Ascension; Pentecost
Wednesday, April 3rd & Sunday, April 7th
Key Passages: Acts 1:1-11, 2:1-41
Basic Truth: Mankind is sinful and needs a Savior
Memory Verse: Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age. Matthew 28: 18-20
Think about it:
Second
Kings 7 tells of some starving men, stricken with leprosy and cast out by their
fellow citizens who suddenly found food and riches beyond their wildest dreams. They eagerly ate their fill and
gathered abundant treasures for their future well-being; but soon conviction
came on them as they remembered the need of their neighbors. “Then
they said to each other, ‘We are not doing right. This is a day of good news and
we are keeping it to ourselves...’” (2 Kings 7:9)
Do we
as born-again believers, blessed with all the fullness of God’s love and grace,
just indulge ourselves? Or do we
sense the desperate need for salvation of the lost all around us? Today God is still sending His
followers into the world to share the good news with others.
“All you have made will praise you, O LORD;
your saints will extol you. They
will tell of the glory of your kingdom and speak of your might, 12 so that all men may know of your mighty acts and
the glorious splendor of your kingdom.” (Psalm 145:10-12)
NOTE: Do not make witnessing a legalistic
requirement. Present the truth and
let the Holy Spirit prompt the response.
Ask it:
All Levels
Q: Why would Jesus want His followers to be baptized?
A: Being baptized is a public declaration that a person is a follower of Jesus.
Grade 1-2
Q: What is the Gospel?
A: The Gospel is Good News of salvation. Jesus has made a way for our sins to be forgiven so we can live with Him forever.
Q: Why did Jesus send His followers to tell others this Good News?
A: so people can have their sins forgiven and live with Him forever!
Q: In our memory verse, what did Jesus tell His disciples to do?
A: make more disciples, baptize them, teach them to obey Jesus' commands
Grade 3-4
Q: Why is Jesus' command to share the Gospel given to all believers?
A: The job is too big for just a few! God planned for believers to work together so all nations would hear about Jesus.
Q: What help did God give to the apostles so they could tell thousands of people?
A: the Holy Spirit
Q: God created His church by gathering the group of new believers together. What is the purpose of the church?
A: The local church is a group of baptized believers who join together to carry out the commands of Jesus. They gather for community and to help each other obey Jesus' commands and to tell others about him.
Grade 5-6
Q: Why would we want to tell others the Good News of Jesus?
A: Jesus commands us to tell others so they also can be saved. If we recognize His infinite love for us, we will want to obey Him.
Q: What did the followers of Jesus receive following pentecost? Do we receive this as well?
A: They received the Holy Spirit. Yes, you have the Holy Spirit as well if you believe in Jesus as your Savior!
Q: Why is sharing the news about Jesus so important?
A: without this news people will be eternally separated from God.
Family Activities
1) Discuss ways each member of your family can obey Jesus' commands. What does it mean to be a disciple: How does our church help us to obey Jesus' commands?
2) Watch the "Jesus" movie.
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