The Biblical Path of Life

Tag: Gentile

  • Lesson 6: Gentile Believers: Acts 9:32 – 11:18

    Key Verse

    When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life.

    —Acts 11:18

    Key Verse Thought: Read today’s Key Verse. Remember that a Gentile is anyone who is not a Jew. Up to this point, we have learned that the Gospel message of Jesus had spread from Jerusalem into Samaria. So far, we have seen just the beginnings of the spread of the Gospel message to some Gentile people. In this lesson, we will see that the Jewish people finally begin to recognize that the Gentiles, too, could be saved.

    Emphasis: In this lesson, we are to recognize that the Gospel message is not just for the Jew – but that anyone who will believe in Jesus can be saved. As Christians, we should never stop growing and learning. We are to become faithful witnesses – much like Peter.

    Lesson Summary: In our last lesson, we saw the great transformation of Saul, later called Paul, because he responded to the call by Jesus. He was chosen to spread the Gospel message to the Gentile people. (Remember the following verse: “15. But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel” Acts 9:15.)

    We have learned that the church was being persecuted – which was causing the Gospel message to be scattered into the areas around (including Samaria). However, even during a time of persecution, Peter continued to do what God asked him to do. In this lesson, we will read that he continued to heal and even raised Dorcas from the dead.

    Peter stayed at Simon a tanner’s house. During this time of reprieve, he received a message from the Lord. We find Peter still learning more from Jesus (when he saw a vision revealing that anyone could be saved – Jew or Gentile), as he continued to grow in the Lord. He learned that the Gospel message is for Gentiles, too. It was then that Peter obeyed God when He was sent to the Roman centurion, Cornelius’, house. Because Peter was faithful to deliver the Gospel message to a Gentile, Cornelius and many of his friends became Believers. Peter then reported to the other Believers that God could save anyone.

    Y3Q2 – Questions

    Y3Q2 – Children’s Worksheets

    If you are teaching this to children, the following is a craft idea to help them rememer this lesson:

    We took a white bandana and filled it with all kinds of animal stickers to help us remember Peter’s vision.

    The Biblical Path of Life – Year Three, Quarter Two is now available through Amazon.

  • Lesson 5 (Lesson 31): Ruth: A Picture of Redemption

    Key Verse

    “As for our redeemer, the LORD of hosts is his name, the Holy One of Israel.”  Isaiah 47:4

    Read the Key Verse with your class.  Ask your students if they know what a “redeemer” is.

    redeemer:  basically means that of buying something back.

    After you help them understand the word “redeemer”, explain to them that Jesus (the Lord of hosts) is our redeemer.  He bought every one who belongs to him with his blood on the cross (I Peter 1:18-19:  “18. Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; 19. But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:” and Ephesians 1:7:  “In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;”)  We have learned that we all deserve the punishment of death (because of sin.)  Jesus paid the penalty, for those who believe, and died in their place which “bought” us back.  We will see a picture of redemption (buying something back) in the book of Ruth today.

    Summary:  During the book of Judges we saw how the nation as a whole had rejected God as their king.  Last week we noticed a couple, Samson’s parents, who heard from God and responded to God’s call.  We saw that God did what He had promised in their lives.  The book of Ruth takes place during the time of Judges.  This book, too, shows us there were people (although few) who still believed God and allowed Him to rule in their lives.

    Because of the turmoil and terrible times during the time of the Judges, Ruth is a breath of fresh air.  The book of Ruth is a picture of redemption.  She was a gentile (a Moabitess) who was living in a pagan land.  She did not know the true God.  When an Israelite family moved to Moab (because of a drought in Israel), she married into this family and heard of God.  When her husband, father-in-law, and brother-in-law died, she returned with her mother-in-law to the land of Israel.  Her view is clearly stated in Ruth 1:16-17:  “16. And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God: 17. Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: the LORD do so to me, and more also, if ought but death part thee and me.”   It was there, after being redeemed by a kinsman, that she forever became a part of Jesus’ genealogy.  She was the great-grandmother of King David.

    Encourage your students to bring their Bibles and use them!

    Emphasis:  To know Jesus is our redeemer, and that He bought us, if we will believe in Him.  Then, we should live as a light in this dark world so others can know Him.

     

    Optional Worksheets to be downloaded:

    Lesson 31 – Volume 1 Children’s Worksheet 1

    Lesson 31 – Volume 1 Reinforcement Worksheet 1

    Lesson 31 – Volume 1 Reinforcement Worksheet 2

     

    Ideas for children:

    Stickers always work well with children. Often times I watch Wal-Mart or Oriental Trading Company for specials or deals on things I can use for crafts for Sunday School (i.e. foam sheets, Bible Story scene stickers, crowns, stick on jewels, construction paper, etc.).  I keep a stash and when I need something, I go search in my stash!  Pinterest always has great ideas!

    You could have a coloring sheet that goes with the lesson.

    One idea for today’s lesson:  (See picture below).  For today’s lesson we made hanging verse.  We took a copy of the verse Ruth 1:16-17 and glued it to construction paper.  We discussed just what that verse meant, and how important of a decision it was to Ruth.  We also had a coloring sheet.

     

    Mural idea:

    Refer to the wall in your classroom that has become a mural.

    By now your class should be in a groove as to the direction and areas in which they need to focus and work on to improve their Christian lives.  Use this knowledge to help you address specific areas in each lesson that your class can discuss and share as you add new things to your mural.  Continue to watch as your class grows in their knowledge of not only God’s Word, but areas in their lives that can be corrected, drawing them closer to the Lord.

    Have them each add anything else they may have brought to add to the wall.  Encourage everyone to participate.