The
Unknown God
*
While in Athens, Paul was brought before the Council of Areogapus, and they asked
him, "What is this new teaching you're giving us?" (Acts 17:19, NIrV)
How did Paul respond?
*
Read Acts 17:22-31. Paul began by presenting two fundamental teachings
of Christianity: 1) God exists; and 2) God made the universe, including humans.
So why were humans made?
Who
Are We?
*"From
one man [God] made every nation of men" (Acts 17:26a, NIV). One man, Adam,
is the father of the human race. In this sense, we are all part of one race -
the human race.
1.
Why do you think this is significant?
Why
Were We Made?
*
Paul presents two of the reasons: 1) "that [we] should inhabit the whole
earth" and 2) "that [we] would seek [God] and perhaps reach out to him
and find him" (17:26-27).
*
After God created the first man and woman, he said to them, "Have children
and increase your numbers. Fill the earth and bring it under your control"
(Genesis 1:28, NIrV).
2. What does verse 26 indicate about God's involvement
in, and relationship to, the lives of humans?
*
God did this so that men would seek him, "in the hope that they might feel
their way toward him and find him. Yet he is actually not far from each one of
us." (17:27, ESV)
3.
What does verse 27 indicate about our relationship to God, and his desire for
us?
Where
is God?
*
God wants us to seek him. But where is he? Is he really there?
†
In his letter to the Romans, Paul wrote, "For since the creation of the world
God's invisible qualities - his eternal power and divine nature - have been clearly
seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.
For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks
to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened."
(Romans 1:20-21, NIV).
†
"They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of
God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts
(Ephesians 4:18, NIV).
†
"The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world.
He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did
not recognize him." (John 1:9-10, NIV).
& "Yet he is actually
not far from each of us" (Acts 17:27, ESV).
*
To make his point, Paul used two quotations from Greek poets: 1) "For in
him we live and move and have our being;" and 2) "We are his offspring."
God is everywhere present and near to each of us; and we are always dependent
on his constant provision and maintenance (whether we know it or not). In addition,
God is our maker. We are his creatures. Thus it is very foolish for us to make
images of him - "images made by our design and skill" (17:29).
Seeking
God
*
"Seek the LORD while he may be found; call on him while he is near"
(Isaiah 55:6, NIV).
*"You
will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart" (Jeremiah
29:13, NIV).
4. What do you think is involved in truly seeking God?
Reflection/Application
†
To seek God is our choice. Have you decided to seek God? If not, what are your
reasons? If you have decided to seek God, what steps are you taking? What questions
do you have? Seek answers to your questions. And seek the Truth with all your
heart.
†
"Seeking" does not end when one becomes a Christian. We should continue
to seek a more intimate knowledge of the Lord (Philippians 3:7-11). We should
always "seek first his kingdom and righteousness" (Matthew 6:33). In
what specific ways are you seeking God?
