Prepare For Sunday | October 18th, 2026
This Sunday: Dionysius | Rethinking Everything (Acts 17:16–34)
Athens was the intellectual capital of the ancient world, home to Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle. It was a city that prided itself on wisdom, philosophy, and the pursuit of truth. And Dionysius was among its most distinguished citizens, a member of the prestigious Areopagus council.
Then one day, a Jewish missionary named Paul arrived with a message that challenged everything Athens thought it knew about God, humanity, and the meaning of life. At the center of his message was an astonishing claim: Jesus Christ had risen from the dead.
Some laughed. Others wanted to hear more. But Dionysius believed.
This Sunday, as we continue our series This Is My Story…My Song, we’ll explore the remarkable story of a man whose intellectual world was turned upside down by the resurrection. We’ll discover that the gospel doesn’t ask us to stop thinking. It challenges us to rethink everything in light of the risen Christ.
Join us as we consider a question that still confronts every thoughtful person today: If Jesus really rose from the dead, what does that change?
This Is My Story…My Song
Dionysius: Rethinking Everything
Acts 17:16–34
Big Idea: The gospel doesn’t ask us to stop thinking. It challenges us to rethink everything in light of the risen Christ.
1. My World Was Challenged — Rethinking God (vv. 16–25)
2. My Wisdom Was Confronted — Rethinking Myself (vv. 26–30)
3. My Life Was Changed — Rethinking Everything (vv. 30–34)
The Central Question: If Jesus really rose from the dead, what does that change?
Discussion Questions — Dionysius: Rethinking Everything
Acts 17:16–34
Heartbeat
Dionysius came to the Areopagus expecting to examine Paul’s ideas. Instead, he encountered a truth that examined him. The resurrection changes everything: Jesus is not merely someone to think about, but the risen Lord to whom we must respond.
1. INVITATION — From Curiosity to Conviction
Dionysius encountered what initially appeared to be another interesting religious argument. We can do the same with Jesus—listening to sermons, discussing theology, or reading Christian books without allowing the truth to confront us.
Where are you most comfortable discussing Jesus but least comfortable allowing him to challenge your life? What would it look like to move from simply considering his claims to responding to them?
2. OWNERSHIP — The Illusion of Knowing God
Athens was filled with magnificent temples and brilliant thinkers, yet it still had an altar dedicated “to an unknown god.” Its religious accomplishments could coexist with profound ignorance of the true God.
What are you most confident about in your life—your accomplishments, abilities, theological knowledge, or years of Christian experience? Could any of those things be giving you a false sense of how well you actually know God?
3. DISSENT — The Resistance to Repentance
Paul didn’t simply invite the Athenians to reconsider their ideas. He announced that God commanded them to repent.
Is there something in your life you would rather keep discussing, questioning, or rationalizing than actually repent of? What are you afraid you might lose if you surrendered it to God?
4. OWNERSHIP — When God Asks the Questions
Dionysius may have expected to ask questions about God, but Paul’s message confronted him with God’s authority over his own life.
What questions have you been asking God lately? Now turn the question around: Based on what God has revealed in Scripture, what might he be asking of you?
5. POSSIBILITY — What Changes If Jesus Is Alive?
Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, and Alexander possessed extraordinary wisdom, knowledge, and power. Yet none could overcome death. Paul announced that God had raised Jesus from the dead.
If Jesus really conquered death, what have you been treating as though it has the final word in your life? A failure? A fear? A disappointment? A regret? How does the resurrection change the way you see it?
6. GIFTS — Opening Doors for Others
Paul understood the intellectual world of Athens. He quoted their poets, engaged their questions, and used what was familiar to them to introduce the God they did not know.
How has God uniquely equipped you—through your work, interests, education, experiences, or relationships—to help someone understand the gospel? Who is one person you could have a meaningful conversation with?
7. COMMITMENT — Mock, Postpone, or Believe?
When Paul proclaimed the resurrection, some mocked, others postponed, and Dionysius believed. The same three responses remain possible today.
Where are you currently resisting, postponing, or struggling to act on something God has made clear? What is one specific step of faith or obedience you could take this week? Who will you share that commitment with?
Call to Worship
Psalm 95:1–7
Oh come, let us sing to the LORD;
let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation!
Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving;
let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise!
For the LORD is a great God,
and a great King above all gods.
In his hand are the depths of the earth;
the heights of the mountains are his also.
The sea is his, for he made it,
and his hands formed the dry land.
Oh come, let us worship and bow down;
let us kneel before the LORD, our Maker!
For he is our God,
and we are the people of his pasture,
and the sheep of his hand.
Confession of Sin
Leader: Almighty God, Creator of heaven and earth, You have given us life and breath and everything we possess. Yet we have failed to honor You as our Maker or give You the thanks and worship You deserve.
Congregation: We confess that we have trusted in our own wisdom, relied upon our own strength, and sought our security in the things of this world.
Leader: We have fashioned idols of our own making, giving our hearts to success, comfort, approval, and control. Though You have made Yourself known, we have often preferred the gods of our own imagination.
Congregation: Forgive us for the pride that keeps us from receiving Your truth, the fear that keeps us from trusting Your promises, and the stubbornness that keeps us from obeying Your Word.
Leader: Merciful Father, You have called us to repent and turn to You. Open our eyes to see Your glory, humble our hearts before Your truth, and lead us to find our life in Jesus Christ, whom You raised from the dead.
Congregation: Lord, have mercy upon us. Forgive our sins, renew our hearts, and teach us to worship You alone; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Assurance of Pardon
Colossians 2:13–14; Romans 8:1
Leader: Hear the good news of the gospel:
The God who raised Jesus Christ from the dead has made us alive together with Him, forgiving us all our trespasses and canceling the record of debt that stood against us. He has taken it away, nailing it to the cross.
Therefore, hear this promise from God’s Word:
“There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”
Brothers and sisters, in Jesus Christ, our crucified and risen Savior, we are forgiven!
Congregation: Thanks be to God! Amen.
Songs of Worship
Saved My Soul
Living Hope
Fall Afresh
This Is My Father’s World
O Praise The Name
