LAUNCH
If you could ask God one question, what would it be?
EXPLORE
1. Read Act 17:17-31. Summarize what’s happening in your own words as the story begins in verses 17-21.
2. As Paul talks with these people, he engages with them about their worldview or views on the “Big Questions” in life: What is God like? What is the source of spiritual truth? What is true of people? Who is Jesus? What is life about? Where in these verses do you see Paul addressing these questions?
3. Read Acts 17:32-34. How do people respond to Paul’s words?
4. Why do you think it’s important to wrestle with big questions like these?
APPLY
Our answers to life’s big questions shape our worldview. Some of these big questions are:
- What is God like?
- What is true of people?
- What it is the source of spiritual truth?
- Who is Jesus?
- What is the purpose of life?
We’ll take a closer look at these questions in the rest of our study.
5. WHAT IS GOD LIKE? – One of life’s biggest questions is, “What is God like (or does he even exist)? What difference does it make to believe that an intelligent God created the universe? Or that he didn’t? Watch this clip (see the idea box) to spur your discussion.
6. WHAT ARE PEOPLE LIKE? – Split into two groups. One group should be ready to defend the belief that some see people as more good than bad. The other group should be ready to defend the belief that people are more bad than good. How does the way you see people affect how you see yourself, others, and the world? How would each group of people make sense of this scene (see the idea box) from Lord of the Rings?
7. WHAT IS THE SOURCE OF SPIRITUAL TRUTH? – Some people’s source of spiritual truth is a “holy book” like the Bible or the Quran. Others say, “The answers are all inside of me.” How does your source of spiritual truth affect your life?
8. WHO IS JESUS? – How does your view of who Jesus is affect the way you live?
9. WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF LIFE? – Some think life has no purpose. Others think life is about having as much fun possible. Still others believe it’s to live for God and others. How does your belief about life’s purpose shape your life? How did a sense of purpose make a difference for George in this clip?
10. We all have our beliefs about these big questions, but why is it important that our answers to these questions line up with what’s really true?
LAUNCH:
Doneshia is wrestling with some big questions in life: Who or what is God like? Why is she here on this earth? Who is Jesus? What should she believe? She knows and respects you, so she asks what you think. What would you tell her?
EXPLORE:
1. Read Acts 17:22-31. In these verses Paul fields some of life’s big questions from a Christian point of view. Based on what Paul says, how do you think he would explain what God is like?
2. What do you think Paul would say about what people are like based on these verses? What do you think he’d add based on Genesis 1:27 and Romans 3:9-12?
3. What do we learn about Jesus based on Acts 17:22-31, 1 Corinthians 15:1-6, and Titus 1:1-5?
4. How do you think Paul would explain our purpose in life based on Acts 17:26-27? What would Jesus add based on John 17:3?
5. Read John 14:6 and Matthew 24:35. According to Jesus, what is the source of spiritual truth based on these verses?
APPLY:
6. WHAT IS GOD LIKE? – Some people believe there is no God and that our lives are a chance collision of atoms. If we believe God created and cares for the world and everyone in it, how can that change the way we think and live?
7. WHAT ARE PEOPLE LIKE? – Some people believe we’re basically good. Others believe we’re basically bad. Still others think we’re morally neutral. The Bible says people are made in the image of God, but also that we are broken and sinful. If we believe that, how does that affect the way we see the world and ourselves?
8. WHAT IS THE SOURCE OF SPIRITUAL TRUTH? – Some people today use their friends, their music/tv/movies, or even their “inner voice” as their source of spiritual truth, How can it change us to chose Jesus and his word (the Bible) as our source of spiritual truth?
9. WHO IS JESUS? – Many people see Jesus as merely a good person. What difference does it make that Jesus is both Man and God our Savior?
10. WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF LIFE? – A lot of people think their purpose is simply to be happy and live for themselves. What does it do for us if we realize that our purpose in life is to know and live for God and his Son Jesus Christ?
11. Based on this discussion, turn to someone next to you and take turns giving a one-minute explanation of how Christianity answers some of life’s big questions:
- What is God like?
- What are people like?
- What is the source of spiritual truth?
- Who is Jesus?
- What is the purpose of life?
LAUNCH:
There are many ways to view the world and God. We want to be wise in knowing what we believe as well as what other people believe. Some popular worldviews of today are listed below. Some of the words look big but are really just two small words put together, so don’t be scared to learn what they mean. Which is your favorite to say and why?
Leader, the idea here is to get them familiar with these terms and to understand some basic differences between worldviews. Have fun saying the names here and pronouncing them in different ways. This is a great time to be a little goofy and help lighten the mood in a study that could otherwise be a little heady.
POLYTHEISM (many gods):
Poly means many and theism means god, so if you have this view you worship many gods. These gods might include natural or man-made objects. Religions with this view include Hinduism and Buddhism.
MONOTHEISM (one god):
Mono means one and theism means god, so if you have this view you worship only one god. Religions with this view include Judaism, Islam and Christianity.
ATHEISM (no god):
A means not or without and theism means god, so if you have this view you do not worship or believe in a god.
PANTHEISM (everything is god):
Pan means all, or of everything and theism means god, so if you have this view you believe that everything is god or god is in everything (trees, rocks, rivers, animals, people, etc). Many traditional and folk religions around the world can be considered Pantheism. The New Age movement is a modern version of Pantheism. “The Force” in Star Wars is a good example of a pantheistic worldview.
AGNOSTICISM (it’s unknowable):
This is a big word which means unknowable. If you have this view you believe nothing can be known about the existence of god, so you are not sure if there is a god.
During our lives we will likely meet people who hold one of these different worldviews. The Bible gives us insight in how to respond in wisdom, truth and kindness.
EXPLORE:
In Acts 17 16-34, our passage for this lesson, the author Paul is attending a gathering of people in Athens, Greece. Let’s see how he approaches people who have different worldviews.
1. In Acts 17:17-18, what kinds of people is Paul talking to? What do you know about them? How do they respond to Paul?
- Epicureans – believed the best thing was to enjoy life but don’t overdo it, avoid negative situations, and live a simple peaceful life.
- Stoics – believed that to have a good life you should be a good person and develop courage, self-control, and wisdom. This will bring you peace and help you weather the hard times in life.
2. How does Paul respond to people who don’t believe what he believes? Does he ignore them, make fun of them or just hang out with them and not bring up their differences? Check out Acts 17:22-23.
3. As Paul describes God in verses 24-28, how does he connect his beliefs to each of them and what they believe?
4. Paul also calls out the people he is addressing for their worship of man-made idols (verse 29). Which worldview from our list best describes idol worship? Why?
5. What is the final response of some of the people in verse 34? Does this surprise you? Why do you think some of the people respond this way?
APPLY:
6. What worldviews do you think are represented in the Acts 17 passage? Take a look at the list in the beginning of this lesson.
7. Question 4 in our lesson talked about idol worshippers. What are examples of idol worship we see in our world today?
8. Look at the chart BIG QUESTIONS AND MAJOR RELIGIONS/WORLDVIEWS at this link or on the back of this page. What do you notice? Do you know friends at school who represent some of these worldviews? What do you notice about the Christian worldview that makes what we believe different from their beliefs?
9. What difference does it make in your friends lives if they don’t believe that Jesus is God and can pay for their sins?
10. How do we show love and respect to people who have completely different worldviews from us without compromising our own beliefs? These passages can help…. Colossians 4:2-6 and 1 Peter 3:15.
11. Are there people you would like to talk to about their worldview this week? Do you think you could explain your worldview if asked?
LAUNCH:
Imagine a classroom scene where the teacher or another student makes statements that do not line up with your Christian worldview. Can you give ideas about how to respond and why it is important to present your worldview? Pick a scenario below and talk about it as a group…
Scenario 1
A teacher makes a general statement that all religions are similar and lead to the same place.
Scenario 2
Another student feels that cheating is OK if you need the grades to stay eligible for the football team, especially if you are a really good player.
Scenario 3
Your good friend confides in you that she is thinking of having sex with her boyfriend because they really love each other and she thinks God will understand.
Scenario 4
A well-meaning teacher advises you to look for a job, a vocation or a college that will result in you making the most amount of money possible regardless of your strengths, talents, or God’s leading in your life.
EXPLORE:
Read
1. Matthew 5:13-16In this Bible passage, what is Jesus trying to tell us about how we live our lives?
2. What does salt represent in Matthew 5:13? How does this relate to having a Christian worldview?
3. In Matthew 5:14 Jesus calls us “the light of the world.” What do you think He means by this?
4. When Jesus talks about the light being hidden or put under a bowl in Matthew 5:14-15, what do you think he means and how could this look in our lives?
APPLY:
5. Every day we are confronted with decisions that have consequences for us and for others who are watching us. What are some situations you have encountered recently that made it hard for you to represent Jesus Christ and be a light others can see?
6. What are some ways to deal with these temptations and still be a light to the world?
7. How does knowing more about your own worldview help during times of temptation?
8. Do you think others notice if your life lines up with your worldview? Why does this matter when you are trying to share Christ with friends or family?
9. Take a few minutes to write a short prayer asking Jesus to make you salt and light in our world. If you feel comfortable, share your prayer with the group.
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