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Paul’s Approach — How Do I View God?

Paul’s approach to his audience is a model for how we should interact with those around us.

Paul met the Athenians where they were. He didn’t come in disparaging their culture. He didn’t attack them or their choices. Their way of life troubled him, but he took some time to understand it. He read the engravings on their idols, and we will see that he had read works from some of their poets. He started his conversation by finding common ground: People of Athens! I see that in every way you are very religious (Acts 17:22). He was not approving of their gods and idols, but he was commending their interest in God.

Paul knew the best way to reach the unbelievers in Athens was to build a bridge. He connected with their need. He spent time where people lived and worked so he could get to know them and ultimately connect with them in a familiar place.

In verse 23, he mentioned their altar to an unknown god. They wanted to be sure they covered all of their bases; even in the midst of the 30,000 gods, there was a concern that they had missed one.

Paul said, You are ignorant of the very thing you worship—and this is what I am going to proclaim to you. To paraphrase, he said, “Let’s talk about this unknown God; because I know him!” Paul knew their multi-god type of worship was empty. Their fear of missing one god meant that their search for God and peace would never end. They were searching for God, but they couldn’t find him. They were in the same place we all were before we met Jesus.

Paul clearly presented what he knew about God in a way that would resonate with the listeners. Paul’s words were kind. They were direct, but they weren’t harsh. In the midst of people worshipping multiple gods, he said in verse 24, The God who made the world … The ONLY God, the ONE God, this is the God who Paul was proclaiming.

Before we continue looking at Paul’s approach to talking with his audience, let’s ask ourselves the question: How do I view God?

Is he …

• a caring father?
• an absentee father — one who creates but then walks away?
• a vending machine — I do good things and get good things in return?
• a forgiving friend who understands my failings?
• a dictator?
• like Santa Claus — he watches, and if I’m good, I’ll be blessed?
• a helicopter parent?
• a spirit that can’t be defined or understood?
• a mystery — maybe he exists, maybe he doesn’t?

This is an important question to consider, because how we view God is foundational to how we share God, and how someone else views God is foundational to how he or she hears what we’re sharing about God.

What events have shaped your relationship with God?