also been the "off hours" for the school of Tyrannus.
Paul taught in the alternative accommodation that must have required an enormous effort of endurance to continue, throughout the middle of the day in the heat, teaching for two whole years. As a result, however, all the interested Jews and Greeks of Asia benefited from a period of continuous teaching. This accounts for the sound foundation of the Seven Church in Asia, which later became known as the ‘seed-plot’ of Christianity in the time of John the Divine.
The School of Tyrannus in Northeast Texas, is named after the School the missionary Paul taught in for 2 years in Ephesus. This is meant to an international intensive Christian Dicsipleship School for those who are called to the ministry of the Gospel. It will be open to people from all over the world.
Do not despise small beginnings; see the ripple affects started by one.