The Next Step

Bob Loudermilk

---

Over the past several weeks, our Bible Study Worldwide family has explored what we've called "The Athens Moment." Together we've opened Acts 17 and watched the apostle Paul walk through the streets of Athens, carefully observing the culture before courageously engaging it. 

We've discussed the growing secularization of society, the challenges facing the church, the importance of truth, the need for meaningful relationships, and the responsibility every Christian has to be both salt and light in an increasingly confused world.

They have been thoughtful conversations. But now comes the question that matters most:

What happens next?

A year from now, will anything actually be different because of these discussions? That is the question every Bible study, every sermon, and every spiritual conversation must eventually answer.

Knowledge Is Never the Finish Line

There is an old story about a farmer whose weathered barn contained shelves lined with books on agriculture. Visitors were impressed by his library. He owned books on soil science, irrigation, livestock management, crop rotation, and every modern farming technique available.

One visitor finally asked, "Have these books helped your harvest?” 

The farmer smiled and replied, "The books never grew a single crop. They only showed me how. The harvest came when I went into the field."

That is true spiritually as well. Bible knowledge is invaluable. Biblical discussion is essential. Wisdom is worth pursuing. But none of those things, by themselves, transform lives. The harvest begins when truth leaves the notebook and enters the heart, the calendar, the neighborhood, and the daily routines of life.

James warned us about the danger of confusing hearing with doing: "Be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves." James 1:22

Notice the strong language. James doesn't simply say we miss an opportunity if we fail to act. He says we deceive ourselves. We begin believing that because we've discussed truth, we've actually lived it.

Jesus closed the Sermon on the Mount with the same emphasis. The wise man wasn't the one who merely heard His words. The wise man was the one who heard them and put them into practice (Matthew 7:24-27). The difference between a house that stood and one that collapsed wasn't information. It was application.

Athens Was Never Meant to Be a Lecture

When Paul stood on Mars Hill, he did more than analyze culture. He called people to respond. He didn't simply explain the "unknown God." He proclaimed the risen Christ. He didn't merely identify idols. He invited people to repentance.

Acts 17 concludes with something important: people made decisions. Some mocked. Some wanted to hear more. And some believed. The gospel always invites movement.

Four Questions That Lead to Action

One of the most practical leadership books I've read is Strategic Doing. Rather than allowing meetings to become endless conversations that produce little change, the authors encourage groups to work through four simple questions that move discussion toward action.

Those same questions can help us as Christians—not only as congregations but as individuals.

1. What SHOULD we do?

This is the vision question. As we've studied our culture, what should Christians be doing?

• Should we intentionally build friendships with those outside Christ?

• Should we equip ourselves to answer difficult questions?

• Should we become more intentional in discipling our children and grandchildren?

This question helps us dream about what faithfulness could look like.

2. What COULD we do?

This is the possibility question. Often we assume our opportunities are limited, but God frequently places open doors right in front of us.

• Could you invite a neighbor to coffee?

• How could your congregation begin engaging the  community in Bible discussion?

• Could your family intentionally invest in another family?

• Could you mentor a younger believer?

• Could you volunteer somewhere that opens relational doors?

When we ask what could happen, we often discover possibilities we had overlooked.

3. What WILL we do?

This is where everything changes. Not "What would be nice?” Not "What might someone else do?” What will I do?

• Will I invite one person to Bible study?

• Will I begin praying daily for three friends?

• Will I reconnect with someone who has wandered?

• Will I intentionally encourage one struggling Christian every week?

Until this question is answered, everything remains theoretical.

4. What's our 30-30?

One of the unique concepts from Strategic Doing is something they call the "30-30." Instead of creating complicated five-year plans that often gather dust on a shelf, they encourage asking:

• What will we accomplish in the next 30 days, and then what conversation will we have 30 days from now to evaluate our progress?

• That simple rhythm creates momentum. Imagine if every Christian asked that question this week.

• What one step could I take during the next 30 days to better reflect Christ?

• Who could I encourage Who could I invite? Who could I study with? What relationship could I repair?

Small acts of faithfulness, repeated consistently, become powerful over time.

The Next Step Is Yours

As we conclude The Athens Moment, perhaps the greatest takeaway isn't simply a better understanding of our culture. Perhaps it is a renewed commitment to engage it.

Our world doesn't merely need Christians who understand Acts 17. It needs Christians who live it out, day by day. May we become people who observe carefully, love deeply, speak graciously, teach courageously, and act faithfully. Because one year from now, our greatest prayer should not be, "We had some wonderful discussions."

It should be: "By God's grace, lives were changed—including our own."