Paul’s Babbling in Athens

Acts 17:16–34

Paul encounters a city filled with idols and competing ideas about God. He points the Athenians to the one true God—the Creator, Sustainer, and Ordainer of all things—and calls them to turn from idols, repent, and believe in Christ.

We need to read this passage like we are the Athenians, not Paul.

Paul Sees the Idols

Read Acts 17:16–21

1. What did Paul notice when he arrived in Athens?

2. What were some of the “idols” Paul saw beyond the physical statues?

3. What did the Epicureans believe about life and pleasure?

4. What did the Stoics believe about self-discipline and strength?

Think About It:

What are some things that can become idols in our lives today?

Our Hearts Make Idols

Anything can become an idol when we give it the importance, attention, or devotion that belongs to God alone.

“Our hearts are idol-making factories.”

1. What are some examples of modern-day idols?

2. Why can good things—even family, work, hobbies, or ministry—become idols?

3. What are some ways we can recognize that something has become too important in our lives?

4. Why is it important for us to ask God to examine our hearts?

Think about it:

Is there anything in your life that competes with God for your time, attention, affection, or trust?

Who Is the True God?

Read Acts 17:22–28

Paul uses the Athenians' “Unknown God” as an opportunity to tell them about the true God.

God is:

• The Creator — He made the world and everything in it.

• The Sustainer — He gives life and breath and does not need anything from us.

• The Ordainer — He is sovereign over human history and nations.

• Close-at-hand — He is not far from us and is worthy of being sought.

1. What does it mean that God is the Creator?

2. What does it mean that God is the Sustainer?

3. How does knowing that God is sovereign over history affect the way we view our own circumstances?

4. What does it mean that God is not far from us?

5. Why is it important that God does not need us, but still desires a relationship with us?

Stop Worshipping Idols

Read Acts 17:29–31

Paul tells the Athenians that God commands people to repent because a day of judgment is coming.

1. What does Paul tell the Athenians to stop doing?

2. Why is God's patience not the same thing as God ignoring sin?

3. According to the sermon, what is the world ultimately moving toward?

4. Who has God appointed to judge the world?

5. What is the proof or assurance God has given?

The resurrection of Jesus is the assurance that Paul's message is true.

Three Responses

Read Acts 17:32–34

The Athenians responded to Paul's message in three different ways:

Mockery - Some rejected Paul and mocked the idea of resurrection.

Delay - Others wanted to hear more but did not immediately believe.

Belief - Some believed, including Dionysius and Demaris.

1. Why do you think people respond differently when confronted with the truth of the Gospel?

2. Which of these responses can we be tempted toward when God exposes something in our lives?

3. What does it look like to respond to God with genuine repentance and faith?

Paul did not preach to the Athenians as though their problem belonged only to them.

Their idols challenge us to examine our own hearts.

Will we mock?

Will we delay?

Or will we believe?