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Our study begins in Acts 17.16-34 After Paul was escorted from Berea south to Athens, he was distressed while waiting for his companions to meet him. His spirit was disturbed by all the idols throughout Athens. He was so moved that although he was alone he began to reason in the Synagogue as well as in the Marketplace (Agora). The Agora was not just a market, not just a place of business; it was a civil court, college campus, mall, employment office, social club, and Starbucks rolled into one. Stoics believed we should be free from passion, unmoved by joy or grief, and submissive to natural law. Epicureans believed that the greatest good was to seek modest pleasures in order to attain a state of tranquility and freedom from fear as well as absence of bodily pain. AS Paul spoke in the Agora, these 2 schools of Philosophy debated with him. Paul was asked to share more of this new teaching at the Areopagus. The Areopagus is a hill next to the Acropolis in Athens. For centuries on this hill a council of civic and religious leaders met. By the time Paul arrived in Athens the council had began meeting closer to the Agora, and the council was now called by the name of the hill it had met on, the Areopagus. Athens was known for its almost compulsive collecting of Gods. A few hundred years later Athenians were described as having a fear of offending any unknown god. It is this culture and the idols that resulted from it, that moved Paul to share the gospel so passionately and intelligently. Paul sermon demonstrates a knowledge of the 2 philosophical schools there, as well as a knowledge of Athens history and its poet/prophets! Paul understands the beliefs of the Epicureans as well as the Stoics, and knows that neither belief leads to joy, peace, hope, or God. Rather than lash out at the Athenians idolatry, Paul encourages them saying “I see you are religious”, he mentions the altars to the “Unknown god” and he says I can tell you who that God is. Paul then quotes from 2 poets. One of whom is Epimenides, the poet/prophet credited with saving the city from a terrible plague. In the story Epimenides saves the city by having the Athenians offer sacrifices to the unknown god or gods. Paul connects this well known Athenian story to his message that the One true God has been active, and desires for all people to know Him. Paul continues to share the gospel telling of coming judgment, and the resurrection of Jesus. At the news of the resurrection some could not believe and “sneered”. Others wanted to hear more, and a few became Christ-followers. 2 new believers are mentioned specifically, Dionysius and Damaris. Dionysius was a member of the Areopagus council; he would have been an educated, wealthy, influential man. It was uncommon for an ordinary Athenian woman to be present at such public gatherings as Paul addressed in Athens, some suggest that Damaris was a kind of high class escort or companion. If the readers of Acts considered Damaris an “escort” or “companion,” this story would communicate that God frees the rich & affluent such as Dionysius, as well as the powerless, and used. discussion QUESTIONS ++ How is Athenian culture similar to our own? ++ How do you think Paul prepared to speak to the crowds at the Agora & Areopagus? ++ When have you prepared with such care for a conversation? ++ Why was the resurrection the stumbling block for the Greeks? ++ How is it the same today for us? ++ How can you live life with the reality of the resurrection this week? action steps ++ Think of a conversation you need to have with someone, prepare as Paul did. ++ As you share the great news of Christ do similar work in preparation as Paul did. ++ As you make decisions, consider how the reality of the resurrection influences your decision making process. DOWNLOAD SUNDAY STUDIES AT WWW.CORNERSTONEWEB.ORG DOWNLOAD SUNDAY STUDIES AT WWW.CORNERSTONEWEB.ORG