Acts 17: An Unknown God
ONLY A FEW short decades ago, Christians in the West could assume that most people they met belonged to a church or at least based their lives on Judeo-Christian values. Today, Christians in the West face what Christians in the East have had to cope with for centuries—a wide variety of religious beliefs and practices that often have little in common with Christianity. The world's major religions, Hinduism, Buddhism and Islam, are making inroads as are a variety of cults, New Age philosophies, occultic activities and even traditional paganism. How do we cope with a world that knows or cares so little about the truth of Jesus Christ? Paul left us a helpful model when he visited the world center of pagan philosophy and religion—Athens.
Warming Up to God
Do you often feel overwhelmed by the dismal spiritual conditions of this world? Remember and even savor the knowledge that Jesus is Lord over it all—the sin, deceit and pain around us are all subject to his will.
Read Acts 17. »
Discovering the Word
- In this chapter Paul interacts with three cities and three different cultures. Compare and contrast Paul's ministry in Thessalonica and Berea. (What approach did he take? How was his message received by the people? What kind of results did he have?)
- In Thessalonica and Berea, as in most places, Paul makes his contacts in the synagogues and speaks almost exclusively from Scripture. How does his ministry in Athens differ from this?
- How do the people respond to his teaching in Athens?
- Though Paul approaches people differently, some points in the content of his message are very consistent. Identify these (vv. 3, 18, 24-28, 30-31).
Applying the Word
- In his lecture in Athens, Paul mentions "the objects of your worship." What are some of the objects of worship for people in our culture?
- In Athens Paul begins to tell them about the living God with an inscription from one of their altars—"to an unknown god." What are the "points of truth" from which you can start to communicate the gospel to those in your world?
- What are ways that you might be tempted to compromise the message of the gospel as you communicate it to certain people?
- How do you need to better prepare yourself to effectively communicate the gospel of Jesus Christ to those to whom God has called you to minister?
Responding in Prayer
Ask God to show you what you have in common with the non-Christians in your life.
For Further Study
Christian Mission in the Modern World by John Stott