“Paul then stood up in the meeting of the Areopagus and said: ‘People of Athens! I see that in every way you are very religious. For as I walked around and looked carefully at your objects of worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: ‘TO AN UNKNOWN GOD. So you are ignorant of the very thing you worship – and this is what I am going to proclaim to you.‘”  Acts 17: 22-23

The Apostle Paul came from a very traditional Jewish background, so connecting with his fellow Jews was familiar territory.

After all, the Old Testament was common ground. However, Paul was also successful in sharing with and connecting with the Gentiles, the non-Jewish communities.

Take a look at his trip to Greece.

In Athens, the headquarters of Greek culture, Paul was confronted with an all-inclusive belief system – idols and gods everywhere. On one of the altars, Paul noticed an inscription, “To An Unknown God.” It might seem a strange place to begin a faith conversation, but this was his starting point for sharing the Gospel. Rather than immediately condemn their beliefs, Paul used this particular altar to tell them about the one true God. Suddenly, Paul had their attention.

The majority of Americans today have not grown up in a Christian home. The majority of culture today is biblically illiterate. Ancient Greece was no different. They didn’t know the Bible or what it revealed about Jesus. So Paul met them where they were; he started on common ground.

While Paul never once quoted a Bible verse, everything he said came from God’s Word. Read his full conversation in Acts 17:16-34. You see, Paul demonstrated how we can share God’s story with a biblically illiterate culture that’s relevant today.

And it starts by finding common ground.

If you are a Christian like Paul, what common ground can you find with your colleagues at work, your friends, or your neighbors to share the good news of Jesus?

Are you willing to share?

Written by Bryant Wright, Founder, RFTH