1)What do you think about Paul saying so little about Jesus in his speech to the council of the Are-opagus?Do you think that’s specific to that situation, or is it a principle for us to use too?

2)When do you think it would be appropriate to explain Jesus in yourfirsttalk with an unbeliever?

3)The Athenian population was worried aboutoffendingtheir many gods and getting punished by them.Australians who only have a vague idea of god aren’t worried.How does this change what we could say to help them take their first step?

4)The Stoics on the council believed in a “world soul” or spiritual life force –as do many Australi-ans.Discuss how Paul started where they were at.And how did he move on from there to the true God?

5)1/3 of Australians either know nothing at all about God, or have dismissed what they’ve heard.Like them, the Epicureans on the council were materialists, indulging in sensual desires and trusting in science.What do you think they heard from Paul’s speech?Is that any help in talking to this 1/3 of Australians?

6)Think of someone you know, who knows nothing about God but might be interested to hear briefly about why you believe in God.What sort of things might you say to them now?

7)Think of someone you know who believes in a vague god, a spirit world, a spiritual life force or a non-Christian religion.If they’re interested to hear briefly about why you believe in God, what sort of things might you say to them now?

8)Dionysius evidently wanted to hear more from Paul about God.What do you think Paul might have said in hisnextconversation with Dionysius?(ie what was thesecondstep towards faith?)