Unit 34, Session 4

 We Are Here to Glorify God (Romans 15)

Dear families,

Romans 15 highlights Paul’s heart for sharing the gospel and seeing it permeate the hearts of all who may hear of it and grow from it. The apostle shared the light of Jesus with Christ followers in Rome, that they would lean into their purpose of glorifying God and growing in their knowledge and love for Him. 

What issues were the believers in Rome fighting against? How did Paul seek to encourage them despite all these difficulties present within the church? 

From this chapter, we notice that though the truth of the gospel has gone out among believers in Rome, difficulties still exist among Jesus’ people. It appears the stronger believers within the church had trouble dealing with and bearing the weaknesses of their brothers and sisters in Christ. Paul reminded the church that they were to walk alongside one another, building up and building out the kingdom of God. They needed to experience the endurance and encouragement that Jesus offers to His people, which are gifts that we, too, still need as the church today. 

Division was still present between the Jews and Gentiles in the Roman church, as believers from opposite backgrounds found their common ground in Jesus alone. Paul used his words carefully so that the gospel’s power would be made apparent in his interactions with them and through their interactions with another as the body of Christ. The gospel was always meant to transcend culture and upbringing, uniting us by the power of the God who created us. 

As you prepare to teach this to your kids, remember that Paul’s concern was for the readers of his letter to recognize their need for God and to live lives that bring honor to His name. May your interactions with the boys and girls in your group be so steeped in the grace and encouragement of Jesus as you lead them in the love and light of their Savior.

Check out The Gospel Project At Home for resources designed to help you lead a family worship experience as well as suggestions for morning and evening prayer times and family activities. 

FAMILY TALKING POINTS

CHRIST CONNECTION

This is the big idea of how this week’s Bible story points to Jesus.

  • Babies & Toddlers: When we trust in Jesus and follow Him, we honor God by helping others. 
  • Younger Preschool: God made people to honor Him. When we trust in Jesus and follow Him, we honor God by helping others. 
  • Older Preschool: God created people to bring Him glory. When we trust in Jesus and follow Him, we honor God by helping others. God calls us to love people like Jesus loved and to tell them about Jesus. 
  • Kids: God created people to bring Him glory. When we trust in Jesus and follow Him, we bring glory to God by seeking the good of others. God calls us to share the love of Jesus with all people by telling them the good news—the gospel. 

BIG PICTURE QUESTION & ANSWER

This is an important biblical truth that your child will encounter each week of this unit. 

  • Younger Preschool: What should Christians do? We should tell others the good news of Jesus. 
  • Older Preschool: What is our mission as Christians? Our mission is to make followers of Jesus from every nation by the power of the Holy Spirit. 
  • Kids: What is our mission as Christians? Our mission is to make disciples of all nations by the power of the Holy Spirit. 

KEY PASSAGE

This is a Bible verse that relates to what your child will encounter each week of this unit. 

  • Babies & Toddlers: Tell people of God’s wonderful works. Psalm 96:3 
  • Younger Preschool: Tell people of God’s wonderful works. Psalm 96:3 
  • Older Preschool: Declare his glory among the nations, his wondrous works among all peoples. Psalm 96:3 
  • Kids: Declare his glory among the nations, his wondrous works among all peoples. Psalm 96:3 

** Next week: Paul Returned to Jerusalem (Acts 21–22)

November 24 Lesson PlanDownload

Unit 34, Session 3

Paul Visited the Churches (Acts 18–21)

Dear families,

This session, we read of Paul’s determination to extend Christ’s invitation of faith to non-believers and to deepen the faith of those who were believers. No part of this third missionary journey proved to be easy. Even still, Paul knew his purpose was to proclaim the gospel to all who would listen, testifying to the grace he’d so freely received. 

What propelled Paul forward on his voyages, despite the dangers and troubles he faced? What drew others to listen to him, believing in the gospel he’d committed his life to proclaim? 

In Acts 18:9, the Lord declared to the apostle Paul in a night vision, “Don’t be afraid, but keep on speaking and don’t be silent…” These words strengthened him amidst the legal allegations he faced in Corinth and even further as he traveled throughout Asia on mission for the gospel. It was Paul’s steadfast conviction that made others hone in on the words he spoke about God’s kingdom. They listened as he gave of his time, committing months and sometimes even years of his life to growing his disciples in the faith. He taught diligently and passionately, believing that God would be faithful to open the people’s hearts toward His truth. 

Paul faced opposition from idol worshippers in Ephesus, as well as from Jews who plotted against him as he began to set sail for Syria. The gospel was controversial on all sides—for all who did not believe Jesus was the only way to the one, true God. Even still, God protected Paul throughout this journey, and the missionary even declared that the value of his life could only be found in proclaiming Christ’s truth. 

Though Paul ventured to so many places, met so many people, and experienced so many different cultures, it all points back to the incredible God who safely led him on this journey for the spread of the gospel. Help your kids see that we serve the same God that Paul did, and that He is worthy of our trust and obedience as we set sail on mission—near or far—so that others would know His saving love in Christ. May we, too, seize every opportunity to share His love with all who may hear.

Check out The Gospel Project At Home for resources designed to help you lead a family worship experience as well as suggestions for morning and evening prayer times and family activities. 

FAMILY TALKING POINTS

CHRIST CONNECTION

This is the big idea of how this week’s Bible story points to Jesus.

  • Babies & Toddlers: The church grows when people believe the good news. 
  • Younger Preschool: As Paul traveled, he told as many people as he could about Jesus. The church grew. Paul wanted to follow God’s plan no matter what. 
  • Older Preschool: As Paul traveled, he told as many people as he could about Jesus. God changed people’s hearts, and the church grew. God had chosen Paul to tell people the good news about Jesus, and Paul wanted to follow God’s plan no matter what. 
  • Kids: As Paul traveled on his third missionary journey, he used every opportunity to tell people the good news about Jesus and to help the church. Paul was dedicated to Jesus, who called him to do the work of sharing the gospel. 

BIG PICTURE QUESTION & ANSWER

This is an important biblical truth that your child will encounter each week of this unit. 

  • Younger Preschool: What should Christians do? We should tell others the good news of Jesus. 
  • Older Preschool: What is our mission as Christians? Our mission is to make followers of Jesus from every nation by the power of the Holy Spirit. 
  • Kids: What is our mission as Christians? Our mission is to make disciples of all nations by the power of the Holy Spirit. 

KEY PASSAGE

This is a Bible verse that relates to what your child will encounter each week of this unit. 

  • Babies & Toddlers: Tell people of God’s wonderful works. Psalm 96:3 
  • Younger Preschool: Tell people of God’s wonderful works. Psalm 96:3 
  • Older Preschool: Declare his glory among the nations, his wondrous works among all peoples. Psalm 96:3 
  • Kids: Declare his glory among the nations, his wondrous works among all peoples. Psalm 96:3 

** Next week: We Are Here to Glorify God (Romans 15)

Lesson Plan for VolunteersDownload

Unit 34, Session 2

 Paul and Silas Started Churches (Acts 15–18)

Dear families,

In today’s passages, we read how Paul began his second missionary journey, bringing Silas with him to share the good news from Philippi down to Corinth. In our last session, we saw that the salvation of the Gentiles was due to their faith alone. Today, we’re reading a step further as these two apostles began sharing Christ’s message of freedom with Gentiles from varying walks of life. 

What can today’s reading teach us about the salvation found in Jesus? 

One notion we keep seeing throughout these passages of Scripture is the freedom found in Jesus. Jesus sets us free from the condemnation of our sin and the reality of eternity spent separated from God. 

Jesus’ gift of saving faith and freedom does not come from following rules nor from meeting the criteria of the world; rather, it’s the simple act of believing in Jesus’ sacrifice on our behalf, that we would be made right before God the Father. We see from the story of Lydia, a woman of influence whose heart was opened by Paul’s words of salvation. She was a woman who had the riches of the world, yet knew she needed salvation that could only be found in Jesus. Another key figure in this passage is the jailer, a hardworking man on the verge of taking his own life. He recognized the power and freedom of God on display inside the jail, which ignited the desire to be saved. 

The missionary journeys of Paul and Silas were birthed out of their own experience of freedom found in Christ. They had been called by God, empowered by His Spirit, and sent forth to share the good news of freedom from sin found in Christ Jesus. This freedom was so profound that they risked their lives so others could hear and believe. May you believe in the power of the same God who has equipped you with the same simple message of salvation. Lead boys and girls through your faith in the risen Savior who desires that all would believe, just as the men and women in today’s story did.

Check out The Gospel Project At Home for resources designed to help you lead a family worship experience as well as suggestions for morning and evening prayer times and family activities. 

FAMILY TALKING POINTS

CHRIST CONNECTION

This is the big idea of how this week’s Bible story points to Jesus.

  • Babies & Toddlers: We are saved when we believe in Jesus. 
  • Younger Preschool: Many people heard the gospel and were saved. They listened and believed in Jesus. Paul and his friends said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved.” 
  • Older Preschool: Lydia, the jailer, and many others heard the gospel and were saved. They were willing to listen and believe in Jesus. Paul and other apostles preached the same message to all people: “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved.” 
  • Kids: Lydia, the jailer, and many others heard the gospel and were saved. They were willing to listen and believe in Jesus. Paul and other apostles preached the same message to all people: “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved.” 

BIG PICTURE QUESTION & ANSWER

This is an important biblical truth that your child will encounter each week of this unit. 

  • Younger Preschool: What should Christians do? We should tell others the good news of Jesus. 
  • Older Preschool: What is our mission as Christians? Our mission is to make followers of Jesus from every nation by the power of the Holy Spirit. 
  • Kids: What is our mission as Christians? Our mission is to make disciples of all nations by the power of the Holy Spirit. 

KEY PASSAGE

This is a Bible verse that relates to what your child will encounter each week of this unit. 

  • Babies & Toddlers: Tell people of God’s wonderful works. Psalm 96:3 
  • Younger Preschool: Tell people of God’s wonderful works. Psalm 96:3 
  • Older Preschool: Declare his glory among the nations, his wondrous works among all peoples. Psalm 96:3 
  • Kids: Declare his glory among the nations, his wondrous works among all peoples. Psalm 96:3 

** Next week: Paul Visited the Churches (Acts 18–21)

Unit 34, Session 1

The Church Met Together (Acts 15)

Dear families,

As Paul and Barnabas began seeing both Jew and Gentile lives changed by the gospel, their work in planting churches and discipling believers faced a new problem: a false gospel of works. Today’s Bible passage poses two big questions: Firstly, how exactly are people saved from their sins? Secondly, aren’t works an important part of our lives as believers? 

The answer to the salvation question lies in Peter’s address to the apostles and elders of the church in Jerusalem. Peter boldly proclaimed that both Jews and Gentiles are saved by faith in Jesus Christ. He reminded the church that God has made no distinction between how Jews are saved or how Gentiles are saved. All are saved by having their hearts cleansed by faith. (See Acts 15:9.) 

Some Jewish believers followed the Pharisees and insisted that the Gentile believers should be circumcised. They thought that all believers had to follow the law of Moses, or else they could not truly be forgiven of sin. This incorrect view of Christ’s atonement was a stumbling block to the new Gentile believers. 

Though our good works and obedience to God’s commands are evidence of His power inside us, they have never been the basis of our salvation. His gift of grace cannot be earned by circumcision nor by keeping the law, like these believers declared to the church. 

Peter and James brought up a great point: We should not make it harder for people to turn to God. Instead of adding prerequisites to a person’s faith, we should pave the way of their understanding by sharing God’s commands for our lives. Our obedience is not what saves us; rather, it helps us keep our eyes on the Savior who has made salvation possible. 

As you review this Bible story with your kids, try to demystify the truth of the gospel: God made a way for us to be saved through faith in Jesus. We cannot earn this salvation. Rather, our good works are evidence of our faith as the Holy Spirit empowers us to obey Christ’s commands.

Check out The Gospel Project At Home for resources designed to help you lead a family worship experience as well as suggestions for morning and evening prayer times and family activities. 

FAMILY TALKING POINTS

CHRIST CONNECTION

This is the big idea of how this week’s Bible story points to Jesus.

  • Babies & Toddlers: Anyone who trusts in Jesus will be saved. 
  • Younger Preschool: The church leaders met to answer a question: Can anyone be saved by trusting in Jesus? Yes! Jesus is all we need. Anyone who trusts in Jesus will be saved. 
  • Older Preschool: The church leaders met to answer a hard question: Can someone be saved by faith alone? Yes! The early church agreed that Jesus is all we need. Anyone who trusts in Him will be saved. 
  • Kids: The church leaders met in Jerusalem to answer a tough question: Can a person be saved by faith alone or is something more needed? The early church agreed that because of Jesus’ death and resurrection, He alone is all we need to be saved. 

BIG PICTURE QUESTION & ANSWER

This is an important biblical truth that your child will encounter each week of this unit. 

  • Younger Preschool: What should Christians do? We should tell others the good news of Jesus. 
  • Older Preschool: What is our mission as Christians? Our mission is to make followers of Jesus from every nation by the power of the Holy Spirit. 
  • Kids: What is our mission as Christians? Our mission is to make disciples of all nations by the power of the Holy Spirit. 

KEY PASSAGE

This is a Bible verse that relates to what your child will encounter each week of this unit. 

  • Babies & Toddlers: Tell people of God’s wonderful works. Psalm 96:3 
  • Younger Preschool: Tell people of God’s wonderful works. Psalm 96:3 
  • Older Preschool: Declare his glory among the nations, his wondrous works among all peoples. Psalm 96:3 
  • Kids: Declare his glory among the nations, his wondrous works among all peoples. Psalm 96:3 

** Next week: Paul and Silas Started Churches (Acts 15–18)

Unit 33, Session 3

Jesus Can Forgive Anyone (2 Corinthians 5)

Dear families,

One theme Paul wrote about in the book of 2 Corinthians is the forgiveness of God through Jesus Christ. He shared of his own need for reconciliation with God and how he—like us—had been tasked with taking part in the Lord’s ministry of reconciliation. Being a part of God’s family means bringing others into His kingdom, too. 

How can anyone be forgiven of their sins? What does it look like to live as one forgiven by God? 

Like Paul, we are all in need of the Lord’s forgiveness because we have all sinned against Him. Paul reminded the Corinthian church that forgiveness of sins has been made possible through Christ’s perfect sacrifice. It is faith in Jesus alone that reconciles us to God, and it is faith in Jesus by which our sins are not counted against us. Through Jesus’ willing sacrifice on our behalf, He was made sin so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God. Thus, forgiveness is given to anyone who turns to Christ as Savior and Lord. 

Paul continued to encourage the Corinthians to live as forgiven people who are compelled by the love of Christ to share the gospel with others. No longer should we live for ourselves, seeking after the ways of the world. Rather, we live as new creations, set on making much of Jesus and declaring how only He can reconcile us to God. The hearts of forgiven people saved by grace have a deep desire for others to know the love of Jesus and be saved. 

As you prepare for this week, consider the forgiveness you’ve received from God. How has repentance played a role in your life as a believer? What is your testimony of being brought from death to life, and how can you share it with the kids in your family? Ask God to make the reality of His power to save and forgive real in the hearts and minds of your family members today.

Check out The Gospel Project At Home for resources designed to help you lead a family worship experience as well as suggestions for morning and evening prayer times and family activities. 

FAMILY TALKING POINTS

CHRIST CONNECTION

This is the big idea of how this week’s Bible story points to Jesus.

  • Babies & Toddlers: Jesus can forgive anyone.
  • Younger Preschool: Jesus can forgive anyone. When we trust in Jesus, God forgives our sin and invites us into His family forever.
  • Older Preschool: Jesus can forgive anyone. When we trust in Jesus, God forgives our sin and invites us into His family. He calls us to tell others about Him so they might believe in Jesus and follow Him.
  • Kids: Jesus can forgive anyone. When we trust in Jesus, God forgives our sin and invites us into His family. He calls us to tell others about Him so they might believe in Jesus and be saved.

BIG PICTURE QUESTION & ANSWER

This is an important biblical truth that your child will encounter each week of this unit. 

  • Younger Preschool: Who can be saved? Anyone who trusts in Jesus is saved.
  • Older Preschool: Who can be saved? Anyone who trusts in Jesus is forgiven of their sins.
  • Kids: Who can be saved? Anyone who trusts in Jesus can be forgiven of their sins and be right with God.

KEY PASSAGE

This is a Bible verse that relates to what your child will encounter each week of this unit. 

  • Babies & Toddlers: God sent Jesus to save people. John 3:17
  • Younger Preschool: God sent His Son, Jesus, into the world to save people. John 3:17
  • Older Preschool: “God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” John 3:17 
  • Kids: “God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” John 3:17

** Next week: The Church Met Together (Acts 15)

October 27Download

Unit 33, Session 2

Paul Became a Missionary (Acts 13–14)

Dear families,

The beginnings of Paul’s journey as a missionary in Acts 13–14 showcased the power and providence of God, even amid harsh persecution. From being sent out and set apart by the Holy Spirit to being wrongly celebrated as gods and experiencing mistreatment and stonings, Paul remained fixed on the hope he found in Jesus. No matter the circumstances he faced, he kept proclaiming Jesus’ name and paving the way for the gospel to be known around the world. 

What patterns do we see in Paul’s life that propelled the gospel farther? What role do hardships play in our spiritual lives as we, too, seek to live on mission for Christ and His good news of salvation? 

As we read of Paul’s journeys, we find that he continually sought to abide in Christ through the spiritual disciplines of fasting, prayer, and sharing the gospel. We also see that he did not back down from difficult situations; not even false prophets and sorcerers could derail him from proclaiming God’s truth! Despite the grueling hassles of life on the road and not having a place to call home, Paul chose obedience to God’s calling above any earthly comfort as he trusted the glories of heaven far outweighed any momentary affliction. 

While many insulted Paul, opposed him, and rejected the words of life he spoke, he shook the dust off his feet and pressed on, filled with joy and the Holy Spirit. This same Spirit that filled Paul and sustained him on his missionary journeys also lives in us who trust in Christ. Paul’s dependence on the Spirit and his obedience to the gospel mission provide a model for us to follow as we seek to live on mission. 

Encourage your kids to recognize Paul’s perseverance and how the love of Jesus compelled him to share the gospel no matter the difficulties he faced. Ask the Lord to assist you as you live out this conviction through teaching it to the next generation of Christ followers.

Check out The Gospel Project At Home for resources designed to help you lead a family worship experience as well as suggestions for morning and evening prayer times and family activities. 

FAMILY TALKING POINTS

CHRIST CONNECTION

This is the big idea of how this week’s Bible story points to Jesus.

  • Babies & Toddlers: We tell others about Jesus so they can hear and believe.
  • Younger Preschool: Paul shared the good news about Jesus with anyone who would listen. Many people believed in Jesus, and the church grew. God wants us to tell others about Jesus so they can be saved from their sins.
  • Older Preschool: Paul shared the good news about Jesus with anyone who would listen. Many people believed in Jesus, and the church grew. The Holy Spirit wants us to tell others about Jesus so they can be saved from their sins.
  • Kids: God had a plan for Paul to share the gospel with Gentiles, no matter what troubles he faced. Many believed in Jesus. The church grew and the gospel spread so that people all over the world could be saved from their sins by trusting in Jesus.

BIG PICTURE QUESTION & ANSWER

This is an important biblical truth that your child will encounter each week of this unit. 

  • Younger Preschool: Who can be saved? Anyone who trusts in Jesus is saved.
  • Older Preschool: Who can be saved? Anyone who trusts in Jesus is forgiven of their sins.
  • Kids: Who can be saved? Anyone who trusts in Jesus can be forgiven of their sins and be right with God.

KEY PASSAGE

This is a Bible verse that relates to what your child will encounter each week of this unit. 

  • Babies & Toddlers: God sent Jesus to save people. John 3:17
  • Younger Preschool: God sent His Son, Jesus, into the world to save people. John 3:17
  • Older Preschool: “God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” John 3:17 
  • Kids: “God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” John 3:17

** Next week: Jesus Can Forgive Anyone (2 Corinthians 5)

October 20 Leader GuideDownload

Unit 33, Session 1

Paul Became a Christian (Acts 9)

Dear families,

The Acts 9 story of how Saul of Tarsus came to be a follower of Jesus is a widely known passage that reveals an essential truth for us as believers: God has the power to transform the hearts and lives of anyone who places their faith in Him. The power of the Holy Spirit changes us from the inside out, and the same Lord who transformed Saul causes us to walk in new life when we turn to Christ. 

What do we learn about the role of God’s saving grace in this story? How can our testimonies reflect the same Spirit-empowered life change as Saul’s? 

God sought out Saul for the work of His kingdom, despite the hostility and malice this former Pharisee had toward the Christian church. Nothing in Saul’s story—not even the wrongful executions and imprisonment of Christ’s disciples—was too big for God to forgive by grace through faith in His Son, Jesus. Through his experience on the road to Damascus, Saul realized the weight of his own sin, the power of this mighty God, and the only chance he had in being made right before Him: surrendering his life to Jesus. Nothing Saul did could separate him from God’s love for him in Jesus. The same is true for us! 

Later, in a letter to his protégé Timothy, Saul—also known by his Greek name, Paul—wrote, “‘Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners’—and I am the worst of them” (1 Tim. 1:15). He knew he needed God’s grace to be made right before the Father and that trusting in Jesus was his only means of being saved. 

Teach the kids in your family that all of us, no matter how young or old we are, needed Jesus to come into the world to save us. The gospel transforms our hearts and propels us to share the life we’ve found in Jesus with all who will listen. How can you equip your family with the excitement and knowledge of Jesus Christ that will lead them to share of His love, just as Paul did?

Check out The Gospel Project At Home for resources designed to help you lead a family worship experience as well as suggestions for morning and evening prayer times and family activities. 

FAMILY TALKING POINTS

CHRIST CONNECTION

This is the big idea of how this week’s Bible story points to Jesus.

  • Babies & Toddlers: God changes us to be like Jesus.
  • Younger Preschool: Paul was an enemy of Jesus, but then God changed him. When we trust in Jesus, He changes us from the inside out.
  • Older Preschool: Paul was an enemy of Jesus and His followers, but then God changed him. Jesus came to earth to save sinners like Paul. (1 Timothy 1:15). When we trust in Jesus, He changes us from the inside out.
  • Kids: Jesus appeared to Saul and changed him inside and out. Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners. (1 Timothy 1:15) Jesus called Saul, who was once an enemy to Christians, to spend the rest of his life telling people the gospel and leading them to trust in Jesus.

BIG PICTURE QUESTION & ANSWER

This is an important biblical truth that your child will encounter each week of this unit. 

  • Younger Preschool: Who can be saved? Anyone who trusts in Jesus is saved.
  • Older Preschool: Who can be saved? Anyone who trusts in Jesus is forgiven of their sins.
  • Kids: Who can be saved? Anyone who trusts in Jesus can be forgiven of their sins and be right with God.

KEY PASSAGE

This is a Bible verse that relates to what your child will encounter each week of this unit. 

  • Babies & Toddlers: God sent Jesus to save people. John 3:17
  • Younger Preschool: God sent His Son, Jesus, into the world to save people. John 3:17
  • Older Preschool: “God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” John 3:17 
  • Kids: “God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” John 3:17

** Next week: Paul Became a Missionary (Acts 13–14)

October 13 Leader GuideDownload

Unit 33: The Church Goes

Unit Description: Paul had been one of the leaders persecuting the church, but when he met Jesus on the road to Damascus, all of that changed. Paul became a follower of Jesus and would spend the rest of his life on mission, telling others about the One he used to persecute. Jesus can truly save anyone.

Toddler Big Picture Question: Who can be saved? Anyone who trusts in Jesus is saved.
Preschool Big Picture Question: Who can be saved? Anyone who trusts in Jesus is forgiven of their sins.

Key Passage: “God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” John 3:17 
Key Passage Phrase: God sent Jesus to save people. John 3:17

Session Overview: