Thoughts on Study Questions from Acts 17/18 on 5/12
My Sunday school class/Life Group is studying the book of Acts. I posted these questions this Monday and encouraged you to jot your thoughts down.
This is Wednesday. This post consists of some comments from the class discussion.
If you’d like a PDF file of the questions, email me at crd.author@gmail.com.
There is a timeline of Paul's life at the end of the post.
Try it.
You'll like it.
This week there's even more to see at the end!
This week there's even more to see at the end!
Chapter 17
- Verse 21 indicates that the population spent a lot of time discussing topics and the city was full of idols.
- FYI. Athens had about 10K people and 30K idols at the time of Paul's visit.
Why did people think Paul was a “babbler”?
- They weren't spiritual, they just wanted to hear new things, and Paul was preaching about Jesus, His death and resurrection.
- Other terms used instead of babbler: seed picker (like a bird), obnoxious foolish talker, dreamer," windbag.
- Aeropagus: a Greek "think tank" in Athens. Also the name of a place also known as "Mars Hill."
The Athenians encourage Paul to explain his position. Why?
Other cities were chasing him out.
- Athenians were all talk and no action.
- If there was eternal life, they didn't want to miss it.
- Stoics beleived in living in harmony.
- Epecurians believed in no pain or death.
In vv 24-31, Paul tries to link Christianity with what he’s seen in Athens. How well does it work?
Paul contrasted the Athenian beliefs with Christian beliefs. Many gods vs the True God and that you can communicate with God anywhere, not just the temple. For the effectiveness, see the answer to the last question in Ch 17.
What are Paul’s “three main points” in this sermon?
God does no dwell in a temple.
God does not need the worship of humans.
A day of judegement is coming. You need to repent of you sin and seek a relationship with God!
What do we learn about God in v27?
- We need God.
- God is always near.
- God wants us to seek Him.
What finally splits the crowd regarding Paul’s message?
- The resurrction of Jesus from the dead.
- Final judgement of the entire world.
- That we have an immortal soul that is raised from the dead.
How effective was Paul’s plan?
- Not great.
- Few/Some Jews and Greeks were converts.
Vv 16-34
What bothered Paul about Athens?
- Verse 21 indicates that the population spent a lot of time discussing topics and the city was full of idols.
- FYI. Athens had about 10K people and 30K idols at the time of Paul's visit.
Why did people think Paul was a “babbler”?
- They weren't spiritual, they just wanted to hear new things, and Paul was preaching about Jesus, His death and resurrection.
- Other terms used instead of babbler: seed picker (like a bird), obnoxious foolish talker, dreamer," windbag.
- Aeropagus: a Greek "think tank" in Athens. Also the name of a place also known as "Mars Hill."
The Athenians encourage Paul to explain his position. Why?
Other cities were chasing him out.
- Athenians were all talk and no action.
- If there was eternal life, they didn't want to miss it.
- Stoics beleived in living in harmony.
- Epecurians believed in no pain or death.
In vv 24-31, Paul tries to link Christianity with what he’s seen in Athens. How well does it work?
 |
| Paul contrasted the Athenian beliefs with Christian beliefs. Many gods vs the True God and that you can communicate with God anywhere, not just the temple. For the effectiveness, see the answer to the last question in Ch 17. |
What are Paul’s “three main points” in this sermon?
God does no dwell in a temple.
God does not need the worship of humans.
A day of judegement is coming. You need to repent of you sin and seek a relationship with God!
What do we learn about God in v27?
- We need God.
- God is always near.
- God wants us to seek Him.
What finally splits the crowd regarding Paul’s message?
- The resurrction of Jesus from the dead.
- Final judgement of the entire world.
- That we have an immortal soul that is raised from the dead.
How effective was Paul’s plan?
- Not great.
- Few/Some Jews and Greeks were converts.
Chapter 18
Vv1-17
- Both were tentmakers.
- One commentary said that because of the Olympic Games of 51 A.D., there was a great demand for tents in that area.
Vv1-17
Why was Paul immediately attracted to Aquila?
- Both were tentmakers.
- One commentary said that because of the Olympic Games of 51 A.D., there was a great demand for tents in that area.
We got this far this week.
Here's a link to a great Timeline of the Apostle Paul. I recommend bookmarking it.
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