Should Christians pray for celebrities? | Acts 17:1-15 (Part 1) | Join The Journey Podcast

Main message: Luke’s brief mentions of Jason and the “leading women” in Acts 17 show that the advance of the gospel depended on ordinary, often unseen people who used their homes, influence, and resources — sometimes at personal cost — and that the good news reaches prominent, influential people as well as the marginalized.

Key points:

• Luke intentionally names background figures; if he records them, they matter for the story of mission.
• Jason hosted Paul and Silas, suffered public accusation, and likely posted bond — illustrating hospitality as costly partnership in the gospel.
• The “leading women” were likely socially prominent and influential, showing the gospel’s reach into elite networks and households.
• Luke consistently highlights women’s roles in Acts (e.g., Lydia, Priscilla) as vital to the church’s growth, often through hospitality, generosity, and influence.
• Because grace reaches the prominent and powerful, Christians should not write people off but pray and expect God to work in every sphere of society.

Scriptures mentioned: Acts 17:1–15, Acts 17:4, Acts 17:6, Acts 17:9, Acts 16 (Lydia), Acts 18 (Priscilla)