Sharing Your Faith (Part 2)
Want to share your faith but aren't sure how to start the conversation? In the second part of our short series on evangelism, we explore the Apostle Paul’s powerful example in Acts 17 as he reasons with the people of Athens. Discover how to step into deep spiritual conversations by finding common ground, bringing clear truth, and ultimately pointing others to the hope of Jesus and his resurrection. Join Mercy Church as we learn to step out of our comfort zones and trust God to change lives through our everyday interactions.
Chapters
0:00 - Introduction & Recap of John 3
3:48 - Paul's Distress & Modern Idols
6:37 - The Grieved Heart for Evangelism
8:10 - Engaging in Athens: Reason and Social Media
10:48 - The Role of Reason in Sharing Faith
12:44 - How to Start Spiritual Conversations
15:47 - Paul's Affirmation and the Unknown God
21:39 - Creating Tension and God's Design
24:13 - God's Sovereignty and Call to Repent
29:15 - Responses to the Gospel and Trusting God
Deep Dive Podcast
Study Guide: Principles of Evangelism and the Model of Paul in Acts 17
This study guide examines the theological and practical frameworks for sharing the Christian faith, as presented through an analysis of Jesus’ interaction with Nicodemus and the Apostle Paul’s engagement with the citizens of Athens. It focuses on the motivations for evangelism, the methodology of engagement, and the varied responses to the gospel message.
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Part 1: Short-Answer Quiz
Instructions: Answer the following questions in 2–3 sentences based on the information provided in the source context.
According to the recap of John 3, what are the primary "keys" to understanding how people interact with spiritual truths?
Why does the text argue that the Apostle Paul is a relatable figure for modern believers despite his status in the early church?
What was Paul's specific motivation for engaging with the people of Athens according to Acts 17:16?
How is the concept of "reasoning" defined within the context of sharing one's faith?
What role does the "medical motivation" analogy play in understanding spiritual discipline?
How did Paul use the altar to the "Unknown God" as an evangelistic tool?
What is the difference between "affirmation" and "clarification" in Paul’s methodology?
Why does the text advise against using social media as a primary venue for spiritual conversation?
According to the "theology of humanity" presented in the text, why has God established the specific times and places where people live?
What is a "tension point" in a spiritual conversation, and why is it considered a "gift" to the listener?
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Part 2: Answer Key
The primary keys are that humans possess a natural spiritual interest because God has set "eternity into the hearts of humanity." Consequently, even if individuals do not outwardly express interest, believers can be confident that deeper spiritual longings exist within them.
Paul is relatable because he operated "post-resurrection," just as modern believers do, and he viewed himself as the "worst of all sinners." His life demonstrates that God can work through frail or even hostile individuals to bring the message of Jesus to the world.
Paul was "greatly distressed" to see that Athens was full of idols, which he viewed as a sign of people searching for meaning in things that would never fulfill them. This grief served as his primary motivation to share the gospel, mirroring the heart of Jesus for the lost.
Reasoning involves using both the mind and the heart to make a case for the Christian faith rather than just demanding blind belief. It includes identifying with a person's experiences—such as the "craziness of the world"—and showing how the Bible affirms and explains those struggles.
The analogy illustrates that discipline follows motivation; just as a patient only changes their diet when they realize the dire consequences of high cholesterol, a believer is only likely to share their faith when they are genuinely grieved by the lostness of others. Without this internal motivation, the discipline of sharing faith is rarely sustained.
Paul identified the altar as a point of "ignorance" where the Athenians were worshiping something they did not know. He used this physical object to bridge the gap between their existing religious practice and the specific proclamation of the one true God.
Affirmation is the act of finding common ground, such as acknowledging that a person is "spiritual" or cares about "justice." Clarification follows by showing where Jesus stands in distinction to the person's current beliefs, inviting them into a more holistic design.
Social media is described as a "mud pie mixed with a tornado" that is ineffective for changing minds or having helpful conversations. The text emphasizes that meaningful spiritual engagement requires heart-to-heart, face-to-face interactions rather than public digital posts.
God ordains the boundaries and histories of nations so that people might "seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him." The text asserts that God is "not far from any one of us," and specific life circumstances are designed to facilitate this discovery.
A tension point is a moment in a conversation where a believer points out things in a person's life that are not in line with God’s design. This is a gift because it forces the individual to wrestle with the truth and realize that "something old" must die so that "new life" can begin.
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Part 3: Essay Questions
Instructions: Use the themes from the source context to develop comprehensive responses to the following prompts.
The Heart of the Evangelist: Analyze the relationship between "grief" over cultural idols and the "motivation" to share faith. How does the text suggest a believer should develop this internal burden?
The Areopagus Model: Compare the ancient Athenian "town square" with modern settings like "Crackskulls coffee shop." Discuss how finding "points of connection" in these spaces allows for the transition from affirmation to clarification.
The Role of Reason in Conversion: While the text acknowledges the "mystery of conversion" and the work of the Holy Spirit, it places significant emphasis on "reasoning." Discuss the balance between intellectual apologetics and spiritual dependence in the model of Paul.
A Theology of Sovereignty and Seeking: Examine the claim that God "marked out appointed times and histories." How does this perspective on God's sovereignty change the way a believer views a "random" coffee shop encounter or a conversation with a neighbor?
The Three Responses to the Gospel: Acts 17 records that some sneered, some wanted to hear more, and some believed. Discuss the practical implications of these responses for a modern person sharing their faith—specifically regarding the persistence and emotional resilience required.
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Part 4: Glossary of Key Terms
Term
Definition
Affirmation
The practice of identifying and validating common ground or shared values (e.g., a desire for justice) before moving to religious distinctions.
Areopagus
A meeting place in Athens (also known as Mars Hill) where philosophers gathered to discuss the latest ideas; used by Paul as a platform for evangelism.
Born Again
The spiritual rebirth required to follow Jesus, implying that faith is not just an addition to one's life but a complete transformation.
Church Planter
An individual, like the Apostle Paul, who travels to different regions to preach the gospel and establish new Christian communities or "fountainheads."
Clarification
The stage of spiritual conversation where the specific claims of Jesus and the design of God are distinguished from false beliefs or cultural practices.
Epicurean/Stoic
Groups of ancient philosophers who debated with Paul in Athens representing the intellectual and secular challenges of the time.
Idol
Objects or concepts (such as sex, power, money, or statues) that people worship or pursue to find meaning, purpose, and fulfillment, but which ultimately fail to provide life.
Reasoning
The intellectual engagement of making a case for faith by connecting biblical truths to human experience and logical inquiry.
Repentance
The act of turning away from following "false gods" or "ignorance" to follow the one true God.
Tension Point
A point of conflict created in a person's heart when they are confronted with the truth of God's position versus their own, intended to lead to spiritual wrestling and growth.
