January’s memory verse:

“...they should seek God, and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him. Yet he is actually not far from each one of us, for ‘In him, we live and move and have our being’; as even some of your own poets have said, ‘For we are indeed his offspring.’ '” — Acts 17:27-28

Acts Chapter 17:

Our journey continues this week. Are you growing weary in your reading? At the end of chapter 16, Paul and Silas walked out of prison and pressed on for another 100 miles (3 days walk) for the purpose of spreading the message of the Gospel. They are certainly not appearing weary, so keep reading and do not give up! Whether it is in the synagogues, marketplaces, or the city square, Paul reasons, explains, and proves Christ's crucifixion and resurrection. The audience changes, but not the message. In this chapter, we see who comes to believe and how words from a jealous fit of rage can encourage the Church. The truth is turning the world upside down — or is it right side up? Paul's sermon at the end of chapter 17 as he stands in the midst of the Areopagus is a great example of how Paul adjusts the message to suit his audience without compromising the Gospel. In reading chapter 17, I hope we are moved to pray for all who are seeking and reaching for God. May they truly come to know that He is not far from us and that it is only in Him that we live and move.

Here are a few application questions from this chapter to ponder this week:

The people of Thessalonica, Berea, and Athens each responded differently to Paul’s teaching. Take a look at the responses and the results.
Paul is provoked to speak to the high council in Athens in regard to idol worshiping prevalent in their city. What can we learn from the way he connects with them?
Paul explains God’s larger purpose to the council in verses 27-29, how does this provide hope for anyone seeking God?

If you need a quick synopsis of the events in the previous chapter, keep scrolling.

Summary of chapter 16:

Timothy joins Paul and is circumcised for the purpose of the message to not be a stumbling block to the Jews.
We see the Gospel go west and not east, as Paul is forbidden by the Spirit to speak Asia.
Paul called out a spirit of divination in a young girl who earned money for her family. This upset the family, and city officials and the crowds attack and beat on Paul and Silas until they are thrown into jail
At midnight, while Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, there was a great earthquake that shook the prison foundations.
When the Jailoris afraid, Paul declares that the jailor must believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and be saved and they did -- The entire household!
Paul publicly walks out of prison and the magistrates apologize for unfairly treating Roman citizens this way.
Of course, after they walk out of Prison they return to Lydia, encouraged again at the miracles that the Lord has done.

This Year’s Memory Verse

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. “

Acts 1:8