NCF Podcast

www.northpointsb.com

Pastor Paul M. Reinhard

Acts 17 Scratch Where They Itch
October 18,2009

Welcome: Do you like the indoors or the outdoors best?

Worship: You are here to meet with God and one another. Spend some time entering the Fathers presence.Sing some songs.Read a Psalm.Play a song or a video on the TV or Stereo. Open in prayer. Thank the Lord for being in you, and with you! Expect the Holy Spirit to move in your midst! He is with you!

Word:This Sunday we looked at the Apostle Paul getting chased out of Thessalonica, Berea, and ending up in Athens. We talked about the idols that filled Athens and the Festivals that passed on the traditions from generation to generation.Then we saw Paul preach a brilliant sermon on Mars Hill with minimal results.

1.Have you ever gone fishing and caught fish, and then gone fishing and not caught fish. What was the diffrents?

2.Have you ever shared your faith and something really exciting came of it? Have you ever shared your faith and nothing happened? What was the difference?

3.Read Acts 17:19-23. What did Paul do to “build a bridge” with his audience? Was it effective?

4.Athena [the goddess of wisdom and art] was the spirit of Athens. Paul used the presence of many idols as his starting point in sharing the gospel. Think about your oikos [circle of influence] here in San Bernardino. What could your starting point be to speak with people about Christ? Have you experienced this lately?

5.Read Acts 17:30-31. Keep in mind that Paul was preaching to an idol-worshiping congregation. Is it safe to say that these words ‘hit the heart’ of Paul’s audience? How do you handle it when the Bible begins to confront somebody you are sharing Christ with?

Homework: Read 1 Corinthians 1:18-31. Keep in mind that Paul went from Athens to Corinth in his travels. Later, when he wrote to the Corinthians, he emphasized that their faith did not rest upon the wisdom of his preaching. Is it possible that Paul learned something in Athens that influenced the rest of his ministry? Be encouraged by the Apostle’s words!

Witness: Be ready this week to ‘build a bridge” to somebody that God puts in your path! Remember, even the Apostle Paul won some, and lost some! Our job is to share the Good News! Only God can save a soul!

Close your time in prayer for those in your Life Group and OIKOS!