Church/Home Theme: God s Unfailing Love Lesson Focus: God can change anyone s heart. Lesson Scripture: Acts 9:10-22 LESSON 12 Week of August 20 Lesson Overview 1 Life Need Discuss why it s important to share the Gospel with everyone. 2 Bible Learning See how hearts were changed in the Lord s call and commissioning of Saul. Suggested Material: Adult Teacher s Resource Kit: Reproducible handout The Call of God in Acts 3 Bible Application Discuss ways to show grace to someone who needs a heart change. Suggested Material: Adult Teacher s Resource Kit: Reproducible handout Grace for the Unredeemable Sheets of newsprint, colored markers, adhesive tape 4 Life Response Be an instrument of God s grace to those who need a heart change. 98 Called to Preach God called Ananias, one of God s disciples living in Damascus, to talk to Saul, a man appointed by the Jewish council to kill Christians. God specifically pointed out where to find Saul of Tarsus and told him Saul was praying and anticipating his visit. God had already prepared Saul s heart for this disciple s coming through a vision. God blinded Saul in his encounter with the resurrected Christ. In the vision, Saul witnessed a man putting his hand over his eyes and healing him. Questions and Answers However, Ananias questioned God. Saul s murderous reputation was well known. The Lord graciously answered Ananias s fears and apprehensions by telling him that He had chosen Saul to do a great work for Him. His mission would include standing before royalty, preaching to Gentiles and Jews, and also suffering a great deal. Ananias prayed and Saul regained his sight, physically and spiritually. He was filled with God s Spirit and baptized, then spent several days conversing with Christ s disciples. A Changed Man Immediately Saul took the energies he once used to destroy Christians to now build them up. He preached powerfully concerning the deity of Jesus in the Damascus synagogue. He emphatically stated that Jesus is the Messiah. Saul went from one who would destroy the church to Paul, an instrument of salvation. This testifies to those who live an antagonistic life it s possible for Christ to make an enemy a friend. It should also encourage those who witness to stubborn loved ones and friends never give up hope. God is the one who works in a person s heart. There is no magic formula. God set up the meeting on the Damascus road. God sent Ananias to pray for Saul. God touched the heart of His disciples to accept this man who at one time set out to destroy Christians. God Is Always Working God is the one who works in a truly transformed heart. People think they can change themselves. The bookstores are full of self-help manuals. But genuine transformation can only come as one is placed on the potter s wheel to be reshaped and useful for the Master s purpose. Photo: PeopleImages.com/Getty
As Your Students Arrive Ask students to share their answers to this question: What does it mean for something to be unredeemable? Summarize their answers on a board or sheet of newsprint. Unredeemable could mean beyond the ability to be saved or unfixable. We may feel this way about people because of all the bad things they have done in their lives or because of their overt rejection of Jesus. This week s lesson will challenge us to explore why we might consider some people unredeemable and what God wants us to do in response. Link to Last Week: Let some of your students share about any opportunities the Spirit led them to this past week to share something about Jesus. Lesson 12 August 20 Page 82 A Present-Day Illustration Called to Preach No, it s the truth. Google Marcel Turner on YouTube, Leonard told a skeptical Jamal. Marcel Turner is a preacher? Jamal said. A preacher of what? The Gospel of Jesus Christ, Leonard said. Who would listen to Marcel? Jamal wondered. Jamal and Leonard were surprised to have run into each other at a fast food restaurant in a part of town that neither of them frequented. While Jamal and Leonard had never been friends of Marcel, who by all accounts was a professional criminal, they had been acquainted and familiar with his reputation. It was commonly said that Marcel couldn t draw a straight line even if you put a gun to his head. I m telling you, Jamal, Leonard said, Marcel has changed. When I saw him about one year ago, I thought religion was just another angle he was working. But he really seems genuine and very passionate about the Lord. The only thing I knew Marcel to be passionate about was money and bilking other people out of theirs, Jamal said. I know! Leonard said. But the Lord apparently got ahold of him, and now he s a preacher. Well, I still can t believe it, Jamal said. Leonard pulled out his smartphone and pulled up Marcel on YouTube. See, Leonard said, as he handed his phone to Jamal. God can change anybody. 1. Who have you found challenging to share your faith with someone you thought might never come to know the Lord? 2. What do you need to remember when sharing your faith with such people? 3. Why can we be a hindrance to God s changing someone s heart? 1 Life Need Discuss why it s important to share the Gospel with everyone Read the opening story in the student book. Then divide the class into small groups and ask them to discuss their answers to Questions 1, 2, and 3. For Question 1, students may think of a family member whose hostility toward the Gospel is evident, a co-worker who is anti- Christian, or someone whose values are so biblically immoral that they seem unapproachable when it comes to talking about Jesus. Regarding Question 2, we seldom know what is in a person s heart or the full story of the events and decisions that have affected them. We also may not know what plans God has for them or what He may already be doing in their hearts to draw them to Him. We should never leave God out of the equation. Our attitudes and actions should reflect the magnitude and extent of God s grace. For Question 3, we may predetermine who is redeemable or not and act accordingly. We may simply ignore people who we feel will never change and not share the life-changing message of Christ with them. We can become a hindrance to the changes God is trying to make in their hearts. Lesson Focus: God can change anyone s heart. 99
Bible Learning 2 See how hearts were changed in the Lord s call and commissioning of Saul More commentary on this text can be found on pp. 349-350 in The Wiersbe Bible Commentary: New Testament. On the handout sheet, read the fourth paragraph about Saul and his conversion. An Unbeliever Reached Read Acts 9:10-14, then emphasize these points: At one time Saul, a persecutor of the early church, was among the most unlikely to become a follower of Jesus. However, Jesus appeared to Saul while he was traveling to Damascus to arrest Jewish followers of the Way. Jesus asked Saul why he was persecuting Him. Jesus told Saul to go to Damascus and to wait for further instructions. Blinded and confused, Saul spent three days with Judas in Damascus. God told Ananias in a vision 100 BIBLE EXTRA The Extent of Grace None of us is immune from the error of presuming that someone so clearly on the wrong path in life is so far removed from God s grace that they could never come into a saving or fruitful relationship with Jesus. In order for God to call Saul and start him on a new spiritual journey that honored Jesus, He had to change two hearts. The first was Saul who at one time wanted to destroy the Church. God also had to change the heart of Ananias who knew about Saul s reputation for ruthlessness and may have lived in fear of him. The way God brought Saul into an understanding of His true call for his life and brought Ananias into Saul s life to help him is an example of how God can change anyone s heart. It is also an example of the magnitude and extent of God s grace. Week of August 20 Page 83 An Unbeliever Reached Acts 9:10-14, KJV 10 And there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and to him said the Lord in a vision, Ananias. And he said, Behold, I am here, Lord. 11 And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and enquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus for, behold, he prayeth, 12 And hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in, and putting his hand on him, that he might receive his sight. 13 Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem: 14 And here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on thy name. Saul, who later became known as Paul, was a devout Pharisee with a passion to preserve the traditions of the Jewish faith. He felt that his personal mission from God was to eliminate the threat to the purity of the Jewish faith from those who were called followers of the Way Jews who claimed that Jesus was the promised Messiah. The high priest, likely Caiaphas, gave Saul permission to arrest and extradite those he found in Damascus who were followers of Jesus (Acts 9:1-9). On the road to Damascus, a light from heaven blinded Saul. He then heard a voice that said, Why are you persecuting me? Jesus identified Himself to Saul and told him that by persecuting His followers, he was in fact persecuting Him. Jesus told Saul to go to Damascus and wait for further instructions. Those traveling with Saul led him by the hand into the city and Lesson Focus: God can change anyone s heart. Acts 9:10-14, NIV 10 In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord called to him in a vision, Ananias! Yes, Lord, he answered. 11 The Lord told him, Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying. 12 In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on him to restore his sight. 13 Lord, Ananias answered, I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your saints in Jerusalem. 14 And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name.
to find Saul and to heal him. Ananias was hesitant to do so knowing Saul s reputation for ruthlessness. Question 4 Saul was a devout Pharisee who felt called by God to destroy the Week of August 20 Page 84 for three days, blinded and confused, he did not eat. Ananias was a devout Jew and a believer in Jesus and was respected by others for his faith (Acts 22:12). God spoke to Ananias through a vision and told him to go to the house of Judas on Straight Street to ask for Saul and to place his hands on Saul so Saul s sight could be restored. Ananias knew that Saul was trying to destroy the Church, however, and apparently wanted nothing to do with him. He even questioned the Lord regarding the request as what the Lord was asking him to do didn t make sense given Saul s history. 4. Why was Saul an unlikely candidate for conversion to the Christian faith? 5. What hurdles did Ananias have to overcome so that God could use him to reach Saul? 6. What did it take to bring Saul and Ananias together? God s Grace Revealed Acts 9:15-18, KJV 15 But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel: 16 For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name s sake. 17 And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost. Acts 9:15-19a, NIV 15 But the Lord said to Ananias, Go! This man is my chosen instrument to carry my name before the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel. 16 I will show him how much he must suffer for my name. 17 Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit. 18 Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul s eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was Lesson Focus: God can change anyone s heart. Church. He had obtained letters authorizing him to arrest and extradite Jews he found in Damascus who were followers of Jesus. Question 5 Ananias was a Jewish follower of the Way who knew Saul s reputation for ruthlessness and his desire to destroy the Church. Ananias may have doubted that someone like Saul who was so clearly on the wrong path was capable of change. He may also have been afraid of Saul to some extent and unwilling to stick his own neck out for the sake of someone who was an enemy of Jesus. Question 6 It took a miraculous appearance of Jesus to convince Saul that he was on the wrong path in life. It took another vision to reveal to Ananias God s future plans for Saul and to convince Ananias that it was safe to help someone who was an enemy of the Gospel. God s Grace Revealed Read Acts 9:15-18, then highlight these key points: God s grace was shown in how He reached out to Saul, one most believers may have BIBLE EXTRA Damascus Damascus is one of the older cities in the world. Early settlements date from before 3000 b.c. The city has been continually occupied since then. At the time Saul was traveling there, Damascus was under Roman control. Jews who migrated there decades earlier had established a number of synagogues within the city. Damascus was also a center of commerce. If followers of Jesus thrived there, it would be easy for what Saul considered a false belief to spread elsewhere. The street called Straight was the main thoroughfare running from the western to the eastern gate of the city. It was differentiated by name and character from side streets that were often crooked or less direct. It is the same street that runs straight through Damascus today from west to east that is called Darb al-mustaqim. 101
considered unredeemable. God s grace was shown by the fact that He didn t criticize Ananias for his reluctance to help Saul but instead gave Ananias more information. God s grace was also shown through the words of Ananias when he called Saul my brother rather than addressing him with recrimination or blame. Ananias was the instrument God used to reveal His plans for Saul and to get Saul started on his journey as a new believer. Question 7 The Lord changed Saul s heart from persecutor of the Way to one of its followers, and He gave him a new mission in life. God also graciously responded to Ananias s concerns about Saul with more information about Saul s new mission. The Lord thus changed Ananias s heart from one who was fearful of Saul to someone who called Saul his brother instead of addressing him with recrimination and blame for his past deeds. BIBLE EXTRA The Way For the first 10 years of its existence, the early church was made up almost entirely of Jewish believers. They weren t called Christians at that time, however. That designation didn t take place until the message of the Gospel was taken to the Gentile world and the Romans labeled those who said that Jesus was their God the Christ-ones (Acts 11:26), probably to differentiate them from those in the empire who worshiped other gods. Identifying believers in Jesus as followers of the Way may have to do with Jesus statement in John 14:6, I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. Question 8 Ananias helped Saul get physically healed and spiritually filled. He commissioned Saul, described God s future plans for him, and baptized him. KJV Week of August 20 Page 85 18 And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized. Two hearts changed in the conversion of Saul. One, of course, was the heart of Saul himself. In calling Saul, Jesus overlooked Saul s history of persecuting the Church, appeared to Saul personally, and then gave Saul a new mission in life. In effect, Jesus chose, saved, and promised to use someone others may have considered unredeemable. The other heart that changed was in Ananias. When Ananias questioned the Lord, He graciously did not criticize Ananias for his reluctance to help Saul. Instead, He gave Ananias more information about His future plans for Saul, perhaps relieving Ananias s concerns that the Lord didn t understand the implication of what He was asking Ananias to do. This change of heart is specifically shown when Ananias went to the house of Judas to give Saul the Lord s message. Ananias called Saul his Brother (vs. 17) instead of confronting Saul with recrimination and blame for his past deeds. Ananias then placed his hands on Saul as he told Saul that God had chosen him to help Saul get physically healed as well as spiritually filled. Scales then fell away from Saul s eyes and he was able to see again. Ananias encouraged Saul to accept God s true mission for his life and to give evidence of his commitment to Christ by being baptized. 7. Whose hearts changed in this situation? 8. What role did Ananias have in converting Saul? A Heart Changed Acts 9:19-22, KJV 19 And when he had received meat, he was strengthened. Then was Saul certain days with the disciples which were at A Heart Changed Read Acts 9:19-22, then discuss these important ideas: Saul s conversion resulted in immediate change. He began spending time with other followers of Jesus and preached to the baptized, 19 and after taking some food, he regained his strength. 102 Lesson Focus: God can change anyone s heart. NIV Acts 9:19b-22, NIV 19b Saul spent several days with the disciples in Damascus. 20 At once he began to preach in the synagogues that Jesus is
Jews in the synagogues. Some were skeptical about the change they saw in him. Those who knew about his past had a hard time accepting what happened to him. Some who at one time may have supported his desire to persecute the Church became hostile and wanted Saul killed. He was forced to flee his new enemies. God showed through this that He can change anyone s heart, including those we may think are unredeemable. Question 9 Saul began preaching in the synagogues that Jesus is the way. This was a complete turnaround from what he believed formerly, that those who were followers of Jesus were rejecting the ways of God. Week of August 20 Page 86 KJV NIV Damascus. the Son of God. 21 All those 20 And straightway he preached who heard him were astonished and asked, Isn t he Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God. the man who raised havoc 21 But all that heard him were in Jerusalem among those amazed, and said; Is not this he that who call on this name? And destroyed them which called on this hasn t he come here to take name in Jerusalem, and came hither them as prisoners to the chief for that intent, that he might bring priests? 22 Yet Saul grew them bound unto the chief priests? more and more powerful and 22 But Saul increased the more in baffled the Jews living in strength, and confounded the Jews Damascus by proving that which dwelt at Damascus, proving Jesus is the Christ. that this is very Christ. Saul s conversion resulted in immediate and visible changes. He began spending time with other followers of Jesus and preaching to the Jews in the synagogues, proclaiming the Gospel to those who in the past may have lent their support to his mission to discredit it. Many were astonished at his dramatic turnabout. His testimony was received with a bit of skepticism by those who knew his history, however. Some of this skepticism and astonishment soon changed to hostility and Saul was forced to flee from the clutches of those who now wished him dead, at one point escaping his enemies in a basket lowered through an opening in a city wall (9:23-25). Saul would not have expected to be called by God to do something different than what he already felt led to do stop the Christians. He was no less surprised than Ananias, other followers of the Way, and his former friends that God could take someone so committed to one particular path in life and put them on another so dramatically different. It was obvious that God can change anyone s heart. 9. What changes did Saul exhibit after his conversion? 10. How did others respond to this? 11. What can we learn by observing this dramatic change in Saul s life? Lesson Focus: God can change anyone s heart. Question 10 The Jews who may have formerly supported his desire to persecute the Church were astonished at the change they saw in him. Their astonishment changed to hostility, however, and soon they wanted him killed. Those who were followers of the Way were probably no less astonished at the change they saw in Saul. Question 11 God can change anyone s heart. He can change someone who is an enemy of Jesus and the Church into one who loves God and those who are followers of Jesus. He can also change the hearts of those who fear those who persecute the Church into ones willing to accept as brothers those who were former enemies of the Jesus. BIBLE EXTRA Saul Is Paul Saul is a word in Hebrew that means, asked for. The Latin equivalent of this is Paul. Saul eventually became known by both names, something not uncommon among Jews in those days who like Saul were Roman citizens. For those Saul was interacting with in the Jewish world, the use of his Hebrew name Saul would have been a reasonable choice. When he traveled as a missionary to the Greek world, the use of his Latin name Paul would have been a more logical choice. 103
Bible Application Discuss ways to show grace to someone who needs a heart change 3 Make copies of this page, cut out the boxes, and give each group its own set of instructions. Give sheets of newsprint, colored markers, and adhesive tape to the group doing the pictures and the one doing the listings. Make copies of the handout from the Resource Kit for those who are using it. GROUP ACTIVITIES Discussion Group Read A Softened Heart in the student book and respond to Questions 12, 13, and 14. We should never consider anyone beyond His redemption. We should be patient and be willing to express God s grace to those who might seem to be beyond redemption as we give God time to work in their hearts. Two Contrasting Pictures On one sheet of newsprint, draw symbols, words, or pictures that represent attitudes you should not have regarding those you consider unredeemable. On a second sheet, draw symbols, words, or pictures that represent attitudes you should have regarding those you consider unredeemable. Discuss some things you need to do so your attitudes are like what s on the second sheet, not the first. Two Contrasting Lists On one sheet of newsprint, list attitudes you should not have regarding those you consider unredeemable. On a second sheet, list attitudes you should have regarding those you consider beyond redemption. Discuss some things you need to do so your attitudes are like what s on the second sheet, not the first. Handout: Grace for the Unredeemable Read the handout and respond to the questions at the end. Week of August 20 Page 87 A Softened Heart Mary spent nearly a lifetime bad-mouthing the Christian faith. After her daughter married a devout Christian, Mary frequently voiced her opposition to the choice her daughter made. Over the years her hatred of Jesus and those who believe in Him became more vocal, and she seldom missed an opportunity to criticize anyone who followed Jesus. Mary s daughter and son-in-law did not give up on her, however. They continued to pray for a softening of her heart so that Mary could understand the true message of the Gospel that it is a message of redemption and not condemnation. They also continued to love and honor her in spite of her opposition. In the last few days of Mary s life, as she was literally lying on what was to become her deathbed, it became apparent that God was reaching into her heart to connect with her. Mary s son-in-law was able to talk to her in a non-confrontational way about Jesus and heaven and the promise of eternal life. Mary s heart opened, and she apologized for the negative attitude she d had toward Christians for so many years. Mary s sonin-law reassured her that God still loved her in spite of her history of hostility and asked her if she wanted to spend eternity with Jesus. Mary said, Yes. Her son-in-law then told her about the saving grace of Jesus and the forgiveness He was offering her. Tears came into Mary s eyes as she heard what he had to say. They prayed together, and she asked Jesus to save her. As this story and others we know show us, God can change anyone s heart, and we should not be surprised when He does. 12. When have you seen someone who might be considered beyond redemption come into a saving relationship with Jesus? 13. What do these types of events reveal about the character of God? 14. How can you be more open to sharing the Gospel with those you may think are beyond His reach? This page reproducible for classroom use only. 104 Lesson Focus: God can change anyone s heart.
4 Life Response Be an instrument of God s grace to those who need a heart change Reach Out Week of August 20 Page 88 It s difficult to show God s grace to anyone we wrongly consider unredeemable if they have opposed our beliefs for a long period of time and have been hurtful in the process. But we need to remember that God can change anyone s heart. If we are committed to being Jesus never gives up on people. He doesn t want us to give up on them either. He promises that He can change anyone s heart, even ones that seem hardened against the truth of the Gospel, and wants us to continue reaching out to those we might consider unreachable. We can be instruments of God s love by responding to everyone with grace and then being patient as we wait for God to work in their hearts. Who can you show grace to this week so that they can be reminded of how much God loves them in spite of their opposition to Him? How can you express His grace to them? KEY VERSE And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost. Acts 9:17, KJV Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit. Acts 9:17, NIV instruments of God s grace instead of messengers of judgment, we consider none of these beyond His reach and, perhaps some if not all will come into a saving as well as fruitful relationship with Jesus. Ask your students to read Reach Out in the student book. You may also ask volunteers to discuss their responses to the questions. One help in reaching the unreachable is to build bridges to them rather than to hide in a fort that protects us from them. Another is to be kind and respectful even if we are treated poorly by others. Close the session in prayer, thanking God for the incredible grace He s shown in your life as well as in the lives of your students. Pray that your students knowledge that God can change anyone s heart will motivate them to be instruments of God s grace to those they may consider unredeemable. As the class members are leaving, hand out copies of this week s Power for Living. Take or mail Lesson Leaflet to those who were absent this week. Read Acts 10:19-33. Ask your students to think about the phrase open doors and what words and image come to mind when they hear that phrase. DAILY BIBLE READINGS FOR NEXT WEEK S LESSON (See The Quiet Hour and Cross devotionals on these passages.) August 21 through August 27 Mon. Isaiah 49:1-7 The Servant s Mission to All Nations. Tues. Luke 7:1-10 Jesus Heals a Centurion s Slave. Wed. Acts 10:1-8 An Angel Meets Cornelius in a Vision. Thurs. Acts 10:9-18 People Are Neither Unclean nor Profane. Fri. Acts 10:19-33 Peter and Cornelius Are Together in Christ. Sat. Acts 10:34-43 Gentiles Hear and Accept the Gospel. Sun. Acts 10:44-48 Gentiles Are Included by Spirit and Water. Lesson Focus: God can change anyone s heart. 105