FALL QUARTER (Sep/Oct/Nov)

ADULT / YOUNG ADULT (18 AND ABOVE)

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PRAYING FOR ONE ANOTHER

BIBLE BASIS: ACTS 4:23-31

BIBLE TRUTH: Prayer os a powerful weapon that God has given His people.

MEMORY VERSE: “And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness” (Acts 4:31)

LESSON AIM: By the end of the lesson, we will: REVIEW the apostles’ prayer for strength to speak with boldness and to continue Jesus’ ministry while under political duress; GAIN insights into prayer as a means through which Christians can remain strong voices for change and effective ministries in their communities today; and ASK God in bold prayers to empower their mission and ministry.

BACKGROUND SCRIPTURES: Acts 4:1-31 & Matthew 6:9-15 — Read and incorporate the insights gained from the Background scriptures into your study of the lesson.

SHARING ALL THINGS

BIBLE BASIS:ACTS 4:34-5:10

BIBLE TRUTH: The early followers of Jesus shared everything with one another, so there was not a needy person among them.

MEMORY VERSE: “Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold” (Acts 4:34)

LESSON AIM: By the end of the lesson, we will: UNDERSTAND the sacrifices and rewards of the early Christians’ willingness to share their possessions with others; EXAMINE our motivation for making sacrificial offerings; DRAFT a list of statements that would motivate others to contribute freely to a community project.

WITNESSING TO THE TRUTH

BIBLE BASIS: ACTS 5:27-29, 33-42

BIBLE TRUTH: The apostles knew that they were obeying God’s calling, even when the authorities tried to stop them.

Memory Verse: “Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, “We ought to obey God rather than men” (Acts 5:29)

LESSON By the end of the lesson we will, EXAMINE the apostles’ proclamation of Jesus as the Messiah despite being ordered not to do so by the Sanhedrin; ASSESS our commitment to witnessing and proclaiming the name of Jesus; and IDENTIFY and overcome barriers to evangelism efforts within and without the church community.

BACKGROUND SCRIPTURE: Acts 5:12-42 & Revelation— Read and incorporate the insights gained from background scriptures into your study of the lesson.

REMEMBERING GOD’S FAITHFULNESS

BIBLE BASIS: ACTS 7:2-4, 8-10, 17, 33-34

BIBLE TRUTH: Stephen spoke to the council on the history of God’s faithfulness.

MEMORY VERSE: “But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up steadfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God” (Acts 7:55)

LESSON AIM: By the end of the lesson, your students will: STUDY Stephen’s proclamation before the council in which he reminded the Jews of God’s faithfulness through the ages and their disregard of God’s Law: REFLECT on the meaning of beliefs and a willingness to stand firm in life threatening circumstances; and COMMIT to stand for beliefs about God in all circumstances.

BACKGROUND SCRIPTURE: Acts 7:1-53 & 1 Corinthians 1:1-9 — Read and incorporate the insights gained from Background Scriptures into your study of the lesson.

THE SPIRIT IS NOT FOR SALE

BIBLE BASIS: Acts 8:9-24

BIBLE TRUTH: Peter claims that inspiring speakers have spiritual power when ones heart is right before God.

MEMORY VERSE: ” Then answered Simon, and said, Pray ye to the LORD for me, that none of these things which ye have spoken come from me.” (Acts 8:24)

LESSON AIM: By the end of the lesson, your students will: RECALL the proclamation of the Good News of Jesus Christ to reveal the power of the Holy Spirit; AFFIRM the necessity of being right with God in order to receive spiritual power from God; and DECIDE and act on witnessing to others about the power of the Holy Spirit.

BACKGROUND SCRIPTURE: Acts 8:9-25 & Hebrews 13:5-10 — Read and incorporate the insights gained from the Background Scriptures into your study of the lesson.

SAUL EARNS CREDIBILITY

BIBLE BASIS: ACTS 9:19-31

BIBLE TRUTH: Saul’s bold and powerful preaching caused the numbers of the church to increase.

MEMORY VERSE: “And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God” (Acts 9:20)

LESSON AIM: By the end of the lesson, your students will: RECALL Saul’s acceptance as a Christian and the reward of his zeal in preaching about Jesus; EXAMINE the church’s willingness to accept and meaningfully include in the body of Christ those whose background is perceived as being suspect and encourage their bold witness about the change in their lives and CELEBRATE those whose lives were transformed by Jesus Christ and then became bold witnesses for His cause.

BACKGROUND SCRIPTURE: Acts 9:19-31 & Psalm 18:20-30 — Read and incorporate the insights gained from Background Scriptures into your study of the lesson.

PETER TAKES A RISK

BIBLE BASIS: ACTS 10:24-38

BIBLE TRUTH: Peter’s recognition that God shows no partiality allowed him to tell the Good News to the Gentiles.

MEMORY VERSE: ” Then Peter opened his mouth and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: But in every nation he that feareth him and worth righteousness, is accepted with him. (Acts 10:34-35)

LESSON AIM: By the end of the lesson, students will BECOME aware that Peter told the Gentiles about the message of God’s love; CELEBRATE that God loves all people; and FIND ways to communicate God’s love to those who do not know Jesus Christ as Savior.

BACKGROUND SCRIPTURE: Acts 10:1-44 & Romans 8:31-29— Read and incorporate the insights gained from the Background Scriptures into your study of the lesson.

TRUSTING THE SPIRIT

BIBLE BASIS: ACTS 11:1-18

BIBLE TRUTH: Peter’s testimony to the power of the Holy Spirit converting Gentiles increased the Jerusalems church support of Peter.

MEMORY VERSE: “Forasmuch then as God gave them the like gift as he did unto us, who believed on the Lord Jesus Christ; what was I, that I could withstand God!” (Acts 11:17)

LESSON AIM:By the end of the lesson, your students will: LEARN that Peter’s preaching to the Gentiles was affirmed by the believers in Jerusalem; FEEL comfortable with reaching out to different people; and IDENTIFY Christian Scriptures that include all in the Body of Christ.

BACKGROUND SCRIPTURE: Acts 11:1-8 & 1 Thessalonians 1:1-7 — Read and incorporate the insights gained from the Background Scriptures into your study of the lesson.

PRAYER WORKS!

BIBLE BASIS: ACTS 12:1-11

BIBLE TRUTH: The fervent prayer of the church in Acts and the work of an angel provided Peter’s deliverance.

MEMORY VERSE: “Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him. (Acts 12:5)

LESSON AIM: By the end of this lesson, your students will: EXPLORE the story of Peter’s deliverance from prison; RECOGNIZE and appreciate the power of prayer in difficult circumstances; and COMMIT to praying for those whose witness puts them in life threatening or difficult situations.

BACKGROUND SCRIPTURE: Acts 12:1-24 & Psalm 18:1-9– Read and incorporate the insights gained from the Background Scriptures into your study of the lesson.

GOD MAKES NO DISTINCTION

BIBLE BASIS: ACTS 15:1-12

BIBLE TRUTH: Luke claimed that the Jerusalem council had power to change the Law of Moses in order to make it congruent to God’s action.

MEMORY VERSE: “And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us; And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith. (Acts 15:8-9)

LESSON AIM: By the end of this lesson, we will: REVIEW the story of how Jerusalem council listened to Paul and Barnabas as they told of the signs and wonders God did among the Gentiles; REFLECT on how difficult it can be to reconcile law and God’s action; and INITIATE a process of discernment of God’s will when the law and God’s actions appear to conflict.

BACKGROUND SCRIPTURE: Acts 15:1-35; Revelation 21:1-5— Read and incorporate the insights gained from the Background Scriptures into your study of the lesson.

FROM DERBE TO PHILIPPI

BIBLE BASIS: ACTS 16:1-5, 8-15

BIBLE TRUTH Paul’s obedience to God and his respect for the elders and apostles gave opportunities for the Gospel to spread to many regions.

MEMORY VERSE: “And after he had seen the vision, immediately we endeavored to go into Macedonia, assuredly gathering that the Lord had called us for to preach the gospel unto them” (Acts 16:10).

LESSON AIM: By the end of the lesson, your students will: RECALL how Paul added Timothy to his missionary team and their labors in spreading the Gospel from Derbe to Philippi; REFLECT on those characteristics needed for members of a successful evangelism team; and SPREAD the Gospel in every aspect of our lives.

BACKGROUND SCRIPTURE: Acts 16:1-15; Matthew 8:18-22- Read and incorporate the insights gained from the Background Scriptures into your study of the lesson.

THESSALONICA, BEREA, AND ATHENS

BIBLE BASIS: Acts 17:1-4, 10-12, 22-25, 28

BIBLE TRUTH: Paul preached the Gospel with strong conviction in spite of opposition.

MEMORY VERSE: “For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription, To the Unknown God. Whom ye therefore ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you” (from Acts 17:23)

LESSON AIM: By the end of the lesson, your students will: LEARN that, although Paul and Silas message was accepted by some but not all, God received the glory; REFLECT on the effects of rejection in the lives of those who serve God; and SEEK out and use spiritual resources that support perseverance in the midst of rejection.

BACKGROUND SCRIPTURE: Acts 17:1-32 & Psam 47 – Read and incorporate the insights gained from the Background Scriptures into your study of the lesson.