The Discussion Starter 
This devotional was written by Kelly McFadden

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. Now what you worship as something unknown I am going to proclaim to you.—Acts 17:23

If you were to hop on a double-decker bus in England you may come across a new billboard that’s getting lots of press these days. An advertisement campaign for atheism has broadcast the slogan: “There's probably no God. Now stop worrying and enjoy your life.” These signs can be found on the sides of over 800 buses and subways throughout the UK. Blasphemy? Ridiculous? Genius? Thought-provoking? Maybe all of these things. There are a lot of opinions about these billboards and the campaign that started it.

One thing these signs have become is a conversation starter. Throughout the world, in the beginning of 2009 these banner ads were being discussed on television, radio and by people who saw or heard about the campaign. This campaign begs people to ask the question “Is there a God?” And that is a great question to ask, especially for those who have never really taken the time to think about it.

I love the response of one church in Madrid, where the campaign is headed next. The pastor and his congregation donated the money for two signs that will read, “God does exist. Enjoy life in Christ.” They are viewing the signs as conversation starters and responding with the life-giving answer.

When Paul preached in Athens, he was troubled by the many idols he saw. While there, he saw an altar for the “Unknown God.” Paul was able to use that inscription to explain to the people of Athens that the God they do not know is the God he preached about…the one, true and only God. I believe these ads and others like them that will probably follow can open the discussion towards talking about the one true God. Like the pastor in Madrid, we can respond: “God does exist. Enjoy life in Christ.”

GOING DEEPER: 

  1. Where are you at in your walk with God? Are you prepared to have discussions and answer questions about who He is?
  2. So many people do not know God. How can you help proclaim the message of Jesus to those around you?

FURTHER READING: 
Psalm 42; Acts 17:22-29; Galatians 2:20 

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