1. Read Acts 17:16-34 together. Take time for some initial reflection about the passage:

a. What do you notice?

b. Did anything stand out to you as the passage was read?

c. What questions do you have about this passage?

d. Did you find anything encouraging? Surprising? Confusing? Challenging?

2. Paul found himself in Athens because he was waiting for his friends to join him. But his time in Athens wasn’t wasted…

a. How did Paul’s actions leave space for God to use this time of waiting well?

b. Reflect on what it is like for you when you are left waiting. Do you find waiting difficult?

c. In times of waiting, what can you do to remain open and available to the ways God might want to use the time?

3. As he walked through the city of Athens, Paul was greatly disturbed by the idolatry that he saw. Polytheism (belief in many gods, like Zeus, Athena, Poseiden, etc.) was common in Ancient Greek culture.

a. Why was Paul so troubled by the paganism of Athens?

b. Although our society does not believe in the gods of Greek and Roman mythology, we do have other forms of idolatry today. What are some modern day idols that you can see in our culture?

c. Do you, like Paul, feel some level of concern or distress when you see the idols of our time?

4. Paul preached about the good news of Jesus in the marketplace, where he encountered groups of philosophers. Review the theological beliefs of the two schools of philosophy mentioned in the text:

a. Stoicism: The Stoics were pantheistic, believing there was one divine, organizing force of the cosmos that existed in everything. They did not believe in God as a personal entity.

b. Epicureanism: The Epicureans believed the gods (or God) was irrelevant to human life. They taught that there was no need to fear the gods because even if they do exist, they are distant and uninvolved in human affairs.

c. In what ways were the beliefs of the Pagans, Stoics, and Epicureans different from the Judeo-Christian understanding of the God of Creation that Paul spoke of in Acts 17:24-28?

5. The religious and philosophical landscape of the city of Athens was complex, and added a unique challenge to the mission of proclaiming the good news of Jesus to the world. In what ways is our society today similarly challenging? (hint: Consider the beliefs of the philosophers listed below, and what traces of these philosophies still exist in our society today. Also consider some of the other complexities of our time)

Stoicism: The Stoics emphasized rational thought, a strong sense of morality that fostered a sense of duty to do the right thing, and pursued self sufficiency. They valued wisdom, courage, justice, and self discipline, believing practicing these values was the path towards self improvement, in order to live a better life and be the best version of yourself.

Epicureanism:  The Epicureans pursued tranquility and a life free from pain & fear. They were likely to withdraw from the world in order to minimize frustrations and anxieties. They believed the gods were irrelevant – uninvolved in the lives of humans. They did not believe in any kind of afterlife.

6. Look again at the sermon Paul preached to the Areopagus (the High court of Athens) found in Acts 17:22-31. Paul contextualized his message in order to try to reach the people he was preaching to. How do the following phrases from his sermon demonstrate this?

a. “I see that in every way you are very religious” (v22b)

b. “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” (v. 23)

c. “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” (v. 24)

d. “For in him we live and move and have our being¹. As some of your own poets have said, We are his offspring²” (v. 28)

¹from the Cretan philosopher Epimenides

 ²from the Cilician Stoic philosopher Aratus)

7. Paul’s sermon came to an abrupt end when he started to speak about the resurrection. What are the challenges (for the Athenians of Paul’s day, as well as for us today), to believing that Jesus truly did die and rise again?

8. Can you share an example (in your own life, or in the lives of others) where you have witnessed the miracle of someone being given faith to believe the incredible story of Christianity?

a. What hinders or helps you to believe in the death and resurrection of Jesus?

b. What hinders or helps you to have the courage to share about Jesus with others?

Pray for each other out of the items discussed. Pray that God would open your eyes to see the rival idols and philosophies that exist in your lives, and in the lives around you, that make embracing the good news of Jesus in all spheres of life difficult. Pray for the gift of faith to believe the truth about the work of salvation that Jesus has accomplished. Pray for the courage, wisdom, and strength to share the hope of Christ with others.

Is there someone specific who is not yet a believer that is on your heart to pray for? Pray that God would give them the gift of faith to believe in the power of the resurrection. Pray that the Lord would lead them to the words and experiences that would help them to see the truth of who Jesus is.