CrossTalk Scripture Focus Background
Today’s Scripture Focus: Acts 17:22-31
Chapter 17 continues Paul’s missionary journey through the Macedonian and Grecian provinces. Here we learn of the founding of the church in Thessalonica, the largest city in Macedonia. It was a “free” city, meaning it had its own government. Paul went to the Jewish synagogue for three weeks in a row, trying to prove from the Scriptures that Jesus was the Messiah. A small number believed, among them Jason, who served as host for Paul, Silas, and Timothy. Many of the God fearing Greeks accepted the Message, mostly the wives of local prominent citizens (synagogue attendance was considered fashionable among wealthy Greek women.) Most of the Jewish leaders, however, rejected the Message.
The jealousy of the synagogue leaders led them to stir up a mob against the missionaries. This led to persecution against some local converts, and Paul and Silas had to move on. They met a much more receptive audience in Beroea. Once again, they went to the synagogue, but this time the Message was received with much interest. They experienced greater success among the Greek men here, especially in light of the fact that converting to Judaism meant undergoing circumcision, while becoming a Christian did not. Soon, however, trouble showed up once more. Jewish leaders from Thessalonica came to town to try and stir up a mob again. Silas and Timothy stayed to nurture the new church. Paul left immediately and waited for them in Athens.
In our scripture focus today, we find Paul’s only full sermon recorded to Gentiles. Paul didn’t intend to minister in Athens, but he was so disturbed by the huge number of gods and idols, he couldn’t help but preach! It cannot be overemphasized the role Athens played in Western thought, both then and now. When Paul took on the Athenians, he was attacking the entire pagan system. While passionately proclaiming Jesus, Paul was met by mocking (“babbler” literally means “picker of scraps” a term used to describe someone ignorant) or misunderstanding (the Greeks heard “Jesus and the Resurrection” as “Jesus” and “Anastasis”, whom they assumed were foreign gods). Wanting to hear more, they sent Paul to the Areopagus, the city center of discussion
Paul is speaking to Greeks, so he uses the form of speaking they were most accustomed to hearing. He speaks far differently here than in the synagogue, using phrases from famous philosophers and poets. The altar ‘to an unknown god’ has an interesting history. Centuries before when a plague struck the city, the Athenians couldn’t decide which god had been offended and needed appeasing. Having gone through all the gods, the seer-philosopher Epimenides set hungry sheep free in the city. Several lay down without grazing, and altars to unknown gods were built in these locations, with the sheep slain on them to appease the gods. It is this same Epimenides Paul quotes when he proclaims “For we too are his offspring”.
Today’s sermon will focus on how God is revealed in a culture that values spirituality, but shuns passionate faith.
CrossGroup Discussion Guide
• Go around the table and share prayer requests. Have someone lead in prayer.
• Let everyone who would like to share anything exciting from their week.
• Did anyone do last week’s assignment? What was the result?
• Ask these three questions. Let as many answer each one as they would like.
1. Have you ever seen a movie of TV show that made you think of God or the Gospel?
2. Is there anything in today’s scripture that especially speaks to you?
3. What questions would you like to ask about today’s scripture?
• Go over this week’s assignment (below). Commit to work on it together.
Today’s Sermon
Key Truths –
• The people of Athens were spiritual.
• Our culture is also spiritual.
• God revealed the Message through Paul.
• God reveals the Message through us!
This Week’s Assignment –
Where are spiritual conversations taking place in your world this week? Go there, be open, and wait for God to use you.
