Bible Study - Acts 17:16-34

Sunday School Lesson: Acts 17:16–34

1. Opening (5 minutes)

Highs/Lows

Main idea: Engaging a Culture That Doesn’t Know God

Lesson Objective:

I want us to be able to:

Understand how Paul engaged a non-Christian culture.

Recognize idols in modern life, and how to share the Gospel in todays non-Christian Culture.

Icebreaker question: “What’s something in today’s culture that makes it harder to talk about God?”

Pray

2. Scripture Reading (5 minutes)

Read Acts 17:16–34 aloud (can divide among class members).

New American Standard Bible (1995) Chapter 17

Paul at Athens

16 Now while Paul was waiting for them at Athens, his spirit was being provoked within him as he was observing the city full of idols.

17 So he was reasoning in the synagogue with the Jews and the God-fearing Gentiles, and in the market place every day with those who happened to be present.

18 And also some of the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers were conversing with him. Some were saying, “What would this idle babbler wish to say?” Others, “He seems to be a proclaimer of strange deities,”—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 which you are proclaiming?

20 “For you are bringing some strange things to our ears; so we want to know what these things mean.”

21 (Now all the Athenians and the strangers visiting there used to spend their time in nothing other than telling or hearing something new.)

Sermon on Mars Hill

22 So Paul stood in the midst of the Areopagus and said, “Men of Athens, I observe that you are very religious in all respects.

23 “For while I was passing through and examining the objects of your worship, I also found an altar with this inscription, ‘TO AN UNKNOWN GOD.’ Therefore what you worship in ignorance, this I proclaim to you.

24 “The God who made the world and all things in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands;

25 nor is He served by human hands, as though He needed anything, since He Himself gives to all people life and breath and all things;

26 and He made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined their appointed times and the boundaries of their habitation,

27 that they would seek God, if perhaps they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us;

28 for in Him we live and move and exist, as even some of your own poets have said, ‘For we also are His children.’

29 “Being then the children of God, we ought not to think that the Divine Nature is like gold or silver or stone, an image formed by the art and thought of man.

30 “Therefore having overlooked the times of ignorance, God is now declaring to men that all people everywhere should repent,

31 because He has fixed a day in which He will judge the world in righteousness through a Man whom He has appointed, having furnished proof to all men by raising Him from the dead.”

32 Now when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some began to sneer, but others said, “We shall hear you again concerning this.”

33 So Paul went out of 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.

3. Background Context (5 minutes)

Athens = intellectual and cultural center of the ancient world.

Full of philosophers

Extremely religious/spiritual people—but not centered on the true God.

Paul is waiting for Silas and Timothy to come from further inland, to get some help, but doesn’t stay idle while waiting.

Key idea: Paul meets people where they are—he confronts the unbelievers wherever they are at in life.

4. Verse-by-Verse Teaching & Takeaways (20 minutes)

A. Paul’s Burden (vv. 16–17)

Acts 17:16–17 “Now while Paul was waiting for them at Athens, his spirit was being provoked within him as he was observing the city full of idols. So he was reasoning in the synagogue with the Jews and the God-fearing Gentiles, and in the market place every day with those who happened to be present.”

Paul is “provoked” (deeply distressed) by idolatry.

It is concerning to him to a point that he has to step in and confront the situation.

Takeaways:

A heart for God should be stirred—not comfortable—when God is ignored.

Paul didn’t withdraw; he engaged.

When we are around people worshipping idols, or indulging in matters of the flesh, or not respecting God, we should be provoked like Paul to engage.

Discussion Questions:

What “idols” do you see in our culture today?

Do we feel concerned or indifferent toward lost people?

STORY ABOUT HUNTERS FAMILY............

B. Paul Engages Culture (vv. 18–21)

Acts 17:18–21 “And also some of the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers were conversing with him. Some were saying, “What would this idle babbler wish to say?” Others, “He seems to be a proclaimer of strange deities,”—because he was preaching Jesus and the resurrection. And they took him and brought him to the Areopagus, saying, “May we know what this new teaching is which you are proclaiming? “For you are bringing some strange things to our ears; so we want to know what these things mean.” (Now all the Athenians and the strangers visiting there used to spend their time in nothing other than telling or hearing something new.)”

So Paul starts to Engage the culture.

Philosophers debate him.

They call him a “babbler” (seed picker—someone with scraps of ideas).

This new teaching they are encountering is strange to them.

Takeaways:

Sharing truth may lead to misunderstanding or ridicule.

The Gospel will sound “strange” to those unfamiliar with it.

Curiosity can open doors for deeper conversations.

Discussion Questions:

Why do people sometimes dismiss Christianity quickly?

Can we think of any reasons why people would mock it?

How should we respond when our beliefs are mocked?

C. Paul’s Message at Mars Hill (vv. 22–31)

1. He Starts Where They Are (vv. 22–23)

Acts 17:22–23 “So Paul stood in the midst of the Areopagus and said, “Men of Athens, I observe that you are very religious in all respects. “For while I was passing through and examining the objects of your worship, I also found an altar with this inscription, ‘TO AN UNKNOWN GOD.’ Therefore what you worship in ignorance, this I proclaim to you.”

Uses the altar “To the Unknown God.”

Takeaways:

Start with common ground.

Use culture as a bridge, not a barrier. - Think of ways you can use this culture today to defend the faith or spread the gospel.

Questions:

What are modern “unknown gods” people worship today?

How can we connect the Gospel to everyday life? - TELL STORY of the pick it up and preach game.

2. He Teaches Who God Is (vv. 24–29)

Acts 17:24–29 ““The God who made the world and all things in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands; nor is He served by human hands, as though He needed anything, since He Himself gives to all people life and breath and all things; and He made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined their appointed times and the boundaries of their habitation, that they would seek God, if perhaps they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us; for in Him we live and move and exist, as even some of your own poets have said, ‘For we also are His children.’ “Being then the children of God, we ought not to think that the Divine Nature is like gold or silver or stone, an image formed by the art and thought of man.”

Key truths Paul shares:

God is Creator

God is Lord of heaven and earth

God doesn’t live in temples

God gives life and breath

Humanity is made by Him

Takeaways:

People need a correct understanding of God.

That needs to be a starting point in conversation with skeptics.

Usually I have success getting them to answer questions about what they believe about God.

God is not man-made or customizable.

THERE IS ONE TRUTH, THE TRUTH

Everyone is accountable to God.

Questions:

How do people today misunderstand God?

Why is it important to start with who God is before salvation? - Before Paul speaks of the resurrection, he clarifies God.

3. He Calls for Repentance (vv. 30–31)

Acts 17:30–31 ““Therefore having overlooked the times of ignorance, God is now declaring to men that all people everywhere should repent, because He has fixed a day in which He will judge the world in righteousness through a Man whom He has appointed, having furnished proof to all men by raising Him from the dead.””

God commands all people everywhere to repent.

Judgment is coming.

Jesus is the proof (resurrection).

Takeaways:

Judgment is real.

The resurrection is central to Christianity.

The Gospel includes repentance—not just belief.

The devil is aware that Christ is King, he just doesnt bend the knee and repent.

Fun Question: Do you think God would accept the devil if he repented?

Christian answer: No.

Christ’s sacrifice was for humanity alone.

There is no biblical basis for believing fallen angels can be saved.

The nature of Satan’s rebellion makes repentance conceptually impossible. Satan was among the highest angels and continually existed in God’s presence with full knowledge of His glory, meaning he had no excuse for rebelling—his defection represented the utmost evil.

If he were to be allowed back again into heaven, he could once again chose to rebel, so he could never be trusted.

Questions:

Why is repentance often left out of Christian conversations?

Why dont Christians discuss their wins/loses with repentance?

How can we talk about judgment without sounding harsh?

Answer: Speak out of Love for them. Let them know they dont have to suffer if they have Christ.

D. The Response (vv. 32–34)

Acts 17:32–34 “Now when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some began to sneer, but others said, “We shall hear you again concerning this.” So Paul went out of their midst. But some men joined him and believed, among whom also were Dionysius the Areopagite and a woman named Damaris and others with them.”

Three reactions:

Some mocked

Some wanted to hear more

Some believed

Takeaways:

Not everyone will respond the same way.

Faithfulness matters more than results.

God saves people—even in difficult environments.

Questions:

Which response do you see most often today?

How do we stay encouraged when people reject the message?

Key Life Applications (5 minutes)

Ask God to give you a burden for lost people.

Be prepared to explain your faith clearly.

Engage culture instead of avoiding it.

Speak truth with both boldness and respect for where they are, culturally and spiritually.

You have to connect with them in a convincing way.

You cant reach a college professor the same way you can your girlfriend. Two different mindsets, two different was to approach the discussion.

Trust God with the results.

Closing Discussion (3–5 minutes)

What stood out most to you from this passage?

Where is God calling you to speak up more boldly?

Who is one person you can begin praying for and reaching out to?

Closing Prayer

Pray for:

Boldness like Paul

Compassion for the lost

Opportunities to share the Gospel