Note on a map how far Paul, Silas and Luke will travel
in this chapter.
2 "…explaining (from Scriptures) and proving that
the Christ had to suffer and rise from the dead." See also Luke
24:25-27 What OT Scriptures can you find that would prove that?
Take a side trip to Paul’s letters to the
Thessalonians. How did just 3 days of preaching create 2 follow-up
letters? See I Thess 3:1-6
According to I Thess 4 & 5 and II Thess 2, what was
the major issue Paul discussed?
According to 17:4 and 12, what was the ethnic
make-up of these synagogues?
What reactions to Paul’s message do you find in
17:4, 5, 12 and 32-34?
5-7 Just as with Jesus, the issue was really
religious, but what charge did the enemies of the Gospel lay against
the Apostles?
10-12 In Berea, the message is the same, but note the
results. How do you account for that?
How important is it for listeners of any preached
message to "search the scriptures….to see if it is true?"
It seems that the Gospel message does "stir things
up". Either it stirs up opposition or stirs up eager acceptance.
What does the Christian message stir up in society?
Is it a reordering of society? Of government? Of
societal morality?
What does it stir up in the lives of individuals?
What would you say if our message DOES NOT stir
anything up?
16 Athens: Locate this major city on a map. According
to vs 21, how does Luke characterize the Athenians? If you took some
time (as Paul did) and observed our society, what spiritual
conclusions would you make?
18 Two Greek philosophies are mentioned: Epicurean and
Stoic.
Circle any of their characteristics which are still
in evidence today?
Life happens by chance. Death is the end of your
life. God is remote and does not care. Pleasure is man’s #1 goal in
life. Pain must be avoided. (Epicurean) God is in everything.
Anti-materialistic. There is a divine spark in everyone. Everything
happens by the will of god and must be accepted. The world renews
itself, dying and rising again. (Stoic)
The Areopagus (Greek god Ares = Mars) was once the
city court. In Paul’s time it was a magnet for people who wanted to
debate or discuss anything. Have you met some people who enjoy
discussing "religion" but do not want to believe in anything?
What can you learn from Paul’s approach and message
to his listeners?
