Volume 1 - Number 21
Loudonville Community Church
The week of April 3, 2016
A Reasonable Faith
Acts 17:16-34
THIS WEEK’S CORE STATEMENT
GOD SPACE: As disciples of Jesus Christ we should endeavor to increase the quantity and quality of our gospel conversations
with the people we encounter on a daily basis.
Nancy Pearcey is a leading evangelical author on Christian worldview and is currently the Scholar in Residence at Houston
Baptist University. In the final chapter of her book, Saving Leonardo: A Call to Resist the Secular Assault on Mind, Morals, &
Meaning, she issues the following call to be “Missionaries at Home.”
People were created with an imagination to need inspiring stories and images just as much as they need good food to
eat and clean air to breathe, say John Erickson. “The opening chapter of Genesis tells us that God’s first act of
creation was to impose structure on the primeval chaos, separating the dry land from the water, day from night,
earth from sky, and male from female.” In the same way, “a structured story says, without saying it, that there is
order in the universe. And in this crazy world, that becomes a profoundly religious statement, an affirmation of the
divine act or creation.” A well ordered story “affirms divine order in the universe and justice in human
affairs.” . . .
Christians are
Christians are called to adopt the mentality of a missionary, even if they never set foot in a foreign
called to adopt
country. A missionary has to sift the indigenous culture carefully, deciding which aspects of society can
the mentality of a
be redeemed and which must be rejected. It has been that way ever since the early church, when the
first Christians faced a highly developed Greco-Roman culture. Some parts of the culture they rejected
missionary, even
as unbiblical. But other parts they saw as consistent with biblical teaching and thus adapted and
if they never set
embraced – so much so that ever since, Western culture has consisted of a blend of the classical and the
Christian heritage.
foot in a foreign
country.
The same sifting must be done in every era. On one hand, much of human culture is good, because all
human beings are made in the image of God and must live within the structures of the world God
created. They benefit from God’s common grace, the gifts that God bestows on all creation. As Matthew
5:45 puts it, God causes his rain to fall on the just and unjust alike. The implication is that non-Christians can be
creative artists, successful businessmen, skillful doctors, and loving parents. As Jesus said, even “you who are evil
know how to give good gifts to your children” (Matt. 7:11). On the other hand, Scripture also teaches that sin and
evil are pervasive. No part of life is untouched by corruption and falsehood. Nothing is theologically neutral.
Christians are responsible for evaluating everything against the plumb line of scriptural truth.
Taken together, these two themes give Christians a balanced approach to culture – affirming and supporting what is
good, while resisting anything that conflicts with Scripture. To use Jesus’ metaphor, we are to be innocent as doves
but wary as serpents (Matt. 10:16).
It is our hope that the people of LCC create God Space by connecting the story of Scripture with the stories of peoples’ lives. It is
in that God Space that people can discern the truth of the Gospel and decide to embrace it for themselves!
This Week’s Complementary Passage
Psalm 119:65-80 (ESV)
65
You have dealt well with your servant, O Lord, according to your word. 66 Teach me good judgment and knowledge, for I
believe in your commandments. 67 Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I keep your word. 68 You are good and do
good; teach me your statutes. 69 The insolent smear me with lies, but with my whole heart I keep your precepts; 70 their
heart is unfeeling like fat, but I delight in your law. 71 It is good for me that I was afflicted, that I might learn your statutes.
72
The law of your mouth is better to me than thousands of gold and silver pieces. 73 Your hands have made and fashioned
me; give me understanding that I may learn your commandments. 74 Those who fear you shall see me and rejoice, because I
have hoped in your word. 75 I know, O Lord, that your rules are righteous, and that in faithfulness you have afflicted me.
76
Let your steadfast love comfort me according to your promise to your servant. 77 Let your mercy come to me, that I may
live; for your law is my delight. 78 Let the insolent be put to shame, because they have wronged me with falsehood; as for
me, I will meditate on your precepts. 79 Let those who fear you turn to me, that they may know your testimonies. 80 May my
heart be blameless in your statutes, that I may not be put to shame!
Marking Guide for Acts
STEP ONE . . .
(not all words occur in the passage)
READING what the passage says
(Read it at least three times)
Acts 17:16-34 (ESV)
16
Now while Paul was waiting for them at Athens, his spirit was provoked within him as
he saw that the city was full of idols. 17 So he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and
the devout persons, and in the marketplace every day with those who happened to be
there. 18 Some of the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers also conversed with him. And some
said, “What does this babbler wish to say?” Others said, “He seems to be a preacher of
foreign divinities”—because he was preaching Jesus and the resurrection. 19 And they took
him and brought him to the Areopagus, saying, “May we know what this new teaching is
that you are presenting? 20 For you bring some strange things to our ears. We wish to
know therefore what these things mean.” 21 Now all the Athenians and the foreigners who
lived there would spend their time in nothing except telling or hearing something new.
22
So Paul, standing in the midst of the Areopagus, said: “Men of Athens, I perceive that in
every way you are very religious. 23 For as I passed along and observed the objects of your
worship, I found also an altar with this inscription, ‘To the unknown god.’ What therefore
you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you. 24 The God who made the world and
everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man,
25
nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives
to all mankind life and breath and everything. 26 And he made from one man every nation
of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the
boundaries of their dwelling place,27 that they should seek God, and perhaps feel their way
toward him and find him. Yet he is actually not far from each one of us, 28 for “‘In him we
live and move and have our being’; as even some of your own poets have said, “‘For we are
indeed his offspring.’
29
Being then God's offspring, we ought not to think that the divine being is like gold or
silver or stone, an image formed by the art and imagination of man. 30 The times of
ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to
repent, 31 because he has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by
a man whom he has appointed; and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him
from the dead.”
32
Now when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked. But others
said, “We will hear you again about this.” 33 So Paul went out from their midst. 34 But some
men joined him and believed, among whom also were Dionysius the Areopagite and a
woman named Damaris and others with them.
©preceptcamden.com
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STEP TWO . . .
OBSERVING how the passage moves
Return to the passage and mark key words, phrases and movements:
•
Circle all of the words in this passage that speak of the Triune God (Father, Son, Holy Spirit, etc.).
•
Underline the significant verbs/action words in this passage.
•
In Acts 17:16, underline the phrase “his spirit was provoked within him.”
•
In Acts 17:17, underline the phrase “he reasoned.”
•
In Acts 17:18, underline the phrase “he was preaching Jesus and the resurrection.”
•
Highlight Acts 17:21.
•
In Acts 17:22, underline the phrase “Men of Athens, I perceive that in every way you are very religious.”
•
In Acts 17:23, underline the sentence “What therefore you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you.”
•
Highlight Acts 17:24-28.
•
Highlight Acts 17:30-32.
STEP THREE . . .
Ask the five “W” questions and the one “H” question:
1. WHO is speaking? Who is this about? Who are the main characters? And, to whom is it speaking?
2. WHAT is the subject of the passage? What does the passage say about the subject?
3. WHEN do or will the events occur? When did something happen to a particular person, people, or nation?
4. WHERE did or will this happen?
5. WHY is something said or mentioned? Why would or will this happen? Why at this time? Why this person?
6. HOW will it happen? How is it to be done? How is it illustrated?
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STEP FOUR . . .
UNDERSTANDING what the passage means
This commentary is intended to enhance your own study of the text.
Commentary on Acts 17:16-34
17:16 - “Athens.” This was the greatest city of Greece’s past
cultural heritage and was still the intellectual center of the
Roman world. It was steeped in tradition, superstition and
immorality.
“His spirit was provoked within him.” It is obvious from the
context Paul is using “spirit” as a way of referring to himself.
This verb literally means “to sharpen,” but here is used
figuratively to “stir up.”
17:18 - “Epicurean.” This group believed that pleasure or
happiness was the highest good and goal of life. They
believed in no personal, physical afterlife. “Enjoy life now”
was their motto (a form of hedonism). They held that the
gods were unconcerned with humans. They got their name
from Epicurus, an Athenian philosopher, 341–270 B.C., but
they overstated his basic conclusion. Epicurus saw pleasure
in a wider sense than personal, physical pleasure (i.e. healthy
body and tranquil mind). “Epicurus is reported to have said,
‘If thou wilt make a man happy, add not unto his riches, but
take away from his desires.’ ”
“Stoic.” This group believed that god was the world-soul or
immanent in all creation (pantheism). They asserted that
humans must live in harmony with nature (i.e. god). Reason
was the highest good. Self-control, self-sufficiency, and
emotional stability in every situation was their goal. They did
not believe in a personal afterlife. Their founder was Zeno, a
philosopher from Cyprus, who moved to Athens about 300
B.C. They got their name from the fact that he taught in the
painted Stoa in Athens.
“This babbler.” This word was used of sparrows eating seeds
in a field. It came to be used metaphorically of itinerant
teachers who picked up pieces of information here and there
and tried to sell them.
“He seems to be a preacher of foreign divinities.” This phrase
is used in the sense of spiritual powers or gods. These
Athenian philosophers were religious polytheists. It is
possible that these philosophers took Paul’s words as
referring to two gods.
“He was preaching Jesus and the resurrection.” The
stumbling block of the gospel for the Jews was “a suffering
Messiah” and for the Greeks it was “the resurrection.” A
personal, bodily afterlife did not fit into the Greek
understanding of the gods or mankind. They asserted a
divine spark in every person, trapped or imprisoned by a
physical body. Salvation was deliverance from the physical
body and absorption into an impersonal or semi-personal
deity.
17:19 - “And they took him and brought him to the
Areopagus.” The Greek term areopages means the hill of Ares
(the god of war). In the golden days of Athens, it was the
philosophical forum of this renowned intellectual city. This
was no judicial trial, but an open city forum. This is a sample
of Paul’s preaching to pagans.
“May we know what this new teaching is that you are
presenting?” Here is the difference between intellectual
curiosity and revelation. God has made us curious, but
human intellect cannot bring peace and joy. Only the gospel
can do this! Paul discusses the difference between human
wisdom and God’s revelation in 1 Corinthians 1–4.
17:19b-21 - These comments are very socially polite. This
was, in a sense, a university setting. Verse 21 shows that the
politeness of verses 19–20 was not true intellectual inquiry,
but a current cultural fad. They just enjoyed hearing and
debating. They were trying to relive Athens’ past glory. The
tragedy is they could not differentiate between human
wisdom and divine revelation.
17:22 - “You are very religious.” This phrase literally means
“to fear the gods.” This can be taken in a negative sense,
“superstitious,” or (2) in a positive sense, “very precise in the
practice of religious detail.” These men had an intellectual
curiosity and respect for religious matters, but only within
certain parameters (their traditions).
17:23 - “I found also an altar with this inscription, ‘To the
unknown god’.” The Greeks were afraid they may have
forgotten or left out of their worship an important deity who
might cause trouble if neglected, so they regularly had
monuments of this type. It shows their fear of the spiritual
realm and their polytheism.
“What therefore you worship as unknown.” Paul was
adapting the gospel presentation to pagans who believed in
an impersonal world soul.
“This I proclaim to you.” Paul is clearly asserting that he is
not a “babbler” and that he does know the high God they are
ignorant of.
17:24 - “The God who made the world and everything in it.”
Paul’s first theological point is God is creator. The Greeks
believed that spirit and matter were both co-eternal. Paul
asserts the biblical concept of creation where a personal,
purposeful God creates both the heavens and the earth (this
planet and the entire universe).
“Does not live in temples made by man.” This is a quote from
the Old Testament (1 Kings 8:27 & Isaish 66:1-2) or a Greek
philosopher, Euripides. There are several quotes in this
passage from Greek writers. Paul was also trained in Greek
scholastics.
17:25 - “As though he needed anything.” This same thought is
found in Euripides’ Heracles; Plato’s Euthyphro; (3)
Aristobulus; and Psalm 50:9-12. The Greek temples were
often seen as the place where the gods were fed and cared for.
“Since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and
everything.” This may be an allusion to Isaiah 42:5. This is
also Paul’s theological way of asserting God’s love and mercy
4
for humanity and God’s gracious provision for humanity
through His providence. A similar truth was made by Zeno,
the founder of the Stoic school, recorded in Clement of
Alexandria. What a wonderful truth for Gentile pagans to
hear and receive.
17:26 - “And he made from one man.” This likely refers to
Adam. However, it may also be an allusion to Greek
philosophy and reflects the unity of humanity from one stock.
This phrase clearly asserts the solidarity of all humanity, and
theologically it asserts that humans are made in God’s image.
The rest of this verse may also allude to the Genesis account.
Mankind is commanded to be fruitful and fill the earth.
Humans were reluctant to separate and fill the earth. The
Tower of Babel shows God’s mechanism to accomplish this.
“Having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of
their dwelling place.” Paul asserts that God not only created
all things, but directs all things. This may be an allusion to
several Old Testament passages: Deuteronomy 32:8; Job
12:23; Psalm 47:7-9; and Psalm 66:7.
17:27 - This verse may be another quote from the Greek poet,
Aratus.
“They should seek God, and perhaps feel their way toward
him and find him.” The verb means “to touch” or “to feel.”
This context implies a groping due to darkness or confusion.
They are trying to find God, but it is not easy. Paganism is a
blinding force which characterizes the fall as does idolatry
and superstition, but God is present.
“Yet he is actually not far from each one of us.” What a
wonderful truth. God created us, God is for us, God is with
us! Paul is forcibly asserting God’s love, care, and presence
with all humans. This is the truth of the gospel.
17:28 - “‘In him we live and move and have our being;’ as
even some of your own poets have said.” This quotation may
come from Cleanthes’ Hymn to Zeus. He was the head of the
Stoic school from 263-232 B.C. It may also come from Aratus’
Phainomena. Aratus was from Cilicia and lived from 315-240
B.C. This quote emphasizes God’s immanence and God’s
creation of all humans. Paul was trained in Greek literature
and rhetoric, probably at Tarsus, which was a major
university town.
“For we are indeed his offspring.” This is another quote,
possibly from Epimenides, quoted by Diogenes Laertius in
the book entitled Lives of the Philosophers.
17:29 - This verse represents Paul’s conclusion and refutation
of idolatry. The tragedy of fallen humanity is that they seek
spiritual truth and fellowship from manmade things that
cannot talk or help.
17:30 - “The times of ignorance God overlooked.” This is a
surprising aspect of God’s mercy. But now they have heard
the gospel and are spiritually responsible.
“But now he commands all people everywhere.” This
statement asserts that God wants all humans everywhere to
repent. It shows the universalism of God’s mercy and love.
And yet, this is not universalism in the sense that all will be
saved, but instead in the sense that God desires all humans
to repent and trust Jesus for salvation. Jesus died for all! All
can be saved! The mystery of evil is that not all will be saved.
“Repent.” The Hebrew term means “a change of action,” while
the Greek term refers to a “change of mind.” Both are crucial.
Both the Epicurean and Stoic schools of philosophy
mentioned previously would have rejected the notion of
repentance, but for different reasons.
17:31 - “He has fixed a day on which he will judge the world.”
Paul’s message has clearly and repeatedly asserted God’s
mercy and provision. But this is only half the message. The
God of love and compassion is also the God of justice who
desires righteousness. Humans made in His image will give
an account of their stewardship of the gift of life. The New
Testament theme that God will judge the world is recurrent.
“By a man whom he has appointed.” This concept of a
Judgment Day based on our faith relationship to a
resurrected man, Jesus of Nazareth, was unheard of and
incredible to these Greek intellectuals, but is at the heart of
the gospel witness.
17:32 - “Now when they heard of the resurrection of the
dead.” The Greeks, except the Epicureans, believed in the
immortality of the soul, but not of the body. The bodily
resurrection was the major stumbling block for the Greeks.
“Some mocked.” This term is used only here in the New
Testament and conveys something like some “sneered with
derision.”
“But others said, ‘We will hear you again about this.’” Paul’s
message of God’s love and care for all people was so radically
new that these hearers were attracted, but not fully
convinced.
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STEP FIVE . . .
SUMMARIZING the message
When Paul arrives in Athens, Greece in Acts 17, its glory had faded from its earlier splendor. It was no longer the political
force it once had been, but it still retained its reputation as an intellectual center. Athens was the city of Pericles, Demosthenes,
Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle. These men established academic and philosophical patterns that still exist today.
Paul was actually heading for Corinth when he stopped in Athens to wait for Silas and Timothy to join him. While he was
waiting, he began to walk around the city. He surveyed Athens’ impressive buildings but he couldn’t help but notice the
numerous idols scattered around the city. He knew these idols were being worshipped by the people of Athens. So his spirit was
provoked when he saw their idolatry. He understood that each idol revealed their need to worship something beyond themselves
but their worship was distorted. He felt an internal storm churning within him (v. 16). What Paul felt then is similar to what
many of us feel today when we see the cloud of idolatry that hangs over people’s lives.
Paul knew that the only message that could help them was the gospel. So he began to preach. He entered the synagogue and
spoke to the Jews and other devout persons who were present. He met ordinary citizens in the marketplace. He also
encountered a group of philosophers. Among them were some Epicureans (who denied God's existence and believed pleasure
was the highest pursuit), as well as some Stoics (who believed everything was God; they were pantheists).
The Epicureans viewed Paul as someone who went around just collecting fragments of truth (a babbler means a “seedpicker”). To the Stoics, God did not exist as a separate entity, but in the rocks and trees, and every material thing. The Stoics
were also detached fatalists who accepted whatever came their way in life. The Stoics were intrigued by what Paul said,
assuming he was presenting two new gods–one named Jesus and the other Resurrection. When they heard Paul talk about the
resurrection, they thought it was the name of another god.
Together the Epicureans and Stoics brought Paul to the Areopagus where he began his address by meeting them where they
were. He referred to an altar he saw built to an unknown god (v. 23). He hesitated to attack this altar as a blatant example of
their idolatry. Instead, he complimented their quest for something more because this altar revealed a hunger for the God they
could not find. He then used this as a platform to talk about the true God who can be known.
In his message, Paul unpacks the truth about the living God in seven ways. First of all, he declared that God is the Creator
of all things (v. 24a). He made humanity and everything else that exists. Second, Paul said that God doesn’t live in a temple
made by man (v. 24b). Third, he said that God doesn’t have any needs (v. 25). He does not need anything from them. Instead,
fourth, He determines where people live and how long they will live there (v. 26). Fifth, God has done all of this so that they
might seek Him (v. 27).
Sixth, he says, God is not something to be represented by their imagination and shaped into an image of gold, silver, or
stone. Rather, they are His offspring and made in His image (v. 28-29). This is humanity’s greatest dignity. By contrast, he also
mentions humanity’s greatest tragedy. If humanity has been made in God’s image, then it is insulting to God to make an idol of
Him and beneath humanity as well. People can only be satisfied when they find the God who made them, and who fills their
lives with meaning and purpose. The seventh thing Paul points out is their responsibility (v. 30). They have been living in
ignorance, trying to satisfy themselves with something less than God. Paul says that God overlooks all of this because He is
patiently waiting for them to come to Him. He declares that when someone hears the good news that Jesus Christ is God’s
answer for our deepest needs, every person has the responsibility before God to change his or her mind. We cannot go on as
before. Repentance refers to the act of changing one’s mind and seizing what God has provided for us through Jesus.
In the rest of his message, Paul sets down three truths about the importance of repentance: First, a day is coming that is
unavoidable. God has fixed a day when He will judge the world. On that day every life will be evaluated. Second, God is the
objective Judge whose assessment is unassailable. The One who will do the evaluating will not be some remote god on Mount
Olympus but a Man who lived right here with us and who knows what human life is like. Jesus will be the One who passes
judgment on that day. Third, God has made this evident to all by raising Jesus from the dead. The resurrection is the
irrefutable fact this will happen.
As Luke records their reaction (vv. 32-34), he notes that some mocked. Mocking is a common reaction when someone feels
attacked but has no reasonable defense. Some delayed. They approached all of this with a degree of intellectual detachment.
However, they offered to listen to Paul again but needed more information. And some believed. Some repented and changed
their minds. When they heard the good news about Jesus, and understood what the message of the gospel really was, they
believed. Dionysius, the Areopagite, was one who believed. Another person who believed was Damaris, a woman who was
searching for answers.
We do not know what happened after Paul left Athens except that in the midst of the darkness, the light of Jesus Christ
began to shine. May God cause this same thing to happen today in our city where there is so much of the same idolatry that had
enslaved the people of Athens.
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STEP SIX . . .
EXPLORING the passage through discussion
1.
What are the idols of our culture? What things do you see people putting their hope in?
2.
Just as Paul found something positive to say about the idolatry of Athens, what does the idolatry all around us reveal
about people today? How does this idolatry reveal their spiritual hunger?
3.
Review the seven truths about God that Paul communicated in his message at the Areopagus. Why does he emphasize
these specific truths?
4.
What are the truths about God that our culture needs to hear the most today?
5.
What are some of the “hot topics” that our culture is asking regarding God that requires an adequate defense from us?
6.
What does it mean to say that the Christian faith is a reasonable faith?
This Week’s Memory Verse
30
The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to
repent, 31 because he has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man
whom he has appointed; and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead.
Acts 17:30-31 (ESV)
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STEP SEVEN . . .
APPLYING the passage to my life
Our desire is to not be merely hearers of the Word but doers ~ James 1:22
You’re encouraged to journal your answers to the following questions in order to apply what you’ve learned this week.
1.
How is God making Himself known to you?
2.
What is going on beneath the surface of your life that Jesus is trying to change?
3.
How is God calling you to serve your family, community, and world?
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THE MISSION OF LOUDONVILLE COMMUNITY CHURCH
We are committed to reaching and teaching people to become devoted
followers of Jesus Christ, connecting them to one another and sending them
to serve their families, communities and world.
10 CORE BELIEFS OF A DISCIPLE
10 CORE PRACTICES OF A DISCIPLE
Authority of the Bible 2 Timothy 3:16-17
We believe the Bible to be the inspired, the only infallible,
authoritative Word of God.
Undiluted Worship Matthew 22:37-40
Loving the Lord God with all of our physical, intellectual,
emotional and spiritual vigor and, my neighbor as myself.
The Godhead 2 Corinthians 13:14
We believe that there is one God, eternally existent in three
persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Constant Abiding John 15:1-11
Abiding in Christ in order to be faithful and bear fruit.
The Deity and Sinlessness of Christ Colossians 2:9
We believe in the deity of our Lord Jesus Christ, in His virgin
birth, in His sinless life.
The Sufficient Atonement of Christ 2 Corinthians 5:19-21
We believe in His vicarious and atoning death through His
shed blood.
The Resurrection and Return of Christ Acts 1:3, 9-11
We believe in His bodily resurrection, in His ascension to the
right hand of the Father, and in His personal return in power
and glory.
Salvation By Grace Ephesians 2:8-9
We believe that for the salvation of lost and sinful man,
regeneration by the Holy Spirit is absolutely essential and
that a person comes into a right relationship with God by His
grace, through faith in Jesus Christ.
The Ministry of the Holy Spirit John 14:16
We believe in the present ministry of the Holy Spirit
by whose indwelling the Christian is enabled to live a
godly life.
Unity in Christ Ephesians 2:14-17
We believe in the spiritual unity of all believers in our Lord
Jesus Christ.
Bible Study Hebrews 4:12
Reading the Bible to know God, the truth, and to find
direction for daily life.
Desperate Prayer Psalm 66:16-20
Praying to God to know Him, laying requests before Him and,
finding direction for daily life.
Biblical Community Acts 2:44-47
Fellowshipping with other Christians to accomplish God's
purposes in my life, other people’s lives and, in the world.
Spiritual Gifts Romans 12:4-6
Using my spiritual gifts to accomplish God’s purposes.
Total Forgiveness Ephesians 4:30
Practicing forgiving others as God has forgiven me in Christ.
Tangible Compassion Matthew 25:31-46
Showing compassion to those in need and so minister to
Jesus Himself.
Generous Giving 2 Corinthians 8:7
Giving away my money to fulfill God's purposes.
God Space Ephesians 6:19-20
Increasing the quantity and quality of our gospel
conversations.
Eternity Revelation 21:22-27
We believe in the resurrection of both the saved and the lost;
they that are saved unto the resurrection of life and they that
are lost unto the resurrection of damnation.
Stewardship 1 Timothy 6:17-19
We believe that everything we have or own belongs to God.
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10 CORE VIRTUES OF A DISCIPLE
Love - a sincere affection for others 1 John 4:10-12
Love is acting in someone else's interest no matter who they
may be, no matter how you feel, and no matter what it costs.
Joy - a delight unaffected by circumstances John 15:11
An inner delight in God that is sustained in spite of the
changing seasons of life.
Peace - an abiding sense of harmony Philippians 4:6-7
Relationships are free from friction. Positively, it describes
harmonious relations with others in the church.
Patience - a willingness to stick with things Proverbs 3:3-4
Being willing to live with a difficult situation for a long time–
even if things are slow to change or never change.
Kindness - a sense of compassion in the heart Job 6:14
An inner disposition that puts others at ease and out of
which kind actions flow.
Faithfulness - an unwavering loyalty Psalm 26:3
Being the kind of people who keep our word to one another.
Gentleness/Humility - an attitude of humility without any
entitlement; a lack of self-awareness Philippians 4:5; 2:3-4
Gentleness is power and strength under God’s control.
Humility is considering others above myself, if I consider
myself at all.
Self-Control - an ability to direct your energy wisely
Titus 2:11-13
The strength to restrain our desires, emotions, and
actions has to come from within rather than from some
outside source.
Hope - a certainty of what is to come Hebrews 6:19-20
Coping with the hardships of life and with death because of
hope in Christ.
Goodness - a goodness that flows outwardly 1 Thess. 5:15
Choosing to do the right things in my relationships
with others.
Each week this Bible Study will feature either a core belief, practice or virtue vital for growing disciples.
© The Abide in Me Bible study series is written by the pastoral staff of Loudonville Community Church,
374 Loudon Road, Loudonville, NY 12211.
www.lcchurch.org
10
Sermon Notes:
# OT in 52
(52 weeks through the Old Testament)
OLD TESTAMENT SCRIPTURE READING IN A YEAR
Monday, April 4 thru Saturday, March 9
Joshua 10-12, 13-14, 15-16, 17-18, 19-20, 21-22
Loudonville Community Church
374 Loudon Road, Loudonville, NY 12211
www.lcchurch.org