November 6, 2023
Good News | Acts 17:16-34
Speak Their Language
A fish out of water is a term we use to describe someone in unfamiliar and uncomfortable surroundings. That’s Paul in Athens. Paul was a Jewish scholar proficient in the Bible and monotheism. Athens was an idol and temple smorgasbord! In this passage, Paul has to figure out how to explain Jesus to a group of people who have never heard of Him before.
Songs for this week: Spotify
- What’s the most uncomfortable place to share your confidence in Jesus? At work? At school? At home? In the hockey change room? Explain.
- What is Paul feeling and doing before he opens his mouth to speak?
- As you study the summary of Paul’s lecture, what specific points stand out? What connects with you, especially as you think about sharing your faith
- Even the best evangelists like Paul (Jesus!) don’t always hit a home run. Paul was nearly shut out in Mars Hill. How do you handle it when people you share with don’t believe? How do you continue without getting discouraged?
- Are you any closer to having an elevator explanation (60-second gospel) for why you believe what you believe?
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Recent Sermons
Luke 1:26-38 - This Christmas, discover how God is on the move—sending Gabriel to Mary in Nazareth and inviting ordinary people into the greatest story ever told. Explore Mary’s costly yet courageous “yes” and what it reveals about the Christian life.
Luke 1:5-17 - The first Christmas bursts to life with promise and purpose—God sets His plan in motion, beginning in Jerusalem with an elderly priest and a miraculous birth announcement. Excitement is rising, and the story is just beginning.
Mark 3:32-35 - Discover why community is the most essential practice for following Jesus. This week’s passage highlights the kind of people we’re called to walk with—those who do the will of God.
Jn. 15:5-17 - Discover how staying connected to Jesus—the true vine—produces lasting spiritual fruit. Learn how a simple Rule of Life, shaped by practices like prayer, Scripture, sabbath, solitude, community, and service, helps us remain rooted in Him.
Mark 2:17 - Jesus came to call sinners—those who know they miss the mark. Following him begins with humility and self-awareness, not perfection.
Matthew 26:36-39 - Christian practices like prayer and Sabbath quiet the noise so we can hear God’s voice and face the deeper emotions He invites us to heal.
