Study Guide

Prayer for Illumination

Watch - https://gateway-church.subspla.sh/rjkj7tx

Read 1 Peter 3:13-17 AND Acts 17:16-34
(below)

→ Observe: Let’s take a close look at what the text is saying.
How should we offer the defense of our hope according to Peter?

What parts of Athenian culture does Paul recite when he speaks to them?

What specifically does Paul encourage the Athenians to believe?

→ Interpret: Let’s seek to understand the meaning of this text in its original context.

In the video, we went over a list of values from the Proverbs. Are any reinforced in these passages? Are there new ones we should add after reading these texts?

Being ready with a defense doesn’t take away our suffering according to Peter. How does he connect the two ideas together?

How does Paul’s speech in Athens serve as an example for us as we seek to “make a defense”?

→ Apply: Let’s explore how the text transforms our thinking, our actions, and our faith.

Look again at the Humility and Wisdom list from the video and cited again below. Which of these do you think is helpful as we engage our neighbor? What makes these hard abide by in conversation?

John the Baptist worked to make the path straight. In Athens, Paul does the same by connecting Christ to their unknown god. As you think about the people God has placed in your life, what are the main obstacles in their way as they consider the cross of Christ?

Let’s take one or two of those obstacles and together work on “defense” - all while staying wise and humble.

1 Peter 3:13-17

13 Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good? 14 But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, 15 but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, 16 having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. 17 For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God’s will, than for doing evil.

Acts 17:16-34

16 Now while Paul was waiting for them at Athens, his spirit was provoked within him as he saw that the city was full of idols. 17 So he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and the devout persons, and in the marketplace every day with those who happened to be there. 18 Some of the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers also conversed with him. And some said, “What does this babbler wish to say?” Others said, “He seems to be a preacher of foreign divinities”—because he was preaching Jesus and the resurrection. 19 And they took him and brought him to the Areopagus, saying, “May we know what this new teaching is that you are presenting? 20 For you bring some strange things to our ears. We wish to know therefore what these things mean.” 21 Now all the Athenians and the foreigners who lived there would spend their time in nothing except telling or hearing something new.

22 So Paul, standing in the midst of the Areopagus, said: “Men of Athens, I perceive that in every way you are very religious. 23 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. 24 The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man, 25 nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything. 26 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, 27 that they should seek God, and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him. Yet he is actually not far from each one of us, 28 for

“‘In him we live and move and have our being’;

as even some of your own poets have said,

“‘For we are indeed his offspring.’

29 Being then God’s offspring, we ought not to think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone, an image formed by the art and imagination of man. 30 The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent, 31 because he has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed; and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead.”

32 Now when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked. But others said, “We will hear you again about this.” 33 So Paul went out from their midst. 34 But some men joined him and believed, among whom also were Dionysius the Areopagite and a woman named Damaris and others with them.

Humility and Wisdom

When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom. - Prov. 11:2

1). To answer before listening - that is folly and shame. (Prov. 18:13)
Listen and take others seriously.

2). A false witness will perish, but a careful listener will testify successfully. (Prov. 21:28)
Avoid falsely representing the other side.

3). The purposes of a person’s heart are deep waters, but one who has insight draws them out. (Prov. 20:5)
Resist assuming motives.

4). A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger (Prov. 15:1)
When you can, find points of agreement to affirm.

5). Where there is strife, there is pride. (Prov. 13:10)
Resist focusing on the periphery.

6). It is one’s honor to avoid strife, but every fool is quick to quarrel. (Prov. 20:3)
Avoid being unnecessarily antagonistic.

(from Chatraw and Allen, pgs. 163-167)