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?
Share with a friend
Recent Sermons
Exodus 33:12-23 - The book of Exodus unfolds the growing friendship between God and Moses, one conversation at a time. Moses’ honest exchange with God is a picture of how we can talk with God, too.
Exodus 19:3-8 -God is seeking a community to join Him in His mission to bless and save the world. Israel was out of Egypt, where their purpose had been clear: make bricks! What was their purpose now? At the foot of Mount Sinai, before they take another step, God has a proposal.
Exodus 16:2-16 - The story of our roots continues. As the drama fades into daily routine, the real questions begin—Can we trust God for what we need each day? How much control do we really have?
Exodus 14:5-13 -The story of God’s rescue is not without drama! God’s people left Egypt only to come against a new opponent, the Red Sea! They were trapped between an angry Pharaoh and, at least as bad, an angry Sea. They cried out, expressed their terror, and God made a way. Of course, it did involve them moving their
Exodus 12:1-14 - The story of Exodus is the story of Jesus. The God we get to know in Exodus is the God who comes to us in the person of Jesus: a God who judges, who saves, and who renews.
Exodus 3:1-14 - The rescue begins. God looks for a person to lead the way—not someone perfect, but someone willing. In Exodus, God calls Moses through a burning bush and rekindles a relationship that had been years in the making.
