Dear Family of Faith,

Transcription

1

2

3 Dear Family of Faith, As we enter this spring, we turn in our Sunday School groups and our Personal Study Guide to the first part of the book of Acts. In this quarter s journey, we ll discover that God is sovereign and His church is everlasting and victorious. We will also learn what our relationship with the world is to be characterized as in the day in which we live. We ll go on this journey with Dr. Luke as our guide to observe ordinary people who are filled with the power of the Holy Spirit to accomplish the work of God in their day. We will also be challenged to find our place of service in God s Kingdom so that we can do the same in our day. It is thrilling to know that God is still working, in us and through us, to expand His kingdom among us today! We produce this study guide each quarter to assist you in journeying through Scripture on a daily basis and journaling your thoughts in response to His Word as you prepare to participate in your Sunday School Group Bible Study. This booklet contains a devotion for five days of the week followed by exercises to complete on Saturday and Sunday. We have included a new item in this quarter s booklet--scripture memory. Memorizing and meditating on the Word of God brings blessing and eternal wealth this world can t offer. We encourage you to memorize His Word and to share it in your groups each Sunday. We pray that God will become your deepest desire, and will pour Himself upon you as you memorize and meditate on His Word. Take advantage of the memory verse at the beginning of the week, write it out on the page on Wednesday, and share it with someone on Saturday as well as in your group on Sunday morning! At the end of May, I pray we will all look back and thank the Lord for all He has taught us through His Word, for those new believers with whom He has allowed us to share and to see saved, and for His drawing us closer to Him during this season of life. Serving Jesus with you, Steve Clifton Executive Pastor of Education 3

4 Week of February 29, 2016 Entrusted (Acts 1:1-11) WEEKLY MEMORY VERSE But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth. Acts 1:8 (NASB) Feb. 29 Luke 24:36-43 Jesus post-resurrection appearances proved He had risen from the dead. On the day of Jesus resurrection, He made several appearances to groups of His disciples. Jesus followers were still in the process of discussing the day s events, including the empty tomb, the angels appearance to the women, and Jesus explanation about His death and resurrection. Jesus sudden appearance terrified His followers, but Jesus addressed their fear with patience and clarity. Jesus showed them His hands and feet. He knew that belief in His resurrection would be difficult for some followers. They had seen Him die, and some had helped bury Him; they never expected to see Him alive again. Examining and touching Jesus still did not convince Jesus followers that He really stood before them. His resurrection seemed too good to be true in their joy they struggled to accept what had happened. Jesus asked for something to eat to demonstrate His physical body had been resurrected. Why were Jesus followers troubled and doubtful when He appeared among them on the evening of His resurrection? How would you explain to someone why you believe Jesus was raised from the dead, even though you have never seen Him with your eyes? As you pray, thank God for the resurrection of Jesus and the victory He accomplished over sin and death. Thank Him for being patient and compassionate with you as you continue to grow in your faith. 4

5 Mar. 1 Luke 24:44-49 When Jesus appeared to the disciples, He helped them see the bigger picture of God s redemptive plan. Surrounded by His followers, Jesus taught them how the entire Old Testament pointed to His life, death, and resurrection. The events of Jesus life and ministry should not have come as a surprise to anyone who knew the Scriptures. Jesus followers had seen the events of Jesus life but had not fully understood how God was working through Him. Interpreting the Old Testament, Jesus helped His followers understand the necessity of His suffering, death, and resurrection. Jesus turned from the importance of His suffering and resurrection to the crucial task given to all His followers in verse 47. Now understanding who Jesus was and what He had come to do, His followers were commanded to share the message of salvation with others. Jesus first instructed His followers to stay in Jerusalem until they received the Holy Spirit. Jesus followers were not yet approved to proclaim His resurrection. The Spirit would lead His followers to a deeper understanding of Jesus and empower them to share the gospel boldly and confidently. In verses 46-47, how does Jesus summarize the gospel message? How are you fulfilling your task of proclaiming repentance and forgiveness in Jesus name? Who needs to hear about God s grace from you? What will you say? Praise God that the gospel was a part of His plan from the beginning. Pray for an opportunity to share the good news of the gospel with someone this week. 5

6 MAR. 2 Luke 24:50-53 After giving the church its mission, Jesus ascended to heaven where He continues to abide and intercede today. Luke ended his description of Jesus earthly ministry with a reference to the final earthly event, His ascension. Luke described this moment by saying Jesus blessed His disciples and then was carried up into heaven. With that, His earthly mission was finished, and He left it in His disciples hands. In response to Jesus ascension, the disciples worshiped Him and then obediently returned to Jerusalem to wait on the Spirit. Whereas Jesus crucifixion was a source of sorrow and grief for His followers, His ascension brought joy and worship. They now had a better understanding of Jesus mission and God s work in their lives. They knew without a doubt that Jesus was their Messiah. For these disciples, worship was their focus until the Spirit arrived. The reality of Jesus resurrection had transformed this group of fearful and hopeless disciples into people who worshiped with great joy. Today, as those who know the risen Lord and continue the mission He left to the church, worship should remain at the center of who we are and all we do. What impact does the ascension of Jesus to heaven where He continues to abide and intercede today have on your personal life? What is a specific way you can worship Jesus as the resurrected, ascended Lord and Savior today? As you pray, commit yourself to Jesus and His mission. Thank Him for His forgiveness, grace, and love. Pray that you would be a person who extends these qualities to others. Review your memory verse for this week and write it here: 6

7 MAR. 3 Acts 1:1-5 The mission Jesus gave His disciples is impossible without the power of the Holy Spirit. The Book of Acts is the second volume of Luke s two-volume work, and he began Acts with a brief synopsis of the events at the end of the Gospel of Luke. Before His ascension, Jesus commanded His disciples to remain in Jerusalem until God fulfilled His promise to send the Holy Spirit. Acts 1:4-8 provides additional details of dialogue between Jesus and the 11 disciples immediately before His ascension. Jesus described the Holy Spirit s coming as a baptism. Whereas John the Baptist had baptized people with water, Jesus said that they would be baptized with the Holy Spirit. This pointed forward to God s pouring out the Spirit on the disciples at Pentecost. They would be saturated with God s presence, and He would give them the power to live out their mission. Look back at Luke 24:36-53 from this week s readings. What additional insight did Luke give into the end of Jesus earthly ministry at the start of Acts 1? How have you experienced the power of the Holy Spirit as you ve engaged in ministry? Thank God for being faithful to His promise to send the Holy Spirit to empower and guide you as you live out His mission. Pray for an increased awareness of the Spirit s work in your life and a greater dependency on His power. 7

8 MAR. 4 Acts 1:6-11 Jesus assigned His followers the task of telling everyone about Him and His message. Jesus entrusted His followers with the task of spreading the gospel around the world, and He promised that the Holy Spirit would direct and empower His followers in this task. The magnitude of this task makes it something we could not accomplish on our own, which is why Jesus told His disciples to wait on the Holy Spirit, the same Spirit who continues to empower Jesus followers today. After Jesus gave the promise of coming power and commissioned the disciples to be His witnesses to the world, He ascended into heaven. The disciples witnessed the ascension, watching as Jesus ascended through a cloud in their sight. While His earthly ministry concluded, God s plan of redemption would continue to unfold through the church empowered by the Holy Spirit. After Jesus was gone, two angels appeared and assured the disciples that He would return in the same way they had seen Him ascend into heaven. The promise of Jesus return was and is an incentive to live in faithful obedience to the mission Jesus gave. How does the power of the Holy Spirit encourage you to carry out Christ s commands? What is one way you can obey the command from Acts 1:8 today? Are you committed to doing this? Thank God for entrusting you with His mission to make Jesus and His message known around the world. Pray for opportunities even today to join in that work, and thank God for the power of the Holy Spirit to help you and the church as a whole accomplish it. 8

9 Mar. 5 As you reflect through this week s quiet time, choose one passage you read that particularly stood out to you: Why was this passage so meaningful to you? In what areas of your life do these truths apply? In what ways do you plan to put the truths you ve observed this week into practice? Tomorrow our lesson is Entrusted from Acts 1:1-11. Read those verses and consider your responses to them. Share your memory verse with someone else today. 9

10 MAR. 6 ENTRUSTED SUNDAY SCHOOL GROUP NOTES List 2-3 ways you plan to respond to the truths you have learned this week: 10

11 Mar. 7 Acts 1:12-14 Week of March 7, 2016 Empowered (Acts 2:1-15) WEEKLY MEMORY VERSE Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. Acts 2:21 (NASB) The disciples modeled obedience and devotion to prayer. After Jesus ascension, the disciples obediently returned to Jerusalem to wait for God s next powerful act. When the disciples returned to Jerusalem, they immediately went to an upstairs room along with others to worship and wait. The only one of the original twelve not present was Judas. Those who were with Jesus from the beginning were instrumental in the spread of His ministry after He was gone. The disciples and Jesus other followers joined together constantly in prayer. Prayer is worship, and worship involves prayer; both are necessary to serve God. When we feel like we are waiting on God, we might be tempted to be frustrated at His timing or even lose hope that He will act at all. During those times, we begin to see the gift of community around us. We can, as we live, hope, and pray together, faithfully remind each other of God s promises. We can also encourage each other to make sure we are waiting in an active rather than a passive fashion. What do you learn about the disciples from this short passage? What example do they set for you? Assess your own prayer life. How does it compare with the example set by the disciples in this passage, one that links prayer and daily obedience to God? These verses serve as a reminder of the centrality of prayer in living out God s mission. For part of your prayer time today, sit in the quiet and wait for God to speak. Use this as a chance to learn to listen for His guidance, and implement the same kind of silent prayer throughout your day today. 11

12 Mar. 8 Acts 1:15-26 God is sovereign over the life of the believer and the ministry of the church. While the disciples waited for the promised Holy Spirit, they took another important step of obedience to replace Judas. Peter, who became leader of the apostles after Jesus ascension, explained that a replacement for Judas was necessary because he had turned away from Jesus. Important to note throughout Peter s instructions and explanation of this event is the importance he placed on God s Word. Peter pointed to both Judas betrayal of Jesus and his suicide as fulfillments of Scripture. Peter also explained the requirements for the new apostle; and, like the original twelve, it was of utmost importance that this be someone who had followed Jesus, witnessed the resurrection, and was set apart by God. The apostles would lead the charge of advancing the gospel in obedience to Jesus mission, so these qualifications gave that person credibility. The group cast lots to appoint the new member, trusting the decision to the sovereignty of God. This practice was common before Pentecost, but now we are indwelt by the Holy Spirit and we seek God s guidance from the Word of God. In response, God appointed Matthias to replace Judas. During this critical time in the apostles ministry, they model for us obedience and surrender to the will of God. What do these verses reveal about God s work among His people? What are the key takeaways for you from the disciples example in today s reading? Praise God for His sovereignty over your life and the mission of the church. 12

13 Mar. 9 Acts 2:1-4 The Holy Spirit empowers believers, just as Jesus said He would. The day of Pentecost came 50 days after Passover. While the disciples waited as Jesus commanded, suddenly there came a supernatural sight and sound. The sound was of a violent wind, likely deafening, and filled the whole house. The sight was flames like fire that separated and rested on each person there. Both the sound of the wind and the flames of fire are common biblical representations of God s presence. That the disciples waited for God s presence to come upon them before carrying out Christ s commands demonstrates the essential nature of the Holy Spirit in the lives of all believers. The sound and the sight were preliminary; the speech was evidence they were filled with the Holy Spirit. To be filled with the Spirit is to be empowered by the Spirit. On this occasion, the Spirit gave them the ability for speech. This was not the Spirit s initial coming. God s Spirit was active from the beginning (see Gen. 1:2) and throughout the Old Testament. The Spirit also was active in Jesus ministry (see Luke 3:21-22; 4:1). When the resurrected Jesus breathed on the 11 disciples, it was an expression of His gift of the Spirit (see John 20:22). The Spirit s coming on all believers at Pentecost was God s infusing the small community of faith with the power to witness. What is God communicating to us about the Holy Spirit by revealing Him in this way? What difference does the Holy Spirit s power make in how you serve God? Throughout Scripture, God proves His faithfulness to His people time and again, just as He did by sending the promised Holy Spirit. As you pray, thank God for His continued faithfulness to you, and mention any specific examples of His faithfulness that come to mind. Review your memory verse for this week and write it here: 13

14 Mar. 10 Acts 2:5-13 The miracles that took place on the day of Pentecost are a springboard for the gospel to spread to the nations. Pentecost was a Jewish festival that drew Jews to Jerusalem from all around the ancient world. After the Spirit descended on the disciples, the crowds that gathered heard the disciples speaking in the native languages of all those who were present. With a sense of wonder, the crowd began seeking the meaning of this unusual event. Then the crowd recognized the disciples were declaring the wonders of God. At that point, the people were beginning to focus on the message about God. Some of the crowd began to receive the message of God s magnificence and His mighty deeds. Unfortunately, not everyone in the crowd reacted positively. Some accused the believers of being drunk and viewed the entire scene with mockery. Miraculous events by themselves do not always lead to belief. Without the conviction of the Spirit and the element of personal faith, even obvious signs and wonders can be greeted with skepticism and disbelief. What do you learn about the Holy Spirit in Acts 2:5-13? How has the work of the Holy Spirit in your life or the life of someone else encouraged your faith? Thank God for the gift of the Holy Spirit working in and through you. Ask the Father in the name of the Son to help you surrender to the leading of the Spirit in your life each day as you look for opportunities to serve Him and share the gospel with the world around you. 14

15 Mar. 11 Acts 2:14-21 The coming of the Holy Spirit fulfilled Old Testament prophecy. The miracles of Pentecost weren t an end unto themselves, but were meant to give the apostles a good foundation for teaching the gospel. The real reason for the unusual events the crowd had witnessed was the outpouring of the Spirit as the prophet Joel had predicted (Joel 2:28-32). By establishing this connection with the prophet early in his sermon, Peter was underscoring his message with scriptural proof. During Joel s prophetic ministry, a locust plague had infested the land. Joel explained that the event was God s judgment on the nation. He called the people to repentance and promised if they turned back to God that their land would prosper again. He also declared that the dawn of the messianic age would see God pouring out His Spirit on all people, which Peter connected with what the crowd witnessed that day. The continued fulfillment of the many prophecies in Scripture should remind us that when God makes a promise, He keeps it; and we had better pay attention to how it applies to us. What was the point Peter wanted people to understand about the events they witnessed that day? What message does verse 21 have for you and our church? As you pray, reflect on God s faithfulness to fulfill His promises time and time again, including His promise to send the Holy Spirit to empower His followers. Ask God to continue to increase your awareness of the Spirit s work in and through you. 15

16 MAR. 12 As you reflect through this week s quiet time, choose one passage you read that particularly stood out to you: Why was this passage so meaningful to you? In what areas of your life do these truths apply? In what ways do you plan to put the truths you ve observed this week into practice? Tomorrow our lesson is Empowered from Acts 2:1-15. Read those verses and consider your responses to them. Share your memory verse with someone else today. 16

17 Mar. 13 EMPOWERED SUNDAY SCHOOL GROUP NOTES List 2-3 ways you plan to respond to the truths you have learned this week: 17

18 Week of March 14, 2016 Unified (Acts 2:41-47) WEEKLY MEMORY VERSE And Peter said to them, Repent and let each one of you be baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. Acts 2:38 (NASB) Mar. 14 Acts 2:22-28 Jesus resurrection is at the heart of the gospel message. Peter used the Spirit s coming at Pentecost as an opportunity to share the gospel with the crowd that had gathered. At the heart of Peter s message was the resurrection of Jesus. Peter pointed to the signs Jesus performed while on earth, God s foreknowledge of the crucifixion, and Old Testament prophecy about the resurrection to show that Jesus is the Messiah and He is alive even today. Peter also emphasized that both the crucifixion and resurrection were a part of God s plan for Jesus. It was God s will for Jesus to die because that was the only way Jesus could conquer sin and death once and for all. Peter asserted that Jesus death and resurrection proved Him to be David s heir, as foretold in Scripture. Peter referenced a quote from King David in Psalm 16:8-11 as Messianic prophecy about Jesus resurrection. When applied to Jesus, the psalm affirms that the Messiah s body would not decay. Peter s sermon clarified that the resurrection is at the heart of the gospel message. Look at all of the times God is mentioned in these verses. What do these verses teach you about God s involvement in the world? From Peter s quote of Psalm 16:8-11, what do you learn about how to respond to the good news of the resurrection? Pray Acts 2:25-28 aloud as a statement of praise to God for His plan for Jesus and its eternal impact on your life. 18

19 Mar. 15 Acts 2:29-36 Jesus resurrection is supported by Old Testament prophecy and eyewitness testimony. Peter pointed out that because David was dead and his body was buried, Psalm 16 had to be speaking about someone other than David. Furthermore, Peter himself was an eyewitness to the empty tomb and the resurrected Jesus. Not only had Jesus been raised from the dead, but He also had been exalted to the right hand of God. Peter referred to another prophetic psalm, Psalm 110, to support this point. Based on these pieces of evidence, Peter s conclusion was clear: Jesus, the very same One who had been crucified, is both Lord and Messiah. God had designated David s Lord to sit at His right hand. That Lord, Peter indicated, is Jesus. The proof of this was found in the fact that Jesus poured out the Holy Spirit who, in turn, empowered His disciples to speak in different languages. As Peter s sermon demonstrates, the message of the gospel rests on historical facts coupled with prophetic foundations intended to lead people to a repentant faith. From this part of Peter s sermon, what do people need to know about the life and work of Jesus in order to understand the gospel? How does Jesus place at the right hand of God impact your day-to-day life? As you pray, remember that Jesus is sitting at the right hand of God interceding on your behalf. Reflect on that truth and allow it to empower your prayers. 19

20 Mar. 16 Acts 2:37-41 The gospel leads to the forgiveness of sins for all who believe in Jesus and repent of their sins. These verses remind us that the gospel message always leads to a reaction, either belief or disbelief. Some of the people were pierced to the heart, a reflection of their conviction for their sin of rejecting Jesus. In response, they asked what they were supposed to do next. Peter s response reveals four essential elements of the salvation experience. First, individuals are to repent. When a person repents, he or she turns from sin and turns toward Christ. Life moves in a new direction. Second, each new believer is baptized, therein expressing faith in Christ and picturing the burial of the old life and the beginning of new life in Christ. In baptism, new Christians follow Jesus example (see Luke 3:21-22). The third factor in the salvation experience is forgiveness. The fourth element of the conversion experience is receiving the gift of the Holy Spirit. When people place their faith in Christ, God gives them the Holy Spirit to live in them. Many people responded positively to Peter s message. The Spirit had empowered Peter to communicate the gospel clearly, and the Spirit drew people to salvation in Christ. Think back to your salvation experience. Was it like being cut to the heart by the Spirit as this passage describes? According to verses 38-39, how must we respond to the gospel? Thank God for the good news of the gospel. As you reflect on today s reading, repent of any sins the Spirit brings to light. Also pray for the courage and wisdom to share the gospel as confidently and boldly as Peter did the next time the opportunity arises. Review your memory verse for this week and write it here: 20

21 Mar. 17 Acts 2:42-47 The impact of the gospel is seen in the unity found among Jesus followers. In Acts 2:42-47, we read a brief description of the early church, which was growing rapidly after Jesus ascension and the Holy Spirit s arrival at Pentecost. Evident in the early church s discipleship efforts were the specific experiences of teaching, worship, fellowship, and prayer. All four aspects of early church life mentioned in Acts 2:42-47 happened as part of the church community. First-century believers were motivated by the gospel to learn, grow, and worship together as disciples and to do their part to spread the good news. The early church also made sure that every member s physical needs were being met. They saw each other as a close family, bonded together by a saving relationship with Christ. The unity of the church was a testimony to God s presence, and the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved (v. 47). The early church was a growing church, but their growth stemmed in large part from their discipleship efforts. When our lives are being transformed by the gospel, we reflect the character of God to the world. What was the result of unity in the early church? What is the lesson here for you and for our church body as a whole? How is the Holy Spirit changing the way you think about your involvement at FBC JAX, our responsibility to each other, as well as our mission to reach the Jacksonville community? Ask God to bless the church with a unity born of genuine love that Christians should have for one another. Ask God to build up our faith so that we may love God and truly demonstrate love for one another. 21

22 Mar. 18 Acts 3:1-10 Evangelism often involves caring for the whole person, just as Jesus did. Acts 3 introduces the miraculous healing of a crippled man. This is the first healing miracle in Acts. Peter and John were coming to the temple complex for the daily hour of prayer when they encountered a man who was lame from birth. The apostles were filled with the confidence that the Holy Spirit s power was about to be demonstrated in the life of a person for whom Christ had died. Peter told the man that he had no money, but he had something far better. Our greatest need is to know Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. While Peter and John were the messengers, the message was Jesus. Peter and John healed the lame man through the power and authority of Jesus. They allowed the Holy Spirit who Jesus sent in His place to work through them. By reaching out in loving concern to the man, the disciples created an opportunity to witness. How could we exemplify care for the body and create an opportunity to share the gospel? What lessons can we learn from the actions and words of Peter and John? Pray for opportunities to show kindness to the people you interact with each day. Pray for boldness to proclaim Jesus name at every opportunity. As part of your prayer time, make a list of any immediate needs you know of in others lives, and pray for ways to help meet those needs through the love of Christ. 22

23 Mar. 19 As you reflect through this week s quiet time, choose one passage you read that particularly stood out to you: Why was this passage so meaningful to you? In what areas of your life do these truths apply? In what ways do you plan to put the truths you ve observed this week into practice. Tomorrow our lesson is Unified from Acts 2: Read those verses and consider your responses to them. Share your memory verse with someone else today. 23

24 Mar. 20 UNIFIED SUNDAY SCHOOL GROUP NOTES List 2-3 ways you plan to respond to the truths you have learned this week: 24

25 Week of March 21, 2016 Resurrected! (Luke 24:1-12) Mar. 21 This Jesus God raised up again, to which we are all witnesses. Acts 2:32 (NASB) Luke 23:1-16 WEEKLY MEMORY VERSE Jesus is the Messiah, the King of the Jews. Luke 23 describes Jesus trial before Pilate and Herod. Since they had to have political charges in order to have Jesus killed, the Jewish leaders painted Jesus as subversive, as one leading the Jewish nation away from Rome. They tried to place two concrete examples of such subversion before Pilate Jesus teaching about taxes and His claim to be King of the Jews. The direct examination of Jesus by Pilate draws attention to one of the major themes of Jesus trial and crucifixion: The fact that Jesus is the King of the Jews. Jesus had proclaimed a new kingdom, the kingdom of God. The Jewish people wanted Him to be the new king who would overthrow Rome. However, Jesus did nothing to encourage military action. His kingdom is eternal, and His rule is peace. Unable to charge Jesus, Pilate handed Him over to Herod, but Herod was also unable to charge Him. Jesus was innocent of all charges brought against Him. In an attempt to pacify the leaders, Pilate proposed a compromised action. He would submit Jesus to a Roman scourging and then release Him. What do you learn about Jesus from His example in this scene and from Pilate s questioning? Luke s account emphasizes that both Herod and Pilate found Jesus innocent. Why is this detail significant to Jesus story? Thank God that His kingdom is eternal and greater than all earthly kingdoms. Praise Him for sending Jesus to secure His place as king of this kingdom, even though it meant sacrificing His own life in the process. 25

26 Mar. 22 Luke 23:18-25 Jesus, the innocent One, was delivered over to death in our place so that we, the guilty ones, could be free from the wrath of God. Pilate let mob rule determine justice. He gave in to the crowd so they would not report him to Rome. He pardoned a murderer, who led rebellions against Rome. He let an innocent man suffer the death penalty so he could protect his political power and position. Only here does Luke mention Barabbas by name, identifying him as a murderer and instigator of rebellion against Rome. Barabbas was guilty of the most serious crime Jesus was accused of rebellion against Rome. Unlike Jesus, who was innocent of that crime, Barabbas was not. The gospel story is the story of the innocent for the guilty. Pilate freeing Barabbas in exchange for Jesus parallels Jesus death in our place at the cross. The explanation of Jesus life is that He, the innocent One, was delivered over to death so that we, the guilty ones, could be free from the wrath of God. In the story of the gospel, we are Barabbas, guilty of sin, and Christ died for us. Jesus trial ends with Pilate granting the religious leaders request to sentence Jesus to the cross. With that verdict, Jesus, in His innocence, was delivered over to death as God had planned. How does the story of Jesus and Barabbas explain the life, death, and mission of Jesus? Have you ever thought about how you might be like Barabbas? What do you have in common with him? Praise God for His reconciling work through Christ that brought you to Him at the right time when you were hostile, guilty, and helpless to save yourself. 26

27 Mar. 23 Luke 23:26-43 Jesus mission was and continues to be the forgiveness of sins for anyone who will believe in Him. Today s reading picks up after Jesus trial and sentence as He headed for the cross. Crucifixion was a painful, humiliating death, however the details of Jesus crucifixion focus on His role as Savior and Lord. From the cross, Jesus prayed for the forgiveness of those who crucified Him. Through both Jesus forgiveness of those who crucified Him and His interaction with the two criminals, we are reminded that Jesus mission was and continues to be the forgiveness of sins for anyone who will believe in Him. One of the two criminals grasped this truth as they and Jesus each hung on a cross. He asked the other one who had railed at Jesus, Do you not even fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? (v. 40) All three faced the same fate death. That should have elicited a fear of impending judgment from the mocker. The criminal who chastised the other criminal admitted guilt and acknowledged that he deserved his punishment. On the cross, Jesus fulfilled the ultimate purpose for which He came providing a way of salvation for sinful humanity. Jesus immediate extension of salvation to the repentant criminal demonstrates this truth. What does Jesus example on the cross reveal about His character and mission? How does Jesus promise to the criminal apply to all who turn to faith in Him? Pray that you will gain a greater appreciation for Jesus death on the cross for you and that the reminder of His sacrifice will motivate you to live in wholehearted devotion and humble service to God this week. Review your memory verse for this week and write it here: 27

28 Mar. 24 Luke 23:44-56 Jesus humble submission to a horrific execution is the most powerful demonstration of God s righteous judgment and gracious love. Jesus crucifixion began about 9:00 a.m. and He yielded up His spirit to the Father about 3:00 p.m. The time span of those six hours to the day He rose from the dead is the most significant time period in the world s history. During Jesus hours on the cross even nature reacted to the events. Quoting Psalm 31:5, Jesus called, Father, into Your hands I commit My spirit (v. 46). In doing so, Jesus brought His life on earth to an end, not as one being redeemed, but as the Redeemer. Being in control, Jesus breathed His last and yielded His spirit to the Father. No one took Jesus life; He gave it voluntarily. Jesus expressed His deep trust in God even as He experienced unimaginable physical and emotional pain while enduring God s judgment for our sins, and not His own. At the climactic moment Jesus died, the curtain of the sanctuary was split down the middle. The temple s torn curtain symbolized that Jesus death opened the way for all men to enter God s holy presence. How would you explain the need for the crucifixion to someone else? What is one thing you can do this week to help others know about God s forgiveness of their personal sin and the hope He has for their life? Pray that you will gain a greater appreciation for Jesus death on the cross for you and that the reminder of His sacrifice will motivate you to live in wholehearted devotion and humble service to God this week. 28

29 Mar. 25 Luke 24:1-12 Belief in the resurrection is essential to the Christian faith. On Sunday morning, the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of James got up early to attend to Jesus body. As they made their way to the tomb, they were stricken with grief. Their hopes for God s kingdom had been dashed, and they lost a friend and teacher whom they loved. Though their morning began with a sorrowful walk to honor Jesus, everything suddenly changed when they arrived to find an empty tomb. They were confused and then terrified at the appearance of angels. However, the angels brought good news Jesus was alive, just as He had promised He would be. Their Savior was alive. When the women realized the truth of Jesus promise and its fulfillment, they were filled with joy and ran to share the news with His disciples and His other followers. Similarly for us today, the good news of the resurrection is too good to keep to ourselves. To really grasp the reality of the resurrection, we must be witnessing Christians. That is why we seek to make disciples who love God and others. What stands out to you as you read this account of the resurrection? How can you incorporate the story of the resurrection when you share your faith with others? How can it show others the plan of God? Praise God for the good news of Easter! Jesus is God in flesh who died for the forgiveness of your sins and rose to secure victory over sin and death forever. Pray that this Easter season you would truly appreciate who Jesus is and all that He has done for you and be motivated to share that truth with others. 29

30 Mar. 26 As you reflect through this week s quiet time, choose one passage you read that particularly stood out to you: Why was this passage so meaningful to you? In what areas of your life do these truths apply? In what ways do you plan to put the truths you ve observed this week into practice? Tomorrow our lesson is Resurrected! from Luke 24:1-12. Read those verses and consider your responses to them. Share your memory verse with someone else today. 30

31 Mar. 27 RESURRECTED! SUNDAY SCHOOL GROUP NOTES List 2-3 ways you plan to respond to the truths you have learned this week: 31

32 Acts 3:11-16 Week of March 28, 2016 Courageous (Acts 4:1-13) WEEKLY MEMORY VERSE And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved. Acts 4:12 (NASB) Mar. 28 The name of Jesus is powerful to save. After Peter and John healed the lame beggar, the people who witnessed the miracle crowded around the disciples. This gave Peter the opportunity to share the power of the gospel. The miracle gave both physical and spiritual evidence of Jesus power. Peter redirected the people s attention away from himself and towards Jesus. As he talked to this group of Jews, Peter reminded them of the role they played in Jesus crucifixion. The very people Jesus came to save orchestrated His death. Peter didn t stop with the crucifixion, though. He reminded the Jews that even though Jesus died at their hands, God brought Him back to life. The beggar was healed because of the power of Jesus and the beggar s faith in Jesus name. As the beggar demonstrates for us, faith in Jesus is all that is needed to bring healing to our broken souls. Underline the words and phrases that stand out to you in Peter s sermon. What do they reveal about Jesus and His power? What kind of healing has faith in Jesus brought to your life? As you pray, thank God for the healing that comes with knowing Jesus as Lord. Also pray that as you serve Him today, you will do so in His strength and for His glory, rather than your own. 32

33 Mar. 29 Acts 3:17-26 God desires for all people to know Him through faith in Jesus. As Peter continued his sermon to the crowd of Jews that had gathered around him, he pointed out that even though the Jews were the ones who had crucified Jesus, God still desired for them to turn to Him in repentance. These people had crucified Jesus out of ignorance; they failed to recognize Jesus as the Messiah. Not only that, but Jesus crucifixion was all part of God s greater plan for redemption. Even the early prophets talked about how the Messiah would have to suffer in order to bring about salvation. The fact that Jesus conquered death through His resurrection highlighted God s control of these events, and it gave people the opportunity to turn to Him. They may have missed Jesus the first time around, but through Peter s sermon, God gave them another opportunity to choose repentance and faith. This was Peter s clear invitation to respond to Christ. What did Peter encourage the listeners to do in response to his teaching? How has repentance and turning to God brought times of refreshing (v. 20) to you? How can that be used as a means of encouraging others to come to Christ? Repentance isn t just reserved for your initial salvation; it should be a part of everyday life in Christ. Take some time to confess your sins to God and repent of them, turning away from those sins and turning towards Jesus. 33

34 Mar. 30 Acts 4:1-4 The Spirit enables believers to proclaim the truth of the gospel. After the miracle of healing and Peter s sermon, the temple officials moved in to see what was causing such a commotion in the temple complex. The religious authorities confronted and arrested Peter and John. The leaders accused the apostles of unauthorized teaching of the resurrection of the dead. The Sadducees were particularly provoked by Peter s sermon, because they did not believe in resurrection. Repeated attempts to suppress the gospel only caused the Word of God to spread more quickly. On Pentecost morning the believers in Jerusalem only numbered 120 (Acts 1:15). In response to Peter s sermon that day, another 3,000 were added (2:41). With the healing of the lame man, Peter s sermon, and the arrest of the apostles, the church grew to about 5,000. Why were the religious leaders opposed to Peter s message? Compare this passage to Acts 3:10. What does this tell you about the various ways people will respond to the gospel and to the power of God? In your prayer time, reflect on the power of God seen through the gospel s ability to overcome all the obstacles in its way and still draw people to new life in Christ. Praise God for this powerful truth and ask Him to use you as an instrument to spread that message today. Review your memory verse for this week and write it here: 34

35 Mar. 31 Acts 4:5-12 Jesus is the cornerstone of our faith and the only means of salvation. As Peter and John preached the gospel and performed miracles, they drew the attention of crowds. Many of the people who gathered believed the message about Jesus that these men shared with them. The message of the gospel, the acts of healing, and the people s responses angered the Jewish religious leaders. After throwing the disciples in prison, a group of religious leaders gathered and brought the men in for questioning. Specifically, they questioned the authority or power by which Peter and John made such bold claims about Jesus, His death, and His resurrection. In response, Peter pointed to the risen Christ as the one who gave him the power to heal. Peter described Jesus as the cornerstone (or foundation) of the church, acknowledged they crucified Him, and affirmed that belief in Him is the one and only way to salvation. What does Peter mean when he says that Jesus has become the cornerstone (see also 1 Peter 2:4-10)? What does this tell you about the place of Jesus in your life? What attitudes or actions most often hinder you from making Christ the cornerstone of your life? What needs to change in your heart and life in order for you to prioritize your relationship with Jesus this week? Thank God that He has made Jesus known to you. Pray that as you grow in your understanding of who Jesus is, you would allow God to conform you into His image. Pray that as a part of the local church body, you would lean on His power to make the gospel known. 35

36 Apr. 1 Acts 4:13-22 Nothing can stop the spread of the gospel around the world. The Jewish leaders found themselves in a difficult position because so many people had witnessed Peter and John s healing miracle. While the leaders wanted to silence the apostles, they could not ignore the miracle that had taken place in Jesus name. Instead of punishing them, the leaders decided to silence them. They did not want the gospel to spread any further. That, however, was not God s plan, and Peter and John acknowledged they would not be able to keep silent where the gospel was concerned. The rest of Acts will highlight how as the gospel began to spread further, thanks to the apostles and the early church, opposition also increased. Thankfully, these first missionaries were empowered by God to stand up for the gospel in the face of opposition. As a result, the gospel spread. Read verses again. How did the religious leaders response affect Peter and John? What implication does their example have on your witness? Do you notice a difference in your courage and enthusiasm for the gospel when you spend quality time with God? Think about some specific ways it might be evident to others that you have been with Jesus. Pray for confidence to speak the gospel and point people to Jesus every chance you get. 36

37 Apr. 2 As you reflect through this week s quiet time, choose one passage you read that particularly stood out to you: Why was this passage so meaningful to you? In what areas of your life do these truths apply? In what ways do you plan to put the truths you ve observed this week into practice? Tomorrow our lesson is Courageous from Acts 4:1-13. Read those verses and consider your responses to them. Share your memory verse with someone else today. 37

38 Apr. 3 COURAGEOUS SUNDAY SCHOOL GROUP NOTES List 2-3 ways you plan to respond to the truths you have learned this week: 38

39 Week of April 4, 2016 Integrity (Acts 4:36-37; 5:1-11) WEEKLY MEMORY VERSE And with great power the apostles were giving testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and abundant grace was upon them all. Acts 4:33 (NASB) Apr. 4 Acts 4:23-31 atthew 6:1-4 God uses prayer to transform the lives of His people. Peter and John returned after they were released from jail to the other apostles, friends, and relatives who encouraged and supported them during this time of persecution. Once there, they reported the events that had just transpired, telling how authorities had ordered them not to preach of Jesus again. Rather than having despondency and anxiety over such dire news, the assembled believers turned to God in prayer, not as a last resort but as a first resolve. The believers didn t pray for changed circumstances or for personal comfort. They instead turned to God, recognizing His power and sovereignty. They embraced His plan for their lives and requested that God work through them in a mighty way. They asked that God would consider the threats from their opposition, give them boldness in witnessing, and show miracles in answer to their prayer. Because of the infilling of the Holy Spirit, the disciples began to speak God s message with boldness. God s will might not remove us from difficult situations; but when we pray, God will strengthen us and make us more effective for Him in those situations. What do you learn about prayer from today s reading? How do you feel about your own prayers in light of this passage? What is a bold prayer you need to pray today? Pray that God would help you pray big and bold prayers for yourself and for FBC Jacksonville. Ask that the Holy Spirit would give you boldness in sharing God s message of hope. Then pray the bold prayer you thought of in response to the previous question. 39

40 Apr. 5 Acts 4:32-37 Biblical community is about loving God and loving one another. In the previous section of Acts 4, believers in Jerusalem experienced the common bond of powerful prayer. As they depended on God, they also depended on each other. The believers were a close-knit group, displaying unity. From these few verses, we get a good sense of the attitude of the early church members. People believed in Christ, committed their lives to one another, and were unified in beliefs and purpose. The church functioned with a clear teaching and a powerful witness about Jesus Christ and the salvation available through Him. Furthermore, God s grace was moving in their lives and their actions. As a result, the people looked for ways to give what they had to meet the needs of others. The church was not only meeting the physical needs of members, but they were of one heart and soul, which meant they addressed spiritual and emotional needs as well. As the church today, we are to continue to follow the early church s model of sharing generously what God gives us, especially to meet the needs of people in our church and in our community. What truths do you learn about the value of biblical community from these verses? What is one step you could take to further connect to our church community in a manner consistent with today s reading? As you spend time in prayer, thank God for the example of biblical community that He gives us in Scripture. Pray that FBC JAX would be a place where we love one another, involve ourselves in community, focus on God s Word, and engage the world. 40

41 APR. 6 Acts 5:1-6 Believers are to take sin within the church seriously. The early church s generosity was exemplified by Barnabas, who sold a field he owned, giving the money to the apostles to meet the Christian community s needs (see 4:36-37). Luke contrasted Barnabas s generosity by revealing Ananias and Sapphira s duplicity and deception. They sold a piece of property (as Barnabas had done), but they kept back part of the proceeds, only giving a portion to the apostles for the community s needs. They apparently promised the full proceeds but kept back a portion, thus breaking their pledge. They stole what rightfully belonged to the church. Such a serious offense called for severe action. When Ananias fell over dead, great fear seized all who heard what had happened. They understood that to deceive God meant instant discipline. If Ananias and Sapphira had succeeded in their duplicity and deception, the sacred trust of the fellowship would have shattered. The church stood on the truth. They proclaimed Jesus message, the One who is the way, the truth, and the life, and members living a lie would have destroyed their integrity. Their opponents would have had a field day. Their reputation and character would have been suspect. God takes seriously the church and its impact in the world. What motivated Ananias and Sapphira to behave the way they did? What is a way you have acted like Ananias lately, a way you have held back something that you should be using to serve God and His church? Thank God for refining your faith through discipline. Pray that you would be a person who lives with integrity and truthfulness because of the influence of the Holy Spirit in your life. Review your memory verse for this week and write it here: 41

42 Apr. 7 Acts 5:7-11 Sin brings consequences. When Sapphira arrived, Peter questioned her about the price received for the property. When she answered the same amount as her husband, Peter told her about Ananias s death. She, too, died. Once again, great fear seized the whole church as well as all who heard what occurred. When people believe in the reality of God s judgment, they are more prone to take seriously their sins and their need of a Savior. The word, church, occurs in verse 11 for the first time in Acts. The Greek word ekklesia literally means called out ones. The church is the congregation of believers who have entered into a new covenant relationship with God through His Son, Jesus. This is why God, and we as a result, takes sin within the church so seriously. We have been called out by God to be His ambassadors to a lost and dying world. That means that everything we do or say is either pointing people toward or away from God. When we are people of integrity, we have a greater chance of drawing people to God through the power of the gospel message. What do you learn about God s expectations for His people and His church from the story of Ananias and Sapphira? Do you have anyone in your life who holds you accountable for sin? With whom are you or could you be in a disciple-making relationship? Thank God for loving you so much that He will use any means necessary to draw you to Himself. Pray that He would teach you to be a willing participant, acknowledging that you stand on level ground at the foot of the cross with every other person, regardless of circumstance. 42

43 Apr. 8 Acts 5:12-16 God empowers His people to do miraculous work in His name. Following the account of Ananias and Sapphira, Luke tells his readers that the apostles continued to make Jesus known by performing miracles among the people. These first Christians began to gather together regularly in a place called Solomon s Colonnade, which referred to an area in the outer court of the temple. Because of the miraculous work God had done through them, this became a place where people would bring the sick and demon-possessed to be healed. Word of Peter s miraculous power had spread beyond the walls of Jerusalem. Verse 16 reveals that everyone who was brought to Peter and the Christians gathered there was healed. Through God s power, His people were doing miraculous work that made His glory known. What impact did God s power have on the people who were brought to Peter? As the church today, one of the ways we glorify God is by loving one another. What is one way you could show someone the love of God this week? As you do, look for the opportunity to share the gospel with that person and others. Spend time in prayer reflecting on your own spiritual brokenness and the healing Jesus brought to your life. Use this time as a chance to praise God for His power to heal, and then pray for any specific people who come to mind. 43

44 APR. 9 As you reflect through this week s quiet time, choose one passage you read that particularly stood out to you: Why was this passage so meaningful to you? In what areas of your life do these truths apply? In what ways do you plan to put the truths you ve observed this week into practice? Tomorrow our lesson is Integrity from Acts 4:36-37 and Act 5:1-11. Read those verses and consider your responses to them. Share your memory verse with someone today. 44

45 APR. 10 INTEGRITY SUNDAY SCHOOL GROUP NOTES List 2-3 ways you plan to respond to the truths you have learned this week: 45

46 Week of April 11, 2016 Faithful (Acts 5:25-35,38-42) WEEKLY MEMORY VERSE But Peter and the apostles answered, We must obey God rather than men. Acts 5:29 (NASB) APR. 11 Acts 5:17-26 The spread of the gospel is worth whatever persecution may arise. Throughout the New Testament, and most notably in Acts, God s people were persecuted for their efforts to spread the gospel. As a result of Peter s miraculous healings in Acts 5:12-16, the Jewish religious leaders grew increasingly jealous and jailed the apostles. No one could deny the power Peter had to perform miracles in Jesus name, and this was a power the religious leaders lacked. After this particular arrest, God acted to protect His apostles by quietly and miraculously removing them from the jail. Instead of freeing them to escape, though, God freed them so they could publicly preach the gospel again. While persecution is an unfortunate reality God s people face, the spread of the gospel is more important than any hardships we may endure on its behalf. People heard the apostles message and Christianity s popularity continued to rise, so much so that the religious leaders were careful not to harm the apostles. No amount of persecution can stop God s message from spreading. Despite the apostles faith in God and His presence in their lives, they still faced persecution. Why is persecution a cost for faithfully serving Christ? What do you learn about your own ministry from the example of the apostles in today s reading? Take some time to pray for the persecuted church around the world. Pray first for persecuted believers in our community and nation, then use the website persecution.com to find a specific nation or individual to pray for in another part of the world. 46

47 Apr. 12 Acts 5:27-32 The Christian s primary allegiance must always be to God. The power of Jesus name is made evident in these verses. The religious leaders tried to keep the apostles from preaching and healing in Jesus name, but there was no doubt as to where the apostles allegiance rested. In the apostles response to the leaders, they confirmed an important truth about the Christian faith. When obeying God comes into conflict with obeying the world and its rulers, the Christian must choose God. Our primary allegiance is to His kingdom. Instead of backing down from his message about Jesus, Peter accused the religious leaders of having His blood on their hands. To these very people, though, Peter extends God s offer of salvation through repentance. The wide reach of God s forgiveness, grace, and love is seen in His desire to draw all people, including those who put to death His Son, into His loving arms. What stands out to you about Peter s response to the accusations he faced? What is the application for you in ministry and relationships today? As you spend time in prayer, pray that like the apostles you would understand that your primary allegiance is to God, and that His mission should be priority in your life. Pray that you would see all people as deserving of His love and mercy and that you would be intentional about making His name known. 47

48 Apr. 13 Acts 5:33-39 God is sovereign over our world and our lives, which means nothing can stop His plans from taking place. Due to the apostles boldness to speak up for Jesus in the face of opposition, the religious leaders wanted them killed. Gamaliel, a fellow Pharisee, was used of God to intervene. He argued that it was in their best interest to leave the men alone and see if their efforts would die out or fail. He affirmed that if Christianity was truly from God, it would survive no matter what, but if it was not then it would eventually lose its popularity and appeal. Furthermore, nothing is worse than finding yourself in a battle against God s sovereign plans. For this reason, Gamaliel urged the leaders toward patience and restraint rather than violence. We serve a God who is in constant control of our lives and our world. While we may not always agree with the people we interact with or ways we see ministry being done, it is important to allow God to determine what is best rather than taking matters into our own hands. What did Gamaliel affirm about God? How have you seen God s sovereignty at work in and through you recently in a way you didn t expect? What could have happened in that situation if you had tried to take control away from God? Spend some time praising God for His sovereignty and power over this world and your life. Ask Him to help you align yourself with His will every morning. Review your memory verse for this week and write it here: 48

49 Apr. 14 Acts 5:40-42 Suffering in Jesus is a source of joy for the Christian. Gamaliel s speech made sense to the religious leaders, so they set the apostles free but not before flogging them and ordering them to stop using Jesus name in their work. What follows is affirmation of one of the great paradoxes of the Christian life rejoicing in suffering. Suffering was a theme during Jesus life and earthly ministry, so the apostles saw their own suffering in His name as reason to rejoice. If they suffered for their ministry, it meant their ministry was effective and they were living up to the call Jesus gave them before He left (Acts 1:8). Jesus promised that the growth of His church would include opposition, so their suffering was further proof that the message of Christ was on the move. In verse 42, we read that members of the early church reminded each other daily of the truths of the gospel, and they also shared those truths with others on a regular basis. The extreme persecution they faced would have made it easy for people to lose hope in the gospel and be tempted to turn their backs on their faith. Continually reminding one another of who God is and what He did for them would help them remain strong in their faith and keep up their witness to the world. The same holds true for us today. What does the example and spirit of the early church in these verses teach you? Why do you need to be continually reminded of the gospel? What have you faced this week that highlighted that need? Pray that God would use you to spread the gospel in your home and family, your workplace, your neighborhood, and our community. Ask Him to instill in you a passion for His gospel that won t be weakened by trials or opposition. 49

50 Apr Timothy 3:10-17 All who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. In his letter to Timothy, the pastor of the church at Ephesus, Paul reminded him that living a godly life would undoubtedly lead to persecution. This was Paul s personal testimony from a life of ministry, and it is a testimony shared by all of the apostles whose stories are recorded in the New Testament. Paul s hope for Timothy was that the reality of persecution would not dissuade him from commitment to gospel ministry. He encouraged Timothy to cling to the Word of God as his source of hope and calling. Paul reminded Timothy that the Scriptures guide believers on how to believe, grow, and serve the Christian community. Paul appealed to Timothy concerning the inspiration and usefulness of the Scriptures in daily life. The Bible is a guide that teaches us how to grow in our faith and how to live as disciples. David called it a lamp to my feet and a light to my path (Psalm 119:105). The Bible guides us in our own spiritual growth and helps us live as lights for the gospel in the world, no matter what opposition we face. What similarities do you see between Timothy s culture and the world today? Paul reminded Timothy of the power in God s Word. What opportunity might you have today to share God s Word with someone who needs it? Thank God for the power of His Word, which teaches us what we can expect as we live for Him and reminds us of the hope we have for a better future. Specifically pray for anyone who came to mind when you reflected on the previous question, someone with whom you need to share God s truth today. 50

51 Apr. 16 As you reflect through this week s quiet time, choose one passage you read that particularly stood out to you: Why was this passage so meaningful to you? In what areas of your life do these truths apply? In what ways do you plan to put the truths you ve observed this week into practice? Tomorrow our lesson is Faithful from Acts 5:25-35, Read those verses and consider your response to them. Share your memory verse with someone else today. 51

52 Apr. 17 FAITHFUL SUNDAY SCHOOL GROUP NOTES List 2-3 ways you plan to respond to the truths you have learned this week. 52

53 Apr. 18 Acts 6:1-7 Week of April 18, 2016 Selfless (Acts 6:1-10) WEEKLY MEMORY VERSE So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith. Galatians 6:10 (NASB) God raises up servant leaders in the church to meet the needs of the congregation and to ensure the church can stay on mission. As the church grew, so did its problems. These verses record a cultural clash the early church encountered. The Greek widows in the church felt like they were being neglected. In order for the apostles to remain focused on their ministry preaching and prayer they called servant leaders to make sure the physical needs of people in the church were met. Verse 3 notes that the qualifications to be a servant leader were three-fold: ethically, they must have a good reputation based on their character and conduct; spiritually, they must be fully dependent on the Holy Spirit; practically, they must have the wisdom to plan and carry out the necessary tasks. These characteristics are essential for serving the Lord by serving His people. God designed us to both live out the gospel and declare it. According to Acts 6:7, what was the result of this focus on service and what change did it bring to the church s ministry? How has God called you to serve, either in the past or recently? How did you respond to that call? What trait had God been developing in you to prepare you for that specific area of service? Spend some time thanking God for the opportunity you have to serve other people through your involvement at FBC JAX and our church s involvement in the community. Pray that God would give you a heart for service and an awareness of the present needs in our church. 53

54 Apr. 19 Acts 6:8-15 Obedience to God s call to serve is also accompanied with opposition. One of the seven men chosen to be servant leaders in the early church was Stephen. Because of God s favor and power, Stephen consistently performed great wonders and signs among the people. To this point, only the apostles had performed such deeds. God was working through Stephen in unusual and powerful ways, but the synagogue s members tried to refute the gospel he proclaimed. Stephen s courage and fearlessness in standing by his Christian convictions aroused intense hostility. The groups against him took him to the Sanhedrin, the Jews high court, and said he was heard speaking blasphemous words against Moses and God. The penalty for blaspheming God was death by stoning. The noticeable change in Stephen s face (v. 15) gave him the undivided attention of the Sanhedrin. He proceeded to boldly witness about the gospel being for all people. Stephen was committed to the gospel and he was going to have an opportunity to display that commitment. What attributes of Stephen are evident in these verses? How does Stephen show that he saw the gospel as the most important thing in his life? How should Stephen s actions impact you today? Pray for the boldness and commitment to the gospel to stand up for it today. Thank God for the examples of Stephen and others who show us how to live with zeal for the gospel. 54

55 Apr. 20 Acts 7:1-16 God has been telling the same story since the beginning of history. The central theme of the Bible is the gospel. As Stephen stood before the Sanhedrin, he had the opportunity to defend himself against the charges of blasphemy brought against him. Instead, he chose to tell the story of God s history with His people beginning with Abraham and the call to leave his home and move to the promised land. The first point in Stephen s sermon was that God s action in the world was evident in Israel s history. Stephen highlighted God s promise of land to Abraham as a greater promise pointing forward to Jesus. That theme continued as he next shared about Joseph and the famine in Egypt. Like Joseph, Jesus was a source of blessing for God s people. The running theme throughout this section is God s control over the events of His world. Then and now, God works through a variety of people and means to make His name known in the world. What do the stories of Abraham and Joseph teach you about God? Both Abraham and Joseph were sent out by God in order to serve a greater purpose in His story. What is God calling you to do and are you responding properly to His call? As you reflect on the grand narrative of Scripture, thank God for His continued faithfulness to His people and that He has chosen to use you as part of His story. Review your memory verse for this week and write it here: 55

56 Apr. 21 Acts 7:17-43 The story of Moses shows God s care for His people despite their pattern of idolatrous behavior. Following the stories of Abraham and Joseph, Stephen used the story of Moses to show how God sent another leader to deliver His people from oppression. He drew attention to how the Israelites had doubted Moses leadership, much like they rejected Jesus authority. God sent both men to lead His people out of slavery (to Egypt and to sin, respectively), but both faced initial rejection from the people they came to save. Moses brought the law and Jesus died in order to fulfill it. The Sanhedrin had accused Stephen of speaking out against God s Old Testament law, but his speech showed his understanding of its greater purpose. Stephen concluded this section with a warning rooted in Israel s history. When they rejected Moses leadership and chose idolatry, God turned them over to their sinful passions and the result was catastrophic. The same fate awaited Stephen s audience if they failed to see Jesus for who He really is. God is always at work for the good of His people, and we have to align ourselves with His plan. What stands out to you from this part of Stephen s speech? How have you, like the Israelites and the Jewish leaders, turned your back on God recently? Take some time to assess your own heart. Ask God to expose any idols you are choosing to follow instead of following Him. Then reflect on the grace and freedom that is yours through Christ. 56

57 Apr. 22 Acts 7:44-60 Stephen s example reminds us that the gospel is worth fighting for. Moving from Moses to Joshua to Solomon, Stephen s sermon built upon the events of the Old Testament and climaxed with a clear diagnosis of his listeners resistance to the Holy Spirit. As Christians, we submit to the Holy Spirit as He speaks to us through His Word. The Bible isn t just another book that sits on our shelves but the greatest love story ever told, one that begins and ends with a gracious God bent on pursuing and redeeming His people. Stephen believed the good news about Christ, loved Christ, and preached Christ. Enraged in general by Stephen s sermon and in particular by his charge that they had received but had not kept the law, the Sanhedrin members stoned Stephen. He responded by kneeling down in an attitude of prayer and worship of his Lord. After he prayed, he died. Stephen died with a vision of His exalted Lord and immediately stepped into His presence. What do you learn about being a disciple of Christ from Stephen s example? What factors sometimes prevent you from seizing opportunities to express your beliefs and values? What can you do this week to seize the opportunities in your life? Thank God for the examples of Stephen and others who show us what it looks like to fight for the gospel. 57

58 Apr. 23 As you reflect through this week s quiet time, choose one passage you read that particularly stood out to you: Why was this passage so meaningful to you? In what areas of your life do these truths apply? In what ways do you plan to put the truths you ve observed this week into practice? Tomorrow our lesson is Selfless from Acts 6:1-10. Read those verses and consider your responses to them. Share your memory verse with someone else today. 58

59 Apr. 24 SELFLESS SUNDAY SCHOOL GROUP NOTES List 2-3 ways you plan to respond to the truths you have learned this week. 59

60 Week of April 25, 2016 Obedient (Acts 8:26-31,35,38-39) WEEKLY MEMORY VERSE Therefore, those who had been scattered went about preaching the word. Acts 8:4 (NASB) Apr. 25 Acts 8:1-3 God uses unlikely people and unfortunate events to further His mission in the world. Immediately after the execution of Stephen, we meet a man named Saul who agreed with the decision to stone Stephen (v.1). Saul was building a name for himself as a persecutor of the church of Jesus Christ (v. 3). After Stephen s death, a severe persecution came upon the church in Jerusalem that caused all the believers to scatter abroad while the apostles remained in Jerusalem. Stephen was an instrumental figure in the early church, so it would have been easy to see his death and the resulting persecution that followed as unfortunate and tragic. However, God took the worst of circumstances and used them for His glory and mission in the world. What role did the persecution in Jerusalem play in the spread of the gospel through the scattering of the early believers? When have you seen God take a tragic event or circumstance in your own life and use it to display His power and glory? Pray for those you know who are in difficult and confusing circumstances. As you pray, consider believers in persecuted areas of the world. 60

61 Apr. 26 Acts 8:4-8 God used powerful preaching and signs to confirm the truth of His gospel. As the disciples scattered due to persecution, Philip traveled to Samaria (vv. 4-5). This territory near Judea was made up of Jews who remained under Assyrian rule from years prior and had intermarried with non-jews. These Jews were now called Samaritans. Because of this intermarriage, Jews looked down on Samaritans. Philip s preaching in Samaria was accompanied by many miraculous events. These occurrences were not for show, but rather to validate Philip s message. When we share the gospel, we are not alone; we are accompanied by the power of the Holy Spirit who shows Himself in mighty ways as we proclaim the gospel. When the Samaritans believed, there was much joy in that city. In our day, we may not see the same kinds of signs that accompanied Philip s ministry, but the very real presence of God is with us through His Spirit. What was the message that Philip proclaimed to the Samaritans? Where are you afraid to share the gospel? How can you rely on the power of the Holy Spirit to share the gospel there? Pray for an opportunity to share the gospel over the next week and ask for the Holy Spirit to work in the heart of that person and bring him or her into a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. 61

62 Apr. 27 Acts 8:9-13 When we share the gospel, we do not know who will believe and how God will use our witness. When Philip proclaimed the gospel, a man named Simon believed. Many probably would have considered Simon an unexpected convert. A year prior, he had been a sorcerer impressing many with his pagan magic. But Simon saw a greater power than the one he possessed and believed the gospel message. He was baptized along with many other men and women. After Simon s conversion, he followed Philip around and testified to God s grace. Seeing a former magician converted to the gospel must have been a powerful witness in Samaria. Though what we see in the next verses makes the genuine nature of Simon s conversion seem doubtful, God is still capable to save all people without exception. It is not for us to determine who will or will not believe the gospel. Rather, we are to declare the gospel to all without exception. In verse 10, why did the people believe Simon s power came from God or another source? How do you know? Would it surprise you to see someone like Simon believe the gospel? Who is the most unexpected person you have seen God save? Pray for the people God has placed in your life with whom you are to share the gospel. 62

63 Apr. 28 Acts 8:14-25 True conversion happens when the Holy Spirit changes your heart. When the church in Jerusalem heard about the mighty works of God in Samaria, they sent Peter and John to see what was going on and to give the Samaritans the gift of the Holy Spirit. When Simon the magician saw the apostles power, he wanted this power for himself. He offered Peter money to receive the same power Peter had been given by God. This request from Simon demonstrated the dubious nature of his conversion. Simon was only interested in what God could do for him. For Simon, possessing supernatural gifts was more important than a repentant heart. Peter rightly saw that Simon s conversion was not genuine and rebuked him for trying to obtain with money what only God can give by grace. We cannot manufacture the work of God. Only the Spirit of God can give the gifts of God. How did Peter know that Simon s conversion was not genuine according to our passage? How can you follow up with people who have professed belief in the gospel to ensure that their faith is sincere? Ask the Spirit to show you any areas where you are following God in order to have what He provides instead of having Him alone. 63

64 Apr. 29 Acts 8:26-40 atthew 6:1-4 God s Word is powerful and able to save. Philip was faithful to share the gospel wherever he went. Guided by an angel of the Lord, Philip traveled towards Gaza. He encountered an Ethiopian eunuch. This man was a high official in the service of a queen. The eunuch was reading a Messianic passage of Scripture from Isaiah. Having very little understanding of what he was reading, the eunuch asked Philip for help understanding the text. Philip shared the gospel and the eunuch believed. Here we see the gospel advance both to a Gentile nation as well as a person who would have formerly been cut off from the worship of God because of circumstances beyond their control. Philip was simply obedient to do what God asked by explaining the Scriptures to the Ethiopian. When we read the Bible we are reading the very words of God, which contain all that is necessary for life and salvation. Have you ever shared the gospel with someone from outside your own culture? What was that experience like for you? How does your life show your willingness to run after the lost in order to share the gospel of Jesus Christ and advance His Kingdom? As you meditate on this passage, pray for God to give you a faithful and obedient heart. Often all that is required of us is to approach someone and enter a conversation. God is able to use every part of our lives for His eternal glory. 64

65 Apr. 30 As you reflect through this week s quiet time, choose one passage you read that particularly stood out to you: Why was this passage so meaningful to you? In what areas of your life do these truths apply? In what ways do you plan to put the truths you ve observed this week into practice? Tomorrow our lesson is Obedient from Acts 8:26-31,35, Read those verses and consider your responses to them. Share your memory verse with someone else today. 65

66 May 1 OBEDIENT SUNDAY SCHOOL GROUP NOTES List 2-3 ways you plan to respond to the truths you have learned this week. 66

67 Week of May 2, 2016 Converted (Acts 9:3-9,15-20) WEEKLY MEMORY VERSE And immediately he began to proclaim Jesus in the synagogues, saying, He is the Son of God. Acts 9:20 (NASB) May 2 Acts 9:1-9 God is able to take a persecutor of His church and turn Him into an apostle of His grace. In Acts 8:1, Luke introduces a young man named Saul who was persecuting and ravaging the church. Yet God had plans for Saul. While Saul was seeking converts to Jesus to drag before the high priest and imprison in Jerusalem, he had a profound encounter with Jesus Christ. As he traveled, Saul was struck by a great light and asked by Jesus why he was persecuting Him. Saul likely did not recognize the voice of Jesus. The title Lord was probably no more than a title of respect. This encounter left Saul unable to see for several days. God would use this miraculous encounter to save Saul and change the history of the world. In verse 1, Saul is said to have been persecuting the church. In verse 5, Jesus claimed that Saul was persecuting Him personally. What does this say about Jesus relationship to the church? How did you come to know Jesus, and how have you grown since that time? Spend some time praying for those you know who are as far away from God as Saul was. Pray that God would put people in their path to share the gospel of God s grace with them. Ask Him if He would allow you to share with them. 67

68 May 3 Acts 9:10-16 We trust God and work through our fear to accomplish the task He has put before us. After the Lord called Saul, He also called a man named Ananias to go to Saul. Naturally, Ananias was fearful about following the Lord s direction, as Saul was a known persecutor of the church. In the moment, Ananias feared Saul more than he trusted God. Unwilling to entertain Ananias excuses, the Lord commanded him to go to Saul and revealed to Ananias His plans for Saul. The Lord had plans for Saul that were much bigger than Ananias fear. He planned to use Saul to take the gospel message to Gentiles, kings, and his own people, the Israelites. Most of the book of Acts traces a story that began with Saul s conversion and Ananias faithfulness. When God asks us to do something, the only proper choice we have is to obey. Why was Ananias afraid of Saul? How did Ananias work through his fear to be obedient to God? How did God see Saul differently from Ananias? Why are we sometimes afraid to do what God asks us to do? If God asks us to do something, how should that affect our confidence as we obey? Pray for the ability to be obedient even when it is difficult. Express your hope and confidence in God to be with you through every situation in life. 68

69 May 4 Acts 9:17-19 We have a responsibility to help new Christians become established in the faith and to become disciple makers. Ananias obeyed God s direction despite his fear. When he entered the house where Saul was staying, he addressed Saul as brother, acknowledging their now shared relationship with Jesus Christ. God used Ananias to give Saul his sight back and explain to him further what had happened to him. As Ananias laid his hands on Saul, the scales fell from Saul s eyes. Saul regained his sight and received the gift of the Holy Spirit. It is not clear how long Ananias stayed with Saul. This process may have happened in an instant or taken several days. Many times a new convert will have limited knowledge of the faith. We must help new converts realize what it means to follow Jesus. Saul was faithful to follow the Lord obediently in believer s baptism and when we are saved today we should take this step of obedience as well. What would Saul have known about Christianity before this day? Why was it necessary for Ananias to go to him? Who are some new Christians you know in our church? How could you take an interest in them and help them become more rooted in the faith? Notice the care Ananias gave to Saul. Pray and ask God how you can be a part of the process for another new believer. Review your memory verse for this week and write it here: 69

70 May 5 Acts 9:20-22 Believing in the gospel demands that we share the gospel with others. Luke wrote that immediately after Saul believed the gospel, he began sharing the gospel with others. As Paul was a former persecutor of Christians, many were surprised and confounded that such a zealous persecutor would now preach Jesus. Saul did not let his past and immature faith keep him from sharing the gospel with anyone who would listen, particularly the Jews. When Saul shared, he became more capable in the faith and in his ability to explain it to others. This growing confidence resulted in Saul proving to many Jews that Jesus is the promised Messiah. Saul understood that believing the gospel meant sharing it with others. If we have believed the gospel, we know enough about the gospel to share it with another person. No matter how we come to Christ, believing the gospel means sharing the gospel with lost people in desperate need of salvation. How long had Saul been a convert before he began sharing the gospel? What implications does that have for us? Why do we often think we have to be an expert in the faith before we share the gospel with others? Take some time to assess your own heart. Pray that God will show you how to love the lost as He does and enable you to share the gospel with them. 70

71 May 6 Acts 9:23-25 Becoming a Christian does not necessarily make our life easier, but it does give us an incomparable hope. Saul, once the Jews greatest ally in standing against the Christian faith, became counted among the Jews greatest enemies. After his conversion, Saul began to proclaim the gospel. The Jews had enough of Saul and the gospel message he was preaching, so they conspired to kill him. However, in God s grace, Saul became aware of their plot to kill him and escaped before they had a chance to put their plan into action. Before Saul came to Christ, he had the respect and esteem of all the Jewish people and was their ally in persecuting the church. Now the same people who loved him sought to end his life. In a sense, believing the gospel made Saul s life a lot more difficult than it had been before, and the rest of his ministry bears this out. Through Saul, we see the incredible goodness and faithfulness of God through difficulty. Why was Saul particularly threatening to the Jews? How has your redemption through Jesus changed the way you view the world and your place in it? Praise God for the example of Saul and pray to see Saul-like conversions in our community. 71

72 May 7 As you reflect through this week s quiet time, choose one passage you read that particularly stood out to you: Why was this passage so meaningful to you? In what areas of your life do these truths apply? In what ways do you plan to put the truths you ve observed this week into practice? Tomorrow our lesson will be Converted from Acts 9:3-9, Read those verses and consider your responses to them. Share your memory verse with someone else today. 72

73 May 8 CONVERTED SUNDAY SCHOOL GROUP NOTES List 2-3 ways you plan to respond to the truths you have learned this week. 73

74 Week of May 9, 2016 Bold (Acts 9:36-43) WEEKLY MEMORY VERSE He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. Colossians 1:15(NASB) May 9 Acts 9:26-31 Saul s bold gospel witness affirmed His faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. When Saul showed up in Jerusalem, his reputation as a persecutor of the church preceded him, and it was unchanged in the eyes of the Christians there. Only Barnabas would take a chance on Saul, having heard of his conversion and his bold witness to the gospel. For Barnabas, Saul s willingness to share the gospel with such boldness was an affirmation of Saul s changed heart. Additionally, Saul continued to proclaim the gospel to all the Hellenists, to the point that they tried to kill him. Saul was a Hellenistic Jew, so he understood their language and culture. However, for the Jews, Saul s newfound faith was too much for them to take. Why is gospel witnessing strong evidence of real conversion? How did Barnabas build up Saul? How can you do the same for another believer in Christ? When was the last time that you shared the gospel? These early believers were known for their boldness. Spend some time praying for opportunities to boldly share this week. 74

75 May 10 John 14:7-11 Jesus reveals the Father to us. In this section of John s Gospel, Jesus is fielding questions from His disciples, revealing who He is and what He came to accomplish. Jesus is the only way to the Father (John 14:6) because He and the Father are one. When the disciples looked at Jesus, they saw the image of the invisible God (Colossians 1:15). Philip had a difficult time wrapping his mind around what Jesus was telling him, so he continued to question Christ. Every word Jesus spoke and every action He made revealed the Father to these men. Never again would they be able to say they did not know what the Father was like, because the Son is in the Father and the Father is in the Son. God expressed Himself most fully in the person and work of Jesus Christ. How do we see the Father in the life of the Son? How have you experienced a deepening relationship with God the Father through God the Son? Spend some time thanking Jesus for who He is, expressing your confidence in what He has done for you. 75

76 May 11 John 14:12-14 The Christian s ministry centers around the power and name of Jesus. With John 14:12, Jesus continued to help His disciples understand who He is and how belief in Him would change their lives. One of the distinct ways we are changed by belief in Jesus is that we will continue to carry out His gospel mission in the world. Jesus left His followers with the responsibility of spreading the gospel around the world (Matt. 28:18-20), and that is the driving force behind the missionary journeys we have been reading about in Acts. Jesus stated explicitly that when we seek to live out His will in the world, He will work through us to bring glory to the Father. The world and everything in it was created to bring glory to God, and the work and worship of the Christian is one of the clearest ways others can see God s glory around them. What works did Jesus do during His time on earth? Read John 15:8. What are the greater works Jesus expects us to do in His name in that verse and in John 14:12? Who enables us to do those works? Pray that like Saul, Peter, and the other members of the early church in Acts you will be a part of spreading the gospel around the world by allowing Jesus to work through you. 76

77 May 12 Acts 9:32-35 God uses His people to draw others to Himself. Luke spent the first part of Acts 9 describing Paul s conversion to the Christian faith. With verse 32, he turned his attention back to Peter and his gospel ministry. During Jesus earthly ministry, miracles of physical healing were one of the main ways Jesus helped people see the power and authority He had over both the physical and the spiritual world. When Peter encountered Aeneas, a paralyzed and bedridden man in Lydda, Peter reminded Aeneas and the people who knew him that Jesus power was still at work in the world, even though He was physically absent. This demonstration of healing in Jesus name drew many people to the Lord (v. 35). Even today, Jesus continues to work through the church and individual believers to help people see His power so they will trust in Him. Why was physical healing such an important part of Jesus ministry? Jesus name continues to have the power it has always had. What do you need to ask God to do in and through you this week in Jesus name? When we pray, we do so in Jesus name because He intercedes on our behalf before the throne of God. As you pray at this time, remember that He hears your prayers and is powerful to answer them in accordance with God s will. 77

78 May 13 Acts 9:36-43 Sharing the gospel involves taking bold action based on faith in Jesus. Peter moves from Lydda to the neighboring town of Joppa. There was a woman named Dorcas who was well-known and beloved in Joppa for her good works. After a period of illness, Dorcas died. Out of love for their friend and sister in Christ, the disciples sent for Peter because they believed that Peter would be able to restore Dorcas to health. When Peter arrived, he found a crowd of people openly mourning the loss of their friend. Peter entered the room, and with a statement, brought this woman back to life through the power of Jesus. Once again, Peter did not perform this miracle to draw attention to himself, but to point to the God of heaven. Through Peter s work in Joppa, many came to believe the gospel. Jesus is more powerful than physical sickness and even death. Why is praying for the sick the most helpful thing we can do for them? Do you know someone who is sick right now? How can you minister to that person in the name of Jesus Christ? Remember in prayer those you know who are dealing with illness. Ask for God to heal them and restore them to health, glorifying His name in the process. 78

79 May 14 As you reflect through this week s quiet time, choose one passage you read that particularly stood out to you: Why was this passage so meaningful to you? In what areas of your life do these truths apply? In what ways do you plan to put the truths you ve observed this week into practice? Tomorrow our lesson is Bold from Acts 9: Read those verses and consider your responses to them. Share your memory verse with someone else today. 79

80 May 15 BOLD SUNDAY SCHOOL GROUP NOTES List 2-3 ways you plan to respond to the truths you have learned this week. 80

81 Acts 10:1-8 Week of May 16, 2016 Accepting (Acts 10:9-15,43-48) WEEKLY MEMORY VERSE And He ordered us to preach to the people, and solemnly to testify that this is the One who has been appointed by God as Judge of the living and the dead. Acts 10:42 (NASB) May 16 God hears the prayers of those who seek Him. These verses begin Peter s incredible interaction with a man named Cornelius. From the text we know Cornelius was a centurion, a commander of a local force of soldiers, and a man who, though he was not Jewish, feared the Lord. Cornelius prayed regularly and lived a devout life. An angel appeared to Cornelius and told him that God had heard and listened to his prayers. Caesarea was close to Joppa and the angel directed Cornelius to send for Peter. Cornelius obeyed what the angel commanded and sent several servants to Joppa for Peter. Though Cornelius was not a part of God s chosen people, he sought the Lord and lived a life that was pleasing to God. Through his earnestly seeking the Lord, God saw fit to answer Cornelius s prayers and make a way for him to hear the gospel message. What type of man was Cornelius? Why is it significant for such a man to come to know Christ? When is a time the Lord has given you clear direction to speak with another person about Christ? What actions did you take to be obedient to the Lord? Spend some time thanking God for the influence you have been given. Think about all the people you interact with on a daily basis and pray for God to use you in those people s lives. 81

82 May 17 Acts 10:9-16 The gospel message is meant for every person of every background, life experience, and heritage. While Peter was praying, he had a vision from heaven where he saw a large sheet filled with a variety of animals. The voice in Peter s vision directed him to take up and eat, but Peter refused because he was a Jew. He had never eaten anything common that violated God s standards in regards to food. Peter s response was based on his own preferences rather than a command from the Lord. God did this to help Peter break down prejudices within his own life. There are times in our lives as disciples that we must ask ourselves if we object to something out of a personal preference or because God has forbidden it. If we discover it is preference, we must allow room for freedom. Why did Peter object to eating the things he saw in his vision? What traditions do you hold to without clear direction from God? Are you calling something common that God has called clean? Pray for God to reveal in your heart areas where you are making distinctions that God does not make Himself. 82

83 May 18 Acts 10:17-33 The gospel breaks down barriers between people. Peter s vision prepared him to minister to Cornelius. At the end of the vision, Cornelius s servants appeared and asked Peter to come with them, and the Holy Spirit confirmed to Peter than he should go with these men without any questions. Peter was obedient and invited the men to stay for the night. The next day, Peter went with them back to Cornelius s house. When they arrived, Cornelius was waiting and had gathered relatives and close friends to hear the message that Peter brought to him. Previously, two men like Cornelius and Peter would not have ever socialized with each other, but the gospel brought them together. However, God does not make distinctions between people. God is the God of all people. As Peter learned that all food is clean, he also learned that all people are worthy of hearing the gospel message. How did God use Peter s vision to prepare him to minister to Cornelius? How has the gospel united you to someone who is very different from you? Spend some time thinking about your own prejudices. Is there anyone with whom you would be reluctant to share the gospel? What does this reveal about you? Pray and ask the Lord to break down barriers in your own heart. Review your memory verse for this week and write it here: 83

84 May 19 Acts 10:34-43 God is no respecter of persons and saves all those who seek Him in repentance and faith. In these verses we see Peter sharing the gospel with Gentiles. Peter s message acknowledged that God does not show favoritism, but accepts all through faith. Peter told the gospel story: how God sent Jesus Christ to the people of Israel, how Jesus was baptized and filled with the Holy Spirit, and how Jesus went about doing good and healing. Peter shared how Jesus died and rose again in victory over sin and death. Peter taught that this was the central message of the Christian faith and confirmed again that anyone who called on the name of the Lord would be saved. The gospel message is powerful and able to save any who believe it in faith. There are no other requirements for entering a relationship with God it is all because of the grace of Jesus Christ. Take notice of how Peter shared the gospel in these verses. What elements did he include? What do you learn from meeting people who are very different from you? Pray for people you know who are far from God. Ask that God would intervene in their lives the way he intervened in Cornelius s life. 84

85 May 20 Acts 10:44-48 Since baptism is the first act of obedience it should immediately follow belief in Jesus Christ. Cornelius s friends and family believed the gospel message that Peter proclaimed to them. As evidence of their belief, they received the gift of the Holy Spirit. The Jewish people were all astounded that God s grace had come to the Gentiles. But their conversion was undeniable, because it was accompanied by evidence of the Spirit s work. Immediately after they believed, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. The word baptize literally means, to immerse. From all the evidence in the New Testament, we know that as soon as believers have believed in Christ through faith, they should next identify with His church through baptism by immersion. Baptism is the first act of obedience in the life of a disciple of Jesus Christ. Why should we be baptized after believing in Jesus? Have you been baptized by immersion? If not, why not? What is keeping you from being obedient to this command? Praise God for the people He brings to Himself. Remember your own baptism and thank God for the work He has done in your life since saving you. 85

86 May 21 As you reflect through this week s quiet time, choose one passage you read that particularly stood out to you: Why was this passage so meaningful to you? In what areas of your life do these truths apply? In what ways do you plan to put the truths you ve observed this week into practice? Tomorrow our lesson is Accepting from Acts 10:9-15, Read those verses and consider your responses to them. Share your memory verse with someone else today. 86

87 May 22 ACCEPTING SUNDAY SCHOOL GROUP NOTES List 2-3 ways you plan to respond to the truths you have learned this week. 87

88 Week of May 23, 2016 Extraordinary (Acts 12:7-12,16-19) WEEKLY MEMORY VERSE So Peter was kept in the prison, but prayer for him was being made fervently by the church to God. Acts 12:5 (NASB) May 23 Acts 11:1-18 We should praise God when He works in ways that we would have never expected. Word of Peter s encounter with Cornelius and the gospel going to the Gentiles spread quickly throughout Judea. When Peter returned to Jerusalem, there was a group there who took issue with him because they believed that all Christians should be circumcised. To help them understand, Peter recounted his journey for them. Peter supported that this was the work of God by referencing the incredible work of the Holy Spirit that accompanied the Gentiles conversion. When they heard what had happened to Peter, the men were silent and then began to praise God for His work among the Gentiles. Though they would have never expected God to work in the way He did, they had no other option but to praise God for His salvation among the Gentiles. Why were these men shocked by what they heard about Peter and his time with the Gentiles? When have you seen God work in a way that you would have never expected? Are there a few things you would love to see God do but have trouble believing He would ever do them? Pray and ask God to accomplish those big prayers. 88

89 May 24 Acts 11:19-26 God uses ordinary people to accomplish His extraordinary purposes. These verses tell the story of the beginning of the Gentile mission. While some who were scattered by the persecution only spoke the gospel to Jews, others began to share the gospel with Hellenists, or Greeks. Luke writes that the Lord was with these men and that a large number of people believed and turned to the Lord through their work. The church in Jerusalem heard of this work and sent Saul and Barnabas to encourage these new believers and build them up in the faith. Saul and Barnabas stayed a whole year and started the church in Antioch, which went on to become the most important mission-sending church in the first century. These were ordinary men with an extraordinary gospel and God used them to take His gospel to all the nations of the world. What behaviors should all Christians be engaged in that we see in these verses? Often we think doing important things for God should be left to pastors or other more gifted people. How does this account show God using ordinary people? Pray that God would use FBC JAX the way He used the church at Antioch to make His name know among the nations. 89

90 May 25 Acts 11:27-30 We have a responsibility to care for other believers who are experiencing hardship. Continuing God s work in Antioch, a prophet named Agabus came down from Jerusalem and predicted through the Spirit of God that there would be an extreme famine throughout the Roman world. All of these disciples gave what they could to help alleviate the need that would be created by this famine. The church at Antioch understood that they were vitally connected to other Christians and made every effort to support them in a time of need. Yet, notice that each one gave in proportion to his or her ability. All of us do not have the same capacity to give, but all of us have some capacity to give. When we give, it should be in proportion to our income. This is the biblical principle of tithing. How did the disciples give? What does it mean to give according to your ability? What ability do you have to give? What can you give to help another Christian in need? Ask God to help you identify a need where you can serve a believer over the next month. Review your memory verse for this week and write it here: 90

91 May 26 Acts 12:1-11 Prayer has the power to alter the course of this world. In these verses, we see another episode of persecution break out against the church. This time James (John s brother), who was one of the three in Jesus inner circle, was killed. James s murder pleased the Jews, so Herod arrested Peter as well. Meanwhile, the church began to make urgent prayers for Peter s release from prison. On the night Peter was to be killed, an angel of the Lord appeared and woke Peter up and freed him from his chains and the jail. Peter obeyed the angel and left the prison. When we pray, our prayers do not fall on deaf ears, but they fall before the God of the universe who is ready and able to answer our prayers. There is a direct connection between the prayers of God s people and God s action in the world. Though the situation seemed grave for Peter, God used the prayers of His people to enact His will in the world. How did the prayers of God s people help free Peter from prison? What do you know about persecuted areas of the world? What may seem abstract to us is very real for them. How can you pray for these brothers and sisters? Think through all the people you know in difficult and trying circumstances, particularly those who may be mistreated for their faith. Ask God to be with them in their time of need. 91

92 May 27 Acts 12:12-19 Sharing the gospel message leads to experiences in which God demonstrates His power in extraordinary ways. After Peter left the prison, he quickly made his way back to his friend s house where the believers were still praying for his release. Upon hearing Peter s voice, a servant named Rhoda went to tell the others who could not believe that Peter was there. Their response reflected a common Jewish belief in guardian angels. Peter kept knocking, and the disciples were astonished to see their friend actually had returned to them. Peter asked the disciples to alert Jesus brother, James, a leader at the church in Jerusalem, and then went to Caesarea. In Scripture, we see God do things that defy all human explanation. These events could not happen without the direct intervention of God. Though God works in ordinary ways, we should not doubt when we witness God do amazing things works that go beyond our expectations. Why did the disciples not believe it was Peter at first? What is something you have seen God do that defies all explanation? Thank God for all the amazing things He has done and ask Him to enlarge your ability to recognize His work in the world. 92

93 May 28 As you reflect through this week s quiet time, choose one passage you read that particularly stood out to you: Why was this passage so meaningful to you? In what areas of your life do these truths apply? In what ways do you plan to put the truths you ve observed this week into practice? Tomorrow our lesson is Extraordinary from Acts 12:7-12, Read those verses and consider your responses to them. Share your memory verse with someone else today. 93

94 May 29 EXTRAORDINARY SUNDAY SCHOOL GROUP NOTES List 2-3 ways you plan to respond to the truths you have learned this week. 94

95