Sunday, May 13, 2007

SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON 31 May 21, 2006

Paul's Witness to Jesus
Theme: Living by Faith in Christ Alone
Theme Verse: "I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." Galatians 2:20 NIV
Readings: Acts 26
Memory Verse: "I am sending you to them to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me." Acts 26:17b-18; turn them from darkness to light ... so that they may receive forgiveness of sins

Background
      After the hearing before Gov. Felix, Paul was held in prison for two years as a favor to the Jewish authorities even while Felix listened to Paul frequently. The next Governor, Festus, went first to Jerusalem and the Jewish authorities "urgently requested" him to transfer Paul to Jerusalem (so they could ambush and kill him). Festus told them to come to Caesarea. Once again there were many serious charges against Paul which could not be proved, so Gov. Festus asks Paul again to go to Jerusalem to be tried there before himself. (Again this was a favor to the Jewish authorities.) Paul speaks up and says, "you know very well" that "I have not done any wrong". "I appeal to Caesar!" Festus agrees.

      A few days later King Agrippa (of the Herod family) comes to welcome Festus and they talk about this unusual case. Note that Festus states that the dispute was about "a dead man, named Jesus, who Paul claimed was alive." Paul's witness was clear. King Agrippa and Bernice and lots of important people wanted to hear this famous prisoner, so they bring out Paul again.

      It is an indication of the importance Luke gave to Paul's testimony that it is repeated three times in Acts. (Probably Luke heard it many more times.)

       Word received: Agrippa gave Paul permission to speak in defense of himself and Paul chose to give his testimony to Me. When you need to defend yourself point to Me and give your testimony. I was honored in Paul's day and I want to be honored by you too.

      Paul starts his testimony at a place he has in common with other Jews -- his hope in God's promise of a Messiah to their forefathers. "And now I stand and am judged for the hope of the promise made by God to our fathers." (v.6) Word received: What are you willing to stand on? Where do you place your hope? Will you stand with Paul? Will you hope in the promises made long ago by Me?

      Paul is very open about what he was like before he met Jesus and Jesus turned his life around. He describes his personal encounter with the living Jesus. "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads." (v.14b) Word received: Where are you kicking against the goads and are you willing to repent of this? (A goad was a long stick with a pointed spike attached to make oxen move.) Think about what Jesus says next! When people persecute Jesus' people, they are persecuting him! In a similar way Jesus said, if you help one of Jesus' least followers you are doing it for Jesus himself! (Matthew 25:40)

      Now Jesus tells Paul that he has chosen Paul as his servant and witness. What is Jesus calling you to do and be -- large or small?

      Jesus promises to protect Paul -- and lets him know he will need protection! What is the task? Read the Memory Verse. What is God doing here? Word received: I AM making you into a holy people. That is what God wants to do with us too.

      "Therefore, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision." Word received: I want you to be obedient; I want you to call the children to obedience. Disobedience leads to death. I want you to choose life. (See Deuteronomy 30:19) Paul was obedient to Jesus' call and was a faithful witness. He was not always successful, that is God's job. Our job is to be obedient and be a faithful witness.

      Now Paul starts talking about repentance and turning to God and the core of the Gospel: Christ suffered and rose from the dead -- for both Jews and Gentiles. This makes Festus very agitated and he shouts that Paul is insane. In talking to Agrippa before the hearing Festus had said that the charge was "about a dead man named Jesus who Paul claimed was alive." Paul points to the resurrection of Jesus again and again. That's what makes US Christians. That is why it is so important. Word received: I want you to point to Me in the way you live -- your actions, your speech and your thoughts.

      Note that Paul was sure King Agrippa knew about what Christians believed. It was very open and public (both the event and the preaching). (This is an issue again today with several Gnostic writings being published.)

      Then Paul seizes his chance and asks the King if he believes in the prophets. Agrippa gives Paul a sarcastic answer. (See note at end.) But Paul doesn't react to this brush-off but makes a personal appeal to all those who were listening. Word received: Paul looked for opportunities to witness. I want you to do the same.

      Paul's appeal to Festus and Agrippa point to his own confidence in Jesus and his peace in being where God put him. God wants that for us too.

      Paul has followed Jesus for many years. He has seen the interplay of the Lord's promptings and power against evil forces working through the actions of people. He sees how God often works through the unwitting actions of men. Recognizing this as one way God works has helped foster Paul's trust in God. While it might look like a good thing for Paul to have been set free, Paul knows that however unpleasant the road might be, this is part of God's plan. The prize at the end of the road is to preach to Caesar! He has already witnessed to Kings and Rulers!

      When Paul speaks to the King and says, "Do you believe in the prophets? I know you do." he is attempting something big for Jesus -- to touch the heart of King Agrippa. Word received: What are you willing to dare for My sake? Paul was willing to attempt great things for Me at My direction. I want you to follow him and imitate him.

      All of us have a conversion story or a God-moment that we can share. Paul uses his story as a tool to witness to Christ. Word received: Recognize what God has done for you. Hold onto it and hold it out to shine as the Light of how God's plan and workings are in you life. Paul could have been set free they said, but God had other plans.

      Paul's circumstances are anything but perfect yet he is steadfast in his purpose. Your circumstances may be "down the drain" or on a mountaintop but whatever is going on in your story of God's intervention in your life is still there as a beacon to a God who does not change, our Father who lives and cares for us, yesterday, today and tomorrow.

Note on King Agrippa: He was the great-grandson of Herod the Great. In 50 AD he succeeded his uncle Herod in Lebanon and soon Nero added more territory. He had little favor with the Jews because he was married to his sister. He controlled the priesthood in Jerusalem. In the Jewish revolt against Rome he sided with the Romans. In 70 AD after the destruction of Jerusalem, he accompanied Titus to Rome. He was the last Herod.

How to Teach Teachers' Word: When you point to Me, you honor Me.
Talk to kids about how to point to Jesus when they are being hassled or persecuted. For example, could say "Jesus Loves you" Talk about it. Think about how you might do it.

Teaching Ideas for Lesson 31
Please read the Study Guide first. Go over Memory Verse to make sure the children understand it and then if they have memorized it.

      Remind them their parents need to sign a report slip monthly if they have read the lessons, so they will get credit at the end of the year.

      Make sure they know what happened in the story. Get them to tell you.

Basic points of the lesson for little ones:
      1. Jesus loved us so much that he died and came back to life (called resurrection) so our sins could be forgiven and we can be made new again.
      2 God wants us to share his love by telling others about Jesus and what he did for us.
      3. God wants you to share what Jesus has done for you--and people you know.
      4. Because Jesus loves us, he wants us to obey him, even in a scary time. He always know shat is best for us. If we ask God for help, he will always be there.

SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON 30 May 14, 2006

The Trial Before Felix
Theme: Living by Faith in Christ Alone
Theme Verse: "I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." Galatians 2:20 NIV
Readings: Acts 24
Memory Verse: "Whenever you are arrested and brought to trial, do not worry beforehand about what to say. Just say whatever is given you at the time, for it is not you speaking, but the Holy Spirit." for it is not you speaking but the Holy Spirit. Mark 13:11

      Five days after Paul had been whisked away secretly at night by a small army to Caesarea (the Roman headquarters) the High Priest, Ananias, some of the Elders and an orator (lawyer) came down (literally because Jerusalem is on a mountain and Caesarea is on the coast) to bring their charges against Paul.
Flattery & falsehood vs truth

      Tertullus, the lawyer, spoke very eloquently, buttering up Gov. Felix and making all sorts of false charges against Paul. Of course he called on the High Priest and elders to agree with what he said and they did. He also implied that the Roman commander had violently interfered with their dealing with Paul according to their own laws.

      Felix is an experienced Governor and gives Paul his chance to speak. (Remember that he knew about the plot to kill Paul and why he was taken down to Caesarea.) Paul has no hesitation about defending himself with the truth. Word received: Always tell the truth. Truth brings honor to My Name. If you tell the truth you don't have to cover up a lie. Then Paul speaks of the real reason for their opposition. He worships the God of Israel as a follower of "The Way" (Christianity) which his accusers call a "sect" (literally-"heresy") and quickly points to the belief he shares with his accusers, (many of whom were Pharisees) the Resurrection of all, both righteous and wicked. For this reason he, Paul, works at ("exercises himself") at having a conscience without offense toward God and man.

      Then Paul tells briefly what happened and again points to the Resurrection of the dead as the reason he was on trial. Recall in 1 Corinthians 15 that the resurrection of Jesus is tied to the resurrection of all the dead. Paul says, if the dead are not raised, then Christ is not raised and you are still in your sins. The Resurrection of the dead and of Jesus is absolutely central and essential to the Christian faith. Word received: It was for Me, Jesus, that Paul was on trial. Paul believed enough to put his life on the line. Are you committed to Jesus enough to put your life on the line like Paul did?

      Governor Felix understood what was going on and put off the accusers till later. He had "more accurate" knowledge of "The Way" than the accusers thought he did. Word received: Knowledge is not enough, nor is wisdom enough. There must also be faith. Felix had knowledge, but that wasn't sufficient. You must have faith in Me; I alone am sufficient. Felix planned to wait for the Commander, Lysias, to come down. He ordered Paul kept under guard but with some freedom.

      Felix also seemed drawn to Paul and God used it to allow Felix to hear about Jesus from Paul several times. Paul used every opportunity to share the gospel and faith in Jesus with Felix. Felix listened to Paul till Paul began to talk about righteousness, self-control and judgment, then Felix was afraid. It hit too close to home. Felix shows how not to follow Jesus, listen as long as it is interesting and convenient but when it becomes scary, turns away. (He also kept wanting a bribe.) Sometimes when sin meets God's truth there is fear and escape. Word received: I want you to hear My whole message, the pleasant and the difficult. I want your heart, your whole life, turned completely toward Me.

      Look at the Memory Verse. Word received: Paul didn't worry because he knew I would be there to help. I will be there to help you too if you can trust Me.

      Felix was interested in hearing Paul but his main interest was personal gain: getting a bribe or doing the Jewish authorities a favor (to put them in his debt). He also violated Roman law which said that a Roman citizen couldn't be held in prison more than two years without being convicted. What is our chief motivation? -- self-interest or serving God?? The call and question is still there. Joshua asked the Israelites "Choose you this day whom you will serve…but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." (Joshua 24:15).

      Both Jesus and Paul were falsely accused. While Jesus "opened not his mouth", Paul eloquently defends himself. How do we know what to do if we are falsely accused? Listen to the Holy Spirit for guidance. Sometimes it is appropriate to keep silent; other times it is right to speak up. (See Memory Verse.) Example, when false accusations were made against our bishops and staff at the Spiritual Life Center, Bp; Bena wrote an elegant, truthful, convincing rebuttal. Those who had ears to hear were reassured and encouraged.

      Paul was left in prison, "bound". Word received: You can be bound in body and free in My Spirit. You can be bound in spirit and in terrible bondage though outwardly you are free. Real freedom comes from Me. Paul was really free even though he was a prisoner. You can be free or you can be bound -- the choice is yours. Ask for the freedom of My Spirit in your life. Let Me have My way in your life so that you can be truly free. Do not pity Paul. He was free in Me in a way that few men are. You have a choice: choose life. (See Deuteronomy 30:19.)

How to teach Word for teachers: I want you to ask the teachers to be willing to be on trial for Me. I want them to be willing to surrender their lives to Me as Paul did.

Teaching Ideas for Lesson 30
Please read the Study Guide first. Go over Memory Verse to make sure the children understand it and then if they have memorized it.

      Remind them their parents need to sign a report slip monthly if they have read the lessons, so they will get credit at the end of the year.

      Make sure they know what happened in the story. Get them to tell you.

Basic points of the lesson for little ones:
      1. God wants us to always tell the truth, even when it is scary.
      2. Even if it is scary, we can always ask God in Jesus for help. He will tell us what to
say.
      3. God wants us to trust Him in everything we do & say. He will always be with us if we ask Him. That is why God in Jesus wants us to give our lives to Him.
      4. If we have a chance, God always wants us to share about Jesus' love, that he died for us and was alive again and can always be near us and help us.

SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON 29 May 7, 2006

The Lord Continues To Protect Paul
Theme: Living by Faith in Christ Alone
Theme Verse: "I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." Galatians 2:20 NIV
Readings: Acts 23: 12-35
Memory Verse: "Yea though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me."

The Plot
      After Paul's appearance in front of the Sanhedrin, over forty men formed a plot to kill Paul and vowed not to eat or drink till they had done it. The horrifying part is that they went to the chief priests and elders, told them and got them to join the plot! (Always remember when the text talks about Jews that Paul and the apostles and Jesus were Jews also.) Of course this is not the first time people have tried to kill Paul. Look at the Memory Verse, "Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil for you are with me. Your rod and your staff, they comfort me." Word received: I have not asked you to go anyplace I have not gone. I have walked through that valley to My own death; I will walk through it with you and I will comfort you. Paul would have known this Psalm and probably drew comfort from it.

      These men were zealous about the wrong thing. The Jewish tradition had many rules to make sure that justice was done and innocent blood not be shed but these men are not following that.

God continues to protect Paul
      How did Paul's sister's son find out about the plot? We don't know. We don't even know his name. Perhaps we are not told to protect the one who exposed the plot to the nephew. Look at the courage it took for the nephew, a young man, to go to Paul in prison and then to the commander. It took courage to expose this wrong. He had to live among the people who did the plotting. This is an example of the power of one, one person who acts on behalf of what is right. God used that to bring Paul where He wanted him. The young man was a part of God's plan. Don't bypass what might look trivial to you. It might be part of God's larger plan. See how God can use one person. Word received: Nothing can hide from Me. Nothing escapes My knowing. Here we get a glimpse at who God is. He knows everything. "From Him no secrets are hid." He not only knows everything, He can do anything. The forty thugs didn't consider God's power or nature. God reaches out and protects Paul.

      Both the centurion and the commander (Tribune) were very responsive to Paul. They were treating him as an important prisoner, probably also because he was a Roman citizen. They let the nephew in to see Paul, listened to Paul's request, opened doors (literally and figuratively) and took him to the commander, who listened and acted on the confidential information----immediately!

      A big chunk of the Roman army in that place was protecting Paul. Look at the size of the group that took Paul half way (to An/tip'/i/tris) about 30 miles as a bird flies- but longer by road) and on to Caesarea, another 30plus miles. There were 200 soldiers, 70 horsemen and 200 spearmen plus horses for Paul to ride. The Lord did things in a big way! All of this was prepared immediately to go late that night (9-10 PM). They were to turn him over to the Roman Governor, Felix, who would guard Paul in his fortress.

      Already, God's word to Paul the night before was taking shape. "Take courage, for as you have testified about Me in Jerusalem, so you must bear witness also at Rome." Paul would have been remembering that word. Word received: You can always trust what I say to you. Paul trusted Me. You can trust Me too.

      Look at how God takes care of Paul. "He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it."(1Thessalonians 5:24) Word received: When I call you, I will equip you. When I call you, I AM able to keep you safe. I called Paul. I equipped him and I kept him safe. There is no need to be afraid. I AM sufficient for EVERY circumstance.

      "The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?" (Psalm 27:1a) Word received: You do not need to be afraid when you are in My service. You do not need to fear for I AM near you. "The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?"(Psalm 27:1b) Word received: I was David's strength; I was Paul's strength, and I will be your strength.

      What is God calling you to do? Are you afraid? Notice how God used something bad for His good purposes (as we have recently seen in our diocese.)

How to teach word: I AM with you when you cry out to Me. I was with Paul and I will be with you.

Note: It is not just the big stuff God is calling each of us to do. It is making it through each day trusting and obeying God. As we do the little stuff we are equipped to do the big stuff when it comes. The little stuff enabled Paul to do the big stuff.

Teaching Ideas for Lesson 29
Please read the Study Guide first. Go over Memory Verse to make sure the children understand it and then if they have memorized it.

      Remind them their parents need to sign a report slip monthly if they have read the lessons, so they will get credit at the end of the year.

      Make sure they know what happened in the story. Get them to tell you.

Basic points of the lesson for little ones:
1. Whenever you get into a scary situation, you can ask Jesus for help. He will help us know what to do and say.
      2. God always knows and understands everything we go through. We can always trust God.
      3. God will give us strength when we are in a scary or hard situation. We don't need to be afraid.

SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON 28 April 30, 2006

Paul before the Sanhedrin
Theme: Living by Faith in Christ Alone
Theme Verse: "I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." Galatians 2:20 NIV
Readings: Acts 22:30-23:11
Memory Verse: "The following night the Lord stood near Paul & said, 'Take courage! As you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome.' "Acts 23:11

      Remember why Paul was here in the first place: the riot started by some falsely claiming that Paul taught against the Law, the "people" and the temple (Acts21:28). He is rescued by the Roman soldiers and gets a chance to witness from the steps of the barracks to the hostile crowd.

      The next day the Roman officer brought Paul before the Sanhedrin to get evidence (not to try him) as to why the Jews accused him. (Remember that Paul and the apostles and most of the Christians in Jerusalem were also Jews.) Paul looked directly into the eyes of the Council and calls them, "Brethren"! The he directly challenges the charge against him. "I have lived before God in all good conscience up to this day." Word received: That is what I want you to be able to say: that is why I want to cleanse your hearts with the fire of My Holy Spirit. Paul's past has been forgiven and cleansed by the blood of Jesus and the purifying fire of the Holy Spirit. That is why he can say this. God wants to cleanse our hearts (body, mind, spirit) with the fire of the Holy Spirit. Our sins are forgiven at the cross and the Holy Spirit wants to keep on making us "a new creation" by his power. The same Spirit who raised Christ Jesus from the dead can also raise us to new life. Word received: Can you say what Paul said? I want you to be able to say that you too have fulfilled your duty to Me with a good conscience. This is not to say we are perfect or sinless but the direction and purpose of our lives is to follow Jesus in obedience and love. As Paul says, I have kept the faith. I have finished my course (race). Remember how Jesus said, "I have not come to abolish the Law but to fulfill it." (Matthew 5:17)

      The high priest, Ananias (held office 47-58 AD under the reign of Claudius and Nero and was assassinated about 66AD) was a very corrupt one, notorious for his greed and was killed by the Zealots for his pro-Roman sympathies. (p.35, The New Bible Dictionary, Eerdmans) He gave orders that Paul be hit on the mouth and we see Paul's temper flare at this unfair breaking of the Law. Word received: My people will be misunderstood and suffer ridicule for My Name. That is still happening today. What we see in verse 3 is Paul, who knew the Law well, objecting to someone, who was breaking the law himself, presuming to judge him (Paul) by that same Law. Word received: Be careful how you judge others because you will be judged by how you judge others. The high priest was breaking the Law he claimed to be upholding. Paul called him on it---just as he called Peter on his double mindedness in Galatians 2:11-13.

      Remember how Jesus said in Matthew 7:1f, "Judge not that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged." Paul comments on this in Romans 2:23 "You who boast in the Law do you dishonor God by breaking the Law?" Jesus goes on to say that we need to examine ourselves before God before trying to help another who has sinned. "You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye." Jesus also says, "By their fruits you will know them." As our Bishop says, "We are not to be judges (God's role) but we are to be 'fruit inspectors'." We are to exercise discernment but without assuming God's role. We are also to be accountable to one another.

      Paul knows God's Word and backs down somewhat because he knows he needs to speak respectfully to the high priest, even though he is wrong. (Paul had just compared him to a whitewashed tomb which was considered unclean and full of death!)

      What is happening here when Paul recognizes the theological gulf between the Sadducees and the Pharisees? I would suggest that Jesus gave him an idea on the spot of how to speak -- to divide his accusers and turn them against each other and still witness to Jesus' resurrection -- the absolute core of the Christian faith. READ 1 Corinthians 15:12-17. Paul has one shot at it and wants to go right to the heart of the matter. It will also divide his opponents. The Pharisees end by letting Paul off the hook. Word received: If you were facing judgment as a Christian, what would the basis for your defense be? Paul's is the hope and the resurrection of the dead.

      God's protection takes the form of a violent dispute between two groups of accusers. Word received: I was there to guide and protect Paul. As you speak My Truth, I will be there to watch over you too.

      Now see how Jesus encourages Paul. "The following night the Lord stood by him and said, 'Take courage, for as you have testified about Me at Jerusalem, so you must bear witness also at Rome.' " Word received: "Be of good courage. It is I; do not be afraid." (Matthew 4:27) That is the word that I speak to My people when they are afraid. I want you to believe my words of comfort -- they are spoken in time of need.

      We too can call on the Lord for encouragement! He wants to give it to you. He wants you to testify about him. Share about a time when the Lord encouraged you in a difficult time. Have you ever been in an impossible spot and the Lord told you what to say or do?

Teaching Ideas for Lesson 28
Please read the Study Guide first. Go over Memory Verse to make sure the children understand it and then if they have memorized it.

      Remind them their parents need to sign a report slip monthly if they have read the lessons, so they will get credit at the end of the year.

      Make sure they know what happened in the story. Get them to tell you.

Basic points of the lesson for little ones:
       1. Think how much Paul had to go through because of a false statement. Don't accuse people unless you know the facts.
       2. Love those who persecute you.
       3. God wants you to be faithful in doing what he tells you to do.
      4. Do not be afraid of what others say about you; be faithful to God. He will be with you.

SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON 27 April 23, 2006

Paul Arrested and Tried
Theme: Living by Faith in Christ Alone
Theme Verse: "I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." Galatians 2:20 NIV
Readings: Acts 21:17-22:29
Memory Verse: I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. Galatians 2:20

      The Elders of the church in Jerusalem not only welcomed Paul and the others, they praised God for all that God had done through Paul's ministry. They had a problem, however. Thousands of Jews had come to believe in Jesus as their Messiah and had become very zealous for the Law. But all sorts of false rumors had been spread about Paul (see vs. 21). The solution the church Elders in Jerusalem proposed was to have Paul join four of the disciples in some purification rites to show the rumors were false. Paul did this for the sake of the unity of the church and that the truth would be known. Word received: Guard My unity as Paul did.

      But the plan didn't work. When "some Jews from the province of Asia" saw Paul in the temple they assumed (how many troubles start with people assuming things!) he had brought a Gentile into the temple and they started a riot. These Jews may well have been some of the same group who opposed Paul in "Asia" and were spreading false rumors about him as they had before. Word received: There will always be those who will try to destroy My church with false statements, confusion and deception. Pray for and speak the truth in love anyway as Paul did. This experience of Paul's is kind of like what has happened to our Bishops Dan and Dave.

      Paul was willing to try this plan not only for the unity of the church but, as we see later in this lesson, he was willing to "be all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some" (1 Corinthians 9:22). He was not compromising anything basic, he was willing to adapt to secondary things in order to win a hearing for the gospel, just as he had said he was willing to not eat meat if it caused a Christian brother to stumble.

      Another example of how Paul was willing to go to great lengths to share the Good News of Jesus is when the rioters capture him in the temple, start beating him to try to kill him and he is rescued by Roman (Gentile!) soldiers. Paul asks to speak to the crowd. (He got the officer's attention by asking in Greek.) Paul turns a truly life threatening situation into an opportunity for witness. (Even though the people didn't accept it, they did hear the gospel. They became quiet when Paul began to speak their own language.

      "Brethren and fathers, hear my defense before you now (22:1). Word received: Look at how Paul addresses those who are seeking to kill him--"Brethren and fathers". I want you to be able to address those who attack you with the same love that Paul has. First he speaks of how he was like them in the past. Word received: I want you to meet people where they're at, just as Paul did. Then he tells about his conversion. "Now it happened, as I journeyed and came near Damascus at about noon, suddenly a great light from heaven shone around me. And I fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to me, 'Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?" (Acts 22:6-7) Word received: I want you to know that when people persecute you for believing in me, they persecute me "So I answered, 'Who are you, Lord?' And He said to me, 'I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom you are persecuting." (22:8) Word received: I long for more of My people to ask who it is when I speak to them instead of thinking it is a passing thought. "Then a certain Ananias, a devout man according to the law, having a good testimony with all the Jews who dwelt there, came to me; and he stood and said to me, 'Brother Saul,' And at that same hour I looked up at him" (22:12-13). Word received: I long for you to go to one another and speak that word 'Brother' to those who have persecuted you. Will you go for My sake?

      When Paul got to the place in his story where Jesus sends him to the Gentiles, they started screaming and wanting to kill him again. Word received: Being faithful to Me is not a popularity contest. Bishop Dan has said that he has a constituency of One, Me. I want to be your constituency as well.

      Now look at God's protection through all this. Paul could easily have been killed when the rioters started beating him but the Roman soldiers rescued him. The second time was when God allowed Paul to use his Roman citizenship to escape a flogging to try to get evidence against him. Word received: As you witness to Me and My love, I will always watch over you.

      God sometimes uses persecution to be an opportunity for witness and evangelism. Moments of doubt and persecution are opportunities to love and serve God. The Jews who opposed Paul couldn't accept that God loves all people, even though their own scriptures contained prophecies that God would reach out to the "nations", the Gentiles in the future.

To teachers: There was no how to teach word but we discussed the second word on page one about speaking the truth in love. Also what kind of love are we talking about.

Teaching Ideas for Lesson 27
Please read the Study Guide first. Go over Memory Verse to make sure the children
understand it and then if they have memorized it.

      Remind them their parents need to sign a report slip monthly if they have read the

      lessons, so they will get credit at the end of the year.

      Make sure they know what happened in the story. Get them to tell you.

Basic points of the lesson for little ones:
      1.God wants us always to tell the truth, in love (God's kind of love).
      2. Sometimes when we talk about Jesus, telling the truth about him, there will be some people who will not like it or not believe us.
      3. God still wants us to tell others about Jesus and His love, even when some don't like it.
      4. When we obey God, He will always watch over us.

SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON 26 April 9, 2006

Palm Sunday: Pressing Toward the Goal
Theme: Living by Faith in Christ Alone
Theme Verse: "I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." Galatians 2:20 NIV
Readings: Acts 21:1-16
Memory Verse: "Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me (heavenward in Christ Jesus)". Philippians 3:13b-14

      Paul continues on his 3rd missionary journey planning to end up in Jerusalem by Pentecost. Luke is still with them. (See "we" passages. This is an eye witness account.)

      Something that runs through this lesson is the closeness of the early Christians. We see strong mutual love between Paul and the believers at each stop. (Paul has a lot of bad press in the church and world today. However hard, legalistic and cruel he once was when he watched with approval the stoning of Stephen, he now has great love and tenderness toward his fellow believers--and they feel the same way about him.)

      "After we had torn ourselves away from them" (literal translation vs. 1). The fellowship and friendship runs deep and it was hard to part. Word received: It is the fellowship in Me that will help carry you through hard times. When they landed in Tyre they "sought out" the disciples there (vs. 4) and stayed seven days. Paul and his friends look first for other disciples when they come to a new place. Word received: Seek out My people wherever you go. At Tyre all the disciples including their wives and children accompanied Paul's group out of the city to the beach where everyone knelt to pray. Look at how close they were after only seven days. God wants that for us too. They probably laid hands on Paul and the others before Paul and the others get on the ship. Word received: Will you pray in public? Will you let others see and hear you crying out to Me?

      As Paul's group goes from port to port they contact Christian brothers and sisters. In verses 7-8 at Ptotemais (near present day Haifa) they greeted the "brethren" and stayed one day. The next day in Caesarea they stayed with Philip, one of the original seven deacons (Acts 6:1-7). When Agabus prophesied about Paul being bound in Jerusalem, the people started weeping and begging Paul not to go to Jerusalem. Paul's response was, "Why are you weeping and breaking my heart"? This is a close relationship of people who cared passionately about each other. When Paul and his group went up to Jerusalem, "some of the disciples from Caesarea went up with them" (!!) and took them to stay at the house of a man from Cyprus. Perhaps the Greeks in the group would feel more comfortable there. It says (vs. 17) that the brethren in Jerusalem "received them gladly".

      God intends the church to be "the household of God", his family! Remember that Jesus taught his disciples to call God, "Father". God wants us to have a close relationship with himself and with each other.

      We see the gifts of the Holy Spirit widely used in the first century church. Many people are listening to the Holy Spirit and sharing what they hear and deciding how to respond. Also some have a regular gift of prophecy and are called "prophets" (both men and women), like Agabus and the four unmarried daughters of Philip. Philip had the gift and ministry of evangelism. (Would Philip and Paul and the others have traded stories about what they had seen God do?)

      Now look at Paul's response of determination to obey God's call to go to Jerusalem even though he is repeatedly warned that imprisonment and even death await him. Paul kept on making the choice to obey. We need to recall Acts 20:22-24 (read) as background for these repeated warnings made by people hearing by the Holy Spirit what awaits Paul. Paul has already been warned "in every city" about what's going to happen. God is strengthening Paul as he has to keep on making the choice to obey and confirming what Paul himself has heard from the Holy Spirit. Paul is very single-minded about doing what God wanted. See the Memory Verse. Word received: I want you all to be as single minded about following My will as Paul was. How committed are we to doing God's will when we already know what it is???? When Paul "would not be persuaded" not to go to Jerusalem, his friends ceased and commended him to God's will and care. Word received: I want you to commend one another to My will and My care.

      Look at the Memory Verse again. Word received: "Forgetting" is a choice you can make. Let My goodness and mercy come between you and the hard memories of your past. (See Psalm 23:6a)

      Notice the parallels to Jesus' last journey to Jerusalem where he "set his face" to go to Jerusalem (Luke 9:51). His disciples didn't understand and Peter rebuked Jesus once when Jesus talked about what was going to happen in Jerusalem. Jesus knew what was ahead and he had many warnings. Jesus also compared it to a race, "on the third day I finish my course" (Luke 13:32). Paul had been told by God numerous times by the time he said goodbye to the elders from Ephesus "that imprisonment and afflictions await me." Paul says he is "bound in the Spirit". He knows it will be bad but doesn't know exactly how. Paul sees his life as a race for the prize and the finish line. He is determined to be obedient. He is prepared to "share in his (Christ's) suffering. "For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things…in order that I may gain Christ…that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death…(Philippians 3:8-10). Paul is in the same company as Peter and John who rejoiced that they were counted worthy to suffer for the name of Jesus. (Acts 5:41 & Acts 4:29) after being threatened by the Sanhedrin. Afterwards they prayed for more boldness and more signs and wonders.

      A problem for us is comparing verse 4 "through the Holy Spirit they told Paul not to go on to Jerusalem" and Agabus simply stating a fact, "Thus says the Holy Spirit, so shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man who owns this girdle and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles." In this case people beg Paul not to go there. Even as we try to understand this, we have to say with C.S. Lewis, "It says what it says". In such situations we have to look at the larger context. On the whole it seems clear that God was warning and preparing Paul and the church for what lay ahead. Paul never wavered as he repeatedly made the choice to go forward in obedience. Paul did not take the path of least resistance. He doesn't allow fear to distract him. His relationship with the Lord who turned his life around keeps him steady. The Holy Spirit warns Paul but also compels him ("bound in the Spirit"). The desire of the people who loved Paul was to protect him but even though it grieves him to give them pain, his first loyalty is to his Master and Savior.

      Also reflect on the man in Afghanistan who converted to Christianity and was willing to risk death to stay true to Jesus. He is in Italy now but many are curious and want to know more.

      Ask the Holy Spirit to show you/us where we are wavering when he wants us to go forward in some way.

Postscript for adults and High School students:
      In the latest Guideposts (April 06) there is an article about Bonhoeffer a young Lutheran pastor in Nazi Germany who was part of the underground "confessing church" and it occurred to him that the will of God might be different from the will of the people he loved. In 1930 he had a year at Union Seminary in NYC and was touched by the enthusiastic worship of black Christians there. It was his first encounter with racism so he quickly spotted it in Hitler's talks. Many churches supported the new order or remained silent. When the secret community was discovered he received a return invitation from NYC, went thinking it was God's will. Soon he told his stunned friends, I'm going back and returned on the last ship to go there. He was soon imprisoned in a plot to kill Hitler in order to rescue masses of Jews headed for the camps. He was executed in the final weeks of the war because he was on Hitler's enemies list. He wrote, "The will of God is not a system of rules established from the outset. It must be found new each day as we walk in God's presence."

Teaching Ideas for Lesson 26
Please read the Study Guide first. Go over Memory Verse to make sure the children understand it and then if they have memorized it.

      Remind them their parents need to sign a report slip monthly if they have read the lessons, so they will get credit at the end of the year.

      Make sure they know what happened in the story. Get them to tell you.
Basic points of the lesson for little ones:
      1.In God's family we can be very close with each other, caring for each other and praying for each other.
      2. When God's family is close and loving, it is a witness to Jesus' love for each of us and helps us through hard times.
      3. When God gives us a job to do, He wants us to pay attention and do it with our whole hearts.

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SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON 25 April 2, 2006

Paul Encourages the Ephesians As He Says Goodbye
Theme: Living by Faith in Christ Alone
Theme Verse: "I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." Galatians 2:20 NIV
Readings: Acts 20: 13-37
Memory Verse: " However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me--the task of testifying to the gospel of God’s grace." Acts 20:24

      Note that Luke is again with the group (vs.13,15) so this is an eyewitness account of part of Paul's third missionary journey. Paul is hurrying to get to Jerusalem by Pentecost, if possible.

      Paul sends for the Elders of the church in Ephesus to meet him at the seaport. He tells them "You know that from the first day I came to Asia, in what manner I always lived among you" (v.18b). Word received: I want your manner of life in Me to be evident to all. Paul continued, "serving the Lord with all humility, with tears and trials/temptations which happened to me by the plots of the Jews" (vs.19) Word received: I want you to serve Me as Paul did with all humility. He emphasized, "how I kept back nothing that was helpful but proclaimed it to you and taught you publicly and from house to house" (vs.20). Word received: I want you to keep back nothing of My full gospel. Paul reminds them of his "testifying to Jews and also to Greeks, repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ" (vs.21) Word received: Will you go where I send you? Speak the word I give you.

      Now look at Paul's ability and commitment to listen to and hear the Holy Spirit. (vs.16, 22, 23) Paul listens and is compelled ("bound in the Spirit") to obey what God says to him, even if it is dangerous. Word received: My desire is that you would hear Me and obey as Paul did. Paul's chief desire and determination is to complete the task Jesus, his Lord and Master, has given him! What is in the Greek and not the English is "to finish my course (race) with joy!" Paul is willing to go forward in obedience to God knowing "that afflictions and imprisonment await" him. This shows how closely Paul's spirit is in contact with God's Spirit. He doesn't know exactly what will happen but he has a sense that the end of his race is coming, perhaps a sense of impending martyrdom. The Holy Spirit has prepared him, stiffened his resolve to obey--no matter what! Notice he doesn't blame God for what is happening.

      Paul knows, and wrote in Ephesians 6:12 that his real struggle is not against people but against "the rulers of the darkness of this age", the evil spiritual powers. As he wrote in Philippians1:21, "For me to live is Christ and to die is gain". Living he can serve Christ and by dying he can be with Jesus.

      NOTE: The "Elders" of Ephesus (vs.17) were called "presbyters" in Greek, the same word often used for ordained priests and ministers today. The pattern in synagogues was to be ruled by a body of elders who ruled but did not perform priestly or pastoral functions. Paul and Barnabas appointed Elders in newly founded churches (see Acts 14:23 & 20:17). So it is especially interesting that Paul calls the same men "overseers" (episkopous" in Greek) given that responsibility by the Holy Spirit in order to shepherd the church of God. To shepherd is to guard, protect, guide care for God's flock of "sheep". The present hierarchy and 3-fold ministry did not develop immediately but certainly developed a lot in the 2nd century as the apostles died off and heresies attacked the church. Interestingly Philippians 1:1 refers to overseers and deacons!

      Paul really loved these people and they loved him (Verses 36-38). Parting for the last time is very painful. They were not ashamed of their tears. Paul had shared tears before with these people (v.19) with whom he had shared severe tests from plots of his opponents. Their mutual love was why Paul was able to be so frank. He held nothing back, he warned, instructed. exhorted them on how to protect themselves, grow in the power of the Spirit to glorify and hear God. Word received: This is the way a community should be. This is the way I want Christ Church community to be--lots of teaching, loving and praying together.

      Look now at the rest of Paul's message. Not only did he "hold nothing back" that would help them but he taught…publicly and from house to house. The first century church soon encountered Christian Gnostics (means knowledge) who like pagan Gnostics and the mystery religions taught a two-level religion, with special secret knowledge for the elite few (1 Timothy 6:20) The test of the catholic (universal) Christian faith came to be what was publicly taught, everywhere and at all times.

      Our generation goes ga-ga over these Gnostic writings that have been rediscovered. The church rejected them because they were false! Paul warns about wolves in sheep's clothing coming into the church and giving false teaching, drawing people to themselves. These "wolves" would come out of the church itself! Therefore "Be on your guard" (vs.28, 31). That certainly fits the church today! The good news of God is still "turn to God in repentance and have faith in our Lord Jesus" (vs21). It is for ALL people, both Jews and non-Jews, unlike some who say not to preach to Jews or try to reach people of other religions. Paul intensely longed for all his fellow Jews to come to know Jesus as the Christ (Messiah).

      Because Paul had repeatedly warned and taught these people, he was "innocent of the blood of all men". He had done his best to make known the new life in Christ and he commended them to God's care and prayed with them. This is like the passage in Ezekiel 3 that talks about the responsibility of God's servants to be watchmen and warn those who fall into sin.

      Paul also reminded them of the example he had set of supporting himself so that he and his friends could help the poor and weak. This is still true in many places in the world and there are church in our own diocese who have "worker priests".

      It is interesting to note how Paul intertwined past, present and future in this final message. Past: what he had preached and how he had set an example. Present: the Holy Spirit is compelling him to go to Jerusalem and finish the task of testifying to God's grace. He also commits them to God's care. Future: he won't see them again and he warns them as shepherds to keep guard over God's flock and protect them from false shepherds. Through it all, Paul is and will remain focused on his task and committed to the Holly Spirit' guidance.

NOTE on Ephesus: It was generally considered to be the greatest metropolis of the Roman province of Asia (in present day Turkey). It was an important city in the early church. Not only is it associated with Paul, John the Apostle and the "other John" but with Irenaeus, a bishop who came from there to France and wrote (about 185 AD) an important book "Against Heresies" (including Gnosticism). At that time, to preserve the apostolic faith against heresy, people were urged to look to the churches who were founded by apostles. Unfortunately in the 2nd century disputes over the correct date to celebrate Easter began to embitter the relationship between churches and bishops east and west leading to a split that still exists today.

      Ephesians is one of the churches mentioned in Revelation (chapter 2). There were several councils of the Church in Ephesus to settle theological disputes. One recognized in West and East was the 3rd General Council in 431 AD. Another met there in 449 but resulted in a stormy ruptured relationship between Alexandria and Rome. (Source: A History of the Christian Church, by Williston Walker, pp118, 138) Later tradition also says that Mary the mother of Jesus lived there later in her life.

How to teach word for teachers: Look at Paul and the love the Ephesians bear him. Look at his love for them. Consider the lies that are told about Paul. Look at the lies in your day against My church. I AM. I AM the Way, the Life and the Truth. Turn to Me for the Truth.

Teaching Ideas for Lesson 25
Please read the Study Guide first. Go over Memory Verse to make sure the children understand it and then if they have memorized it.

      Remind them their parents need to sign a report slip monthly if they have read the lessons, so they will get credit at the end of the year.

      Make sure they know what happened in the story. Get them to tell you.

Basic points of the lesson for little ones:
1.The church is God's family as well as a Christian community. God wants there to be love and understanding there.
      2. When we are part of a true Christian community we can also learn the truth about Jesus.
      3. Being part of God's family can help protect us from bad choices by teaching us God's Word.
      4. In God's family there is wonderful fellowship and people supporting each other.
      5. God wants each of us to love him, obey him and serve him as Paul did. Will you?

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SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON 24 March 26, 2006

The Raising of the Dead
Theme: Living by Faith in Christ Alone
Theme Verse: "I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." Galatians 2:20 NIV
Readings: Acts 20: 1-12
Optional Readings: Luke 9:1-6, Ephesians 2:1-5
Memory Verse: "I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father." John 14:12

      Setting "After the uproar ceased" refers to the riot in Ephesus started by the silversmiths who were not selling as many silver idols of Artemis as they used to. Luke is traveling with Paul again and we get "we" passages. Luke is quite detailed about the time spent in some places. Quite likely it is from a diary he kept and later used to write the Book of Acts.

      Paul encourages and exhorts the believers in Ephesus before he starts the journey back to Jerusalem by way of Macedonia and Greece. As he was traveling through Macedonia he visited and encouraged ("much encouragement") the churches he had planted. He spent three months in Greece, undoubtedly doing the same thing. Word received: I want you to encourage others as well. Word received: That's what I want you to share, words of encouragement. When you build each other up then you will see each other grow.

      Paul escapes another plot just as he is about to sail for Syria, so he decides to go back through Macedonia. (!!) It is likely that God warned and protected Paul by other Christians as before. Paul never gives up, he just travels another way. In addition to his regular traveling companions, there are 6 others from various churches going with them. This sounds like the representative group that was carrying a gift of relief money to Jerusalem that Paul wrote about in 1 Corinthians 16:1-9 and 2 Corinthians 8:20 and 9:5.

      The timing is very soon after Passover (and therefore after Easter) and five days later they came to Troas. Recall that Troas was where Paul had seen the vision of a man from Macedonia saying "Come over and help us." (Acts 16:8-11) They left for Macedonia immediately so we don't know how there came to be a church in Troas. Someone else probable founded it and this could have been Paul's first visit. He wanted to make sure they were properly taught because he stayed there for seven days. Clearly Paul feels an urgency and a sense of duty to cram as much as he possibly can into this short visit.

      In the next few verses we see a glimpse of the first century church at worship. Notice that it was on the first day of the week- the day of Jesus' resurrection, not the Jewish Sabbath. It was at night since most people had to work during the day and they were less likely to be noticed at night where there were hostile surroundings. They broke bread (v.7) and ate (v.10). Many of the earliest churches had the Eucharist and a fellowship meal together (see 1 Corinthians 11:20-22, 33-34). There was also a teaching and/or sermon. We know from other sources that the early church took patterns of worship: scripture reading and singing from the synagogue. (Compare Acts 2:42)

      It was late, midnight, and probably hot (many oil lamps) and crowded. Poor young Eutychus was sitting in the window, fell asleep and fell down from that 3rd story window and was killed, "taken up dead". Then the story turns astonishing. Paul goes down, bends over the boy and embraces him and says in a matter of fact way, "Do not be alarmed, for his life is in him"!!! (Paul's approach was like Elisha's in bringing back to life the son of the Shunammite woman.(2 Kings 4:32-37).

      Something bad happened, Paul takes care of it, goes back up for the meal and the "breaking of bread" and keeps on talking till dawn!!! He expected God to work! Do we? That's how God wants it to be in his community- using the gifts God gives as just a normal part of spreading the Good News of Jesus. Even today in many parts of the world where the people have no one to turn to except God, miracles of healing are a common place part of evangelism.

      Compare what Paul did here and elsewhere with what Jesus did with his disciples while he was still with them on earth. In Luke 9:1-6, Jesus gives his 12 disciples power to heal and authority over evil spirits and with this demonstration of God's power, they are to preach the Gospel. The Memory Verse says that anyone who has faith in Jesus will do what Jesus had been doing and "even greater things". (Probably means more things since Jesus was going to the Father. Word received: Paul did those greater things. I want you to do those greater things too. I want your daily journey with Me to be as vibrant as Paul's. Have we received the power of God's Spirit to be used by God and follow Jesus or are we trying to do it in our own strength?

      Paul and Jesus raised people from the dead but physical death is not all that God is concerned with. Read Ephesians 2:1-5. God is even more concerned when people are "dead in sin" "following the course of this world" and the Evil One, and "following the desires of body and mind". "But God, who is rich in mercy, out of the great love with which he loved us….made us alive together with Christ" "By grace you have been saved." Just as Paul brought this young man back to life through the power of Jesus' Spirit, so God brings us back from the dead through Jesus.

      Young Eutychus is like the church sometimes. We get sleepy and fall. But just when it looks dead, God through his Holy Spirit revives his church.

Teaching Ideas for Lesson 24
Please read the Study Guide first. Go over Memory Verse to make sure the children understand it and then if they have memorized it.

      Remind them their parents need to sign a report slip monthly if they have read the lessons, so they will get credit at the end of the year.

      Make sure they know what happened in the story. Get them to tell you. Consider acting it out sometimes.

Basic points of the lesson for little ones:
1. As friends of Jesus, he wants us to tell each other when we do things well.
      2. God also wants us to share Jesus' love with each other both by helping each other and reminding each other of God's love.
      3. When we are in a Christian group we can expect that miracles will happen when we pray. (Remind them about Sean Wendell or tell them if they haven't heard.)
      4. Something always happens when we pray (although it may be different than what we expected.)
      5. We need to ask for God's power to follow and obey Jesus day by day, like Paul.

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SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON 23 March 19, 2006

Paul's Perseverance in Witnessing: Jesus is Exalted
Theme: Living by Faith in Christ Alone
Theme Verse: "I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." Galatians 2:20 NIV
Readings: Acts 19:1-22
Memory Verse: He took the disciples with him and had discussions daily in the lecture hall of Tyrannus. This went on for two years, so that all the Jews and Greeks who lived in the province of Asia heard the word of the Lord. (Acts 19:9b-10)

      This lesson begins after Paul had gone back to Jerusalem, made a swing through Galatia and Phrygia strengthening the churches and had gone on to Ephesus. Apollos was still in Corinth. Recall that Paul had left Aquilla and Priscilla in Ephesus. It appears that they never encountered these disciples Paul found. For many years disciples of John the Baptist became disciples of Jesus (see John 1:35) but not all. (NOTE: A History of the Christian Church, p.18, Williston Walker states that those in Acts 19:1 were still just disciples of John the Baptist.)

      They had not even heard of the Holy Spirit and had only received John's baptism of repentance. Probably they were Gentiles or they would have heard of the Holy Spirit in the Hebrew scriptures. Did Paul see or not see something he expected? The Lord prompts him to ask the question about the Holy Spirit. Word received: Paul is again listening to Me. I want you to listen to My Spirit as Paul did. "On hearing this…" Word received: See the result of Paul listening and obeying Me. As you listen and follow Me, You too will see Me work. Prayer: Lord, open our ears and hearts to keep on listening to you for guidance.

      "Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?" Word received: I want you to ask that same question to believers who show no evidence of My power in their lives. "No, we have never even heard that there is a Holy Spirit." Word received: That is the condition of so many of My people. They hear of evil spirits, but not of My Holy Spirit. I want them to hear, I want them to know the power of My Holy Spirit.

      Have you heard that the power of the Holy Spirit that began to operate in the apostles on the Day of Pentecost is available to you today? Have you received it? Recall that Jesus' disciples received the Holy Spirit after Jesus rose from the dead (John 20:22) but they did not receive His power until Pentecost (Acts 2).

      When Paul heard their answer, he immediately tells them about Jesus to whom John pointed and the necessity of being baptized in the Name of Jesus. He baptized them and laid his hands on them to receive the Holy Spirit with power. Word received: I want you to find the freedom of My Spirit and lay hands on others as Paul did so they may receive the full power of My Spirit. The Lord is faithful and wants his people to receive all that he has for them. After they received the Holy Spirit, they received outward manifestations of God's Spirit.

      Notice that there were only twelve, but Paul thinks they are just as important as large numbers. Word received: It isn't only the times with thousands that are remembered in Scripture, it is the twos and threes and twelves as well and even one lonely Ethiopian by himself. Don't be afraid to minister to only a handful. Paul was not held back by such fears.

      The next thing to notice is Paul's perseverance. As was his custom, he preaches and argues with those in the synagogue, both Jews and God-fearers (those Gentiles who worshipped the God of Israel but had not become Jews). He does this week by week for three months. The Amplified Bible, verse 9 says, "But some became more and more stubborn (hardened and unbelieving) discrediting and reviling and speaking evil of the Way before the congregation." As long as people were seriously considering the news about Jesus, Paul stayed but when people's minds were made up--both ways--there was no longer any point in staying. We need to know when to continue and when to stop and move on.

      Paul took those who had become believers, left the synagogue and moved into a large hall (unused during siesta time, noon to 3 or 4) and stayed there daily presenting and debating the Good News till ALL in the province of Asia had heard!!!!

      "God did extraordinary miracles by the hands of Paul". Word received: I do not work in one manner only. You should not assume how I will work, only that I will. Look to Me to do more than you expect. God works in many ways. Here God uses things Paul has touched. One of the ways He works is by using physical, created things such as blessed water for baptism, Paul's hands to convey his healing, bread and wine to become vehicles of his grace to convey the spiritual reality of his Body and Blood given for us. God blessed the faith of the men who let down their friend through the roof to get him to Jesus. Jesus healed in many ways. There isn't a recipe that we can follow to control God. He will not be put in a box. God uses things but he wants us to look to him in faith and expectancy. (The problem with relics is that people's attention shifts from God himself to the physical thing.)

      That is where the sons of Sceva went wrong. They saw Paul heal in the Name of Jesus so they thought they could use that name like a magic formula without knowing Jesus himself (relationship). They didn't fool the evil spirit! He said, "Jesus I know and Paul I know , but who are you?" and he beat them up badly. Word received: My power is not to be mocked or misused. It should always point to Jesus. These men were obviously misusing God's power -- to point to themselves and not to God.

      God takes what was bad and uses it for good. God used both the unusual miracles and the dramatic failure of the sons of Sceva to glorify and make known the Name of Jesus. People developed a healthy respect/fear/awe for the tremendous power of God in Jesus. The result was that the Word of the Lord spread widely and grew in power. People's lives were changed.

      The other result was that new believers, who had been hiding their involvement with the occult and sorcery repented publicly and brought their magic books together and burned/destroyed them. They were worth a lot of money! (50,000 pieces of silver or $9,300 in 1987 dollars.) Ephesus was famous as a center of magic and sorcery and the occult magic books were often called "Ephesian Writings".

      Is there anything you think you are hiding from God??? Several of the teachers mentioned possessions they destroyed after becoming Christians because these things represented forces that opposed God. (Examples: records, statues of Buddha, jewelry decorated with symbols of astrology). God's people may have stuff they shouldn't have and at the same time even believers may not have all that God wants them to have. God is calling us to be open to helping people both receive and let go of things. How have you experienced the power of Jesus' Name and the power of the Holy Spirit?

      Finally, notice how Paul made decisions. Again and again we see that Paul listened to the Lord when he made decisions. The Greek says Paul resolved "in the Spirit" that he would go to Jerusalem through Macedonia and Greece and then hoped to go to Rome. (He didn't leave right away however which was how he got involved in the riot that was a backlash against all the conversions to Jesus and drop in sale of idols.) (Ephesus forms the background of Paul's two letters to the Corinthians.)

What should we do when things are not going well for us?
      1. Keep things in perspective. Jesus has won the victory!
      2. Recognize that trouble is a normal part of the Christian life. (Jesus said, "In this world you will have trouble, but take heart! I have overcome the world.")
      3. Keep praising God through the midst of it. You can always find something to praise God about.
      4. Look for the good that God is bringing out of the bad situation.
      5. Turn to Jesus. Turn to your Christian friends for support.
      6. Don't try to "get back" at anyone. Leave that to God. Jesus said, Forgive and pray for
those who "despitefully use" you.

      Look again at what Paul says about his first visit to Corinth. (See 1 Corinthians 2:1-5) Paul keeps his attention on following Jesus, the crucified and risen One, and being empowered by the Holy Spirit, no matter what happens.

Word for SS teachers: Invite them to receive more of My Holly Spirit. I AM with you as you pray for them.

      We prayed with each other and for the teachers not present with us.

Teaching Ideas for Lesson 23
Please read the Study Guide first. Go over Memory Verse to make sure the children understand it and then if they have memorized it.

      Remind them their parents need to sign a report slip monthly if they have read the lessons, so they will get credit at the end of the year.

      Make sure they know what happened in the story. Get them to tell you.

Basic points of the lesson for little ones:
      1. Jesus loves us, and wants us to share that love by telling others about Jesus.
      2. God works in many ways. When we pray for others in Jesus' Name, we are asking for God's power to come and help them.
      When we pray in Jesus' Name, He always does something. It may be different from what we expected, but He always does something.
      3. When you were baptized in the Name of Jesus, God sent His Holy Spirit to live in our hearts. Jesus wants us to listen to Him and not do all the talking.
      4. Just like the adults, you too can pray: Come Holy Spirit. Come Now. Come with More Power.

SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON 22 March 12, 2006

God's Power and Encouragement
Theme: Living by Faith in Christ Alone
Theme Verse: "I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." Galatians 2:20 NIV
Readings: Acts 18
Memory Verse: "One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision: 'Do not be afraid; keep on speaking, do not be silent. For I am with you, and no one is going to attack and harm you, because I have many people in this city.'" Acts 18:9-10

       Background: this is one of the more datable chapters in Acts. The Roman Emperor, Claudius ordered all Jews out of Rom in 49 or 50 AD. (See NOTE 1) Gallio was the Roman Proconsul in Corinth in 51 AD. Aquila was from Pontus on the northern coast of Turkey.

      Aquila (means eagle) and Priscilla had been driven out of Rome. This event is parallel to the church in Jerusalem being dispersed by Saul's persecution and God using for good, what others meant for evil. God provided immediate friends and support for Paul who seems to be alone in Corinth. Since they had the same trade (tent-makers), Paul stayed and worked with them. (See NOTE 2) At that time Paul was arguing for the gospel every Sabbath in the synagogue, going, as was his custom, to his fellow Jews first. There he persuaded many Jews and Greeks (probably God-fearers) to believe. He was persistent and never stopped.

      When Silas and Timothy arrived, Paul was able to concentrate on his preaching and testifying that Jesus was the Christ (Messiah). It literally says Paul was "compelled by the Spirit" (pressed, constrained by the Spirit). Word received: How I long for all My people to be directed by My Spirit as Paul was. (Paul tells us about his early days in Corinth in 1 Corinthians 2:1-4)

      Then those Jews who didn't believe "opposed and reviled him and he shook out his garments and said to them '…from now on I will go to the Gentiles.'" We are not required to pound away at those people who are opposed to the message of the gospel. We can just leave and find people who are more receptive. Paul left the synagogue with those who believed and went next door to the house of a Gentile believer, Justus. The ruler of the synagogue, Chrispus and his family were among the many who believed and were baptized.

      The Lord spoke to Paul one night in a vision and encouraged him. He said, "Do not be afraid; keep on speaking, do not be silent. For I am with you, and no one is going to attack and harm you, because I have many people in this city." Even Paul was afraid after all that had happened to him and needed to be encouraged. Word received: Pray that many will hear My words of encouragement that I AM speaking to them.

      These words of the Lord are for us too. We don't need to be afraid about speaking up for Jesus. He is always with us. Even though it may seem that we are alone, we never are. Remember how Elijah, who after winning the battle with the priests of Baal on Mt. Carmel, fled for his life from the wicked Queen Jezebel and cried out to God, "I, even I only am left and they seek my life." (1 Kings 19:14) God assured Elijah that he had 7,000 in Israel who had not worshipped Baal. We will have support from other Christians and we need to give support to other Christians. Paul stayed there 18 months, building up the church and winning new converts. The vision from God encouraged him to stay put. Word received: I want you to speak about Me like Paul did. Do not be silent. I protected Paul and I will protect you.

      Then, evidently, when there was a new Roman proconsul about 51 AD, the Jews of Corinth made a united attack on Paul and brought him to court. Gallio refused to pay any attention to the charges they brought against Paul and even refused to intervene when they beat up the ruler of the synagogue, Sosthenes! (Sosthenes appears later in Paul's first letter to the Corinthians 1:11.) Word received: You have seen in your own day the hostility that rises up against My faithful witnesses.

      Paul was able to stay "many days" longer before going to Ephesus on his way to Syria. He was able to "reason" with the Jews in Ephesus who wanted him to stay longer. He said no but said he would return if it was God's will. Notice how Paul was guided by God's will. Are we?

      While Aquila and Priscilla were in Ephesus, Apollos, a Jew, arrived from Alexandria, Egypt. He was very well educated in the Scriptures and instructed in the Way of the Lord and was teaching and preaching accurately about Jesus and with great enthusiasm. When Priscilla and Aquila heard him they were impressed but recognized that he didn't know the whole story (just the baptism of John). So they took him privately to their home and told him the rest of the "Way of God" (The Way was the early name by which the Christians identified themselves.) Notice how they both corrected him and respected him. Here we see Christians mentoring newer Christians again.

      We too need to be teaching each other and increasing our own understanding of the Way of God. We are a Body and God gives to each, insights to share. Prayer: Lord, help me to be a lifelong student of your way.

      The believers in Ephesus encouraged Apollos to go to Corinth where he was a great help to the believers there for he could accurately and vigorously debate in public about Jesus being the Messiah. Later Paul said of him, "I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow." (1 Corinthians 3:6)

      (Notice how Paul had made and completed a vow. (See NOTE 3). Paul did not discard all the Jewish law. He participated in this again in Jerusalem later.)

      Meanwhile Paul traveled to Caesarea, Jerusalem, Antioch and back to Galatia and Phrygia going from place to place, strengthening all the disciples. Word received: I want you to make it your mission to strengthen your fellow disciples.

      Look at how God used many different people to spread his word and how he moved them around. Are you ready to be moved about if God so chooses? Are you ready to witness like all these different people did?

NOTE 1 on expulsion of the Jews from Rome by Claudius about 49-50 AD: At that time Romans, Jews and Christians agreed that what was taking place was a conflict among Jews. As long as things were relatively orderly, Romans preferred to stay out of such matters. But when there was a riot or any disorderly conduct, they intervened to restore order and sometimes punished the disorderly.

      A good illustration of this was the expulsion of Jews from Rome by Claudius. Suetonius, a Roman historian, says that Jews were expelled…for their disorderly conduct 'because of "Chrestus". Most historians agree that was "Christus" and that Christian proclamation by unknown evangelists caused so many riots among Jews that the Emperor expelled the lot. (Source: p.32, The Story of Christianity by Gonzalez, vol.1.)

NOTE 2 on tents: Jewish men were usually taught a trade as well as being educated in the Scriptures. Because of the importance of Israel's wilderness experience, tent imagery continued to be used after they lived in permanent buildings. "Tent" is also used symbolically in Scripture. Paul spoke of his body as a "tent" (2Corinthians 5:1) and Peter also speaks of "putting off my tent" (2 Peter 1:13) . Growth of a household was made room for by adding sections to their tent and so represents prosperity (Isaiah 54:2). I John 1:14 it literally says, "the word "tented" among us...God's glory tabernacled in Jesus just as God's glory sometimes filled the tabernacle in the desert.

      In the wilderness period, God's presence with them was the "tent of meeting" (or tabernacle). Solomon build the first temple building. The tentmakers, Paul, Aquila and Priscilla were laboring together to build a tabernacle, a place of worship, for God among these Gentiles. Paul talks elsewhere about our bodies being the temple of God.

NOTE 3 on vows: a temporary Nazirite vow which can also be seen in Acts 21:23-24. Could have been in thanksgiving or a prayer for protection. See Numbers 6:1-21.

Teaching Ideas for Lesson 22
Please read the Study Guide first. Go over Memory Verse to make sure the children understand it and then if they have memorized it.

      Remind them their parents need to sign a report slip monthly if they have read the lessons, so they will get credit at the end of the year.

      Make sure they know what happened in the story. Get them to tell you.

Basic points of the lesson for little ones:
1.Jesus loves us and wants to guide and care for us and encourage us.
            When you need help just say, "Jesus, help me!"
      2. Jesus wants us to encourage each other.
      3. One way Jesus does this is through friends who love Jesus.
      4. Jesus wants us to show our love for him by being willing to talk about Him to other people.

SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON 21 March 5, 2006

Paul Witnesses in Athens
Theme: Living by Faith in Christ Alone
Theme Verse: "I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." Galatians 2:20 NIV
Readings: Acts 17:16-34
Memory Verse: From one man he made every nation of men. Acts 17:26a

      Once again persecution spreads the Good News of Jesus to a new place -- Athens. God has prepared some hearts. Paul is by himself, waiting for Silas and Timothy to join him, and he walks around and checks out the city. He sees all the idols, argues and debates with Jews and God-fearers in the synagogue and philosophers and others in the marketplace (Agora).

      Paul is not in "tourist mode". His spirit (that part of us that has a relationship to God) was "grieved and roused to anger" (Amplified Bible) as he saw that the city was full of idols. A word received: Are your spirits "provoked" by the idolatry around you?
Does that remind you of Jesus weeping over Jerusalem and the blindness of its people? Do I also become distressed when I see modern idols (wrong ideas of God, substituting some thing else for God, putting themselves and their ideas in God's place)? Prayer: Lord, give me a heart for my friends, relatives, neighbors, co-workers, everyone who doesn't know you. Give me your heart and your mind toward them, Lord. Amen. A word received: Because Paul was close to me, I could speak to his spirit. I want to speak to your spirit too. Yield to me, come close to me and you will hear me speak to you.


      Pay attention if you feel uncomfortable. Look at what Paul did with his concern for the people. (Acts 17:17) "So he reasoned..." He reasoned, argued, debated with people he encountered. He followed through with an action that was constructive. A word received: I want you to follow through with action and sensitivity as Paul did.


      Paul's response to the Jews and God-fearing Greeks in the synagogue seems different from what we have heard before. "He reasoned" with them. Were they complacent about what was happening around them? Are we?

      Day after day Paul "reasoned", "disputed", "preached" in the marketplace day by day with whoever happened to be there. Paul clearly has a tender heart for these Gentile people -- so cultured, so intellectually curious -- so lost in idolatry. He has Jesus' heart for the lost. Do we? He is willing to debate the Greek philosophers even though they despise him. He gets their curiosity going though and they take him up to Mars Hill (Ar/e/op'/a/gus, this is either a meeting place there or a Council of the Areopagus, the supreme Court of Athens, custodians of teachings that introduced new religions and foreign gods -- from J. Thayer, "A Greek-English lexicon"). Acts 17:34 about Dionysius suggests it was an official meeting.

      What is the equivalent of the "marketplace" for us? Look at how willing Paul was to be engaged in discussion. A word received: Look at Jeri's (Jeri Ottaviano) bravery with her philosophy teacher. If she can do it so can you. You too can endure contempt for my sake.


      What was Paul's approach? He walked around and closely observed their objects of worship. He doesn't insult them; he begins with their hunger to satisfy God. He starts with a statement about their being "very religious" in having an altar "To An Unknown God". He starts from where they are -- common ground -- what they could understand. These are full-fledged, cultured pagans and he uses their curiosity about talking about the "latest ideas" to start a conversation. Paul is well-equipped for these conversations by his religious training and his education. He could quote some Greek poets. Do you know people who are always listening to the "latest" (ideas, fashions, sports, news, etc.)? Ask the Lord, who is relevant to every part of life, how to relate his good news to your friend. We should look carefully at what is important to our non-Christian friends and keep asking the Lord how to relate him to our friend's interests, hopes, fears as Paul did. Paul saw the inscription "To An Unknown God" as an opportunity to share the Good News of Jesus.

      Paul had earlier aroused their curiosity by talking about Jesus and the resurrection. They thought he was talking about another god and his wife "Anastasis". Paul starts by proclaiming to them who this unknown god is. He identifies this unknown god with the God of Israel though he doesn't say it explicitly. He starts with creation by God who made (creator) and rules (Lord) everything. God doesn't need men's temples or offerings. But God provides everything for us and desires that people seek after him, reach out to him and find him. [The Greek for "seek after" is to feel after, verify by touching, grope -- as in the dark.] He challenges their prejudices by saying that "of one blood" God made every nation of people. [This also challenges any ideas of ours about superiority or inferiority (one group over another).] "He is not far from each one of us." This is a radical difference from the behavior and attitudes of the Greek gods and goddesses. Paul suggests the idea of people made in the "image", "likeness" of God by saying, "we are his offspring." The God Paul is talking about is a Personal God -- not a "Force" of "Idea", but one that we as people are like and One who wants a relationship with us.

      Then Paul rejects the idea of God being like idols that people make and says in the past God overlooked this ignorance and wants people to repent (turn away from that and to him) because God is going to judge the world someday. This was a startling idea. Then Paul ties this to Jesus as the man God has appointed by raising Jesus from the dead. This was too much for them. Some mocked. Others said, "tell us more later." But a few believed. Note the centrality of Resurrection and Judgment in Paul's teaching. Paul is able to found a small church. God rejoices over even one sinner that repents (Luke 15). Paul is persistent in telling people about Jesus and God's Good News. He is obedient and leaves the results to God. So can we.
* Do we, like Paul, have hearts that are tender toward those who do not know God?
* Do we know God personally or only know about God?
* Are we willing to have God put us in places outside our comfort zone?
* Do we expect to give account of ourselves God someday?
* Do we recognize a call to maturity from God or are we content to remain baby-Christians?

How to teach word for SS teachers: Acts 17:28c "…for in Him we live and move and have our being." That is how close I want you to be in step with Me.


Teaching Ideas for Lesson 21
Please read the Study Guide first. Go over Memory Verse to make sure the children understand it and then if they have memorized it.

      Remind them their parents need to sign a report slip monthly if they have read the lessons, so they will get credit at the end of the year.

      Make sure they know what happened in the story. Get them to tell you.

Basic points of the lesson for little ones:
      1.God wants everyone to know Him and His love.
      2. God wants everyone to seek Him.
      3. Jesus wants us to be willing to introduce our friends to Jesus. Sometimes this can be asking them if you can pray for them if they are sick or need something.
      4. The Bible Fund buys Bibles to send around the world to people who don't have money to buy a Bible or can't get one in their own language. When they read the Bible they can get to know God and His love.