Background of Athens

- Athens was a hub of cultural, intellectual, and philosophical thought, with a culture deeply rooted in paganism and idolatry.

- Philosophy and debating different ideas was very popular at the time.

- Paul utilized this to be able to effectively share the Gospel and to reach a people which were completely ignorant of the one true God.

Engage With People Where They Are

- We see that Paul met the people of Athens where they were, both physically and culturally.

- This is what we need to do today, as Paul did in his time. We cannot expect people to come to us where we are.

- If talking about the Gospel is only something that we do when we are in church, then we are severely limiting the reach that God intends for us to have.

Acts 17: 17-19: “17 So he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and the devout persons, and in the marketplace every day with those who happened to be there. 18 Some of the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers also conversed with him. And some said, “What does this babbler wish to say?” Others said, “He seems to be a preacher of foreign divinities”-because he was preaching Jesus and the resurrection. 19 And they took him and brought him to the Areopagus, saying, “May we know what this new teaching is that you are presenting?”

Acts 17:26-29: “26 And he made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place, 27 that they should seek God, and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him. Yet he is actually not far from each one of us, 28 for “‘In him we live and move and have our being’; as even some of your own poets have said, “‘For we are indeed his offspring.’ 29 Being then God’s offspring, we ought not to think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone, an image formed by the art and imagination of man.”

God Uses Our Experiences to Shape us for His Mission

- Paul leaned on his experience and schooling to be able to more effectively reach the people of Athens.

Acts 17:22-23: “22 So Paul, standing in the midst of the Areopagus, said: “Men of Athens, I perceive that in every way you are very religious. 23 For as I passed along and observed the objects of your worship, I found also an altar with this inscription: ‘To the unknown god.’ What therefore you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you.”

- Your own experiences are part of how God has shaped you to be a witness for Him.

Results May Vary

Acts 17:32-34: “32 Now when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked. But others said, “We will hear you again about this.” 33 So Paul Went out from their midst. 34 But some men joined him and believed, among whom also were Dionysius the Areopagite and a woman named Damaris and others with them.” 

- As we go, there will be some people who mock us, some who are interested to hear more, and some who straight up believe! 

- Our role is to share the Gospel. In doing so, we WILL be challenging some peoples’ worldviews.