“You are bringing some strange ideas to our ears.” (Acts 17:16-34)

First Christian Church (DOC): Dexter, Missouri

May 15, 2022 Graduation Sunday

This year First Christian Church graduates three seniors from Dexter High School. We honored these students and awarded them scholarships in memory of Rotha Wilson, a lifelong member of our congregation and English teacher in our community. The passage from Acts described how Paul handled his encounter with different ideas when he arrived in Athens. In the same way, each of us engage with different ideas whenever we step foot outside outside the comfort of our sanctuary.

Our graduates, as well as every member of our congregation, was encouraged to learn from his example of how to truly listen to others, build on what is true in their lives, while at the same time faithfully presenting what Jesus has done for each one of us. Doing so also requires us to be honest about the idols in the culture around us, as well as in our own hearts. In all of this, Paul showed us what healthy evangelism can look like.