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.

OUR REDEEMER COMES

BIBLE BASIS: ISAIAH 59:15b-21

BIBLE TRUTH: Isaiah and the psalmist promise a time when God will come as a Redeemer with a foundation of righteousness and justice and will place God’s spirit on those who repent of their sins.

MEMORY VERSE: “And the Redeemer shall come to Zion, and unto them that turn from transgression in Jacob, saith the LORD” (Isaiah 59:20)

LESSON AIM: By the end of this lesson, your students will: EXPLORE how God promises a renewed covenant relationship; REVEAL their feelings about the cruelty and violence of society; and EXPRESS gratitude and joy for God’s salvation from worldly dangers and work toward a renewed community.

BACKGROUND SCRIPTURE: Isaiah 59:15-21; Psalm 89:11-18— Read and incorporate the insights gained from the Background Scriptures into your study of the lesson.

A CHANCE TO BE JUST

BIBLE BASIS: JEREMIAH 7:1-15

BIBLE TRUTH:Through Ezra and Jeremiah, God sent messages of hope to those who will amend their ways and messages of doom to those who will not.

MEMORY VERSE: “Thus saith the Lord of hosts, the God os Israel, Amend your ways and your doing and I will cause you to dwell in this place” (Jeremiah 7:3).

LESSON AIM: By the end of the lesson, your students will: REVIEW the messages of doom and hope found in Jeremiah; REGRET the error of their ways and resolve to change; and ADDRESS their personal unfaithfulness and their community’s corruption.

BACKGROUND SCRIPTURE: Jeremiah 7:1-15; Ezra 7:6, 21-28; Jeremiah 26;8-15 – Read and incorporate the insights gained from the Background Scriptures into your study of the lesson.

A CALL FOR REPENTANCE

BIBLE BASIS: EZEKIEL 18:1-13, 31-32

BIBLE TRUTH: Ezekiel advises confession and, along with Proverbs, exhorts the people to do the right thing and thereby build a just community.

MEMORY VERSE: “Repent, and turn from your sins! Don’t let them destroy you! Put all your rebellion behinyou, and find yourselves a new heart and a new spirit” (from Ezekiel 18:30-31)

LESSON AIM: By the end of the lesson, your students will: REVIEW the messages of Exekiel that God holds each person responsible for his or her own actions; FEEL accountability for personal acts of omission that damage the community; and PRAY for discernment in how to amend our ways and build communities of justice.

BACKGROUND SCRIPTURE: Jeremiah 7:1-15; Ezra 7:6, 21-28; Jeremiah 26;8-15 – Read and incorporate the insights gained from the Background Scriptures into your study of the lesson.