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)

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:

We Are Part of One Church (1 Corinthians 12)

Dear families,

The twelfth chapter of Paul’s letter to the church in Corinth is known for its role in encouraging the church body toward unity. Steering us away from division and partiality, this passage reminds us that we each have a role to play in Christ’s mission of sharing the gospel. Our differences can serve to strengthen us, if only we walk together in obedience to Jesus’ mission through the power of the Holy Spirit. 

How can we best determine how to serve within the body of Christ? What does unity look like in the modern-day church? 

It can often be difficult to determine how we can serve within the church. We might even feel like the service we have to offer is unimportant. Yet, Paul wrote to encourage the Corinthian church to remember that all roles within the body of Christ are indispensable. As we seek to serve within the church we can consider our interests, passions, and giftings, which are given to us by God for His glory. Like Paul wrote in verse 17, if we all try to take on the same role within the church, we do not function in the ways God designed us. Therefore, we can trust that the gifts and interests God has given us play an important role in the purpose of His church and in the edification of the saints toward gospel-centered unity. 

Though we may not all be called to be pastors, we might be given the roles of Sunday School teachers, small group leaders, camera operators, sound engineers, bakers, meal deliverers, and so on for our churches. Paul calls us to pursue unity in the body, even amidst our diverse giftings in the church. He reminds us that the same Spirit is active within all believers, yet working uniquely within each of us as He calls us to serve for our common good. We can rejoice that God uses diverse people with various giftings to demonstrate how the Spirit unites us all to one another through Christ. 

As you discuss the story with your kids, remember that every member of the body of Christ, including you and any of your kids who have trusted in Jesus, have an essential role to play in building up God’s church! As you boldly proclaim these truths of the gospel, pray that your family will pursue unity and seek how they can serve within the body of Christ.

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: Believers are part of one church.
• Younger Preschool: Paul told the believers in the church to come together. Jesus saves sinners. Because of Jesus and what He has done, believers can come together as one church.
• Older Preschool: Paul told the believers in the church to come together because of the gospel. Jesus saves sinners. Because of Jesus and what He has done, believers can come together as one church.
• Kids: Paul told the believers in the Corinthian church to come together because of the gospel. He reminded them that Jesus saves sinners. Because of Jesus and what He has done, believers from every nation, tribe, people, and language can humbly come together as one body—the church.

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: Paul Became a Christian (Acts 9)

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)