Weekly Discussion Guide

Pastor Matt talked about how the message of the Gospel has not changed for 2000 years—but the ways we present that immutable Good News must change so that those life-giving words can be received in ways that are meaningful.

MY STORY
What non-biblical worldview is the most challenging for you to talk about?

WHAT DOES GOD WANT US TO HEAR?
So Paul, standing in the midst of the Areopagus, said: “Men of Athens, I perceive that in every way you are very religious. 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. The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man, nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything. 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, that they should seek God, and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him. (Acts 17:22-27)

What did Paul notice about the Athenian culture that he turned into a bridge for the Gospel?

List three popular things in our culture (trending social-media topics, movies, books, etc.) that point to problems that can only ultimately be solved by accepting God’s offer of grace and reconciliation with Him.

Now when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked. But others said, “We will hear you again about this.” So Paul went out from 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. (Acts 17:32-34)

What caused part of Paul’s captivated crowd to suddenly stop listening?

What are some issues that will cause some non-Christians in our culture to stop engaging with you?

WHAT DOES GOD WANT US TO DO?
Describe how you can use a current topic (like the war in Ukraine) to ask a non-Christian what he or she believes about life after death.

What are some possible answers to that question that could be used a natural bridge for the Gospel?

Why does the likelihood of rejection from a non-Christian decrease dramatically if, in some point in the conversation, he or she asks you what you believe?

WHAT DOES GOD WANT ME TO DO?
Start a conversation this week with a non-Christian about what he or she believes about something spiritually significant.

For example, you see that person is reading a book about Tarot Cards. You could ask questions like, “How do you think that works? Do you believe there are supernatural forces behind the answers people discover? What solutions to problems are people seeking who do Tarot card readings?”

Look for something in his or her responses that might be used as a bridge for the Gospel.