Bible Passage: Acts 8 (Philip and the Ethiopian Man) REMEMBER VERSE

Transcription

1 Date: May 6, 2012 Bible Passage: Acts 8 (Philip and the Ethiopian Man) REMEMBER VERSE Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory. Isaiah 6:3 God Wants Everyone to Know Him, Part II Inspire At 16 years of age, I found myself traipsing through the jungles of Thailand following the missionary assigned to our team. He was both our guide and translator our connection to the village church. We were prepared to share the good news as well as lead worship in the church services. As we approached the village huts, we found them deserted with the exception of a few people. The remaining villagers told us that the night before, there had been a drug raid in the surrounding area and the people had fled into the jungle. We learned that often villagers were recruited, intimidated, or kidnapped to transport drugs for powerful drug lords. Thai soldiers would then raid villages or nearby trails, looking to quash the criminal activity that plagued their country. This experience left me a little scared. As far as I was concerned, God had sent us to minister to hospitable villagers in safe territories, not to get mixed up with a national war on drugs. A couple of days later we ran into a group of soldiers. They looked serious and scary, dressed in camouflage gear and carrying rifles. Just walk past them; they won t stop us, I thought to myself. But our missionary leader approached the soldiers. The commanding officer explained they were going on a drug raid. Then I heard my youth pastor request if we could perform our drama for them. No way, I thought. There is no way the soldiers of a Buddhist country will want to see a drama about Jesus. What is he thinking? To my astonishment, the officer accepted our invitation. Before I knew what was happening, we were enacting the good news right there, on the side of the road, while the soldiers stood and watched. Afterward, we gathered around the soldiers, laid our hands on them, and prayed for the safety of the men and their mission. Before we said good-bye, their stern faces turned to smiles as we posed to take pictures. I will never forget this experience. I will never forget how I almost missed an opportunity to share the good news. I will never forget how I saw scary soldiers, but God saw men who were in need. God challenged the way I saw people. I wanted what was safe and comfortable, but God pushed me beyond my narrow limitations in order to show me that He wants everyone to know Him everyone. Asriel Medina TruWonder Team 1

2 Equip After Jesus ascended into heaven, the Holy Spirit was sent because God wants everyone to know Him. Under the guidance of Saul, who later became the apostle Paul, the church saw a time of great persecution. As a result, the church scattered but continued to preach the Word so that others could know about Jesus. It was at this time that an angel led Philip down a wilderness road (Acts 8). On this road, Philip saw an Ethiopian eunuch, an important court official to the queen of Ethiopia, reading from the book of Isaiah. Although the Ethiopian knew about God and traveled far to worship in Jerusalem, as a eunuch he was not allowed to enter the assembly of the Lord (Deuteronomy 23:1). His reading of Scripture and his questions to Philip indicated he wanted to know more. There were many reasons Philip could have chosen not to share the good news with this man ethnicity, social status, and his physical condition. But the Spirit revealed to Philip that God wants everyone to know Him. In what some commentators see as a fulfillment of Isaiah 56:3 7, Philip not only shared the good news with the eunuch foreigner, but he baptized him and fully accepted him into the faith community. In this part of The Big God Story, we see one way in which God s plan for all of humankind to know Him was being fulfilled. This Ethiopia is not the same as the African country we now know as Ethiopia, but refers instead to ancient Nubia, or Cush, the region south of Egypt. This makes the Ethiopian eunuch a descendant of Ham, one of the sons of Noah who was saved in the ark during the great flood. It was through Noah s sons, Ham, Shem, and Japheth, that the world was repopulated (Genesis 9:19). The descendants of Ham were Cush, Mizraim, Put, and Canaan (Genesis 10:6). Ham s sons and their descendants would occupy the area we now know as Egypt (another name for Mizraim). Although Ham knew God, his descendants fell away, becoming pagan worshippers and enemies of Israel. But God never stopped longing for Ham s descendants to know Him. Further Resources InterVarsity Press Commentary Coogan, Michael D., Marc Z. Brettler, Carol A. Newsom, and Pheme Perkins (eds.) The New Oxford Annotated Bible, NRSV Third Edition. New York: Oxford University Press. Remember Verse Motions Inspired by American Sign Language; demonstrated at and /aslweb/browser.htm In Psalm 68:31, the Psalmist prayed that all people would worship God, saying, Envoys will come from Egypt; Cush will submit herself to God, and the prophet Zephaniah wrote about the restoration of the nations, declaring that, From beyond the rivers of Cush my worshipers, my scattered people, will bring me offerings (Zephaniah 3:10). Let no foreigner who has bound himself to the Lord say, The Lord will surely exclude me from his people. And let not any eunuch complain, I am only a dry tree. For this is what the Lord says: These I will bring to my holy mountain and give them joy in my house of prayer. Their burnt offerings and sacrifices will be accepted on my altar; for my house will be called a house of prayer for all nations. (Isaiah 56:3 4a, 7) Support Imagine Philip on foot, dusty from his travels, stumbling upon a chariot with an educated foreigner and his attendants. Not only did it take courage to approach this clearly influential and wealthy man, it also took understanding that God wants everyone to know Him. Paul wrote that in Christ, There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus (Galatians 3:28). God wanted the Ethiopian to know Him. By being obedient to the prompting of God s Spirit, Philip had the amazing blessing to be a part of God s great plan to make Himself known to all peoples everywhere. Take some time this week to reflect on how much God loves all the world, and what He has done to reveal Himself to 2

3 us. God is near, ready to give you a deeper understanding of His heart. Go to Him. Kneel at His feet and ask for the courage to go wherever and to whomever God may lead you. Ask Him to make you increasingly aware of others, both near and far, who are ready to know Him in a more personal way. What part might you play in His plans for these people? What is God saying to you about the children and families in your ministry? Give thanks to the God who loved the world so much that He sacrificed His one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him can know Him and live in relationship with Him forever. May He fill your heart with a love that passes understanding, so you can make His love known to every person He places in your path. Lesson Overview Experience Time Summary Supplies/Prepare (Master Supply List under Resource Tab) Explore:: Welcome & Engage min. Exploration stations create space intended to transition children to lead them from the external world into an environment where they can commune with God, just as they are with all that they are. Focus Station: What Is Your Favorite? (per table) What Is Your Favorite? Template (see Resource Folder) masking tape 3 bowls oranges, rice crisp cereal, and raisins 2 x 2 self-adhesive notes marker (Optional) Station 2: Here We Go! (per table) child-size scissors pieces of brown fabric, burlap, or construction paper small toy horses and toy people Explore bin Discover:: Large Group min. Facilitate interactive games, songs, and storytelling, allowing children to participate in discovering God s Word. Remember Verse image and cards (see Resource Folder) Bibles (your personal and large children s) mailbox Wardrobe of Wonder intro clip and image (see Resource Tab) Wardrobe of Wonder What sit: Horse Walking (sound effect; see ear image in Resource Folder to prompt sound effect) The Big God Story intro clip and image (see Resource Tab) images: #1 Horse and Chariot, #2 Chariot and Ethiopian (see Resource Folder) Respond:: Small Group min. Further process the story through discussion and interaction with others, and respond to God in worship through creative expression. Connect: Chariot Races (per small group) masking tape Starting and Finish Line Signs (see Resource Folder) Create: The People in My Neighborhood (per table/small group) Neighborhood Map (see Resource Folder) Homes Template (see Resource Folder) construction paper 3

4 Bless:: Small Group 5 min. Bless the children that they may experience God fully and be a blessing to others. scissors markers or crayons stickers, colored paper, glitter, etc. tape or glue sticks Wonder Questions Premium, Unlimited, and Combo users: TruWonder Timeline and images (see Extras Tab) Blessing/Remember Verse HomeFront Weekly Small Group S E C T I O N Explore:: min. Group Leaders Exploration stations create space intended for wonder to pique children s curiosity and allow them to engage in hands-on experiences as they begin their time in worship. Invite children to participate at the Focus Station (or optional stations, if available). Explore the materials with the children and engage them in open-ended questions about their observations. This will encourage them to explore and form questions on their own throughout the lesson. Focus Station Station 1: What Is Your Favorite? Philip was led by the Holy Spirit to an interaction with an Ethiopian. On the surface, he had nothing in common with the man, but after they started talking, he was able to baptize the man. Today children will have the opportunity to explore getting to know others and being known by them in return. One of the ways children get to know one another is by sharing about their favorite things. Children will try various items and then graph which was their favorite. SUPPLIES (per table) What Is Your Favorite? Template (see Resource Folder) masking tape Pictures of, since we cannot have actual food due to allergies oranges, rice crisp cereal, and raisins we will have printed 2 x 2 self-adhesive notes we have marker Note: Please be sure to check with parents for any food allergies. PREPARE AHEAD Print the What Is Your Favorite? Template. Cut out the shapes and set aside. Write each child s name on a selfadhesive note. Gather remaining materials. 4

5 SET UP Place the images of the foods on the table ENGAGE Welcome children to the Explore Station. Encourage kids to look at the pictures of the items on the table. As kids are looking, ask them questions about their experience. How do oranges taste? Are they sour or sweet? What sound does the cereal make when you chew? What do the raisins look like? Are they smooth or wrinkled? How do they taste? Are they sweet or sour? After they ve finished talking about their favorites, give them the sticky note with their name on the front. Ask them to place their name on the picture of their favorite item. Once all the children have chosen their favorite, ask them about their choice. Why is this your favorite? Interact with their responses. Then have kids sort the data by counting to see how many people chose the orange, cereal, or raisins as their favorite. What did you learn about your friends today? How many people like each food? Was there anyone who didn t like something like you? It can be so fun to get to know what we have in common with our friends. (Optional) Station 2: Here We Go! Philip and the Ethiopian were both traveling when they met. This is an open-ended activity using horses and trails to allow children the space to begin thinking about traveling. SUPPLIES (per table) child-size scissors pieces of brown fabric, burlap, or construction paper we have felt small toy horses and toy people I can bring in Explore bin SET UP Place all items on the table. ENGAGE Invite the kids to join you at the Explore Station. Begin by modeling for the children how they can use the scissors to cut strips of fabric to serve as roads or trails. Invite the kids to join you in making trails for the horses. When you re finished, encourage the children to create various trail patterns with the fabric. Then, kids can use the toy horses on the trails. Kids may also choose to use people as travelers. Ask: Where is your horse going? Have you ever ridden on a horse or in a carriage? Where are your people heading? Have you ever gone on a long trip? Would you rather walk or ride a horse? Do you remember some parts from The Big God Story that involved traveling? Mixing It Up As an alternative to a live taste test, consider using pictures from a magazine instead of the actual items. You may also choose to add a variety of cereals and fruit to the list of potential favorites. Discover:: min. Host/Worship Leader/Storyteller Large Group S E C T I O N Children move into a large group setting and participate in discovering God s Word through storytelling, worship, and interactive experiences. The following instructions have been condensed, but if you d like more information about any of the components of the large group program, please see Putting It Together under the Resource Tab. 5

6 Ponder Point God Wants Everyone to Know Him REMEMBER VERSE Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory. Isaiah 6:3 Remember Verse Definitions holy: super special like nothing or no one else; perfect; only God is holy almighty: more powerful than anything or anyone; only God is almighty glory: brilliant, radiant beauty that brings praise to God Remember Verse Motions Holy, holy, holy: Hold left hand palm up. With right hand, hold up index and middle fingers in closed position. Brush right two fingers across the top of left palm from wrist to finger tips. Repeat each time for the word holy. is the Lord: Point up to the sky with both index fingers. Almighty: Bring arms down to shoulder height into the strong man position. The whole earth: Use both hands to make a big circle representing the earth. is full: Move both hands from waist up to chest (in front of body). of his glory: Hands together as if just finished clapping. Lift right hand off of the left. At same time, wiggle fingers to look as if something is shining. Wardrobe of Wonder Storyteller/Host/Worship Leader Hide the What sit connected to The Big God Story in the wardrobe. Together as a community, the children will discover the identity of this object as they begin to ask questions from their observations and experiences. You ll need to have ready a Wardrobe of Wonder, Wardrobe of Wonder intro clip, image, and sound effect (see Resource Tab) For this What sit you ll need a picture of a horse and chariot What sit: Horse and chariot picture The horse and chariot was an ancient mode of transportation. People of wealth and in positions of importance traveled in large and often ornately designed chariots. These were a symbol of status much like automobiles are today. In this portion of The Big God Story, we re introduced to an Ethiopian man who was in service to a queen. He met the apostle Philip while in his chariot, reading from the book of Isaiah. 6

7 The Big God Story Acts 8 Storyteller SUPPLIES The Big God Story intro clip and image (see Resource Tab) Bible (adult or children s to use during teaching) images: #1 Horse and Chariot, #2 Chariot and Ethiopian (see Resource Folder) (Insert child s name), what did you find when you opened the Wardrobe of Wonder? The picture of a horse and chariot, that s right. Did you recognize it right away? Ask the children. Why do you think the picture of a horse and chariot was in the wardrobe? Interact with their responses. Those are good ideas! Well, I think it s about time we find out how this fits into today s portion of The Big God Story. Do you know what time it is? Before we jump into The Big God Story, let s stop and ask God to teach us. (Lead children in a Prayer of Release.) Prayer of Release The Prayer of Release is a time for children and leaders to pause, be still, and ask God to quiet their hearts and minds. If you would like, encourage kids to hold their open hands in front of them in a spirit of releasing their worries and distractions, to better receive what the Holy Spirit might have for them. After the children quiet their voices and still their bodies, ask them to pray with you. The last time we were together, we heard that God wants everyone to know Him. He sent the Holy Spirit to help the apostles share the good news with the whole world. What is the Good News? (Children will answer.) Well, one day while a follower of Jesus, named Philip, was in Jerusalem, God sent an angel to him. What do you think the angel said? (Encourage the children to guess.) Those are good guesses! The angel told Philip to start walking on a road in the desert. The angel didn t tell Philip where he was going or how long he was going to be walking, he just said, Go! Philip knew that he could trust God, so without asking why, he got up and went. As he was traveling along the dusty road, he saw a horse and chariot. Friends, what was in the Wardrobe of Wonder today? (Kids will answer.) Sometimes horses were used to pull chariots. (image #1 Horse and Chariot.) Well, inside the chariot was a man who worked for the queen of Ethiopia. Can you say that with me? E-thi-o-pia. Good job. Ethiopia is a country far away from Jerusalem. The Ethiopian had traveled to Jerusalem to worship God, but he had never heard about Jesus. While the Ethiopian man was on his way home from Jerusalem, he stopped to rest. (image #2 Chariot and Ethiopian.) Philip saw the man sitting in his chariot, reading God s Word. The Holy Spirit told Philip, Go over to that chariot. Well, the Ethiopian man worked for a queen. He was very rich. He had a huge chariot that he used to take him where he needed to go. Philip didn t have a chariot; he was walking. Philip didn t know if the Ethiopian man would even want to talk with him about God. After all, they were from different parts of the world and didn t know each other. But Philip knew God, and he knew that God wants everyone to know Him. And so Philip obeyed God s words. When Philip reached the chariot, he asked the Ethiopian man, Do you understand what you are reading? The man said, How can I understand unless someone helps me? You see, the Ethiopian man was reading a part of the Bible that talks about the promised Savior. Who is The Promise? Jesus, that s right. Well, the 7

8 Ethiopian man didn t understand the things he was reading. He didn t know that Jesus the promised Savior had already come. He needed someone to teach him so he could know Jesus! Do you think Philip helped the man? (Children will respond.) Yes! Philip began to tell the Ethiopian about Jesus and The Big God Story. Philip told the man all about God s love. He also shared the good news. Philip told the man that God had made a way for him to know God and be with Him forever. Who is the way to God? (Children answer.) Jesus, the promised Savior! Philip also told the man how Jesus rose from the dead and sent the Holy Spirit to help us. The Ethiopian man listened to everything Philip said. He was so happy that God loved him and wanted to know him. The Ethiopian man decided to trust in Jesus and follow Him right then. After the Ethiopian decided to follow Jesus, the Holy Spirit suddenly took Philip away to another city. There were still more people who didn t know God and needed to hear the good news. God was going to use Philip to tell them about Jesus. Why do you think the Holy Spirit took Philip away? (Children answer.) That s right, because God wants everyone to know Him. Children, God loved the Ethiopian so much that He sent Philip to tell him about Jesus. Philip knew God, and knew that God wants everyone to know Him. So when God told Philip to go talk to the Ethiopian in his chariot, Philip did! Just like God used Philip to share the good news, He can use you and me to tell people about Jesus too. God wants everyone to know Him. Respond:: min. Group Leaders Small Group S E C T I O N Children have an opportunity to reflect (within the faith community) on what they have heard, and to respond to God individually or corporately. This time is focused on the wonder of God and the foundational Truth of His Word. Your small group time is designed to encourage conversations between you and your children about what God is doing in them. Some children will be more responsive when they re engaged in something artistic. Others will be more open once their bodies get moving. Choose from the options given here or use your own ideas. The Wonder Questions may be used to start conversations during any of these activities or in a quieter, more contemplative time. Connect: Chariot Races (Optional Game: 5 10 min.) After a time of responding to God as a group, allow time and space for children and leaders to connect with each other in a lively large-motor-skills activity. Fun challenges foster unique opportunities for conversation and help to develop your faith community. SUPPLIES (per small group) masking tape Starting and Finish Line Signs (see Resource Folder) PREPARE AHEAD Gather materials. Print the Starting and Finish Line Signs from the Resource Folder. SET UP Use masking tape on the floor to make starting and finish lines. Post the starting and finish line signs. 8

9 ENGAGE Today in The Big God Story, we heard how God sent Philip to tell the Ethiopian man about Jesus. Do you remember what the Ethiopian man was sitting in? Allow the children to respond. Right! A chariot. God told Philip to go to the chariot so he could tell the man how much God loved him, and how he could get to know God. We re going to pretend we re racing home in our chariots to tell others about Jesus. Line children up in pairs. One person will be the chariot and the other person will be the driver. Have the kids who are chariots place their hands on the floor. The driver will then pick up and hold the ankles of the child playing the chariot. Teams will race on their hands to the finish line. Create: The People in My Neighborhood Create is more than just a time to make a craft. It s a hands-on opportunity for children to give artistic expression to what God is doing within them. What is created can then become a physical reminder of time spent responding to God. SUPPLIES (per table/small group) Neighborhood Map (see Resource Folder) we can provide Homes Template (see Resource Folder) we can provide construction paper scissors markers or crayons stickers, colored paper, glitter, etc. tape or glue sticks PREPARE Print a copy of the Neighborhood Map and the Homes Template from the Resource Folder. Cut out the homes (or leave for older children to do). Gather materials. SET UP Hang the map of the neighborhood at eye level for the children. Place remaining materials in the center of the table. ENGAGE Welcome children to the table. Friends, we know that God wants everyone to know Him. He can use each of us to share His good news. Do you think there are some people in your neighborhood who don t know God? Do you think there are some people who want to know Him? Allow children to respond. Let s take a moment to stop and pray for the people in our neighborhoods. Lead children in a time of prayer for the people in their neighborhoods. For example: God, we thank You for Your love for each one of us. We know that You want everyone to know You. Lord, is there someone we know who doesn t know You? Will You show us how we can pray for them today? Amen. Encourage kids to find a house, apartment building, or store they would like to decorate to represent someone in their neighborhood. Allow children time to color and decorate the homes with glitter, stickers, crayons, etc. Encourage them to add the people or families they re praying for. As they color, have them pray for their neighbors. If the children want to share their prayer, leaders can write a simple statement on the house. For example, I m praying for (insert neighbor s name). When they re finished decorating, let them stick their house on the neighborhood map. Once the map is complete, the entire small group can close this time together in prayer for the people in this community. Wonder Questions Discuss the following questions with the children. Wonder Questions are meant to prompt further conversation about what children have been experiencing. They also invite children to ponder this truth and dwell with the wonder of God. Be sure to pause long enough after each question to allow the children time to wonder. Encourage them to share their unique perspectives with the group. 9

10 The Holy Spirit sent Philip into the desert where he met a man from Ethiopia. Although this man was reading God s Word and knew God, he didn t understand about Jesus. He was so happy to hear that God loved him and wanted to know him. He decided to trust in Jesus and follow Him. I wonder What is it like to hear about God for the first time? I wonder What did it feel like for Philip to hear the Holy Spirit and follow His directions, even though they seemed unusual? I wonder What would it be like to tell someone about Jesus who s never heard about Him? Game alternative for younger children Three- to three-and-a-half-year-old children may have a harder time with this activity. Consider modifying the game by having the chariot lie flat on the ground and the driver then roll the chariot from the start to the finish line. Or, try racing with stick horses or tricycles, demonstrate galloping, or push empty chairs. If weather and facilities allow, take your races outside. Because space was limited, we had pony races instead. Each person could gallop back and forth. Good Shepherd Church For the Chariot Races, we had toy horses for the threes and fours to play with. Maple Valley Presbyterian Church Instead of using the street view, we made an overhead view of streets and blocks. Kids glued their houses on the different blocks and added things from their neighborhoods (trees, church, park, school). Because the streets are wide enough, they used toy cars to drive around their town. We thought it would be fun to have out as an extra activity for the following weeks. Good Shepherd Church Small Group S E C T I O N Bless:: 5 min. Group Leaders A blessing can be a prayer of commission, a portion of Scripture, or words of encouragement and guidance. A blessing can be offered in order to ask God s Spirit to overflow from the child s life in such a way that blesses others, while it can also be prayed over a child for the purpose of declaring God s protection, joy, or wisdom. Children, the Lord God loves you and is the Savior. He has done wonderful things. People all over the world and beyond the farthest oceans will put their hope in Him. May you know His love and share His love with others. (reference Psalm 65:5 NIrV) Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory. Isaiah 6:3 HomeFront Weekly: Be sure to send home the HomeFront Weekly for next week s lesson! This preteaching tool for parents encourages families to spend time in God s Word together before children arrive at church. 10