Sunday School Lesson May 23, 2021
Subject: Share the Message
The Point: Our daily conversations are opportunities to share Christ.
The Passages: Acts 17:16-18,22-23,30-31
Study The Bible: Acts 17:16-18
1). Be sensitive to opportunities to share the gospel.
- While Paul was waiting for them in Athens, he was deeply distressed when he saw that the city was full of idols.
- So he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and with those who worshiped God, as well as in the marketplace every day with those who happened to be there.
- Some of the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers also debated with him. Some said, “What is this ignorant show-off trying to say?” Others replied, “He seems to be a preacher of foreign deities” –because he was telling the good news about Jesus and the resurrection.
Lasting truths from: Acts 17:16-18
* We need to look for opportunities to share Christ, just as Paul did.
* Every day may present us with new opportunities to share Christ.
* When we share about Jesus, we should always include His resurrection and what that means for us.
* When we share about Jesus, we may be ridiculed and misunderstood.
2). Find a common ground for introducing the gospel.
Acts 17:22-23
- Paul stood in the middle of the Areopagus and said: “People of Athens! I see that you are extremely religious in every respect.
- For as I was passing through and observing the objects of your worship, I even found an altar on which was inscribed: “To an Unknown God,’ Therefore, what you worship in ignorance, this I proclaim to you.
Lasting truth from: Acts 17:22-23
* To be effective in sharing Jesus, we need to meet our audience where they are spiritually.
* People tend to be more receptive to us and our message when we begin by complimenting rather than confronting.
* When we find common ground with people, they tend to listen to us more intently.
* God’s creation and more specifically the Bible give us all the information we need to communicate God’s message of Jesus to those around us.
3). Help others understand the truth of the gospel.
Acts 17:30-31
- “Therefore, having overlooked the time of ignorance, God now commands all people everywhere to repent,
- because he has set a day when he is going to judge the world in righteousness by the man he has appointed. He has provided proof of this to everyone by raising him from the dead.”
Lasting truth from: Acts 17:30-31
* God will use Christ to judge the righteousness of each and every person.
* We need to focus our sharing of the gospel message toward a time of repentance and confession of sin.
* The ultimate proof of God’s eternal plan is revealed in Jesus’ resurrection.
* God expects us to use our daily conversations to share Christ with those around us.
Live It Out
As you reflect on this lesson respond to the following questions:
- What do you need to change to become more sensitive to opportunities to share the gospel of Christ each day?
- What experiences have helped you find common ground for sharing the gospel message with those around you?
- What are some ways you can share the gospel with those who are not in your everyday path?
- How will you incorporate God’s gospel message of “acknowledge, believe, confess, and change” as you share the gospel this week?
- How will you respond to God’s evaluation of how you use everyday opportunities to share Christ?
Closing Prayer:
“Dear God, I know I am a sinner. I believe Jesus died on the cross to forgive me of my sins and rose from the dead to give me new life. I’m sorry for all the wrong I’ve done and ask You to forgive me. I now accept Your gift of eternal life. Thank You for Your love, forgiveness, and a new life in Jesus Christ. From this day forward, I choose to follow You. In Jesus’ name Amen.”