As teenagers, it can be hard to navigate the world and form our own beliefs and opinions about God and religion. The passage in Acts 17:22-31 is important for us because it shows us how we can talk to others about our faith and help them understand who God really is. Through this lesson, we will explore why it’s important to have a personal relationship with God and how we can share our faith with others.
Bible Reading: Acts 17:22-25
Start by reading Acts 17:22-25 out loud. Ask the students to follow along and think about what this passage means to them.
Explanation
- Paul in Athens: Paul was in Athens and noticed that the people were very religious.
- Altar with an inscription to an unknown God: Paul noticed an altar with an inscription that read ‘to the unknown God.’ He used this as an opportunity to introduce the Athenians to the one true God.
- God made the world and everything in it: Paul explains that God created everything and is the Lord of heaven and earth.
- Does not live in temples made by man: God cannot be contained in a physical building.
- He himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything: God is the source of life and everything that we have.
- He made from one man every nation of mankind: We are all equal in God’s eyes.
- Having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place: God is in control of the world and our lives.
- That they should seek God, and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him: We can always seek God and find Him in our lives.
Bible Reading: Acts 17:26-31
Next, read Acts 17:26-31 out loud. Ask the students to follow along and think about what this passage means to them.
Explanation
- In Him we live and move and have our being: God is always present in our lives.
- We are indeed His offspring: We are all children of God.
- We cannot create a divine being: God is not an idol that we can create with our own hands.
- But now He commands all people everywhere to repent: God wants us to turn away from our sin and turn to Him.
- He will judge the world in righteousness: There will come a day when God will judge each and every one of us.
- By raising Him from the dead: Jesus died and rose again to save us from our sins.
Discussion Questions
1. What does this passage tell us about who God is?
2. Why is it important to have a personal relationship with God?
3. How can we share our faith with others?
4. What does it mean to repent and turn away from our sins?
5. How does knowing that God will judge the world impact our daily lives?
Youth Group Game
Before playing the game, explain that this is a way for students to get to know one another and talk about their faith.
Icebreaker Game: Two Truths and a Lie
- Each student takes a turn telling three statements about themselves- two true statements and one false statement.
- The group has to guess which statement is the lie.
- After the game, talk about how telling the truth can help us build stronger relationships with others.
Closing Prayer
Let’s take a moment to pray together and thank God for revealing Himself to us through His word.
Dear God, we thank You for the opportunity to learn about You today. Help us to grow in our faith and to share the love of Christ with those around us. Amen.