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Sunday, March 19, 2017

19 March 2017

Toddler Class
Coach Susan
Asst. 1 : Laila
Asst. 2 : Yuni

Primary Class 1-3
Coach Susi Tjio
(Asst. Felicia)

Primary Class 4-6
Coach Lusiana
(Asst. Shawn & Nico)

Acts_1-700x230
ACTS: PAUL MET JESUS

HOOK

Show a picture of a caterpillar and how it goes through metamorphosis into a butterfly.

You may want to use a story book or video, if suitable.

STORY (Acts 9)


A few Sundays ago, we learned about a man called Stephen. He was one of the 7 chosen to help serve

God’s people. Do you remember what happened to him? Yes, he was stoned/killed by people who did not believe Jesus was God.

When the crowd surrounded Stephen and were throwing stones at him, one man, a Pharisee, stood there giving his approval. This man was called Saul.

Saul was a very devout Jew. He wanted to obey God and made sure other people obeyed God’s laws.

He wanted to get rid of the people who believed Jesus was God. When they told others about Jesus, Saul thought they were spreading lies, and wanted to stop them once and for all.

He went to the places where these followers of Jesus gathered and arrested men and women and had them thrown in jail. He went to the high priest and asked for permission to go to the synagogues in Damascus and arrest all those who were preaching there about Jesus.

So Saul and some men began the journey to Damascus. As they were getting closer, something happened. A bright light flashed from heaven. Saul fell to the ground.

And he heard a voice. “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me (or why are you hurting me)?”

“Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked, terrified.

The voice replied, “I am Jesus of Nazareth. I am the One you are persecuting.” When Saul was hurting believers, he was really hurting Jesus Himself. Jesus told Saul to go into Damascus and he would receive instructions of what to do next.

The bright light disappeared, and Saul and his men were all alone again. As Saul got up from the ground, he opened his eyes but he couldn’t see anything! His men took him by the hand and led him into Damascus.

Meanwhile in Damascus there’s a believer named Ananias. Jesus appeared to him in a vision. “Ananias!”

“Yes Lord,” he answered.


Jesus told him to go to a house and ask for a man named Saul, place his hands on him and restore his sight.

Now, Ananias has heard about Saul. In fact, he was probably hiding from him. He didn’t want to be killed or thrown into prison. “Lord,” Ananias answered, “I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your holy people in Jerusalem. And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name.”

But Jesus told him to go. Jesus had chosen Saul to do a great work and to tell all the Jews and non-Jews about Him.

So Ananias went to the house. He placed his hands on Saul and 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.”

Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again! He got up and was baptized. And after taking some food, he regained his strength.

Pix illustrations can be found here: 


LESSON 

RED Class: Can go straight to “Jesus transforms us” as the main lesson of the day.

Jesus cares for us

After Stephen died, the followers of Jesus were persecuted/attacked. They were chased out from their homes, dragged to prison, killed etc.

Jesus wasn’t blind or deaf. He saw what was happening. In fact, He was suffering along with them.

When He met Saul, he asked him, “Why are you persecuting me?”

When others attack us for believing in Jesus, they are actually attacking Jesus. So we do not have to be afraid. When we go through challenges, know that Jesus is always there. He cares for us. And He is carrying us through.

Jesus transforms us

Like a caterpillar transformed into a butterfly, Saul met the Risen Savior on his way to Damascus and was transformed. He was no longer an enemy of God’s; now he was God’s child! Saul went to Damascus as a blood-thirsty Pharisee, out to destroy the church and to stop people from believing in Jesus. He arrived as a changed man and follower of Jesus.

When we meet Jesus, we are changed. 2 Cor 5:17 “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation.”

God has a plan for our lives

Remember Acts 1:8? “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

The disciples were telling people about Jesus in Jerusalem. Then Stephen was killed, and they ran to Judea and Samaria, telling more people about Jesus. And Jesus told Ananias that Saul was chosen “to carry His name before the Gentiles and their kings and before the people of Israel”.

God has work for each one of His children. Ephesians 2:10 says “For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”


What work do you think God has prepared for you to do?


HUDDLE TIME
Get the kids into small groups to pray for who they want to share Jesus with.

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