McGuffey's Sixth Eclectic Reader, Revised Edition · Lesson XXXVI · Part 4: Lessons XXV-XXXVI: Orators and soldiers
42. Speech of Paul on Mars Hill (The Bible)
Goal: Your student reads Paul's speech to the Athenians and explains how he begins from what his listeners already know.
You'll need
- The book, or the scan beside this guide
- A notebook and pen
- A dictionary
What's in the book
Paul's address to the men of Athens (from the Book of Acts), with notes on Mars Hill, the date and Dionysius.
The lesson, step by step
Words and meanings
Read the book's notes: the speech was given about 50 A.D., when Athens was still the center of the refined world; Mars Hill, or the Areopagus, was a hill in Athens where the court of that name met; and Dionysius the Areopagite, converted by Paul, became the first bishop of Athens.
Read it aloud
Read the opening together:
Then Paul stood in the midst of Mars Hill, and said, Ye men of Athens!
I perceive that in all things ye are too superstitious.
For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription, To The Unknown God.
Your student reads the whole speech with dignity.
Talk about it
SayWhy does Paul start with the altar "To The Unknown God"?
SayWhat does he say about temples made with hands, and about images of gold and silver?
SayRead: "And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every-where to repent:" What does "winked at" mean here?
SayThe book's note says Dionysius the Areopagite was converted by Paul. What does that tell you about the speech?
Tell it back
Your student gives Paul's argument in four steps.
Copywork and memory
Copy:
For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription, To The Unknown God.
Write (optional)
Read Acts 17 in a Bible. Write a paragraph about how Paul adapts his message to his audience.