Superbook

Lesson:

We must be willing to defend God's truth, even when faced with skepticism.

Extras

• Character Profiles

  • Paul in Athens and Corinth

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    Paul in Athens and Corinth

    

    The Apostle Paul was a bold defender of his faith in the Almighty God and the Gospel of Jesus Christ. While in Athens, Greece, Paul preached, reasoned, and debated with everyone who would listen including Jews, Gentiles, philosophers, and the high council.

    • Bible References

      • Acts 17:17
      • Acts 23:6
      • Acts 22:3
      • Acts 17:6
      • Acts 17:32-34
      • Acts 17:16-34
      • Acts 18:1

  • Ancient Philosophers

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    Ancient Philosophers

    

    The Epicurean and Stoic philosophers were interested in hearing and debating Paul's strange new ideas about the One True God and the Gospel. After considering Paul's ideas, some laughed, some scoffed, but some believed!

    • Bible References

      • Acts 17:34
      • Acts 17:16-21
      • Acts 17:21
      • Acts 17:18

• Videos

  Paul Preaches in Athens

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    Paul Preaches in Athens

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    Paul and the Unknown God - The Salvation Poem

• Q & A

  • What should we do as a believer to respond to others who doubt our faith and God's truth?

    What should we do when we face those who are doubt God and our faith? In the Superbook adventure, Chris was surprised by Commander Conrad’s unbelief in God and in prayer. In our lives, we will also face skepticism and unbelief. So, what should we do? Should we simply be quiet; or as the opportunity presents itself - defend the faith?
    
    The Apostle Paul was not shy; he chose to defend his faith every time. In Athens, he debated in the synagogues with the Jews and Gentiles. He reasoned daily in the public square with anyone who would listen. He debated with the learned and wise philosophers and even the high council of the city. Many scoffed, rejected or laughed at his ideas; however, some became believers and followers of Christ.
    
    God does not call us to argue, but to do as Paul did, to reason and share to persuade others to know that God exists and offers eternal life through Christ. We are called simply to speak God’s truth in love. (Ephesians 4:15). Paul was always ready to do this. While he waited for Silas and Timothy to join him in Athens, he looked around and noticed how people worshiped many idols. Paul knew he must share about the one true living God who wants everyone to know Him! (Acts 17:16-34).
    
    The key is to be ready and willing! 1 Peter 3:15 says: “You must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your hope as a believer, always be ready to explain it.”
    We are called to stand and fight for the truth and to defend our faith. Paul wrote a letter to encourage the believers in Philippi and said: “I will know that you are standing together with one spirit and one purpose, fighting together for the faith, which is the Good News.” (Philippians 1:27).
    
    Paul also wrote about the call to defend the faith in 1 Timothy 6:12a: “Fight the good fight for the true faith. Hold tightly to the eternal life to which God has called you.”
    
    Just as in Paul's day, the world is full of unbelief and skepticism; we see and experience it everywhere we are. Do we let it erode our belief in God and the hope of the Gospel, or do we hold tightly to our faith and defend it?
    
    
    
    Discover God's love and plan for you

    • 1 Peter 3:15

  • When faced with difficulty, will God hear my prayer and help me?

    During the space camp Future Quest exercise, Chris stopped to pray and ask God to help him complete the challenging task he faced. He told Commander Conrad that he always prays when doing something hard.
    
    Can we do this too; isn't God far away in heaven; can He even hear us?
    
    David said in Psalm 46:1: “God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble.”
    As believers, we can turn to God because He is always present and willing to help us. He provides an inner strength to overcome anything we face.
    
    Psalm 145:18-19 says, “The LORD is close to all who call on Him, yes, to all who call on Him in truth. He grants the desires of those who fear Him; He hears their cries for help and rescues them.”
    
    Isn't this an awesome promise to memorize and hide deep in your heart? What does it mean to call on God in truth? When we love God and pray according to His will and His Word, we pray in truth. In other words, we ask for what God already desires to give us and what works to accomplish His plan. This is what Jesus said in 1 John 5:14: “And we are confident that He hears us whenever we ask for anything that pleases Him.”
    Psalm 18:6 says: “But in my distress I cried out to the LORD; yes, I prayed to my God for help. He heard me from His sanctuary; my cry to Him reached His ears.”
    
    Yes, God is near; He always hears and is ready to help us no matter what we may encounter.
    
    
    
    Discover God's love and plan for you

    • Philippians 4:6

  • Does creation tell us anything about the existence of God?

    Some believe that the world just simply happened; there is no explanation for its existence. Somehow order erupted from chaos, that something came from nothing and there was not a creator. As Christians, we know that is totally false. Everything around us, all creation, points to God. Everything we see and experience is a result of God’s design and handiwork. Isaiah 45:18 says: “For the LORD is God, and He created the heavens and earth and put everything in place. He made the world to be lived in, not to be a place of empty chaos. “I am the LORD,” He says, “and there is no other.”
    
    He not only designed and created the universe, He sustains it to keep it alive. Isaiah 42:5 says: “God, the LORD, created the heavens and stretched them out. He created the earth and everything in it. He gives breath to everyone, life to everyone who walks the earth.”
    
    When we look up at the boundless sky, we can't help but see God who is even larger still. Psalm 19:1 says: “The heavens proclaim the glory of God. The skies display His craftsmanship.”
    Romans 1:20 says: “For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see His invisible qualities—His eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God.”
    How do we believe in someone we can’t see with our human eyes? We believe by faith in the one who existed before anything and who has the power to actually speak everything we see, and even what we don’t, into existence. Yes, all of creation gives evidence of Almighty God.
    
    “By faith we understand that the entire universe was formed at God’s command, that what we now see did not come from anything that can be seen.” (Hebrews 11:3)
    
    
    
    Discover God's love and plan for you

    • Romans 1:20

  • When I share the truth of the Gospel, will everyone believe?

    In an ideal world, everyone we encounter will be willing to hear the Gospel and accept God’s Word as truth. Unfortunately, that isn't the case. God gave everyone a free will to choose to believe or not; no one is forced to believe in God and serve Him. Jesus said in Matthew 13:15 that the hearts of the people were hardened, their ears could not hear, and they had closed their eyes and wouldn't turn to God.
    
    Nothing has changed; people still choose to reject God’s truth. We cannot let it discourage or stop us from sharing and living the truth. Jesus told His disciples in Luke 10:16 not to take it personally when they are rejected. “Anyone who accepts your message is also accepting Me. And anyone who rejects you is rejecting Me. And anyone who rejects Me is rejecting God, who sent Me.”
    When people choose not to believe what we share, they aren't rejecting us, they are rejecting Jesus and His Father, God.
    
    This is what Paul experienced wherever he traveled to spread the Gospel message. Acts 17:32-34 says: “When they heard Paul speak about the resurrection of the dead, some laughed in contempt, but others said, “We want to hear more about this later.” That ended Paul’s discussion with them, but some joined him and became believers. Among them were Dionysius, a member of the council, a woman named Damaris, and others with them.” Some will mock, some will laugh or scoff, some will reject or procrastinate, but some will believe!
    
    2 Timothy 4:3-4 says: “For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear. They will reject the truth and chase after myths.” This time is has come! There is no shortage of teachers that will “tickle” people’s ears with what they want to hear versus the truth they need to hear.
    
    Everyone is given the choice to believe or to reject. All we are required to do is to share the truth. John 3:18 says: “For this is how God loved the world: He gave His one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.” This familiar verse does not say everyone will receive eternal life; it says only those who believe in Him!
    
    
    
    Discover God's love and plan for you

    • Acts 17:32

  • Could we continue to live and exist outside of God?

    Regardless of whether people believe in God or not; their very existence depends solely on Him. God breathed life into Adam in the Garden of Eden. Genesis 2:7 says: “Then the LORD God formed the man from the dust of the ground. He breathed the breath of life into the man’s nostrils, and the man became a living person.” Everyone breathes because of God. If He chose to remove His breath from our lungs, we would cease to live—it is as simple as that!
    
    The Apostle Paul boldly stated to the learned philosophers in Athens that we live, move and exist in God. (Acts 17:28). Job in the Old Testament said: “For the Spirit of God has made me, and the breath of the Almighty gives me life.” (Job 33:4). Isn't that wonderful to think that God’s breath sustains us and exists in our bodies?
    
    In Job 12:10. Job went even further to say, not just humans, but every living thing exists in God. “For the life of every living thing is in His hand, and the breath of every human being.” Think on that—every single living thing from plants to animals, to human beings are solely dependent on God for life. The Old Testament prophet Isaiah declared in Isaiah 42:5: “God, the LORD, created the heavens and stretched them out. He created the earth and everything in it. He gives breath to everyone, life to everyone who walks the earth.”
    
    Yes, even those who say there is no God only exist because He gives them breath. Our existence and our purpose are in God. Isn't it comforting to know that He not only sustains us here on Earth, but He also gives us eternal breath and life with Him in heaven through His Son, Jesus. (1 John 5:11).
    
    
    
    Discover God's love and plan for you

    • Isaiah 42:5