Paul's Sermon on Mars Hill
Teachers
Lesson Summary
The class reviewed Paul’s address to the Athenians at Mars Hill, focusing on Acts 17:25, where Paul proclaims that God, the giver of life, is not served by human hands. The teacher linked this declaration to the Old Testament foundations of worship, highlighting the Ten Commandments in Exodus 20, which forbid idols and demand exclusive devotion to the one true God. The discussion then shifted to Exodus 32, where the Israelites, led by Aaron, crafted a golden calf, revealing human tendencies to create physical representations of the divine. Throughout the session, participants explored how ancient idolatry parallels modern “idols” such as the pursuit of knowledge, ambition, and material comforts. The teacher emphasized that while the cultural context changes, the underlying principle—“Know the God before me”—remains timeless. The group concluded that keeping God central in our hearts requires vigilance against anything that might hold a higher place, encouraging believers to apply Paul’s warning to today’s society and personal lives.
Key Scriptures
Nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, for he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything.