Peter Learned That Jesus Is for All (Acts 10)

Dear families,

The story of Peter’s revelation in Acts 10 reveals a core tenet in the gospel of Jesus Christ: God saves all who come to faith in His Son, regardless of their past, cultural differences, or their upbringing. The gospel is for all people, and it took Peter—just as it will require us today—great humility to see that God shows no favoritism. The ones whom God calls clean are clean; the ones He brings into His family are in His family forever. 

What did these visions reveal to both Cornelius and Peter? How did these animals in the vision correlate to a deeper truth about God’s gift of salvation and invitation for all? 

God prepared both Cornelius and Peter for the invitation that would change the makeup of Jesus’ church forever. Cornelius, a God-fearing Gentile centurion, was not welcome within Jewish social circles nor was he accepted in any way as clean according to Jewish beliefs. Even still, God used him to open Peter’s eyes to the reality that the gospel builds bridges between people groups rather than divide them even further. 

Peter’s vision seemed to be much less direct than Cornelius; yet God was patiently repetitive in instilling the greater message that the ones whom He purifies through faith are brought into the family of God—with no stipulations due to custom or culture. This revelation was contrary to the Jewish traditions and defied favoritism, which later caused tension within the early church. (Acts 11:1-18) Still, as Peter preached the good news and declared that Jesus is Lord of all, the Holy Spirit fell on all who believed the gospel––confirming God’s desire to save anyone who trusts in Jesus. 

Explain to your kids that the good news of Jesus Christ is for all people, and we are all called to faithfully invite others to believe the good news of Jesus Christ. May this reality be as true in our churches and social circles today as it was in Cornelius’ home all those centuries ago.

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 showed Peter that the good news about Jesus is for everyone.
• Younger Preschool: God showed Peter that the good news about Jesus is for everyone. God wants believers to tell everyone the good news about Jesus no matter what. Jesus is the Lord of all.
• Older Preschool: God showed Peter that the good news about Jesus is for everyone. God wants believers to tell everyone the good news about Jesus no matter who they are or what they do. Jesus is the Lord of all.
• Kids: God showed Peter that just as there is no “clean” and “unclean” food in Christ, there are no “clean” and “unclean” people. God calls believers to tell everyone the good news about Jesus, no matter who they are or where they come from. Jesus is the Lord of all.

BIG PICTURE QUESTION & ANSWER

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

• Younger Preschool: Who is the church? The church is all Christians around the world.
• Older Preschool: What is the church? The church is all Christians everywhere.
• Kids: What is the church? The church is all Christians everywhere, who gather together in their communities to worship and serve God.

KEY PASSAGE

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

• Babies & Toddlers: The church has many people who help. 1 Corinthians 12:12
• Younger Preschool: Like a body has many parts, the church has many people who work together. 1 Corinthians 12:12
• Older Preschool: For just as the body is one and has many parts … so also is Christ. 1 Corinthians 12:12
• Kids: For just as the body is one and has many parts, and all the parts of that body, though many, are one body—so also is Christ. 1 Corinthians 12:12

** Next week: Gentiles Became Part of the Church (Acts 11)

September 1, 2024

Peter Performed Miracles (Acts 9)

Dear families,

Peter’s miracles in Acts 9 showcase the power of the Holy Spirit at work within the early church. Though the people who witnessed and heard of these healings and resurrections were amazed and intrigued, Peter did not perform them to wow the crowd or to even illustrate his own strength. Rather, he met people’s needs as a means of demonstrating God’s power at work, that more may come to saving faith in Jesus and truly believe Him to be Messiah and Lord. 

What was the significance of the restoration of Aeneas and the revival of Dorcas? What did these events reveal about Christ’s saving power through the faith of Peter? 

Both instances of Peter’s miraculous acts were evidence of Christ’s power to heal despite the impossible circumstances. While Christ’s power through Peter brought physical healing to the man in Lydda, it also brought spiritual healing to the people in Lydda and Sharon as they turned to the Lord. Similarly, Dorcas’ resurrection was used by God to draw many people to faith in Christ––the One who holds power over the grave. 

These miracles performed by Peter point to the reality of Jesus’ power and to the proof that He is still alive within His followers. The usual patterns of sickness and death were not the final endings for Aeneas and Dorcas; rather, they were the work of the Lord’s restoration and redemption—pointing to the reality that everlasting life is ours through the power of Jesus. And through these events, we are encouraged to remember the hope we have in Christ, who is making all things new. 

As you talk with your kids this week, remember that you, too, get to share the good news of hope and healing to the next generation of young disciples. Just as Peter “called the saints and widows and presented [Dorcas] alive,” so, too, are you proclaiming the gift of everlasting life you have in 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 gave Peter power to do miracles like Jesus.
• Younger Preschool: God’s Spirit gave Peter power to do miracles. People saw what happened and believed in Jesus. These miracles remind us of Jesus. Jesus’ miracles proved that He is the Son of God.
• Older Preschool: The Holy Spirit gave Peter power to do miracles. People saw what happened and believed in Jesus. These miracles remind us of Jesus. Jesus’ miracles proved that He is the Son of God.
• Kids: When the Holy Spirit gave Peter power to perform miracles, people saw what happened and believed in Jesus. These miracles remind us of Jesus’ miracles, which proved He is the Son of God who came to bring salvation to the world.

BIG PICTURE QUESTION & ANSWER

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

• Younger Preschool: Who is the church? The church is all Christians around the world.
• Older Preschool: What is the church? The church is all Christians everywhere.
• Kids: What is the church? The church is all Christians everywhere, who gather together in their communities to worship and serve God.

KEY PASSAGE

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

• Babies & Toddlers: The church has many people who help. 1 Corinthians 12:12
• Younger Preschool: Like a body has many parts, the church has many people who work together. 1 Corinthians 12:12
• Older Preschool: For just as the body is one and has many parts … so also is Christ. 1 Corinthians 12:12
• Kids: For just as the body is one and has many parts, and all the parts of that body, though many, are one body—so also is Christ. 1 Corinthians 12:12

** Next week: Peter Learned That Jesus Is for All (Acts 10)

Unit Description: As opposition to the church grew, the church grew along with it. Just as Jesus had said it would, the church began in Jerusalem, had grown into Judea, and was about to expand into Samaria and toward the ends of the earth. First, God needed to help believers understand that as the church grew, they were one church united in Jesus.

Big Picture Question: What is the church? The church is all Christians everywhere.

Key Passage: Like a body has many parts, the church has many people who work together. 1 Corinthians 12:12
Key Passage Phrase: The church has many people who help. 1 Corinthians 12:12

Session Overview:

August 25, 2024

Jesus Suffered for Us (Acts 2)

Dear families,

In Philippians 2, the apostle Paul expounds upon Christ’s humility and its implications for how we live and interact with others. Though we may struggle with the paradox of His infinite power and meekness, Christ’s humility serves as the truest example for us to follow as we adopt His attitude so that the world may confess Jesus as Lord. 

How does Christ’s humility encourage us to follow in His steps? How can we joyfully demonstrate Jesus’ sacrificial mindset? 

The sufferings of Jesus were rooted in humility as He sought not what was best for Himself, but rather what was for the good of sinful people. His obedience to deny Himself and seek the Father’s will demonstrates the same mindset we should have toward one another. The love Christ has shown us through His humble death exhorts us to show this same love to others, trusting that God will use our humble efforts to shine like stars in a dark world. As followers of Christ, we seek to emulate His self-sacrifice, trusting that God is glorified through it and that we, who are in Christ, will one day be exalted with Him. (1 Peter 5:6) Yet as Paul reminds us, we remember that it is God working in us to help us have the desire and the ability to conform more into the image of Christ. (Phil. 2:13) 

While being willing to humbly put another’s needs above ours doesn’t come easy, we can look to Jesus who for the joy set before Him endured the cross––knowing that His sacrificial death would mean everlasting life for us. Though it may seem like rejoicing has no place in humble self-sacrifice, Paul wanted us to see that this fruit of the Spirit is ours for the taking when our eyes are set on Jesus. 

Help your kids see that we can find encouragement in Christ’s story, just as the early church did. The reality of Jesus’ suffering helps us live humbly so that we can exalt His name and will above our own. Just as Christ did not begrudgingly take to the cross, so, too, are we to walk in obedient sacrifice, knowing that our hope is not in vain. He rescued us through His own suffering that we might find His strength amidst our lack. When we trust in Him, we find new life and the forgiveness we need.

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 died on the cross to rescue people from their sins.
• Younger Preschool: Jesus came to earth. He died on the cross to rescue people from their sins. Jesus rose from the dead and is alive! Everyone who trusts in Jesus has forgiveness and life with God forever.
• Older Preschool: God’s Son, Jesus, came to earth as a man. Jesus never sinned, but He died on the cross to rescue people from their sins. Jesus rose from the dead and is alive! Everyone who trusts in Jesus has forgiveness and life with God forever.
• Kids: Jesus, the Son of God, humbled Himself by coming to earth as a man. Jesus never sinned, but He died on the cross to rescue people from their sins. Jesus rose from the dead and is alive! Everyone who trusts in Jesus has forgiveness and life with God forever.

BIG PICTURE QUESTION & ANSWER

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

• Younger Preschool: Why did Jesus become a person? Jesus became a person to rescue sinners.
• Older Preschool: Why did Jesus become human? Jesus became human to rescue sinners.
• Kids: Why did Jesus become human?

KEY PASSAGE

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

• Babies & Toddlers: Jesus took our punishment. Isaiah 53:5
• Younger Preschool: Jesus took our punishment. Isaiah 53:5
• Older Preschool: Punishment for our peace was on him, and we are healed by his wounds. Isaiah 53:5
• Kids: He was pierced because of our rebellion, crushed because of our iniquities; punishment for our peace was on him, and we are healed by his wounds. Isaiah 53:5

** Next week: Peter Performed Miracles (Acts 9)

The Church Spread Out (Acts 8)

Dear families,

The story of the Ethiopian official’s baptism began with an angel giving a command to Philip, an apostle of Jesus Christ. Philip’s on-the-spot obedience led him to clarify the Scriptures and point the Ethiopian official to Christ. As a result of Philip’s desire to live on mission, the Lord provided an opportunity for the gospel to spread further throughout the world. 

In what ways did the context of Acts 8 seem inopportune for spreading God’s Word? How did Philip’s willingness to be led by the Holy Spirit play a part in this story of practical evangelism? 

In the beginning of today’s reading, we see the rippling effects of Stephen’s stoning (Acts 7). Severe persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem, and all but the apostles scattered while Saul ravaged the church. However, as these believers dispersed, they continued living on mission, preaching the Word of God boldly rather than cowering to their circumstances. 

Making his way down the road God chose for him, Philip came across this traveling eunuch who needed someone to explain the meaning of Isaiah 53. Just as we read in Romans 10 that we cannot believe God’s truth without hearing or having it preached, the Ethiopian official declared that he needed a guide. While Philip did not know everything about the mysteries of God, he trusted that the Holy Spirit guided him down that desert road with divine purpose. 

As you teach on the Lord’s faithfulness amidst His people’s trials, emphasize the simplicity of this story: a follower of Jesus stepped confidently into a situation where the Lord had gone before him. How can you show your kids that He will do just the same for them today as they share the gospel with others—just as you are relaying His truths to them in this story? 

Teach kids that all who hear the good news of Jesus Christ and believe in Him are welcomed into God’s kingdom. Like Philip, may we trust and obey the leading of the Holy Spirit for the sake of making the gospel known to others.

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 us to tell others about Jesus.
• Younger Preschool: The Holy Spirit led Philip to help the man understand the good news about Jesus: Jesus died on the cross for our sins, and He is alive.
• Older Preschool: The Holy Spirit led Philip to help the man understand the good news about Jesus: Jesus died on the cross for our sins, and He is alive.
• Kids: The Holy Spirit led Philip to help the Ethiopian official understand the good news about Jesus: Jesus died on the cross for our sins and was raised from the dead, just like the Old Testament prophets said.

BIG PICTURE QUESTION & ANSWER

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

• Younger Preschool: Why did Jesus become a person? Jesus became a person to rescue sinners.
• Older Preschool: Why did Jesus become human? Jesus became human to rescue sinners.
• Kids: Why did Jesus become human?

KEY PASSAGE

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

• Babies & Toddlers: Jesus took our punishment. Isaiah 53:5
• Younger Preschool: Jesus took our punishment. Isaiah 53:5
• Older Preschool: Punishment for our peace was on him, and we are healed by his wounds. Isaiah 53:5
• Kids: He was pierced because of our rebellion, crushed because of our iniquities; punishment for our peace was on him, and we are healed by his wounds. Isaiah 53:5

** Next week: Jesus Suffered for Us (Philippians 2)

The Church Handled a Problem (Acts 6)

Dear families,

Acts 6 relays a time when a complaint within the church led to an opportunity for delegation and good deeds. As the apostles continued spreading the word of Jesus and His resurrection, more people began to believe the good news and the church grew in number. Amid this growth, the task of caring for the Hellenistic widows was being neglected. 

How did the apostles handle this complaint between the different groups of believers in their church? How did they choose to pursue unity despite the different needs and giftings of those in their community? 

In this chapter, we witness how the apostles chose not to ignore the critiques of the Hellenistic Jews. Instead, the members of the Twelve sought to bring more individuals into service opportunities for God’s glory—a proposal that pleased the whole church. From this newfound service initiative came the deacon ministry! 

The apostles’ approach to this complaint was rooted in their desire for unity within the body of Christ and the proclamation of the gospel. They instructed the church to select seven men of good character, sound wisdom, and obedience to the Holy Spirit to care for the widows in need of help. With this delegation of duties, the disciples could continue their work of prayer and preaching the Word. As the deacons served and the apostles preached the Word, the gospel reached even further, and a large group of priests came to faith in Jesus. 

Help kids see how they can serve within their church—even now as children! Explain how your work as a Bible study leader is fulfilling the Great Commission in this moment! We all have the important job of sharing God’s Word with others. God is pleased by our obedience and service and may choose to use it to take the gospel even further.

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 serve others so people all over the world can hear and believe the good news about Jesus.
• Younger Preschool: Everyone in the church has an important job to do to serve God’s people and help spread the gospel. Jesus wants us to serve others so that people all over the world can hear and believe the news of His death and resurrection.
• Older Preschool: Jesus’ friends believed that everyone in the church had an important job to do to serve God’s people and help spread the gospel. Jesus wants us to serve others so that people all over the world can hear and believe the news of His death and resurrection.
• Kids: The apostles believed that everyone in the church had an important job to do to serve God’s people and help spread the gospel. Jesus wants us to serve others so that the message of His death and resurrection can be heard and believed all over the world.

BIG PICTURE QUESTION & ANSWER

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

• Younger Preschool: Why did Jesus become a person? Jesus became a person to rescue sinners.
• Older Preschool: Why did Jesus become human? Jesus became human to rescue sinners.
• Kids: Why did Jesus become human?

KEY PASSAGE

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

• Babies & Toddlers: Jesus took our punishment. Isaiah 53:5
• Younger Preschool: Jesus took our punishment. Isaiah 53:5
• Older Preschool: Punishment for our peace was on him, and we are healed by his wounds. Isaiah 53:5
• Kids: He was pierced because of our rebellion, crushed because of our iniquities; punishment for our peace was on him, and we are healed by his wounds. Isaiah 53:5

** Next week: Stephen Was Arrested (Acts 6–7)

The Apostles Were Arrested (Acts 5)

Dear families,

In Acts 5, we find the apostles performing many signs and wonders through the power and grace they received from the Holy Spirit. The healing power of the Holy Spirit displayed through Peter, in particular, was so compelling that people laid the sick in the path of his shadow. United in purpose, the apostles also continued their mission to share the gospel with those around them, and as a result, they filled Jerusalem with their teaching! However, with the favor of their community came the opposition of the Jewish leaders who grew jealous of the apostles’ ministry. 

How did the early church navigate the ups and downs of their ministering experiences? What choices did they make when faced with rejection and suffering? 

Instead of cowering to the demands of the religious leaders to stop sharing the gospel, the apostles rejoiced in being counted worthy of mistreatment in Jesus’ name. They continued to be faithful to Jesus’ command to share the gospel and, leaving directly from the presence of the Sanhedrin, they made a daily practice of preaching and teaching the good news of Jesus Christ in the temple and from house to house. 

Even when the apostles experienced persecution and shameful mistreatment, the power of God at work was evidenced in their boldness to continue to preach the name of Jesus. Amidst many uncertainties and challenging circumstances, they remained steadfastly assured of the power of the gospel to save anyone who believes. On this truth they placed their hope as they rejoiced in their suffering. 

As you prepare to discuss this session with your kids, consider all that the apostles endured as they sought to share God’s Word so that people might hear and believe in the name of Jesus. If you find yourself in a difficult circumstance, thank God for their example of endurance despite times of trouble. Help your kids understand that when we face rejection and suffering, Christ remains near to us, just as He did to His church so long ago. We, too, can count it all joy as we face trials and trust that Jesus is worth giving our lives to.

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 wants us to tell others about Him.
• Younger Preschool: Jesus calls His followers to tell others about Him, even when it is hard. God uses everything for His glory.
• Older Preschool: Jesus calls His followers to tell others about Him, even when it is hard. Jesus suffered, and His followers will too. We can have joy in hard times, knowing God uses everything for His glory.
• Kids: Jesus calls His followers to be faithful and tell others about Him, even in times of trouble. Just as Jesus experienced rejection and suffering, so will His followers. We can have joy in suffering, knowing God uses our suffering, like Christ’s, for His glory.

BIG PICTURE QUESTION & ANSWER

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

• Younger Preschool: Why did Jesus become a person? Jesus became a person to rescue sinners.
• Older Preschool: Why did Jesus become human? Jesus became human to rescue sinners.
• Kids: Why did Jesus become human?

KEY PASSAGE

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

• Babies & Toddlers: Jesus took our punishment. Isaiah 53:5
• Younger Preschool: Jesus took our punishment. Isaiah 53:5
• Older Preschool: Punishment for our peace was on him, and we are healed by his wounds. Isaiah 53:5
• Kids: He was pierced because of our rebellion, crushed because of our iniquities; punishment for our peace was on him, and we are healed by his wounds. Isaiah 53:5

** Next week: The Church Handled a Problem (Acts 6)

Unit Description:  Jesus had promised that His followers would face opposition just as He had, and it didn’t take long for that to happen. The church was opposed by outsiders as it also experienced conflict from within. But just as God had used the opposition of Jesus for good, He would use opposition of the church for good too.

Picture Question & Answer:  Why did Jesus become a person? Jesus became a person to rescue sinners.

Key Passage: Punishment for our peace was on him, and we are healed by his wounds. Isaiah 53:5
Key Passage Phrase: Jesus took our punishment. Isaiah 53:5

Session Overview:

We Are to Tell Others about Jesus (Romans 10)

Dear families,

Paul’s letter to believers in Rome serves as one of the Bible’s clearest examples of evangelism. The words of Romans 10 bring us back to the essence of gospel truth: we must place our faith in Jesus to receive salvation from sin. However, in order to receive the gospel, we must first hear its words. From this essential truth, we find our mission as the church. 

What does it mean to be “sent” as followers of Christ? How can we be sure that we live on mission like the Bible says? 

One of the most beautiful aspects of the gospel is that it doesn’t end its work in us when we come to faith in Jesus. When we come to saving faith in Jesus, we are compelled to share the good news so others may trust in Jesus, too. What begins with personal profession must then become a public declaration for others to take part in it as well. To live “sent” means to share the gospel’s message to the ends of the earth, being empowered by the Holy Spirit to do just that. 

Salvation is the gift of eternal life in Jesus and forgiveness of sin; to live on mission means to testify to the life and forgiveness we have found so that others may experience the life-changing power of the Holy Spirit for themselves. This means being intentional in our relationships, relying on the Lord to lead us in opportunities to show and tell others about who Jesus is and what He has done. We help others experience the power of the Holy Spirit at work in us when we use every part of our life to showcase His glory. We have been sent on this mission to share Jesus with family members, neighbors, and even those who live on the other side of the world! 

As you prepare to teach this session to kids, emphasize the idea that our mission is to lead others to find salvation in Jesus. Paul’s desire and prayer was for more people to come to saving faith in Christ alone—even the kids in your classroom! Explain that the Holy Spirit’s life-changing power in your life is the same one offered to them 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 wants His followers to tell people about Him. 
• Younger Preschool: Jesus came into the world to rescue people from their sins. Jesus wants His church to go into the world and tell people about Him. 
• Older Preschool: Just as Jesus came into the world so people might trust in Him and be saved from their sins, Jesus has sent the church to tell others the good news that Jesus saves people from their sins. 
• Kids: Just as Jesus came into the world so that people might come to trust in Him and be saved from their sins, Jesus has sent the church throughout the world to tell others about the salvation that can only be found in Jesus Christ. 

BIG PICTURE QUESTION & ANSWER

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

• Younger Preschool: Why does God want Christians to tell others about Jesus? We tell others about Jesus so they can know Him and love Him. 
• Older Preschool: Why does God command Christians to tell others about Jesus? We tell others about Jesus so they will hear and believe in Him. 
• Kids: Why does God command Christians to tell others about Jesus? We tell others about Jesus so they will hear and believe the good news. 

KEY PASSAGE

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

• Babies & Toddlers: Tell others about Jesus. Romans 10:14 
• Younger Preschool: We need to tell others about Jesus so they can believe in Him. Romans 10:14 
• Older Preschool: How can they believe without hearing about him? And how can they hear without a preacher? Romans 10:14 
• Kids: How, then, can they call on him they have not believed in? And how can they believe without hearing about him? And how can they hear without a preacher? Romans 10:14 

** Next week: The Apostles Were Arrested (Acts 5)