How can we emulate Paul's approach to sharing the Gospel in Acts 17:1? Setting the Scene Acts 17:1: “When they had traveled through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a Jewish synagogue.” • Paul and his companions kept moving with a gospel purpose • Upon arrival, they headed straight to a place where Scripture was already honored Intentional Movement toward People • Choose destinations prayerfully, aiming for maximum gospel impact • See travel, routines, and digital pathways as opportunities, not interruptions • Keep the next town, campus, workplace, or neighborhood on the horizon, just as Paul kept Thessalonica in view Entering Familiar Spaces • Paul located the synagogue—a setting familiar to his hearers • Modern parallels: coffeehouses, online forums, community events, break rooms, sports leagues • Go where people naturally gather; meet them on their turf Grounding Every Conversation in Scripture Acts 17:2-3: “As was his custom, Paul went into the synagogue, and on three Sabbaths he reasoned with them from the Scriptures, explaining and proving that the Christ had to suffer and rise from the dead.” • Let the Bible be the agenda setter and proof source • Memorize key passages; carry a Bible or app ready for quick reference • Speak plainly, yet confidently, allowing Scripture to carry its own authority (Hebrews 4:12) Fixing Eyes on Jesus Christ • Paul moved from passages to Person: “This Jesus I am proclaiming to you is the Christ” (Acts 17:3) • Keep gospel presentations Christ-centered—His deity, death, resurrection, and exclusive sufficiency (John 14:6) • Highlight fulfilled prophecy to underscore credibility (Isaiah 53; Psalm 16:10) Persevering in Conversation • Paul returned three Sabbaths in a row; he was not a one-and-done witness • Schedule follow-ups, extend hospitality, continue the dialogue • Stand ready for both interest and opposition (Acts 17:5) Partnering in Team Ministry • Paul traveled with Silas and Timothy (Acts 17:14) • Share outreach with others—prayer partners, small groups, mission teams • Mutual encouragement and diverse gifts strengthen gospel witness (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10) Practical Action Steps Today • Map out strategic places in daily life where Scripture can be opened naturally • Block regular, repeated times to engage the same listeners • Keep a simple gospel outline anchored in key verses (Romans 3:23; 6:23; 10:9) • Study Old Testament passages that point to Jesus to handle Jewish or skeptical audiences • Pray for discernment to recognize receptive hearts, as in Thessalonica’s “God-fearing Greeks” (Acts 17:4) Supporting Scriptures for a Paul-Like Witness • Romans 10:14: “How then can they call on the One in whom they have not believed? And how can they believe in the One of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone to preach?” • 1 Corinthians 9:20-22—Paul’s adaptability for the sake of the gospel • 2 Timothy 4:2—“Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season” • Colossians 4:5-6—Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, seasoned speech Living the Pattern • Stay on the move for Christ • Enter cultural crossroads • Open Scripture plainly • Exalt Jesus boldly • Persist patiently • Labor together So the journey noted in Acts 17:1 becomes a template: proactive, strategic, Scripture-saturated, Christ-centered, persevering, and shared. |
    |