This week, Pastor Deric continues the series ‘The Gospel and Culture’ with a message titled ‘Wise Up!’

1. You have the BIBLE to keep you walking in the light

2. You have a DIVINE APPOINTMENT to keep you inspired

3. You have a DIVINE PROMISE to keep you anchored

4. You have the HOLY SPIRIT to guide you

5. You have A GREAT CLOUD OF WITNESSES to keep you encouraged

ICEBREAKER: What was your funniest or worst experience with a dentist?

1. While waiting for his missionary companions to join him, Paul’s spirit was repeatedly provoked by the pervasive presence of idols in the city of Athens [Acts 17:16]. What idols are you observing in our world today that provoke your spirit [cf. Isaiah 44:9-20; Romans 1:18-25; and 2 Corinthians 6:14-18]?

2. According to Acts 17:17, how did Paul respond when his spirit was irritated by all the city’s idols that provide a model for us in our day [cf. Matthew 5:13-16; Colossians 4:5-6; and 1 Peter 3:14-16]?

3. What were the philosophical ideas that were shaping Paul’s day [Acts 17:18-21]? What are the philosophical ideas shaping our world today? What are the differences? What are the similarities [cf. 1 Corinthians 1:18-25; Colossians 2:8; and 1 Peter 4:3-5]?

4. How did Paul affirm his audience in Acts 17:22-23 and then transition into a tactful gospel presentation [cf. Acts 24:10-21; Acts 26:1-8; and Acts 28:30-31]?

5. Why do you think Paul did not directly quote Scripture when he shared the gospel with the Athenians in Acts 17:16-31? Why did he quote their own pagan writers [Acts 17:28]? What is your takeaway from his strategy [cf. Daniel 5:23; Acts 14:8-18; and Titus 1:12-13]?

6. What is it about the resurrection that is so controversial, causing some to mock [Acts 17:32] and others to believe [Acts 17:34]? Also consult Acts 4:2; Acts 23:6; and 1 Corinthians 15:12-19 for further insights.

7. What did you find helpful or challenging about this Sunday’s message?

“Paul’s claim [was] that the message he preached
was the authentic gospel of Christ.
It is this: two things on which Paul pre-eminently insisted –
that salvation
was provided by God’s
grace and that faith
was the means by which men appropriated it.”

F.F. Bruce