New Testament #13: Athens

HIGHS AND LOWS: (13 minutes)
Write down one high and one low from your week in your prayer journal and share them with the group.  Pastor Breen or another student will gather them in prayer as we light our candles.

REVIEW: (2 minutes)
What sticks with you from last class?  You may refer to your one sentence summary if you are stumped.  What questions remain about Paul in jail?

INTRODUCTION: (5 minutes)
Solomon’s Temple:  Turn to page 1277 in your Connect Bible NRSV and read the paragraph under “Solomon’s Temple” on that page.  Do the activity as suggested.  Make a copy of your completed activity for Pastor Breen if you are doing this for homework.

EXPERIENCE THE WORD: (5 minutes)
To see the story today, we turn to this resource from youtube:  https://youtu.be/lCLuPk7ZKVg

DWELLING IN THE WORD: (25 minutes)
Read Acts 17:15-34 from the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible (take turns reading aloud, verse by verse).  Answer the following questions about the whole story as completely as possible (group activity:  do this with your parents):

Comprehension Questions:

1. Where was Paul headed? (verse 15)
2. Who was going to join Paul? (verse 15)
3. By what was Paul deeply distressed? (verse 16)
4. With whom did Paul argue in verse 17?
5. With whom did Paul debate in verse 18?
6. Where did they take him? (verse 19)
7. How did all of the Athenians and foreigners spend their time? (verse 21)
8. Paul said that the Athenians were extremely what? (verse 22)
9. What inscription did Paul find on an altar? (verse 23)
10. What did God make? (verse 24)
11. Is God served by human hands? Does God need anything, according to Paul? (verse 25)
12. Where did God cause all nations to come from? (verse 26)
13. Whose offspring are we? (verse 29)
14. What is a deity not like? (verse 29)
15. What is God commanding all people everywhere to do? (verse 30)
16. Who will judge the world? (verse 31)
17. How did the crowd react to Paul’s speech? (verse 32)
18. What did Paul do next? (verse 33)
19. What did some of them do? (verse 34)

Content Questions:

1. What scares, confuses, or challenges me in this text?
2. What is my favorite part of this text?  Why?
3. What stories or memories does this text stir up in you?  You might remember a time when you experienced God in an unexpected place, for example.
4. What is God doing in this text?  What is God up to?

TAKING IT HOME (5 minutes)

1. During this week, in your prayers, try using “God Who Knows Me” as your title for God.
2. Write a one sentence summary in your prayer journal. In this sentence, describe your answer to the question “What did you learn about in Confirmation class this week?” in as much detail as possible.

OUT LOUD PRAYER: (5 minutes)
Prayer to God Who Knows Us
Dear God,
Give us Eyes to See You (make binoculars with your hands)
Ears to Hear You (cup hands behind ears)
Wisdom to Know You (fingertips on forehead)
Hearts to Trust You (hands over heart)
and Lips to Praise You (cup hands around mouth and shout…)
AMEN!!!

Conclude your time together with the Lord’s Prayer.