Stirred into Action

Evangelism, Reaching out to the lost.

Main Texts: Acts 17:16, John 6:34     

August 2024                           

Ps David Jones

Aim

To encourage Christians to be stirred with the compassion of Christ. To be stirred into action by doing life with the unsaved.

Use parts of this study that best works for your group. Rember to have FUN

Discussion

Read Scripture Acts 17:16 - 18

While Paul was waiting for them in Athens, he was greatly distressed to see that the city was full of idols. So he reasoned in the synagogue with both Jews and God-fearing Greeks, as well as in the marketplace day by day with those who happened to be there. A group of Epicurean and Stoic philosophers began to debate with him. Some of them asked, “What is this babbler trying to say?” Others remarked, “He seems to be advocating foreign gods.” They said this because Paul was preaching the good news about Jesus and the resurrection.

Background

Athens was the greatest university city in the world of that time. A city of learning and education and it was also known to have had more statues of false god’s than any other city in all of Greece. People met in the city square to talk and discuss deep things. Even today, there are masterpieces and sculptures people travel to admire in Athens.

Question 

What did Paul see when he went to Athen?       

Acts 17:16

While Paul was waiting for them in Athens, he was greatly distressed to see that the city was full of idols.

Paul saw a city that was full of idols. It is no different today, people are following different false gods or unknown gods. Some of our cities and communities may even be in a worse state. An idol could be considered anything that stands in the way of someone receiving the Gospel of Jesus. It could even be our own will. Because God’s will is that we walk with Him and do His will only. See if needed Matt 6:10, Matt 7:21

Question

While Paul was waiting for them, he was greatly distressed” (NKJV Says “Provoked him”) What do you think Paul was distressed about?

Short Answer

Paul was distressed not only for God’s honour but because so many had not heard and received the Gospel. Without Jesus, they were going to a Christ-less eternity in hell.        

Leaders Note

Do not focus on the idols in the story but focus on the fact so many are deceived and are away from God. Paul was distressed not only for God’s honor but because so many had not heard and received the Gospel. Encourage people to allow the Holy Spirit to place a God given stirring in our each of our hearts for the lost.

Meaning of “Distressed”: Anger towards the situation, irked, indignation, provoked, pain, sorrow and anguish

Question

Do you become distressed at times with wanting to see people receive the gospel, and what distresses you most?              

Paul was moved with compassion and was greatly distressed about the condition of people’s lives. He was moved not out of self-righteousness but a genuine sorrow for those who were truly deceived and lost. This stirred him to action, and he could not contain himself. Off he went, as was his custom to preach Christ crucified in place of our sins and how Christ rose to life to give you and I life to the full.

Question and Discussion 

Paul was stirred to action! What action could you take? What are you stirred to do?

We are not all like the mighty apostle Paul. He did what he did best and preached as was his custom. We all have different gifts, talents, passions, environments. We are to be stirred into action in our own unique way and in the place, God has positioned us. We can be stirred to pray, form relationships over a cup of coffee, bake, invite, smile and most of the time just simply slow down and chat.

Jesus was stirred by Compassion

Read and discuss Mark 6:30 – 44  (Key word Compassion)

The apostles gathered around Jesus and reported to him all they had done and taught. Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.”

So they went away by themselves in a boat to a solitary place. But many who saw them leaving recognised them and ran on foot from all the towns and got there ahead of them. When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So he began teaching them many things.

By this time it was late in the day, so his disciples came to him. “This is a remote place,” they said, “and it’s already very late.  Send the people away so that they can go to the surrounding countryside and villages and buy themselves something to eat.”

But he answered, “You give them something to eat.”

They said to him, “That would take more than half a year’s wages! Are we to go and spend that much on bread and give it to them to eat?”

“How many loaves do you have?” he asked. “Go and see.”

When they found out, they said, “Five—and two fish.”

Then Jesus directed them to have all the people sit down in groups on the green grass. So they sat down in groups of hundreds and fifties. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to his disciples to distribute to the people. He also divided the two fish among them all. They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces of bread and fish. The number of the men who had eaten was five thousand.

What would have happened if Jesus did not allow himself to be stirred by compassion?  

One of the greatest miracles recorded in the bible came from simple compassion!

A life could be changed, restored, healed, find freedom, discover destiny and a future.

Compassion equals action!

Be stirred into action and see what God can do. A great miracle could be on the other side of your compassion!

Leaders

Take time to pray for a fresh compassion and for the Holy Spirit to reveal to each person an action they can take in presenting and living the gospel.