Key Verse: Galatians 1:12 Where do I get the message of the Gospel? Acts 8:3; Acts 9:15; Galatians 1

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1 41. Paul Gets a Call The Course Key Verse: Galatians 1:12 Where do I get the message of the Gospel? Acts 8:3; Acts 9:15; Galatians 1 The Goals As a result of this lesson the children will: 1. Know what the Gospel message is and where it came from. 2. Have a desire to believe the Gospel message. 3. Trust Jesus as their Savior and see God change their lives. The Equipment Room For the following lesson you will need: 1. Five Leaders [Not enough leaders see 2 Small Group adaptation] 2. A table and three chairs 3. Three pieces of 8 ½" x 11" paper [Numbered 1-3] 4. Tape 5. Poster [With Starring the Famous Game Show Host, Barry Bore written on it optional] 6. A Bible [On the table, to be used during the Game Show part of the lesson] 7. Scripts [Given at least two weeks in advance] 8. Visuals #1-2 [As PowerPoint] The Warm-up Décor: Decorate the room with posters and lights to make it look like a television game show studio. Hang the banner Let s Spill the Beans! and the poster Starring The Famous Game Show Host, Barry Bore up at the front. If possible, play television game show theme music in the background. Game 1: Bean Toss Divide the Olympians into teams. Place pie plates, one for each team, on a table or on the floor a short distance from each team. Give each child a set number of beans [number of beans will vary depending on time allotted and number of children, but each team should have the same total number of beans]. When the game begins, team members will take turns throwing beans at the pie plate. The team that has the most beans in their pie plate at the end of the game wins. You could give out packs of jelly beans as prizes. Game 2: Have a jar full of jelly beans and allow each Olympian to guess how many jelly beans are in the jar. Give the jelly beans as a prize to the Olympian who comes closest to the correct amount. Snacks: Bake cookies in the shape of a cross. Activity: Give the children a small puzzle to put together. Talk with them while they are putting the puzzle together, and tell them that the puzzle is a jumbled mess the way it is, but it can be a beautiful picture when someone is willing to put it together. This will prepare the children to understand that Jesus can make something wonderful out of their life. Paul Gets a Call New Testament Survey 531

2 Scripture Memory Review Game: Write the words Bowl of Fortune on a white board or chalkboard. Draw one blank for each letter in the words of the memory verse. It is similar to the game of Hangman. Count the number of different letters in the verse. For instance, if the entire verse has ten E letters count the letter E once. Record the different dollar values such as $100, $200, $300, etc. on paper. There should be one for each different letter in the verse. Fold the papers and put them in a bowl. Divide the Olympians into teams and have each team line up in a single file. Choose one team to start. Before a team takes its turn, choose a piece of paper from the bowl and tell the team what the next letter is worth. Allow the team to choose one letter from the alphabet. If there are any of those letters in the verse, fill in the appropriate blanks. Multiply the number of times that letter is found in the verse by the dollar amount; this will be the amount earned for that turn. Allow the next team to choose a letter and so on. After each Olympian s turn, they move to the back of their line and the Olympian in front gets a turn for their team. Keep score for each team. The team with the most money at the end is the winner. Opening Ceremonies Songs: Make Me; We Are Saved By Faith; We will Praise You [See Olympian Song CD Tracks 4-6.]; Read Your Bible and Pray Every Day Bible Lesson Review: Draw a tic-tac-toe using painters or masking tape on the floor. Have papers with x s and o s printed on them. Divide the children into two teams. Line them up to compete. Ask a question to the first person on the team. If they answer correctly, they stand on the spot and hold an x on the tic-tac-toe grid. If they answer incorrectly, the opposing team may attempt the answer. If they answer correctly, they may take an o and stand on the tic-tac-toe grid. Alternate questions until one team wins. The Coach s Corner ADAPTATION > 2a Small Group ( 2a) [This lesson is presented in the format of the game show To Tell the Truth. The Host gives a brief description of a well-known personality, and introduces three people, each claiming to be that person. One person is telling the truth while each of the other two are trying to get the audience to believe that they are the real person. The personality for this game is the Apostle Paul. Contestant #1, an imposter, should be played like a know-it-all. He thinks he s a genius, but he s really not too bright. Contestant #2, the real Apostle Paul, should be sincere and warm. Contestant #3, another imposter, should be played like someone who is impatient, always wants attention, and always wants to be first. Announcer Ted McMc and Game Show Host, Barry Bore should both be played over-the-top, with a lot of enthusiasm and excitement.] [Set up the table with the three chairs placed behind it so that they face the children. Make sure there is a Bible on the table, with a bookmark at Galatians 1. The papers with the numbers 1, 2, and 3 should be taped to the front of the table, facing the children and in front of the corresponding chairs. The banner should be put up on the wall behind the contestants. The Announcer should stand off to the side behind the microphone. The Host and contestants should be waiting outside the room for the Announcer to present them. The Announcer should quietly instruct the children that they are the audience for the game show, Let s Spill the Beans! and that every time the name of the game show is said, they should clap and cheer loudly, until he quickly moves his finger across his throat, which means cut. Then they should be quiet immediately.] Ted McMc: Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, welcome to the always exciting and never dull game show, Let s Spill the Beans! [Display Visual #1.] I m Ted McMc, your brilliantly talented announcer. Today we have a very exciting and never dull game for you. As always, we re going to bring out three people who all claim to be the same person. Your job, Studio Audience, is to guess which one is the real person. Do you think you can do that on the always exciting and never dull Let s Spill the Beans? [The children cheer, Paul Gets a Call New Testament Survey 532

3 until the Announcer signals cut. ] Let s bring out the always exciting and never dull host of your always dull and never exciting uh, I mean oh, never mind! Here s your host, Barry Bore for Let s Spill the Beans! [The children cheer until Barry Bore comes out and stands in front of them; then the Announcer should signal cut. ] Ted McMc: Thanks, Ted McMc. We have a very exciting and never dull show today for our audience. Ted McMc, would you tell the children about our famous guest? I d be glad to, B.B.! We have with us the man who has preached the Gospel, who has worked miracles, who has been beaten, and put in prison. He s the Apostle to the Gentiles, the former Pharisee, the one, the only, Apostle Paul! He s here to play Let s Spill the Beans. [Prompt the children to cheer while the three men come into the room and stand behind their chairs. The real Apostle Paul should stand behind chair number 2. Once they are in place, the Announcer should signal cut for the children to stop cheering.] Paul #1: Paul #2: Paul #1: Wow, can you believe it? One of these men is the real Apostle Paul! But two of these men only claim to be the Apostle Paul. We will question all three of them and then you will vote on who you think is the real Apostle Paul, on the always exciting and never dull, Let s Spill the Beans! [The children cheer until the Announcer signals cut. ] Number 1, what is your name? I am the Apostle Paul. Number 2, what is your name? I am the Apostle Paul. [Looking at the other two contestants] Dudes, we all have the same name! I m the Apostle Paul, too! Thank you, gentlemen, you may be seated. [The contestants sit down.] Before we ask our guests any questions, let me tell you a little bit about the Apostle Paul. The Apostle Paul wrote at least thirteen of the 27 books in the New Testament. One of them is the book of Galatians. I am going to ask our contestants some questions about this letter to the Galatians. The one who knows the most about the letter must be the real Apostle Paul. Our first question is, What is an apostle? [Waving his hand wildly at the host] Ooh, ooh, I know, I know! Paul #3, what is your answer? Uh wait. No, I forgot. Sorry, dude, uh, I mean, Mr. Bore. Ok Paul #1, how about you. What is an apostle? Well, you see, the word apostle comes from the Greek language. The Greeks liked to combine words, so the word apostle comes from two words; apple and whistle. You take the ap from apple and the stle from whistle, and you add an o to connect them, and you get apostle. So an apostle is someone who can eat an apple and whistle at the same time. Really? Well, thank you Paul #1. How about you, Paul #2? What would you say is an apostle? Paul Gets a Call New Testament Survey 533

4 Paul #2: Paul #1: Paul #2: The word apostle means one sent forth. The apostles were men chosen by Jesus Christ to go and preach the Gospel. Jesus also gave these apostles special miracle working power to prove that they were sent by Him. That s why I wrote in Galatians 1:1, Paul, an apostle, not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ and God the Father Thank you, gentlemen. Audience, let me tell you a little bit more about the Apostle Paul. He tells us in Galatians 1:13-24, that before he believed in Jesus, he hated Christians. He used to hurt them, put them in jail, and do bad things to them. He didn t love Jesus then. But Jesus appeared to Paul one day and said to him, It s me, Jesus, whom you are persecuting! Paul then believed in Him and began to preach the Gospel. Our next question is, Where did you get the Gospel message, and what does it mean? [Jumps up and raises his hand and waves it at the host] Barry, dude, pick me, pick me! I really know this one! Ok, Paul #3, what s your answer? Well, you see, I got the Gospel message from, uh well, actually, I forget where I got it. But, I got it from somewhere! [He sits down, sheepishly.] Ok Paul #1, what s your answer? Where did you get the Gospel message, and what does it mean? Well, you see, gospel is another Greek word. It comes from two words gosling, which is a baby goose and compel, which means to make someone do something; so gospel means to make a person act like a baby goose. It s a game, actually. I used to play it when I was a boy. Thank you, Paul #1. And now Paul #2, what is your answer? Where did you get the Gospel message, and what does it mean? Barry, let me read to you what I wrote in Galatians 1:11-12 about how I got the Gospel message that I preach. [Contestant Number 2 should read from the Bible, Galatians 1:11-12, then display Visual #2.] Jesus, who is the Son of God, gave me the Gospel message himself! By the way, the word gospel means good news, and it really is. The Gospel is the good news that Jesus came and died for us to pay for our sins. Romans 3:23 tells us that all have sinned and some short of the glory of God. The Gospel also tells us that they buried Jesus in a tomb, but three days later He rose from the dead. If we believe in Him, He will forgive our sins and take us to Heaven when we die. Wow, that sounds great, doesn t it?? Mr. Bore, that s what I meant to say. Honest. Right. That s all the time we have for questions. Now it is time to end our always exciting and never dull game Let s Spill the Beans. [The children should yell, YEAH and clap, and the announcer should then move his finger quickly over his throat and the children should stop yelling.] It s time to choose: Who is the real Apostle Paul? If you think Paul #1 is the real Apostle Paul, raise your hand. Okay, put them down. If you think Paul #2 is the real Apostle Paul, raise your hand. Okay, put them down. If you think Paul #3 is the real Apostle Paul, raise your hand. Okay, put them down. Will the real Apostle Paul please stand up? [Stands up and raises his hands in victory] Woo-hoo! It s me! Yep, I m the real Apostle Paul! Paul Gets a Call New Testament Survey 534

5 Are you sure about that, Number 3? Ted McMc: Well, I could be him. You never know. Number 3, please sit down. I m pretty sure you re not the real Apostle Paul. [Sits down with a sad look on his face.] Really, I thought I was. But if you say I m not, then I must not be. I wonder who I am. Okay, will the real Apostle Paul, please stand up. [Contestant Number 2 stands up. Everyone should clap.] Well, there you have it! Number 2 is the real Apostle Paul. I d like to thank our three contestants, and you, Studio Audience, for playing Let s Spill the Beans! [The children should cheer until the Announcer signals cut. ] Until next time, I m Ted McMc, saying so long and good-bye! [Ted McMc, Barry Bore, and the three Apostle Pauls exit. Bible Coach continues the lesson.] ADAPTATION > 4 Mostly Churched Children ADAPTATION > 5 Mostly Unchurched Children ADAPTATION > 8 Champions Only ADAPTATION > 9 Challengers Only ADAPTATION > 2b Small Group ADAPTATION > 3 Large Group We had some fun playing that game, didn t we? But the truth is that the Apostle Paul really did hate Jesus and Christians before he became a believer. We can read in Acts 8 how he did terrible things to Christians like beating them and putting them in prison. [Read Acts 8:3.] But we can also read in Acts 9:1-20 how Jesus appeared to him. That day Paul trusted Jesus as his Savior and started telling others about Jesus and how to be saved. [Read Acts 9:15] Jesus said that Paul would be a special person for him to tell others how to become Christians. He made Paul an Apostle. Does anyone remember what we call the message that Paul preached? It s called the Gospel. What does the word gospel mean? It means good news. The Gospel message tells us that we should believe in Jesus and have our sins forgiven. Can anyone tell us where Paul got the Gospel message? He got it directly from Jesus. ( 4)( 5)( 8)( 9) [Read Galatians 1:11-12.] Paul tells us in these verses that no man taught the Gospel to him, but he got it directly from Jesus. ( 2b)( 3) So, how important is that message if it comes from Jesus? It s very important. And since the Gospel message comes from Jesus we should believe it and follow it, don t you think? It s important because it tells us how to have our sins forgiven by God and how we can go to Heaven when we die. The Bible tells us that when the Apostle Paul met Jesus, something happened to him. Jesus completely changed his life. Paul understood that Jesus was the Son of God. He knew that Jesus died to pay for his sins, t was buried, rose from the grave, and is alive forever. Paul went from hating Jesus and Christians to loving Jesus. Yes, Paul s life changed. Running the Race Mostly Unchurched Children What about your life? Have you ever asked Jesus to come into your life and forgive your sin? Let s close our eyes and bow our heads. If you have never asked Jesus to come into your life and would like to do so, would you please open your eyes and look up at me. [If children respond, instruct them to come stand with you and have other leaders ready to counsel them.] Mostly Churched Children How has your life changed when you accepted Jesus as your Savior? Do you love God, and are you living for Him? If not, perhaps you need to make sure you are truly saved. Or maybe you are truly saved, but you ve been disobedient, and you need to obey God better. Jesus wants your whole life. Paul Gets a Call New Testament Survey 535

6 Now, I want to talk to you who have already asked Jesus to forgive you of your sins. Has anything changed in your heart and life since you became a Christian? Do you love God, and are you living for Him? If not, perhaps you need to make sure you are truly saved. Or maybe you are truly saved, but you ve been disobedient, and you need to obey God better. If you are struggling and want someone to help you and pray with you, then talk to me or your personal training coach, and we will be glad to help you. [Give the children time to respond. Close in prayer.] Personal Training Time 1. What is the Gospel message and why is it so important? 2. If you have accepted Jesus as your Savior, how has your life changed? 3. Who is someone that you could share the Gospel message with this week? The Big O vent Bean Bowl [See Big O vent Mega CD, page 58.] Just like you shared the beanbag with your teammates, you need to share the gospel message. Closing Ceremonies Share the gospel message as God gives you opportunities this week! How many of you have had a teacher that you think is tough? Next time we are going to learn about the toughest teacher. Lesson Adaptation Explanations 2a Small Group: If you are limited on leaders to do the skit, have one person play the role of all three Apostle Paul s. [Or have three children sit in the seats. If they are older, have them read the part or if they are younger, stand behind them as you read their part.] Have the person moved to the corresponding chair as he answers for the different characters. [You may want to have different hats to put on for the different Apostle Paul s.] 2b Small Group: Write out the words of 1 Corinthians 15:3-4, including the Scripture reference, on small pieces of paper. Each word should be on a separate piece of paper. Scramble the pieces of paper, and divide them evenly among the group, then tell the Olympians to try to put them in the correct order. Read the verses to them before they start, and tell them that they must use all the words they are given. Remind them that it is important to get it right since it came from Jesus through the Apostle Paul. 3 Large Group: Divide your Olympians into groups with about ten children in each group. Write out the words of 1 Corinthians 15:3-4, including the Scripture reference, on small pieces of paper. Each word should be on a separate piece of paper. Scramble the pieces of paper and divide them evenly among the members of the groups. [Each team should have a complete set, forming the entire passage.] Tell them that each group must put the words in correct order, and the team that does it the fastest is the winner. Read the verses to them before they start, and tell them they must use the all the words they are given. Remind them that it is important to get it right since it came from Jesus through the Apostle Paul. Paul Gets a Call New Testament Survey 536

7 Mostly Churched Children: Break the Olympians into groups and have the children practice sharing the Gospel with a leader or to each other. Mostly Unchurched Children: Have a leader give their testimony to the Olympians about when they were saved and how the Lord changed their life. Champions Only: Give each Champion a piece of paper and a pencil. Tell them only the coaches will see their paper. Ask them the following questions: 1. How does a person get to Heaven? 2. Have you ever asked Jesus to come into your life and be your Savior, or are you still trying to decide if you believe in Jesus? 3. If you have accepted Jesus as your Savior, how has that decision changed your life? 4. Please write your name on your paper and turn it in. Challengers Only: Draw a cross on a full 8 ½" x11" sheet of paper. Divide the cross into five sections. The first section should be the top of the cross above the crossbar. The crossbar should be the second section. Then divide the bottom part of the cross below the crossbar into three equal sections. Have the children color the top section black, the crossbar red, and the bottom sections white, gold, and green in that order, top to bottom. Tell them it is a wordless cross and explain to them that the black section represents sin that keeps us from God and Heaven; the red section is the blood of Christ that He shed on the cross to pay for our sins; the white section shows how God will forgive our sins in Christ and give us clean hearts; the gold section represents Heaven where God lives and will take us when we die if we accept Jesus as our Savior; and the green section represents how we should grow as Christians by reading our Bibles, praying, going to church and Olympians, etc. Teach them that all the sections are important, even the green section that teaches us that we must be growing to be stronger Christians. Paul Gets a Call New Testament Survey 537

8 Paul Gets a Call Visual #1 New Testament Survey 538

9 Paul Gets a Call Visual #2 New Testament Survey 539

10 Paul Gets a Call New Testament Survey 540