37 Session 19

Name：Crazy Chick's Thoughts Author：kathy_uykiat
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WELCOME

What do you observe in our culture today especially in relation to the spiritual or religious practices of the people? Are you deeply disturbed by what you see? Why or why not?

WORD

Acts 17:16-21 New International Version (NIV) says

In Athens

16 While Paul was waiting for them in Athens, he was greatly distressed to see that the city was full of idols. 17 So he reasoned in the synagogue with both Jews and God-fearing Greeks, as well as in the marketplace day by day with those who happened to be there. 18 A group of Epicurean and Stoic philosophers began to debate with him. Some of them asked, "What is this babbler trying to say?" Others remarked, "He seems to be advocating foreign gods." They said this because Paul was preaching the good news about Jesus and the resurrection. 19 Then they took him and brought him to a meeting of the Areopagus, where they said to him, "May we know what this new teaching is that you are presenting? 20 You are bringing some strange ideas to our ears, and we would like to know what they mean." 21 (All the Athenians and the foreigners who lived there spent their time doing nothing but talking about and listening to the latest ideas.)

Continue reading the succeeding verses of chapter 17. We are at the tail end of Paul's 2nd missionary journey. In the beginning of Acts 17, we were with Paul & Silas in Thessalonica & then in Berea, also joined by Timothy. Now we find, alone in Athens.

Acts 17:16-34 New International Version (NIV) says

In Athens

16 While Paul was waiting for them in Athens, he was greatly distressed to see that the city was full of idols. 17 So he reasoned in the synagogue with both Jews and God-fearing Greeks, as well as in the marketplace day by day with those who happened to be there. 18 A group of Epicurean and Stoic philosophers began to debate with him. Some of them asked, "What is this babbler trying to say?" Others remarked, "He seems to be advocating foreign gods." They said this because Paul was preaching the good news about Jesus and the resurrection. 19 Then they took him and brought him to a meeting of the Areopagus, where they said to him, "May we know what this new teaching is that you are presenting? 20 You are bringing some strange ideas to our ears, and we would like to know what they mean." 21 (All the Athenians and the foreigners who lived there spent their time doing nothing but talking about and listening to the latest ideas.)

22 Paul then stood up in the meeting of the Areopagus and said: "People of Athens! I see that in every way you are very religious. 23 For as I walked around and looked carefully at your objects of worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: to an unknown god. So you are ignorant of the very thing you worship—and this is what I am going to proclaim to you.

24 "The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by human hands. 25 And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything. Rather, he himself gives everyone life and breath and everything else. 26 From one man he made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands. 27 God did this so that they would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from any one of us. 28 'For in him we live and move and have our being.'[a] As some of your own poets have said, 'We are his offspring.'[b]

29 "Therefore since we are God's offspring, we should not think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone—an image made by human design and skill. 30 In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent. 31 For he has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed. He has given proof of this to everyone by raising him from the dead."

32 When they heard about the resurrection of the dead, some of them sneered, but others said, "We want to hear you again on this subject." 33 At that, Paul left the Council. 34 Some of the people became followers of Paul and believed. Among them was Dionysius, a member of the Areopagus, also a woman named Damaris, and a number of others.

is known as Paul's Mars Hill Sermon-it is one of the areas in the Bible that show us how to tell people who have a totally different worldview about the wonderful truth of God & His offer of salvation through Jesus Christ.

KNOW THE CULTURE

Culture is the way of life of a group of people, the way they do things. It is the outlook, attitudes, values, morals, goals & customs shared by a society. While Paul was waiting for Timothy & Silas in Athens, his spirit was provoked within him as he was observing the city full of idols.

Acts 17:16 New International Version (NIV) says

In Athens

16 While Paul was waiting for them in Athens, he was greatly distressed to see that the city was full of idols.

Athens is like the capital of the world back then. It was the birthplace of philosophers. That city had so many idols that they say it was easier to find an idol than a person! Are we much different today? Tim Keller defines an idol as "ANYTHING MORE IMPORTANT TO YOU THAN GOD. ANYTHING THAT ABSORBS YOUR HEART & IMAGINATION MORE THAN GOD. ANYTHING YOU SEEK TO GIVE YOU WHAT ONLY GOD CAN GIVE.". Any thing can be an idol-even the best things in life-our dreams, ministry, job, achievements, kids, etc. We were created to worship & whatever we worship, we will serve, & whatever we serve controls us. If we worship something that is not deserving of worship, it will corrupt & destroy us.Paul was deeply disturbed by what he saw. Do we feel the same way when we see the world around us? Because of Christ, we should not be provoked to an anger that is proud, but to a sadness that disturbs us within because we see people who have not tasted the goodness of God & so are worshiping whatever or whoever they can. To see the culture we have to first see what is really going on in our own hearts..then our eyes will be clear to see the culture in the context of God. We should know our culture with the goal of making Christ known. If we want to do our best, let us take time to find out where people are coming from. If we really love someone, we would want to know more about them so we can better understand them & know how to reach out to them.

TAKE A STAND

In Acts 17:22 New International Version (NIV) says

22 Paul then stood up in the meeting of the Areopagus and said: "People of Athens! I see that in every way you are very religious.

we saw Paul making a stand for the Gospel. Paul knew the culture & was able to establish a common ground with his audience. He stated his observations-how religious they were & the altar he found with the inscription "to the unknown god." Paul uses this as the springboard to making Christ known, as a bridge to the gospel. Paul serves as a great example for us-how we can connect with people & translate our faith, in order to win some for Christ. The question is, are we ready & willing to take a stand where we are-in our family, school, workplace, industry? Let us ask God for the wisdom, courage & strength to be able to do so. Let us be good stewards of the platforms God has given us & shine for His glory!

TEACH GOD'S WORD

In Acts 17:24-following New International Version (NIV) says

24 "The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by human hands.

Paul begins his defense by giving them the right theology about God-God as our Creator, the sovereign Lord who is not served by human hands but gives life to all. The Athenians thought they were a superior & better race so Paul challenged that

in Acts 17:26-27 New International Version (NIV)

26 From one man he made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands. 27 God did this so that they would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from any one of us.

saying that God made from one man every nation & determined their appointed time & place that they would seek God. Paul also quoted their own poets

in Acts 17:28 New International Version (NIV) says

28 'For in him we live and move and have our being.'[a] As some of your own poets have said, 'We are his offspring.'[b]

as a bridge to point them to God's truth. Finally, he presented God as a judge & calls them to repent

in Acts 17:30-31 New International Version (NIV)

30 In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent. 31 For he has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed. He has given proof of this to everyone by raising him from the dead."

In Acts 17:32-34 New International Version (NIV)

32 When they heard about the resurrection of the dead, some of them sneered, but others said, "We want to hear you again on this subject." 33 At that, Paul left the Council. 34 Some of the people became followers of Paul and believed. Among them was Dionysius, a member of the Areopagus, also a woman named Damaris, and a number of others.

we see the different responses to Paul's sermon. Some began to sneer, some wanted to hear more & some joined him & believed. When we make Christ known, not everyone will believe. Let us do our part & leave the results to God. We may find ourselves making mistakes as we try to make Christ known. When this happens, we can take them to God & ask Him to make up for our mistakes. There will be challenges but let us remind ourselves of

Acts 1:8 New International Version (NIV) says

8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."

the Holy Spirit empowers us to be witnessed! If we spend time in God's word & know our culture, we cannot help but make Him known! Let us remind ourselves of the love of the Heavenly Father each day & carry that love to the people around us.

John 17:23 New International Version (NIV) says

23 I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS: (PLEASE DON INCLUDE ANYMORE HERE YOUR PAST EXPERIENCE BECAUSE WE ARE NOW AT THE PRESENT TIME)

1. Do you find yourself at times conforming to the patterns of this world? How can you free yourself from "idols"?

mia answer: Yes sometimes i find myself conforming the patterns of this world; I can free myslef from idols by being different in my attitude

2. Based on your observations on our culture today, how can you better reach out to the people around you?

mia answer: Based on my observations on our culture today, I can better reach out to the people around me by praying for them & sending them Gods word through text message

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3. Are you taking a stand where you are-in your family, in your school, in your workplace or industry? How can you make Christ known in your spheres of influence?

mia answer: I am taking a stand where i am; I can make Christ known in my sphere of influence by playing instrumental worship song while working in my workplace

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