No Likie Thessaloniki - Athens Okay, But Berea Is Best

This would have been the study page for the Thursday Night Small Group meeting January 31, 2013, but few could make it.  So now it's the study page for the Thursday Night Small Group meeting February 7, 2013.  The passage for this week is Acts 17.  A lot happens and not all of it is sensible.

Be sure to read the passage several times through.  Also, bracket a few of those passes with the end of chapter 16, and the first part of 18, just for context.  See if you can find a map which details the area traveled through by Paul.  Here's a great opportunity to pay attention to pronouns and person once more.

Once you've been through the passage a few times yourself, go through again considering the questions below:

• From verse 1, who is now no longer traveling with Paul and Silas?
• How long does Paul and Silas discuss in the Thessalonikian synagogue?
• Who do the "Jews" find to help them form an angry mob?
• Who do they substitute for Paul since they can't find he and Silas?
• What do the authorities do in response to the mob?
• What do the believers do in response to the local peace disturbance?
• What proves the Bereans were "more noble" than the Thessalonikans?
• How different is the make up of believers in Berea than Thessalonika?
• What disturbs the peace in Berea?  Who is the disturbance centered around?
• Look at a map.  How much further is it to Athens from Berea than from Thessalonika to Berea?  What send him that far away?
• What "sharpens" Paul's spirit in Athens?
• He discusses in the synagogue here too, but where else is he discussing Jesus?
• Where is "Mars Hill" or the Areopogus in Athens? How about in relation to the market?
• What "Scripture" does Paul use in his "defense"?
• Where would Paul have learned of these 'poets'?
• Is Paul finished, did he just lose his audience, or what?
• How successful is his defense?

That'll do for now.  Be sure to bring your own questions as well.

See you Thursday!