One of the challenges of covering Paul’s missionary journeys is that there is so much content in each. Often, that means taking a higher level view of the journey and covering it in generalities, or only dipping into selected parts. Either way, it is a challenge.
While Paul’s visit to Athens is covered in this week’s session, I wanted to dive a little deeper into this part of his second missionary journey because we see three important aspects of sharing our faith that we need to remember and practice as we teach our kids to do the same.
A Love for People
16 While Paul was waiting for them in Athens, he was deeply distressed when he saw that the city was full of idols. — Acts 17:16 (CSB)
When we as believers encounter idolatry, and sin in general, something should stir within is. For many, that stirring might be indignation and anger. There is a place for that, but not when it is directed toward those engaging in idolatry or sin. They are not our enemy. Rather, our hearts should be pierced with love for these people who need to hear the gospel and respond in faith in Jesus.
A Proclamation of Jesus
17 So he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and with those who worshiped God, as well as in the marketplace every day with those who happened to be there. — Acts 17:17 (CSB)
Our love for people should then compel us to share Jesus with them. It is not enough to feel that love for people and then go on our way. Or even to feel that love for people and then pray for them—although that is, of course better. Or even to feel that love for people, pray for them, and be kind to them. Again, better, but not enough.
We have been called to proclaim Jesus. People need to hear the gospel so that they might trust in Jesus and be saved from their sins. And God has positioned us to be the ones to proclaim this message of hope.
A Bridge to Understanding
22 Paul stood in the middle of the Areopagus and said, “People of Athens! I see that you are extremely religious in every respect. 23 For as I was passing through and observing the objects of your worship, I even found an altar on which was inscribed, ‘To an Unknown God.’ Therefore, what you worship in ignorance, this I proclaim to you. 24 The God who made the world and everything in it — he is Lord of heaven and earth — does not live in shrines made by hands. — Acts 17:22-24 (CSB)
We cannot forget this: we preach Jesus for a reason. We preach for understanding. Because of this, we should seek ways to connect the gospel with where the person hearing it is, so that they might be moved to trust in Christ. The gospel message itself does not change. But how we explain the gospel might based on our context.
Here, for example, we see Paul build a bridge through idolatry even. Without approving of idolatry, Paul pulls out one or two elements from it to build a bridge to the gospel. The Athenians wanted to worship and they recognize that there might be gods beyond the ones they recognized. Paul saw the perfect opportunity to introduce them to the one true God who they could worship for eternity.
We build bridges of connection with others not only so that they might help them understand the gospel, but also so that when we do, we might turn monologues into dialogues. We move from talking to the person to talking with that person. We don’t just dump a “canned Jesus presentation” on the person, but we demonstrate respect and love for the person for meeting them where they are.
Not all will respond, of course, as not all did for Paul in Athens. But, in God’s kindness, some might. And that makes the extra effort it takes to build these bridges all worth it.
The challenge of worldview evangelism is not to make simple things complicated but to make clear to others some fairly complicated things that we simply assume.” — D. A. Carson
D. A. Carson, “Athens Revisited,” in Telling the Truth, gen. ed. D. A. Carson (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2000) [eBook].
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Every week, members of The Gospel Project for Kids team offer guidance to help you as you prepare to teach every session to preschoolers and kids.
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