Acts 17

1. What was Paul's custom when he went to a city? (Acts 17:1-9)

• 1. To get his passport stamped

• 1. To walk around the whole city and pray before he shared the gospel

• 1. To speak first to the Jews in the synagogue.

• 1. To purchase a donkey to ride while he was there

1. What did Paul do in Thessalonica? (Acts 17:1-9)

• 1. Explained from the Scriptures that Jesus is the Christ

• 1. He got a haircut

• 1. He reasoned with the Jews for 6 months

• 1. He reasoned with the Jews for three Sabbaths

1. What happened in Thessalonica? (Acts 17:1-9)

• 1. Some Jews, a large number of Greeks, and some prominent women became believers.

• 1. All the Jews ran Paul out of town

• 1. Jealous Jews formed a mob and started a riot in the city.

• 1. They put Paul in prison.

1. What happened in Berea? (Acts 17:10-15)

• 1. The Bereans in the synagogue refused to listen to Paul and Silas

• 1. The Bereans received Paul's message with great eagerness

• 1. Jews from Thessalonica went to Berea and stirred up the crowds.

• 1. The Bereans examined the scriptures daily to see if what Paul said was true.

1. The Bereans were: (Acts 17:10-15)

• 1. of more noble character than the Thessalonians

• 1. rich and powerful

• 1. students of the Scriptures

• 1. never going to believe Paul

1. What happened in Athens? (Acts 17:16-33)

• 1. Paul reasoned with the Jews and God-fearing Greeks in the synagogue and the marketplace

• 1. Paul used the Athenians writings and idols as a way to tell them about the one true God

• 1. Some philosophers disputed with Paul

• 1. Nothing, Paul never went to Athens

1. Who accepted Paul's teaching in Athens? (Acts 17:16-33)

• 1. Only the Jews

• 1. Everyone

• 1. Only women

• 1. Dionysius, Damaris and a few others

1. The Athenians: (Acts 17:16-33)

• 1. were idol worshippers

• 1. loved to hear new teachings and ideas

• 1. were very religious

• 1. were actually Greek gods

1. Lessons we can learn from Paul's methods are:

• 1. Many times, your own people will turn on you when they disagree on something as important as eternity

• 1. All Jews are jealous

• 1. All Gentiles will accept God's word if we care enough to tell them about it

• 1. Sometimes you have to use different approaches with people to help them understand the gospel