Week 5: Thessalonica, Berea & Athens

Thessalonica was located on a Roman road that ran across Macedonia from the Adriatic Sea to the Aegean Sea. It was a coastal, commercial city and an international port. There were many merchants, travelers and soldiers that would pass through the city. Berea was a small town sixty miles from Thessalonica. The people were more open to Paul's message. Athens was home to artisans, philosophers and thinkers. The people of Athens had many gods and they enjoyed discussing new ideas.

The kids broke into groups to read sections of Acts 17. They answered questions about their passages and then shared what happened in each city with each other. We learned that the Jews in Thessalonica were jealous of Paul and did not want to listen to Paul's message. The Jews started a riot and tried to get Paul and his followers arrested.

The brothers sent Paul & Silas to Berea. The Bereans were more noble than the Thessalonians and liked to study the scriptures and many believed in the gospel. Some of the Jews from Thessalonica came down to Berea to stir up trouble against Paul & Silas. The brothers sent Paul to the coast and escorted him safely to the city of Athens.

We learned that Paul was very distressed when he saw the number of idols that existed in Athens. He reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and other God-fearing Greeks as well as discussing the gospel in the marketplace. The philosophers were interested to hear Paul's message and so they brought him to the meeting of the Areopagus to learn more about the teachings from Paul. Paul preached the message about Jesus to the people. They laughed when the heard about the resurrection of the dead.

The younger children built altars and we discussed how the people of Athens had many gods. We talked about how Paul & Silas went to the synagogues to teach the message about Jesus and that some people believed and were baptized. Others were jealous and angry and tried to put Paul in prison. No matter where Paul went, he preached the good news about Jesus.

"But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect." 1Peter 3:15