Sunday School Lesson February 22, 2026
Subject: Jesus Shared
The Point: Our daily conversations with people can be opportunities to share Jesus.
Scriptures: Acts 17:16-18, 22-23, 30-31
Study The Bible: Acts 17:16-18
1). Be sensitive to the opportunities.
- 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
* Believers ought to engage in assessing their communities to determine its religious climate and the need for the proclamation of the gospel.
* Because some people do not have a religious background for understanding the gospel, believers need to be prepared to explain it to others and know how to defend its truth.
* Not everyone will understand the message or affirm us as messengers.
2). Find common ground.
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 and Unknown God.’ Therefore, what you worship in ignorance, this I proclaim to you.
Lasting truths from: Acts 17:22-23
* Just because people are religious does not mean they do not need to hear the gospel of Jesus.
* Believers have an obligation to confront the cultural perspective about God and declare the truth about Him.
3). Lead others to understand and decide.
Acts 17:30-31
- “Therefore having overlooked the times 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 truths from: Acts 17:30-31
* God is a God of grace and mercy.
*. The gospel includes a call for repentance—turning from one’s evil ways to the Lord.
* God has appointed a day of righteous judgment by the One whom He raised from the dead, even Jesus Christ.
As you reflect on this session, respond to the following questions:
- Where can you encounter someone who has never heard about God or only has a perspective on God, Jesus, and the gospel shaped by culture or personal opinion rather than Scripture?
- What strategy or method could you use to open a conversation with that person that would lead to an opportunity to introduce him or her to Jesus?
- How prepared are you personally, spiritually, and scripturally, to help a person understand the truth of the gospel? What do you need to do to be better prepared?
- How does studying the truths of your faith not only make you more equipped to share your faith with others, but also ignites your own spiritual growth and confidence in the Lord?
- What are some of the competing philosophies of the world that seem especially pronounced today? How can these be countered by biblical truth?