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The Role of the Church in the Great Commission

Week 2
April 13-19, 2024


The Church Stands Together

The Church Perseveres


20With God’s power working in us, God can do much, much more than anything we can ask or think of. 21To God be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus for all time, forever and ever. Amen.

WE ARE USING THE INTERNATIONAL
CHILDREN'S BIBLE VERSION (ICB) OF THE BIBLE

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"GARDEN GUIDE"


MONDAY


Read Acts 4:1-4 (ICB)


Peter and John at the Council

1While Peter and John were speaking to the people, a group of men came up to them. There were Jewish priests, the captain of the soldiers that guarded the Temple, and some Sadducees. 2They were upset because the two apostles were teaching the people. Peter and John were preaching that people will rise from death through the power of Jesus. 3The Jewish leaders grabbed Peter and John and put them in jail. It was already night, so they kept them in jail until the next day. 4But many of those who heard Peter and John preach believed the things they said. There were now about 5,000 men in the group of believers.



Jail / Apostles / Upset / Believed

The Jewish leaders were __________ because the two __________ were teaching people about Jesus. So they grabbed them and put them in __________. But many people still __________ in the things they said!




TUESDAY


Read Acts 4:5-10 (ICB)


5The next day the Jewish rulers, the Jewish elders, and the teachers of the law met in Jerusalem. 6Annas the high priest, Caiaphas, John, and Alexander were there. Everyone from the high priest’s family was there. 7They made Peter and John stand before them. The Jewish leaders asked them: “By what power or authority did you do this?” 8Then Peter was filled with the Holy Spirit. He said to them, “Rulers of the people and you elders, 9are you questioning us about a good thing that was done to a crippled man? Are you asking us who made him well? 10We want all of you and all the Jewish people to know that this man was made well by the power of Jesus Christ from Nazareth! You nailed him to a cross, but God raised him from death. This man was crippled, but he is now well and able to stand here before you because of the power of Jesus!

What did the Jewish rulers ask Peter and John?


By what power or authority did Peter say he and John healed the man who was unable to walk?


Read Acts 3:1-10 (ICB) to learn more about Peter and John healing the man who was unable to walk in Jesus’ name.


WEDNESDAY


Read Acts 4:11-12 (ICB)


11Jesus is ‘the stone that you builders did not want. It has become the cornerstone.’ Psalm 118:22 12Jesus is the only One who can save people. No one else in the world is able to save us.”


Jesus is the only one who can save us-no one else in the world can.


True

False


THURSDAY


Read Acts 4:13-14 (ICB)


13The Jewish leaders saw that Peter and John were not afraid to speak. They understood that these men had no special training or education. So they were amazed. Then they realized that Peter and John had been with Jesus. 14They saw the crippled man standing there beside the two apostles. They saw that the man was healed. So they could say nothing against them.


The Jewish leaders were __________ that Peter and John were not afraid to speak about Jesus.

Amazed

Angry



They understood that these men had __________.

A great education

No special training





FRIDAY


Read Acts 4:21-30 (ICB)


21-22The Jewish leaders could not find a way to punish them because all the people were praising God for what had been done. (This miracle was a proof from God. The man who was healed was more than 40 years old!) So the Jewish leaders warned the apostles again and let them go free.

The Believers’ Prayer

23Peter and John left the meeting of Jewish leaders and went to their own group. They told them everything that the leading priests and the Jewish elders had said to them. 24When the believers heard this, they prayed to God with one purpose. They prayed, “Lord, you are the One who made the sky, the earth, the sea, and everything in the world. 25Our father David was your servant. With the help of the Holy Spirit he said: ‘Why are the nations so angry? Why are the people making useless plans? 26The kings of the earth prepare to fight. Their leaders make plans together against the Lord and against his Christ.’ Psalm 2:1-2 27These things really happened when Herod, Pontius Pilate, the non-Jewish people, and the Jewish people all came together against Jesus here in Jerusalem. Jesus is your holy Servant. He is the One you made to be the Christ. 28These people made your plan happen; it happened because of your power and your will. 29And now, Lord, listen to what they are saying. They are trying to make us afraid! Lord, we are your servants. Help us to speak your word without fear. 30Help us to be brave by showing us your power; make sick people well, give proofs, and make miracles happen by the power of Jesus, your holy servant.”


The Jewish leaders wouldn’t let Peter and John go.



True

False



The people prayed that God would help them speak without fear.



True

False




EXPLORE MORE


Have you ever watched a movie or read a book where a character in the story had to go to court? The judge probably had to decide if that person was guilty or innocent. He had to decide if that person was going to go to jail or not. Peter and John had to go to court for telling people that Jesus came back to life from His tomb. Instead of being afraid of telling people about Jesus, they told anyone and everyone who would listen! They weren’t scared of what would happen; they just wanted people to know about Jesus. Sometimes we get scared to tell others about the wonderful things Jesus has done, but we don’t have to be afraid. God will help us be brave when we tell others about Jesus!

This month we are going to learn all about church — how it began after Jesus went back to heaven and sent the Holy Spirit; how it was saved when Peter and John bravely told others about the amazing sacrifice Jesus made; how it grew when Cornelius started following Jesus; how it hurt when James was killed and Peter was thrown in prison. Through it all, we will see just how much God loves the church—the people who follow Him!

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