Acts 17
by Philip Layton
Paul’s missionary journey takes him to Thessalonica, Berea and Athens
Discussion Questions
- Why do you think the Jews were jealous (v 5)?
- How can the noble character of the Bereans (v 11) be acquired today?
- At the Areopagus (v 22) Paul began his message with something familiar to the members. How could this example be used in witness today?
Share your thoughts below, or tweet about it with the #boundlessbible hashtag. Don't forget this week's Children's Challenge!
Going Deeper from 'Towards you, Lord'
I saw them this morning, Master,
tightly clenched praying hands,
lifted in mute worship to a Creator-God.
They were only the newborn leaves of a row of
seedlings
still wrinkled and twisted;
but their fervent stretching into the unknown
upper world
touched me deeply.
They were obeying an inner urge, bewildered yet
joyful,
after having pierced through earth’s crust:
reaching timorously but strongly upward not
knowing how far they must go
before nature said enough.
Not knowing the storms of rain and wind they
would meet,
the attacks of enemies unknown;
disobeying the law of gravity to fulfil their destiny
by obeying the higher law of growth.
Hearing nature’s call to rise out of seeming death
to pulsing life, rising sap,
growth and expansion;
to the final revelation of the hidden bud and seed.
So may I, Lord, respond to that call from you
which disturbs my heart,
making me dissatisfied with earthly things,
with finite aims,
and filling me with longings inexpressible
for something beyond,
something to which you challenge me.
Grant me the pluck to do as the seedlings did,
to dare to answer,
confident, believing,
to stretch my hands upwards, towards you, Lord.
Flora Larsson
Tags: Acts