Week of July 8, 2012 Lessons for the Leader Think of all the people in your community. How many of them know Jesus as their Savior and Lord? What can you do to tell people how to accept Jesus as Savior and Lord? Are you willing to do so? Why or why not? Read Acts 6:8-15. How would you feel if you were listening to Stephen preach? What would you believe? In what ways are you like Stephen? Do people sense you are filled with the Holy Spirit as you teach? How often do we lose sight of our purpose and get wrapped up in the pettiness of politics, or what others say or think, and forget the message we are sent to convey? Read Acts 7:1-53. Stephen had two characteristics necessary for an effective ministry: a calling from God and a heart for people. Notice the boldness and courage Stephen demonstrated. We can see God working in Stephen's life. When was the last time you allowed God to use you so much that people literally saw Him? Read Acts 7:54-60. Notice Saul gave his approval of Stephen's death. Even to the end, Stephen (like Jesus) never turned to anger. He understood lost people will act lost. How much of an impact did this story have on a "young man" like Saul? How does your response to life's challenges impact people around you? Consider your reactions to life's challenges. Do you react in anger or grace? Pray that the children you guide to worship will see you live a life full of worship, reacting in grace, and showing God's love at all times. Pray the children will hear the message and be forever changed in their hearts, minds, and worship. What do these symbols mean? 1a Application Activities Format: Follow the numbers with arrows for a 30-minute, large group plus 20-minute Application Activities format. 1 Follow all the numbers for a 45- to 60-minute large group only format. Never Alone Focus Passage: Acts 6:8 7:60 Key Bible Verse: Acts 22:15 Life Application I can tell people how to accept Jesus as Savior and Lord. Level of Biblical Learning (Community and World) God helps people to share their faith in Jesus with those who have different beliefs. Session at a Glance Introduction to Worship (6-8 minutes) Welcome the Children Play "Pick a Letter" Worship (30 minutes/45 minutes) Sing "By Faith" Sing "Awesome Is the Lord Most High" Use Worship Guides Learn the Key Bible Verse/Define Witness Show "Kaycee and Casey" Video #1 Sing "Everywhere"/Receive Offering/Pray Tell the Bible Story Review the Bible Story/Make Life Application Pray Sing "Make Him Known" Application Activities (20 minutes) Wrap-Up (10 minutes) OK to copy. Page 1 of 16
Introduction to Worship 1aWelcome the Children 2aPlay "Pick a Letter" Pull It Together Scissors, tape, paper, marker, scrap paper Print and assemble "Cube" (CD). Write the letters A, B, C, F, G, H, R, S, and T on individual pieces of paper. Display in random order around the room. Call attention to the letters. Say: "Walk around the room until I shout 'pick a letter.' Select letters to stand under. I'll select someone to roll the cube. The cube will tell us what to name starting with the letters under which you stand." Read aloud the cube categories. Guide the children to walk around the room. Shout: "Pick a letter!" Select a volunteer to roll the cube. Announce the category. Guide a child at each letter to respond. Replay as time permits. Say: "In the game you told me something that started with a specific letter. Today's Bible story involves telling people about something really important. Let's discover what it is." Never Alone Worship 3 Sing "By Faith" (DVD, 3 minutes) 4aSing "Awesome Is the Lord Most High" (DVD, 3 minutes) 5aUse Worship Guides (5 minutes) Pull It Together Worship Guides, pencils Ask: "Do you remember the first time you heard about Jesus? Who told you about Him?" Continue: "Who are some people we can tell about Jesus?" Distribute Worship Guides and pencils. Guide the children to complete "Who Needs to Hear?" Say: "These are just a few people who need to hear about Jesus. Why should we tell people about Jesus?" 6 Learn the Key Bible Verse/Define Witness (4 minutes) Pull It Together Scissors, tape, paint sticks (1 per word of Acts 22:15), marker Print "Mouths" (CD). Copy and cut apart 1 mouth for each word of Acts 22:15. Write the words of Acts 22:15 on the mouths (1 word per mouth). Tape to the paint sticks. Guide the children to locate Acts 22:15 in their Bibles. Select a volunteer to read aloud the verse. Distribute "Mouths" words. Say: "Hold the word in front of your mouth. When it is your turn to say your word, stand up and shout out your word." Repeat as time permits. Guide the children to attach their words in order to the focal wall. Select a volunteer to read aloud the definition of witness on the Worship Guides. Say: "God wants us to be witnesses of what we have seen and heard. What is a witness?" Invite the children to discuss the definition of witness. Say: "When we tell people about Jesus, we tell what we have seen, heard, or experienced. We are witnesses." 7aShow "Kaycee and Casey" Video #1 (DVD, 7 minutes) Ask: "If you had the opportunity to tell someone how to ask Jesus to be his Savior and Lord, would you know what to say?" Continue: "Kaycee and her mom have had problems since Kaycee's parents divorced. Let's see what opportunity God gives Kaycee today." Show video. Ask: "What would you have done if you were Kaycee?" Say: "We do not know if Kaycee's mom asked Jesus to be her Savior and Lord or not. We do know Kaycee was faithful to do what God wanted her to do. Do you think it was easy for Kaycee to tell her mom about Jesus? Why?" 8aSing "Everywhere" (DVD, 3 minutes)/ Receive Offering/Pray Enlist volunteers to pray. Page 2 of 16
9aTell the Bible Story (9 minutes) Pull It Together Bible times costume Enlist an adult male for the monologue. Say: "Our Bible story is located in the Book of Acts. Let's listen to a man tell us about how people were witnesses for Jesus." Introduce the actor. Actor: "Thank you for allowing me to visit your class. I tell you, I had never seen or heard a man tell of something so important. Stephen knew the history of the Israelites and how God had worked in their lives. He made me want to know more about Jesus." Stephen Preached Based on Acts 6:8 7:60 Stephen was a smart man. Even when people said things that were not true about Jesus or questioned Stephen, he was able to stand up for what he believed. One day, Stephen spoke before the Sanhedrin (san HEE drihn), a group of religious leaders who acted as legal advisors. The high priest asked Stephen, "Is what you say about Jesus true?" Stephen told how God appeared to Abraham, telling him to leave his homeland and go to another country. Stephen traced Abraham's path to the very place the people now lived. Stephen explained about Isaac, Jacob, and Jacob's sons. Next, Stephen explained how Joseph was sold by his brothers but became a leader in Egypt. When a famine occurred in his family's country, Joseph had his father, brothers, and their families move to Egypt. They lived there for many years. Stephen told the Sanhedrin that while living in Egypt, the number of Israelite people increased, and how the new pharaoh did not like them and treated them harshly. Stephen described how God protected Moses and called him to lead the Israelites out of Egypt. Stephen preached about how people turned away from God, choosing to worship idols. Toward the end of his speech, Stephen spoke some serious words: "You are not listening to God or following His commandments. You are rejecting the Holy Spirit, as did many of the people before you." The Sanhedrin did not like what Stephen said and became extremely angry with him. Stephen looked up toward heaven and saw Jesus standing at the right hand of God. Stephen said, "I see heaven open. The Son of Man is standing beside God!" The men screamed as loud as possible and covered their ears so they could not hear Stephen any more. They threw him out of the city and began throwing stones at him. Some of the people laid their robes at the feet of a man named Saul. Stephen called out "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit!" Then kneeling down, he said, "Lord, do not hold these people guilty of their sin!" Then Stephen died. [Actor exits.] 10aReview the Bible Story/Make Life Application (8 minutes) Pull It Together Print "Stephen" Teaching Picture (CD). Display. Call attention to the teaching picture. Review the Bible story. Say: "Stephen knew what God wanted him to tell the people. What happened as a result of Stephen's words?" Continue: "Stephen took a stand for what he knew was right. Some of the people did not like what he said and stoned him. Hopefully, when we tell people about Jesus, they will not throw stones at us, but we may be made fun of or have people not listen to us. God wants us to tell people how they can ask Jesus to be their Savior. God did not say it would be easy, but it is something we need to do." Call attention to "What Do I Say?" on the Worship Guides. Invite volunteers to read aloud and talk about the statements. 11aPray (2 minutes) Pray for courage to tell people about Jesus. 12aSing "Make Him Known" (DVD, 3 minutes) 13aTransition to Application Activities or Wrap-Up Week of July 8, 2012 Page 3 of 16
Wrap-Up (Large Group Only Format) 14 Review Life Application (5 minutes) Say: "God wants us to tell people how to ask Jesus to be their Savior. The information on our Worship Guides helps us know what to say. Sometimes when we talk with people about accepting Jesus as Savior and Lord, they do not want to do so. Do not push them to make decisions they do not want to make. We can pray that what we said to them will help them make the decision later." Role-play telling another teacher about Jesus. 15 Sing "Whoa!" (DVD, 3 minutes) 16 Pray (2 minutes) Pray for opportunities to tell people about Jesus. 17 Dismiss the Children to Their Parents Wrap-Up (Application Activities Format) 14aReview Life Application (3 minutes) Say: "God wants us to tell people how to accept Jesus as Savior and Lord. The information on our Worship Guides helps us know what to say. Sometimes when we talk with people about accepting Jesus as Savior and Lord, they do not want to do so. Do not push them to make decisions they do not want to make. We can pray that what we said to them will help them make the decision later." 15aShare Application Activities (4 minutes) Invite the children to share their Application Activity experiences. ddarts and Crafts Megaphone Booklets dddramatic Play Right Reactions ddgames Move the Cup! ddexploration and Discovery What Do You Believe? 16aSing "Whoa!" (DVD, 3 minutes) 17aPray (2 minutes) Pray for opportunities to tell people about Jesus. 18aDismiss the Children to Their Parents Ask Yourself What did the children hear about telling H people how to accept Jesus as Savior and Lord? What will the children know about telling N people how to accept Jesus as Savior and Lord? Will the children have the courage to tell D people how to accept Jesus as Savior and Lord? Teacher Tip Looking for additional resources to enhance your teaching? Check out the Levels of Biblical Learning resources available at www.lifeway.com/levelsofbiblicallearning. Week of July 8, 2012 Worship KidStyle Children's Edition Leader Guide 2012 LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention. Page 4 of 16
Application Activities Select from the following choices. Each choice is designed for 20 minutes of small group time. Pull It Together Poster board, scissors, pencils, items to embellish covers (sequins, glue, pom poms, stickers, etc.), hole punch, brads (2 per child), copy paper Print "Megaphones" (CD). Copy 1 pattern per child. Teacher Tip Precut the covers and pages. Worship Through Arts and Crafts Megaphone Booklets Ask: "About what and whom did Stephen preach?" Review the Bible story. Select a volunteer to read aloud Acts 22:15. Ask: "Why is it important that we tell people about Jesus? What are some things we can tell?" Discuss information to share. Say: "Let's make megaphone booklets to use as we tell people about Jesus. One way a megaphone is used is to help people hear what cheerleaders say at sporting events. In our booklets, we can write information to share with people." Distribute patterns and craft supplies. Follow directions on "Megaphones." Invite the children to write in their booklets information they can share about Jesus. Share about opportunities God gives you to be a witness. Say: "Let's pray for opportunities to tell people about Jesus." Pray. Pull It Together Scissors Print and cut apart "Reaction Card" (CD). Teacher Tip Select the "Reaction Cards" which best fit your group. Worship Through Dramatic Play Right Reactions Ask: "About what and whom did Stephen preach?" Review the Bible story. Select a volunteer to read aloud Acts 22:15. Ask: "Why is it important that we tell people about Jesus? What are some things we can tell people?" Discuss information to share. Ask: "Does our attitude help someone listen to us tell about Jesus? Why?" Say: "Let's read aloud a situation. Decide what type of attitude the person has and how her attitude impacts people around her. How does her attitude affect her ability to tell a person about Jesus?" Select a child to choose and read aloud a situation. Discuss the attitude. Continue for additional situations. Say: "Our actions and the way we speak can make a big difference in how a person listens and feels about what we say." Continue: "Let's rewind and reread these situations, changing the attitudes." Invite each child to reread and change the situations to be positive ways to tell people about Jesus. Say: "Let's pray for opportunities to tell people about Jesus." Pray. Week of July 8, 2012 Page 5 of 16
Pull It Together 2 plastic cups, 4 chairs, 2 strings (about 15 feet long), scissors, index cards, marker Print 2 copies of "Puzzle" (CD). Cut apart and place in the chairs at the end of the relay area. Write the words of Acts 22:15 on the index cards (1 word per card). Create 2 sets. Punch a small hole in the bottom of each cup. Insert a string through each cup. Tie the strings to the chairs, creating tightropes with the cups attached (1 string for each team). Pull It Together Worship Guides Print "Belief Cards" (CD). Teacher Tip Be sensitive to friends and family members with different religious beliefs. Help the children understand God loves the people, but does not like what they believe. Worship Through Games Move the Cup! Ask: "About what and whom did Stephen preach?" Review the Bible story. Form two teams. Call attention to the cups. Say: "In this game you must move your team's cup from one chair to the other by blowing into the cup. When you reach the chair, pick up a puzzle piece, then blow the cup back to your team. Continue until your team gathers all of the puzzle pieces. Once you have the pieces, assemble them. The first team to assemble the puzzle is the winning team." Assign each team a cup line. Guide the first child on each team to run the relay. Continue until each puzzle piece is gathered and the puzzle assembled. Ask: "What message did you discover? Why is it important to tell people about Jesus? What are some things we can tell people?" Discuss information to share. Say: "Let's run the race again. This time we will gather words of Acts 22:15. You do not have to bring the words back in order, but to win, your team has to arrange them. If you need help, locate Acts 22:15 in your Bible." Place index cards in the chairs and run the race. Read aloud Acts 22:15. Say: "Let's pray for opportunities to tell people about Jesus." Pray. Worship Through Exploration and Discovery What Do You Believe? Review the Bible story. Say: "Stephen was dedicated to telling people about Jesus. Why do you think he wanted people to hear about Jesus?" Ask: "What are some things God has done for you that you can tell people?" Continue: "Stephen wanted people to understand how to accept Jesus as Savior and Lord. Let's examine what some other religious groups believe. You may have heard of these groups. Some people may have visited your home or you may have heard about them on TV." Distribute "Belief Cards." Talk about the different beliefs of religious groups. Ensure kids understand what Christians believe (use information on the Worship Guides). Say: "We know the Bible is the true Word of God and that Jesus is the only way to salvation. We need to pray for the people who believe things that are not true. God can help us share our faith in Jesus with people who have different beliefs." Emphasize: "There is only way to become a Christian." Review the ABCs of becoming a Christian on the Worship Guides. Read aloud Acts 22:15. Say: "Let's pray for opportunities to tell people about Jesus." Pray. Worship KidStyle Children s Edition Leader Guide 2012 LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention. OK to copy. Page 6 of 16
Douglas Klauba Stephen Preached 2012 LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention. Printed in the USA. Acts 6:8 7:60 Page 7 of 16
Animal Person's Name Bible Book Name 1. Cut along the dotted lines. 2. Fold on the solid lines. 3. Fill with scrap paper. 4. Tape closed. Place Person in the Bible Word Cube (July 8) Page 8 of 16
Mouths (July 8) Page 9 of 16
1. Cut 2 megaphones from poster board. 2. Cut 8-10 megaphones from copy paper. 3. Stack the items together and punch holes as indicated. Punch out and insert brads. 4. Insert and secure brads. 5. Decorate the cover. 6. Write information you can share about Jesus on the inside. Megaphones (July 8) Page 10 of 16
Lake heard a boy say: I don t understand why anyone believes in Jesus. He never even existed. Lake yells at the boy, Jesus did exist, and you don t know what you are talking about! Kolby and Lizzie pray with their family at a restaurant before eating. A girl at another table laughs and points at them. Kolby walks to her table and asks, Just what are you laughing about? At the soccer game, Britton hears his teammate use God s name in an inappropriate way. Britton tells his teammate, Don t talk about my God that way! and storms off. Karsten is having lunch with several friends. One of her friends says, Christians are such goody-goodies. They do things just like we do, and pretend they are better than us. Karsten gets up and moves to another table without saying anything. She starts talking bad about the girls. Reaction Cards (July 8) Page 11 of 16
Mallory and Carla are in an Internet chat room with some other friends. Carla invites a friend to spend the night with them. Her friend, Makayla types, I want to come over, but I really don t care about going to church the next day. My parents tell me Jesus is not real. Mallory gets angry and responds, Nevermind, we don t want you here if you don t believe in Jesus. How could you be like that? Jason was really upset when he learned his parents were getting a divorce. Jason's best friend Cole said, "God will help you through this." Jason yelled, "If there is a God, He would not let my parents get divorced! Don't tell me God will help me!" Cole yelled back, "If that's what you believe, then no wonder your parents are getting a divorce!" Lee Ann could not believe her uncle died. She had talked with him two days before. Lee Ann saw her mom kneeling beside her bed. Lee Ann asked her mom, "What are you doing?" Her mom said she was praying. Lee Ann said, "How can you pray to God? He does not hear us. He doesn't care about us. If He did, Uncle Rob would not have died." Lee Ann's mom said, "If that is how you feel, I don't want to talk with you about it right now." Sophie knew many of her friends went to church every Sunday. Sophie did not understand why her family never went to church, but to a temple with a lot of idols. One day Sophie's best friend Hannah asked her if she believed in God. Sophie said, "I believe in many gods. My families has about 20 of them." Hannah said, "There is only one God. If you believe in more than one God, you don't believe in the right God." Sophie yelled, "That is not right! There are many gods!" Reaction Cards (July 8) Page 12 of 16
I can tell people how to accept esus as Savior and Lord. Puzzle (July 8) Page 13 of 16
Mormon What Do They Believe about Salvation? Salvation by grace through Jesus Christ is a false doctrine started by Satan. However, a plan of salvation was needed, so both Jesus and Satan offered suggestions to God. Although Jesus' plan was accepted, His death on the cross does not provide forgiveness for all of man's sins. Joseph Smith must be accepted as a prophet of God to earn salvation. Good works are necessary for salvation. Do They Believe in the Bible? They use the Bible and the "Book of Mormon." Mormons believe the "Book of Mormon" is more correct than the Bible. Who is God? God is the Supreme Being of the Universe. He used to live as a man on another planet and became a god by obeying the laws of ordinances of his world. He obtained this position over time by living a perfect and righteous life. As God the Father, He has bones and flesh and is married to his goddess wife and has spirit children. People also have the potential of becoming gods (being perfect and having spirit children) if they live good, Mormon lifestyles. Who is Jesus? Jesus is part man and part God. Jesus and Satan are "spirit brothers" and sons of God. Anyone can have the same character and life as Jesus if he performs the same righteous level of living as Jesus. What happens after a person dies? After death there is temporary punishment for the most wicked. There are three levels of a new kingdom: the Celestial kingdom, the Terrestrial kingdom, and the Telestial kingdom. In the top heaven (Celestial kingdom), devout Mormons can become gods and rulers of their own universes. In the middle heaven (Terrestrial kingdom), people who did not fully obey the church's commandments will have the presence of Jesus Christ forever. In the lower heaven (Telestial kingdom), people's sin have been forgiven and will have the presence of the Holy Spirit. Though hell is a place of torment for the worst sinners, people can be freed from hell if they repent. Only a few people will remain in hell forever. Belief Cards (July 8) Page 14 of 16
Jehovah Witness What Do They Believe about Salvation? Jehovah Witnesses believe that only members of their churches will be saved. They believe Acts 16:31 states how a person is saved, but a different definition of "believe" is used. To them, belief is "having a knowledge of God's purposes and His way of salvation." Faith is exercised through Jesus Christ. Having this knowledge and faith places the person in a saved condition, but in order to have eternal life, salvation must be kept (by doing God's will and following all of His requirements for life). Salvation is earned through works. Jehovah Witnesses are not permitted to vote in government elections, salute the American flag, join the military, or celebrate birthdays or Christmas. Do They Believe in the Bible? They use a special translation called "The New World Translation" along with the Bible. However, individuals are not allowed to interpret the Bible for themselves, only the Watchtower Society (Jehovah Witnesses official leadership) can interpret the Bible. Who is God? God is only God. He is not the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Who is Jesus? Jesus is actually Michael the Archangel. When it was time for Jesus in human form, Michael actually became Jesus. Jesus was without sin and obeyed everything God said. Jesus died on a stick and was raised in spirit, but not physically. Jesus is "a god," but lesser than Jehovah God. What happens after a person dies? People who follow God's laws will live on paradise earth. Heaven is a special place that only 144,000 Jehovah's Witnesses will go. Those who go to heaven will be gods. People who do not believe in God will cease to exist. Belief Cards (July 8) Page 15 of 16
Christian Scientist What Do They Believe about Salvation? Christian Scientists believe there is no sin and people are not able to sin, have sickness, or die. They believe the "real man" has never left his perfect state and has no need for salvation because man has always been saved. Sin and evil are not real, and all beliefs in them are false, thought-up beliefs of man's mind. They believe Jesus came to save man from the false belief that sin is real. To them, Jesus' life was to show that death is unreal and to deny the existence of sin and death. Salvation comes through defeating suffering and temptation. Do They Believe in the Bible? They use the Bible, but interpret it through the views of Mary Baker Eddy. Mrs. Eddy believed the Bible had thousands of errors, but that her book "Science and Health" was "Divine Science" and the final revelation from God. No one is to read the Bible without having Mrs. Eddy's book on hand to fully understand the meaning of the Bible passages. Christian Scientists believe that God did not make Himself clear in the Bible, so He spoke to Mrs. Eddy as an interpreter. Who is God? Christian Scientists refer to God as Mother-Father or Divine Love. They believe the three parts of the Trinity are: God the Father-Mother; Christ the spiritual idea of sonship; and Divine Science of the Holy Comforter. God as a being is thought of as an impersonal "Divine Principle" or a thinking of a person's mind. Who is Jesus? Christian Scientists do not believe that Jesus became fully human and deny He lived a perfect life. They believe the names "Jesus" and "Christ" do not refer to the same person. To them, Jesus is the human part of God and Christ is a "divine idea." They believe that good cannot live in a material (human) body because of evil, and therefore Jesus could not be both God and man. They believe Jesus was not the only way to heaven, but He came to show the way. Christian Scientists believe Jesus' death on the cross was a "man-made" belief and that Jesus never died on the cross. They believe Jesus appeared to die on the cross and was laid in a tomb, but deny that death is real. What happens after a person dies? Because Christian Scientists believe sin is not real, they see no need for salvation. Their belief is that Jesus' purpose was to show that death was unreal. It is a person's ultimate goal to deny sin exists. Belief Cards (July 8) Page 16 of 16