Session 13: Sharing with Skeptics (17:10-34)
In previous sessions we have seen how God empowered the disciples to move from the comfort zone of their homeland to take the gospel to other geographical areas and to other people groups. We saw how Paul approached the individuality of people to take the gospel to them as he witnessed to an affluent lady, a demon-possessed girl and a Roman jailer. Today we see how Paul approached a different group: the skeptics. Our story is centered in Athens, a famous city, the center of Hellenistic culture. This was a place of many philosophies and cultural values and views. Paul was to challenge ancient beliefs with his message about Jesus. What Paul found was skepticism – people who could not bring themselves to believe his message. Paul never altered his message, only his method changed as he encountered different groups.
Read 17:10-15
1. How were the Bereans described? _______________________________________
2. Who began to stir up trouble for Paul in Berea? _____________________________
3. What happened to Silas and Timothy? ____________________________________
Read 17:16-21
4. What troubled Paul? __________________________________________________
5. How did the Greek philosophers describe Paul? ____________________________
6. How would you describe the attitude of the Athenians toward Paul?
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7. How did the Athenians spend their time according to 17:21? ___________________
Read 17:22-34
8. Where was Paul when he addressed the Athenians? __________________________
9. What does Aeropagus mean? ___________________________________________
10. How did Paul get their attention in his message introduction?
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11. How did Paul characterize God in 17:24? _________________________________
12. What did Paul mean when he referred to “the times of ignorance?”
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13. What was the reaction of the Athenians to his reference to the resurrection?
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14. How did the people respond to his address? _______________________________
15. Does the small response to Paul’s message indicate failure? __________________
We, too, face skeptics. In the world of today, great strides are made to discount anything religious and having to do with Christianity. Why is this? Mainly, it stems from ignorance. Modern day detractors are a lot like the Athenians. They want to argue from logic and reason. But how can you logically explain the resurrection? How can you reasonably explain the healings and the miracles performed by Jesus and others?
It is only through God’s word that God-like ideas can be formed.
People have a natural hunger for things spiritual yet they search to fulfill this hunger in ways not intended. For example many feel that material possessions will bring them happiness and fill the void in their souls. Many turn to substances or illicit affairs to give them peace and fulfillment. The most effective way that Christians can counter such opposition is to live good and godly lives that set examples for others to see Christ in action. Godly actions, done in the name of Jesus, speak louder than any argument of logic or reason to the unbelieving world.
How will you deal with the skeptics?