God's Protection and Provision
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 28:1-10
Memory Verse: "And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:19)
A word received: Look back at Acts 27 in the light of this memory verse. I Am the fulfillment of every need Paul and the others had. How many different ways do you see that God supplied Paul and the others' needs -- both in Acts 27 and in this lesson? List them. A word received: My provision comes from many places and in many ways. As I provided for Paul, I will provide for you. I want you to recognize when I provide for you. A word received: I will provide for you in your time of need. Have faith in me alone and you will receive what you need. God equips and protects his people so that they can do his work.
Share where you have experienced the Lord's provision. Were there times when you didn't recognize it right away?
Prayer Thank you, Lord, that you know our needs before we do, and that you will provide for our needs. Help us to trust you.
Stop and ask if there are needs in the people in the class and pray briefly for them. Ask them to share with the class later when these prayers are answered.
Look at the "unusual kindness" by the islanders -- why do you think it was unusual? "And the islanders showed unusual kindness, for they kindled a fire and made us welcome because of the rain that was falling and because of the cold." (It is probably November by now.) A word received: Think of the many times you have received "unusual kindness". I have been with you all these years, going before you. (There are many stories of seacoast villages around the world through many centuries plundering wrecked vessels rather than helping them. This is a different attitude.)
(Acts 28:3) Paul is helping, even though he is one of the ship-wrecked victims. Even now, cold and wet, he is seeking ways to minister to others. God has provided him with strength and he is humble as he helps others. Note: vipers are a very deadly kind of snake. The people expected pretty quick results. "So when the islanders saw the creature hanging from his hand, they said to one another, 'No doubt this man is a murderer, who, though he escaped the sea, yet Justice does not allow to live.' " (They may have been referring to a local god called "Justice".) A word received: Don't rush to judgment. The Lord is warning us not to jump to quick conclusions about other people, their character and motives or why good or bad things happen to them. Notice how the islanders jump to the conclusion that Paul is a murderer because the viper bit him and then that he is a god because of his miraculous survival. Both are wrong. God's plan is not always what you see on the surface. Remember how Paul and Silas were beaten and thrown into prison in Philippi, not because they were bad but because that was part of God's plan to save the jailer and his family. Are the people of the Gulf Coast worse than other people because the hurricane destroyed their homes? (Luke 13:4)
The Chief Official of Malta, Publius, entertained 276 (Acts 27:37) people for three days! Think of the current example of people taking refugees, strangers, into their homes because of Hurricane Katrina. A word received: I want you to welcome strangers as Publius did. There is a call for Jesus' followers to practice hospitality that runs through the letters in the New Testament.
Publius' father was sick with fever and dysentery (nasty) and Paul's response is to go and minister to him, to pray for healing. He could easily have overlooked this opportunity. Paul sees himself as Jesus' servant/slave, so belonging to Jesus to do his will. Paul's faithfulness provides an even larger ministry opportunity: "the rest of the sick on the island came and were cured."
Look at the opportunities this gave Paul to proclaim Jesus and glorify God. (Notice how this is fulfilling Acts 26:16-18.) A word received: Be ready for the ministry opportunities I will give you.
Prayer Lord open our eyes and hearts to see the ministry opportunities you give us. Help us see and respond, trusting in your guidance. A word received: I want you to be willing to be used by me as Paul was. Are we willing to be used by God when it might be inconvenient or uncomfortable? Paul's eyes were on Jesus the whole time. God has prepared him by warning him that he would have to endure hardships and suffering. The response of the islanders was overwhelming. They honored Paul and the others and provided what they needed -- even though Paul was a prisoner!
Share about what you have seen God do, miracles, healings. Sometimes God does these things to bring people to faith.
Teaching Ideas for Lesson 02
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 you and wants to provide for everything we need.
2. Trust Jesus and he will provide what you need.
3. Remember how Jesus has helped you in the past.
4. Jesus wants us to help other people. We can share Jesus' love by helping others and talking to them about Jesus.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment