Reimagine Transformation Through the Life of PaulSample

Finding Common Ground

Have you ever been in a conversation where it felt like you and the other person were speaking entirely different languages—even though you were using the same words? It’s frustrating when it seems like there’s no point of connection. But here’s the good news: even the most secular, skeptical, or spiritually resistant people in your life have built-in connection points to the gospel. You just have to know how to find them.

Paul’s opening words to the Athenians were brilliant: “People of Athens! I see that in every way you are very religious.” (Acts 17:22, NIV) Rather than attacking their idolatry, he affirmed their spiritual hunger. Rather than condemning their search, he acknowledged their sincerity. Paul began by building a bridge. Then came the masterstroke. Instead of mocking their idol, “To An Unknown God” (Acts 17:23, NIV) as a vague, cover-all approach to spirituality, Paul turned it into a gospel gateway: “So you are ignorant of the very thing you worship—and this is what I am going to proclaim to you.” (Acts 17:23, NIV)

Essentially, Paul said, “You already know there’s a God out there that you haven’t figured out yet. Let me introduce you to Him.” He didn’t shame them for their confusion—he used it to offer them clarity and hope. But notice: this required Paul to look for connection rather than conflict. He could have launched into all the ways the Athenians were wrong. Instead, he focused on what they were doing right—they were reaching out, searching, and trying to understand the divine.

We still have that opportunity today. People all around us are spiritually hungry, even if they don’t express it in religious terms. They long for meaning, identity, purpose, hope, and love. They’re asking life’s big questions—about pain, death, purpose, and belonging. These questions are their altars to the “unknown God.”

Rather than attacking their worldviews or criticizing their decisions, we can affirm their search and gently guide them toward truth. Instead of pointing out everything wrong in their thinking, we can acknowledge what’s right in their longing.

When we begin with connection instead of confrontation, we gain credibility. When people feel understood instead of judged, they’re far more open to hearing what we believe. The goal isn’t to avoid hard conversations—but to create trust and common ground so that when we do share truth, it can actually be heard.

Reflection Questions:

1. When you talk with people who believe differently, do you look for connection points or conflict points?
2. What “altars to unknown gods” do you notice in your community—evidence of people’s spiritual searching?

Prayer:
Lord, help me see the spiritual hunger in others and find ways to connect their searching with Your truth. Make me a bridge-builder. Give me eyes to see what we share in common. Amen.