Acts 17:16-34
ACTS STUDY DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
What did you learn during our study of Acts 17:16-34? What stood out to you in the text or in Paul’s actions?
What do you notice about the city and culture of Athens? Do you see any similarities to our own day and time? According to Acts 17:16, what burdened Paul and provoked him to begin reasoning in the synagogue, marketplace, and Aeropagus? Notice his internal anger overflowed into an external charitable and winsome witness. Do you have a similar burden? What are you doing with it, and how are you expressing it?
According to Acts 17:17 and 19, in what three locations did Paul spend time reasoning from the scriptures? Consider the uniqueness and characteristics of those three locations and audiences. What can we learn from Paul’s evangelistic flexibility, adaptability, and versatility in sharing the gospel with such distinct audiences?
What do you notice about how Paul speaks, teaches, and preaches in Acts 17:22-23 (i.e., the method)? In verses 22-23, Paul said he perceived, passed through, observed, and found. All of these words tell us that Paul took careful time to closely examine the people of Athens and their belief structures. Then, from and through their own beliefs, Paul proclaimed the gospel of Jesus Christ. What can we learn from this for our own evangelism and ministry to others?
Now consider what Paul spoke, taught, and preached (i.e., the content) in Acts 17:24-31. Aeropagus can also be translated as Mars Hill, which is where our church gets its name. Paul’s message there is his message to all of Athens, whether it is the marketplace, the worship place, or the philosophical marketplace of ideas. How would you summarize his message on the Aeropagus?
Many people have suggested that Paul's strategy and method in Athens were a failure. They argue that he never explicitly communicated the gospel. When you examine Acts 17:22-31, and specifically verses 30-31, would you agree or disagree? What do the responses and results of verses 32-34 suggest?
In his message, Paul gets to the level of their hearts by noting the uncertainty and insecurity of their idol worship in order to proclaim to them the true security and assurance of Jesus. He forces his audience to really inspect their longings, to truly examine what they worship, and to evaluate if those things are strong enough to bear up under the weight of their expectations and worship. Why is this an important message not just for the Athenians but also for us? What are some ways we can do this today in our context?
In light of Acts 17:34, consider all of the diverse responses to the gospel since Acts 16:1 — Jew and Gentile, men and women, the prominent, the wealthy, the slave, the working class, the philosopher, downcast and outcast, insiders and outsiders, named and unnamed, urban and rural, cultured and uncultured, Philippians, Thessalonians, Bereans, Athenians — who is the gospel for? What does this tell us about the immensity of God and his grace? Is he just another god among many, limited to one little region and people? What encouragement does this give you?
How were you encouraged or convicted in our study of our study of Acts 17:16-34? What are your key takeaways?
