Unit 35, Session 3

Paul Was Sent to Rome (Acts 24–26)

Dear families,

The story of Paul’s time in Caesarea seemed to be long, drawn out, and hopeless. Even still, the apostle was not without hope, which he proclaimed the good news of Jesus before the governor and king—just as Jesus prophesied of His followers in Matthew 10:18. 

How does Paul establish the credibility of his faith in Jesus here at his tribunal? What does he declare to be his hope, even now as a prison under the threat of death by his own people? 

Paul spent much of this time laying out his testimony, beginning with his blamelessness through the lens of the Jewish law, as well as his continued worship of the same God as his Jewish ancestors. As he stood before King Agrippa and Queen Bernice, the military commanders, and prominent men of the city, he laid out the hope of God’s people since the beginning and how Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection served as the fulfillment of their long-awaited grand hope. 

It seemed apparent to the king that, after years of incarceration, this prisoner had finally received an opportunity to defend his freedom before these great men of power. However, rather than deflecting from his intended message for the sake of his freedom, Paul chose to extend a gospel presentation. The king asked if he were really going to present the case of Christ so easily, and Paul’s response was that he desired all those individuals present before him to receive the same gift of salvation that applies to all—no matter their worldly status. 

Paul never wavered in his boasting of Christ and His resurrection, nor did he allow the terrible circumstances of his imprisonment to color his belief in the worthiness of his Lord. Consider the faith this man had in believing Jesus’ promises amidst his hardship. How can you shine that same light as you teach of Paul’s courage and perseverance in his eternal hope in Jesus? Teach the boys and girls in your group about the boldness of Paul in response to the faithfulness of Jesus.

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 wants all people to know and love Jesus. 
  • Younger Preschool: God chose Paul to tell all kinds of people—even kings!—about Jesus. Paul wanted everyone to believe that Jesus is Lord. Jesus has the power to save people from sin. 
  • Older Preschool: God chose Paul to tell all kinds of people—even kings!—about Jesus. Even when people were against him, Paul did not stop. He wanted everyone to believe that Jesus is Lord. Paul believed Jesus has the power to save people from sin, and he was willing to do anything to share this good news. 
  • Kids: God chose Paul to take the gospel to Gentiles, kings, and the Israelites. Paul met with people again and again to tell the good news about Jesus. He wanted everyone to believe that Jesus is Lord. Because Jesus has the power to save people from sin, Paul was willing to do whatever it took to share the gospel. 

BIG PICTURE QUESTION & ANSWER

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

  • Younger Preschool: Why should we praise Jesus? We should praise Jesus for all He has done for us. 
  • Older Preschool: Why should we praise Jesus? We should praise Jesus for all He has done for us. 
  • Kids: Why should we praise Jesus? We should praise Jesus for what He has done to provide our salvation and also because He is returning one day to make all things right. 

KEY PASSAGE

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

  • Babies & Toddlers: Lord, I will praise Your name. Isaiah 25:1 
  • Younger Preschool: Lord, I will praise Your name. Isaiah 25:1 
  • Older Preschool: LORD, you are my God; … I will praise your name, for you have accomplished wonders. Isaiah 25:1 
  • Kids: LORD, you are my God; I will exalt you. I will praise your name, for you have accomplished wonders, plans formed long ago, with perfect faithfulness. Isaiah 25:1 

** Next week: Paul Went to Rome (Acts 27–28)

Dec 15Download

Unit 35, Session 2

 Paul Was on Trial (Acts 22–23)

Dear families,

In Acts 22–23, Paul must persevere with his trust in Jesus as he faces the dangers prophesied for him in Jerusalem head-on. Though the Jews planned evil against him, God planned it for good, to bring about the message of salvation to those who were waiting to hear it in Rome. 

What was the basis of the Jews’ argument and plot against Paul? How do we see the Lord fulfilling the promises He made to his apostle throughout this passage? 

In our previous session, we learned that the Jews in Jerusalem were angry with Paul for proclaiming a gospel that seemed to make light of Moses’ teachings and law. Additionally, the Jews speculated that he had even allowed Greeks into the temple, thus defiling their holy place. They held the baseless belief that Paul was leading their people further from their long-held views of God and His salvation.  

While Paul had been sent back to the barracks to be kept safe from the mob overnight, the Lord drew near to Him and called for him to have courage. Just as Paul had preached the good news of the gospel in Jerusalem, so, too, was he commissioned to do the same in Rome. All Paul could do was faithfully trust the God who had brought him thus far. 

Reflect on the perseverance of Paul despite all the false allegations, mistreatment, and injustice he faced in today’s passage. Through it all, he remained steadfast, steadied by his trust in the God who conquered death and gave him nothing to fear. Pray for the boys and girls in your group, that they, too, would experience the comfort that comes with entrusting all we are to the God who reigns. 

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 can obey God because God loves us and takes care of us. 
  • Younger Preschool: Even when others wanted to hurt Paul, Paul trusted God. We can obey God no matter what because we know God loves us and takes care of us. 
  • Older Preschool: Even when others wanted to hurt Paul, Paul trusted God. God showed His love for the world by sending Jesus, and Paul believed God would use these hard times to help Paul get to Rome. Like Paul, we can obey God no matter what because we know God loves us and takes care of us. 
  • Kids: Paul trusted God and believed that God, who showed His love for the world by sending His Son to die on the cross and rise again, would use the danger Paul faced to get Paul to Rome. We too can risk everything to share the gospel with courage because we know that God loves us and will care for us. 

BIG PICTURE QUESTION & ANSWER

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

  • Younger Preschool: Why should we praise Jesus? We should praise Jesus for all He has done for us. 
  • Older Preschool: Why should we praise Jesus? We should praise Jesus for all He has done for us. 
  • Kids: Why should we praise Jesus? We should praise Jesus for what He has done to provide our salvation and also because He is returning one day to make all things right. 

KEY PASSAGE

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

  • Babies & Toddlers: Lord, I will praise Your name. Isaiah 25:1 
  • Younger Preschool: Lord, I will praise Your name. Isaiah 25:1 
  • Older Preschool: LORD, you are my God; … I will praise your name, for you have accomplished wonders. Isaiah 25:1 
  • Kids: LORD, you are my God; I will exalt you. I will praise your name, for you have accomplished wonders, plans formed long ago, with perfect faithfulness. Isaiah 25:1 

** Next week: Paul Was Sent to Rome (Acts 24–26)

Dec 8 LEADER GUIDEDownload

Unit 35, Session 1

 Paul Returned to Jerusalem (Acts 21–22)

Dear families,

Acts 21 and 22 serve to build out the suspense of the troubles ahead that lay Paul in the city of Jerusalem. Not only Paul, but other disciples had likewise heard from the Holy Spirit that dangers lay ahead of him should he continue his plans for the journey ahead. Even still, the apostle ventured on, leaning into the high stakes and emotions felt by so many of his brothers and sisters in the faith. 

What led Paul to set aside the warnings he had received about all that awaited him upon his return to Jerusalem? What guiding forces ushered this apostle forward as he considered the fate in store for him? 

Paul displayed an unwavering trust and abiding hope in Jesus as he counted the cost of following Him. His answer to the pleadings of Agabus and the locals was that he was ready to sacrifice everything for the name of His Lord Jesus. His conviction on the matter of going forward with his plans was so strong, in fact, that the people’s response could only be to have faith that the Lord’s will would be done. Paul didn’t care about reputation, status, or prestige—only Christ crucified and His name proclaimed to the Jews and Gentiles alike. 

Even the apostle’s defense to the mob in Jerusalem was deeply steeped in the grace of Jesus. He sought not to simply get himself out of trouble, but to declare the worthiness of His Lord before an audience who only wanted to see him dead. He shared with them all they had in common and the one thing that kept them distinct and separate from one another: faith in the Son of God. He was driven by a hope that they would turn to saving faith in Him, too. 

Reflect on the evidence of Paul’s faith before his fellow disciples and those who were unbelievers. No one questioned his confidence in the Father, no matter the cost. Pray for the hearts of your students as you prepare to teach this session. May your faith grow and be displayed before those God has set before you. May they see and experience the worthiness of His love through your devotion and fervor for His gospel.

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 can tell people about Jesus because God is with us. 
  • Younger Preschool: Paul followed God’s plan even though he faced trouble. God was with Paul. We can tell people about Jesus because God is with us, too. 
  • Older Preschool: Paul followed God’s plan even though he faced danger. Paul believed that God, who kept His promise to raise Jesus from the dead, would help him too. We can follow God’s plan to tell others about Jesus even when it is hard. 
  • Kids: Paul followed God’s plan and returned to Jerusalem even though he faced danger in the city. Paul believed that God, who was faithful to raise Jesus from the dead, would help him in his troubles. We can follow God’s plan to tell others about Jesus and trust God to take care of us. 

BIG PICTURE QUESTION & ANSWER

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

  • Younger Preschool: Why should we praise Jesus? We should praise Jesus for all He has done for us. 
  • Older Preschool: Why should we praise Jesus? We should praise Jesus for all He has done for us. 
  • Kids: Why should we praise Jesus? We should praise Jesus for what He has done to provide our salvation and also because He is returning one day to make all things right. 

KEY PASSAGE

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

  • Babies & Toddlers: Lord, I will praise Your name. Isaiah 25:1 
  • Younger Preschool: Lord, I will praise Your name. Isaiah 25:1 
  • Older Preschool: LORD, you are my God; … I will praise your name, for you have accomplished wonders. Isaiah 25:1 
  • Kids: LORD, you are my God; I will exalt you. I will praise your name, for you have accomplished wonders, plans formed long ago, with perfect faithfulness. Isaiah 25:1 

** Next week: Paul Was on Trial (Acts 22–23)

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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)

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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