Faith Promise - Vision Week Day 03
Day 03 - Wednesday, November 22
Read Acts 17:16-34
Highlight
The Great Commission of Matthew 28 tells followers of Jesus that as we are going we are to make disciples, and in Acts 17 we see Paul doing just that. Paul is in Athens, a place he never intended to visit but the persecution in Macedonia had left him no choice. It was not his plan to go to Athens and share the gospel, but circumstances had taken him there and wherever Paul goes the Great Commission goes with him. Yet in Athens we see not only Paul’s intentionality to share the gospel, but also his intentionality on how he shares the gospel.
Before the council of philosophers he doesn’t begin by referring to Jewish history or by quoting the Jewish Scriptures as we have seen him do so often throughout the Book of Acts. That’s because he knows his audience and he knows it is futile to refer to a history that no one knew, or to argue from a fulfillment of prophecy that no one was interested in, or to quote from a book that no one took as authoritative. Thus Paul started from a place his audience started from: THE UNKNOWN GOD. Even later in his address he quotes from two of their own authoritative sources, the Greek poets Epimenides and Aratus.
The point for us is to remember that it is both loving and wise to seek an understanding of the people we are trying to share the gospel with. The gospel never changes, but the way we approach it should change with the audience we are speaking to.
Reflection & Prayer
For this reading plan we will be using a tool to guide our study of Scripture that’s called the S.O.A.P. Method. It stands for Scripture, Observation, Application, and Prayer. We recommend you use a journal with this method and write out your thoughts on each of these areas for each day of reading. It doesn’t have to be long-winded and you don’t need a fancy journal. But for anyone that has not journaled before, the benefit is that it often helps us focus and avoid distractions during prayer and Bible study.
S.O.A.P. Method
Scripture - Pick a verse or two that stood out to you and write it in your journal. Be looking for a “Holy Spirit Highlight.” What did you read and think “I needed to hear that” or felt like it was written just for you?
Observation - Now write some observations about the verse(s) or passage. What is this passage or verse saying? About God? About people? How is Jesus revealed in these verses?
Application - Now write a few sentences on how this passage applies to your life. Is there truth about God that you are to believe? A promise to receive? Is the Holy Spirit convicting you of something you need to do or stop doing in light of God’s truth?
Prayer - Now write out a prayer to God in response to this Scripture. This is a way to turn God’s Word to you back to Him. Be honest and express your heart to Him. God always listens and He delights in your prayers. (Psalm 34:15; Proverbs 15:8)
Read Acts 17:16-34
Highlight
The Great Commission of Matthew 28 tells followers of Jesus that as we are going we are to make disciples, and in Acts 17 we see Paul doing just that. Paul is in Athens, a place he never intended to visit but the persecution in Macedonia had left him no choice. It was not his plan to go to Athens and share the gospel, but circumstances had taken him there and wherever Paul goes the Great Commission goes with him. Yet in Athens we see not only Paul’s intentionality to share the gospel, but also his intentionality on how he shares the gospel.
Before the council of philosophers he doesn’t begin by referring to Jewish history or by quoting the Jewish Scriptures as we have seen him do so often throughout the Book of Acts. That’s because he knows his audience and he knows it is futile to refer to a history that no one knew, or to argue from a fulfillment of prophecy that no one was interested in, or to quote from a book that no one took as authoritative. Thus Paul started from a place his audience started from: THE UNKNOWN GOD. Even later in his address he quotes from two of their own authoritative sources, the Greek poets Epimenides and Aratus.
The point for us is to remember that it is both loving and wise to seek an understanding of the people we are trying to share the gospel with. The gospel never changes, but the way we approach it should change with the audience we are speaking to.
Reflection & Prayer
For this reading plan we will be using a tool to guide our study of Scripture that’s called the S.O.A.P. Method. It stands for Scripture, Observation, Application, and Prayer. We recommend you use a journal with this method and write out your thoughts on each of these areas for each day of reading. It doesn’t have to be long-winded and you don’t need a fancy journal. But for anyone that has not journaled before, the benefit is that it often helps us focus and avoid distractions during prayer and Bible study.
S.O.A.P. Method
Scripture - Pick a verse or two that stood out to you and write it in your journal. Be looking for a “Holy Spirit Highlight.” What did you read and think “I needed to hear that” or felt like it was written just for you?
Observation - Now write some observations about the verse(s) or passage. What is this passage or verse saying? About God? About people? How is Jesus revealed in these verses?
Application - Now write a few sentences on how this passage applies to your life. Is there truth about God that you are to believe? A promise to receive? Is the Holy Spirit convicting you of something you need to do or stop doing in light of God’s truth?
Prayer - Now write out a prayer to God in response to this Scripture. This is a way to turn God’s Word to you back to Him. Be honest and express your heart to Him. God always listens and He delights in your prayers. (Psalm 34:15; Proverbs 15:8)
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