Grow Guide | May 15, 2022
Life In His Name
Acts 17:16-17,22-31
Connecting Questions
Have you ever been in a situation (a place or a conversation) that was so foreign to you that it made you uncomfortable? Describe the experience.
What are thoughts or feelings that come to your mind when you hear the word idol?
Context
We continue our series Life in His Name this week with another scene in the life of the Apostle Paul. He is in the city of Athens in Greece. Athens is remembered as the symbolic center of Greek philosophy that came to shape Western Culture. The Athenian people, at the time of Paul’s visit, were experiencing their own culture shift from the ancient worship of the Greek gods to a more abstract philosophical way of thinking and living.
It is important to remember some key points about Paul and his background. First, Paul is a Jewish Pharisee. The Law of Moses strictly forbids the making of idols (any hand-made item that is considered divine) because God is not a thing or an object to be controlled, but the source of life who created all things. Second, the Law of Moses forbids touching or interacting with non-Jews (Gentiles). This law was given in Exodus to protect the newly-freed slaves. One of the themes of Jesus’ ministry was to rethink the purpose of these laws for a new world.
Look at the Book
Read Acts 17:16-21.
How did Paul react to the number of idols he saw in the city?
With whom did Paul speak?
What invitation was extended to Paul? Why?
Read Acts 17:22-31.
Note: The Areopagus (Mars’ Hill) was the place where trials and important public discussion were held.
What did Paul find in Athens that helped connect him to them?
How does Paul describe God in this passage?
Read verses 26-28 carefully. What is God’s relationship to all nations?
What is God’s relationship/attitude toward physical objects created by human hands (idols)?
How will the world be judged (verse 31)? By whom?
How does God give assurance that this man can be trusted?
How did the Athenians respond to Paul’s message?
Taking it Home
Paul did something quite incredible in this story. He didn’t come in and say, “You stupid pagans. Your worship is evil and completely wrong and I can’t even associate with you. You’re going to Hell unless you become exactly like me!” Instead, he found common ground. He presented his Jewish understanding of the creator in a way that encompassed and surrounded the Gentiles with love, grace, and welcome. He didn’t condemn them, but offered them a broader and better understanding of God that brings new life--resurrection life--for all nations to be reunited as children of God. Paul was able to do this because that is how God was presented and modeled to him in Jesus.
What are idols that our society worships today?
In what ways did Paul have to break his own cultural traditions in order to have this conversation?
Who are some people--either individuals or groups--that seem so different and “wrong” (idolatrous) to you that you may have dismissed them? How might you be able to find common ground with them and enter into meaningful God conversations?
Read a visual commentary at https://www.stevethomason.net/2020/06/08/a-cartoonists-guide-to-pauls-speech-on-mars-hill-acts-1722-31/