Opening Prayer & Reflection (10 minutes)
Begin by asking God to help your group engage honestly with the sermon content and with one another, seeking to grow as cultural ambassadors for Christ.
When was the last time you had a genuine conversation (not a monologue) about Jesus with someone who doesn't share your faith? What made it effective or ineffective?
Reading Text (5 minutes)
Acts 17:16-34
16 Now while Paul was waiting for them at Athens, his spirit was provoked within him as he saw that the city was full of idols. 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? 20 For you bring some strange things to our ears. We wish to know therefore what these things mean.” 21 Now all the Athenians and the foreigners who lived there would spend their time in nothing except telling or hearing something new.
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. 24 The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man, 25 nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything. 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. 30 The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent, 31 because he has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed; and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead.”
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.
Discussion (10 minutes)
What stands out to you about Paul's initial response to Athens? How does his approach differ from what you might expect?
Paul's spirit was "provoked" by the idols in Athens, yet he didn't react with anger. How did he channel his conviction into compassionate engagement?
What specific things does Paul affirm about Athenian culture before presenting the gospel? Why is this significant?
Sermon Summary (5 minutes)
Big Idea
We are witnesses called to engage the culture as ambassadors, not as adversaries.
Three Main Patterns from Paul's Example:
Paul explores Athens with conviction and compassion (Acts 17:16-21)
Paul embraces Athens with connection (Acts 17:22-28)
Paul engages Athens with gospel clarification (Acts 17:29-31)
Two Key Practices:
Observe culture honestly
Engage faithfully (Receive, Reject, Redeem)
Sermon Questions (20 minutes)
The sermon emphasized that Paul wouldn't "shut up about Jesus and the resurrection." How much of your faith conversations center on Jesus and the resurrection versus moralism or behavioral change?
The sermon stated: "If you encounter something with which you disagree and you can't find just even an iota of goodness or beauty or truth in it...then you're never going to experience peace." How does this challenge your current approach to cultural engagement?
Think about the "Epicureans" (pleasure-seekers) and "Stoics" (control-seekers) in your life. Who are these people, and how might the resurrection speak to their specific worldview?
The Receive-Reject-Redeem Framework: "Every aspect of every culture in every generation has elements of goodness and brokenness." How does this truth help you approach:
Political differences?
Generational gaps?
Workplace tensions?
Apply this framework to a current cultural issue your group is wrestling with.
Receive: What aspects of a current cultural reflect God's goodness and truth?
Reject: What aspects oppose God and His ways?
Redeem: How can the gospel bring clarification and life to these areas?
Paul allowed people to respond in different ways (mockery, curiosity, belief) without trying to control the outcome. Why is this so difficult for us? How does trying to control outcomes reveal our lack of trust in the Holy Spirit?
Marketplace Opportunities: Where are your "marketplace" and "synagogue" spaces—places where you can naturally engage in conversations about faith? How can you be more intentional in these spaces?
The sermon mentioned that Missio stays in their building specifically to interact with people who think differently. What sacrifices might you need to make to stay engaged with unbelievers rather than retreating into Christian circles?
Closing Reflection (10 minutes)
Silent Reflection:
Where have I been acting as an adversary rather than an ambassador?
What specific relationship or cultural engagement is God calling me to approach differently?
Prayer Focus:
Pray for specific people in your life who need to hear about Jesus and the resurrection
Ask God for open doors and the courage to walk through them
Pray for the Holy Spirit to give you wisdom to affirm truth wherever it's found
Ask God to help you trust Him with the outcomes rather than trying to control people's responses