Persecution of the Church

Persecution of the Church

Wednesday, April 17th & Sunday, April 20th

Key Passages: Acts 5:17-42, 6:7-8:3

Basic Truth: God's plans are always good

Memory Verse: Many are the plans in a man's hear, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails. Proverbs 19:21

Think about it:

Simon from Cyrene (Mark 15:21), a stranger in town, was randomly selected by the Roman soldiers and compelled to carry the heavy cross of a man he had perhaps never laid eyes on before.  You may find yourself in circumstances that are shocking or bewildering.  In the midst of pain and confusion, can you find peace in the thought that this, too, must be in God’s plan for you?

If our faith in Christ’s redemptive blood is real, our surrender to Him means that all details in our lives are under His control, and they are allowed in order to bring Him greater glory.  Simon didn’t understand the unfair treatment, but he is remembered in God’s eternal Word for his part in God’s eternal plan.

 “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”  (Romans 8:28).

This life is not about me and my comfort – it’s ALL about GOD!  Am I willing to suffer so that someone else might know about my God?  

Ask it:

All Levels

Q: Why is it good that God's plans always prevail?

A: God's plans are always right and good!

Grade 1-2

Q: How did God use persecution to make more disciples?

A: As believers left Jerusalem and moved to other places to avoid persecution, many more people in far away places heard about Jesus and became disciples.

Q: What is God's plan (what did He tell us to do in Matthew 28:18-20)? Can anyone stop it??

A: He tells us to make more disciples by telling others about Him. Nobody can stop God's plan!

Q: Why did the apostles keep telling people about Jesus, even when they were put in prison?

A: They were obeying God and following His plan for them. 

Grade 3-4

Q: Why do we not need to be afraid or discouraged when things seem bad?

A: We can trust that God is always doing something good. He is able to use even evil things to accomplish His good purpose.

Q: What does God command us to do in Matthew 28:18-20? What is the promise that He makes at the end of verse 20?

A: He tells us to make more disciples by telling others about Him. He promises us that He will always be with us. God always keeps His promises!!

Q: What does it mean to be faithful? Is God faithful? Can anyone stop His plans? 

A: God is faithful! Faithful means to keep every promise; totally reliable. No one can stop Him and nobody else is like Him!

Grade 5-6

Q: Why do people suffer?

A: All suffering is the result of sin, but it's not without God's control. God has authority to allow suffering that will accomplish His good purposes. 

Q: An example of suffering can be found in John 9:3. Why did this man suffer with blindness? 

A: so God could display His power and greatness by healing Him. Everything is here on earth to bring glory to God and show His greatness!

Q: How can we accept suffering as good?

A: By knowing that God uses it for His own good purposes. We can also remember that He sees things we can't see, He knows everything! He sees the end of the suffering that He allows, and He sees that good that will come from it. Read 2 Corinthians 4:17.

Family Activities:

1) Learn about a martyr in Christian history. Discuss their life and how they are an encouragement and example for you. 

2) Talk about what it means to be a disciple (a loyal follower of Christ).

3) Remember a difficult time in your life and share how God was faithful and used it for something good, that maybe was difficult to see in the moment.