Bible, Glitter and Glue

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Philip followed instructions from an angel of the Lord and went to a very important man riding in a chariot. The man was a chief official of the Queen of Ethiopia. He was reading from a scroll of Isaiah but could not understand it. Philip joined him in the chariot and explained that the Scripture was talking about Jesus.  The man began to believe in Jesus, and when the chariot passed by some water, the official asked Philip to baptise him (and he did!)

Bible verses used in this episode:

Acts 8:26-40

Outline:

1. An angel directs Philip where to go (Acts 8:26-29)
2. Philip taught and baptised an important man from Ethiopia (Acts 8:30-38)
3. The two men each go a separate way (Acts 8:39-40)

Tips for teaching children:

• Show the locations of this story on a map. 
• Make a chariot or scroll craft.
• Invite a Bible teacher, elder, preacher or other church leader to attend your Bible class as a guest.  Ask them to talk about helping people understand the Bible.
• Sing the song: Roll, Roll, Chariot Roll. 

Tips for teaching adults:

• To get a feel for what the eunuch was reading and the challenge of Phillip, have the class read out loud a larger section from the place he was reading from.  Have the class read Isaiah 52:7–56:8.  You can divide the text into sections and have different members read a section.  Ask the class, “How would you preach Jesus using only this section from Isaiah? Or using only the book of Isaiah?”
• Show the locations of this story on a map. 
• Here is a more detailed map showing Philip's travels.  

Full teaching instructions free from Mission Bible Class:

Bible Lesson:  Philip Teaches the Man from Ethiopia 

Scriptures quoted from The Holy Bible, International Children’s Bible® Copyright© 1986, 1988, 1999, 2015 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission.

Excerpts from Mission Bible Class used by permission.

Music: Upbeat Positive Culture (Acoustic Corporate Travel Promo Christian Rock),  Individual License, Stock Media provided by HumansWin, pond5.com 

For questions or comments email: [email protected]

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Philip was one of the original seven helpers in the church.  When he preached in Samaria, a well-known sorcerer (or magician) named Simon believed and became a Christian. Simon had only ever done clever magic tricks, so he was amazed when he saw real miracles performed. When the apostles came to Samaria, Simon noticed that they laid hands on people to give them the power to do miracles. Simon wanted to have that power. He offered to pay lots of money if the apostles would sell him the same power they had. One of the apostles, Peter, told Simon that no one can buy the power of God. God gives the power.

Bible verses used in this episode:

• Acts 8:5-25
• Psalm 77:14

Outline:

1. Philip preaches in Samaria (Acts 8:5-13)
2. The Apostles preach in Samaria (Acts 8:14-25)

Tips for teaching children:

• Draw a line down the centre of a sheet of paper from top to bottom to form two columns.  At the top of one column, write “Philip”, and at the top of the other, write “Simon”. Ask the class to read over the Scripture again and jot down what we learned about each of these men.  Once this has been completed, then go on to compare and contrast their teachings, actions and motivations. How are they similar? How are they different? Who do we want to be like?
• Research to find a simple magic trick.  Perform the trick for the children and then explain how you did it.  Discuss the difference between a trick and a miracle.

Tips for teaching adults:

•  As the teacher, here are some questions to ask that will help the class think about and reflect on the text:
  • From this text, what do we learn about Philip? 
  • What is significant about Philip going to Samaria to preach the good news of King Jesus?  Ask the class to think about what they know about Jesus and the Samaritans from the Gospels and how this relates to this story in Acts 8. 
  • Think about ethnically diverse people trying to worship together. What are some challenges these new Samaritan believers may face being embraced by the well-established Jewish believers?
  • What have you done to embrace others who are ethnically different from you?
• In the days before the class, contact a couple of class members and ask them to research the ‘Samaritans’.  They should consider the Samaritans' origin, history, beliefs, symbols, and relationship with Jews.  Ask these members to be prepared to share their findings in the next class time.  To help with the research, provide the following links:
  • International Standard Bible Encyclopedia Online
  • Bible Study Tools

Full teaching instructions free from Mission Bible Class:

Bible Lesson:  Simon the Sorcerer 

Scriptures quoted from The Holy Bible, International Children’s Bible® Copyright© 1986, 1988, 1999, 2015 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission.

Excerpts from Mission Bible Class used by permission.

Music: Upbeat Positive Culture (Acoustic Corporate Travel Promo Christian Rock),  Individual License, Stock Media provided by HumansWin, pond5.com 

For questions or comments email: [email protected]

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Stephen preached to people about Jesus and God. Some of the Jews got so angry about this that they told lies about Stephen and had him taken before the Jewish court (Sanhedrin). Stephen bravely preached a sermon about how people like them had rejected God before.  And now they had rejected Jesus, the one God wanted Israel to follow as their leader and king. Some of the Jews became so angry at Stephen that they threw stones at him until he died. Stephen was the first martyr of the Christian faith.

From this time forward, followers of Jesus were treated very badly, and many left Jerusalem to live in other places.  Everywhere they went, Christians told about Jesus.

Bible verses used in this episode:

• Acts 6:8- 8:4
• 1 Corinthians 1:8 

Outline:

1. Stephen is arrested (Acts 6:8-15)
2. The Sermon (Acts 7:1-53)
3. Stephen is killed (Acts 7:54-8:1)
4. The Christians suffer (Acts 8:2-4)

Tips for teaching children:

• Explain the word "martyr" (A person killed because of religious or other beliefs).
• Use the thoughtful illustrations found at Free Bible Images to help children better understand the story.
• Guide the children in painting rocks.  You could write “remember Stephen” or “Acts 7” or “be brave” on them.

Tips for teaching adults:

• Try out this excellent resource for leading small group Bible classes: Serendipity Bible  (available on Amazon) 
• Ask the class to consider the sermon (Acts 7) and respond to the following questions: 
  • What are some of the themes of the sermon? 
  • Where did God appear to Abram, Joseph and Moses in relation to the land of      Canaan? What might be significant about this?
  • In the past, when God sent leaders to his people, how did they respond? (refer to verse 35) 
• Note to the teacher: To ask better questions, you should...
  • Ask questions encouraging students to probe the text of Scripture you are studying. 
  • Avoid questions that require a “yes” or “no” response.  Instead, ask open-ended questions, questions that require explanation and elaboration. 
  • Ask questions that challenge the class members to reflect on the text and reflect on their lives.  

Full teaching instructions free from Mission Bible Class:

Bible Lesson:  The Stoning of Stephen 

Scriptures quoted from The Holy Bible, International Children’s Bible® Copyright© 1986, 1988, 1999, 2015 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission.

Excerpts from Mission Bible Class used by permission.

Music: Upbeat Positive Culture (Acoustic Corporate Travel Promo Christian Rock),  Individual License, Stock Media provided by HumansWin, pond5.com 

For questions or comments email: [email protected]

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Many Jews were becoming followers of Jesus in Jerusalem. Needy widows were given food every day, but some were being left out. Instead of neglecting their teaching and preaching time to address this food problem, the apostles asked the Christians to choose seven faithful men to care for the widows and serve the church in this way.

Bible verses used in this episode:

• Acts 6:1-7
• Acts 6:3

Outline:

1. The church grew, and widows were missing out on food (Acts 6:1)
2. The problem is solved by choosing seven helpers (Acts 6:2-6)
3. The church grows even more (Acts 6:7)

Tips for teaching children:

• Guide the children in listing all of the “jobs” and helpers at church.  This could be preaching and teaching but also behind-the-scenes activities such as lawnmowing, washing dishes or placing songbooks in the pews.  What would happen if no one did these jobs? Write thank you notes to some of these people.
• Arrange for a widow or widower to visit your class and share some of their challenges.
• Collect food items to give to someone you know or donate to a local food bank.

Tips for teaching adults:

• Ask the class: If your congregation needed to choose some people to take care of the widows in the church, what qualities would you want the caregivers to possess?  Why? 
• Make a list of all the widows in your congregation and consider how the class might "adopt" them. Pray for and visit them regularly, buy their groceries for them, and take them out to their favourite restaurant.  Pick them up for church if they need it.  As a class leader, you could delegate different ones in the class to organise different things related to meeting the widows' needs.
•  If anyone in your class is a widow or widower, ask if she or he would like to tell the class about the challenges they have faced. 

Full teaching instructions free from Mission Bible Class:

Bible Lesson:  Helpers in the Church 

Scriptures quoted from The Holy Bible, International Children’s Bible® Copyright© 1986, 1988, 1999, 2015 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission.

Excerpts from Mission Bible Class used by permission.

Music: Upbeat Positive Culture (Acoustic Corporate Travel Promo Christian Rock),  Individual License, Stock Media provided by HumansWin, pond5.com 

For questions or comments email: [email protected]

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Because so many Jewish Christians stayed in Jerusalem after Pentecost, some Christians sold property and gave the money to the church so those in need could have enough. Ananias and his wife, Sapphira, sold some of their property and then decided to give part of the money to the church. They proceeded to lie and say that they had given it all. Peter confronted Ananias in front of the church and told him that by doing this, he had lied to God. Ananias fell over dead. Unaware of what had happened to her husband, Sapphira came before the church and lied again about the money. She also fell over dead. The whole church was afraid.

Bible verses used in this episode:

• Acts 4:32 through 5:11
• Colossians 3:9

Outline:

1. The believers’ attitudes towards material possessions (Acts 4:32-37)
2. Ananias and Sapphira caught in a lie (Acts 5:1-11)

Tips for teaching children:

• Help the class look up the word “lie” in a dictionary and a thesaurus. Write down and discuss your findings.
• Discuss situations where lying is a temptation.
• Older children might enjoy Dan Sterver’s telling of "The Grim Tale of Ananias and Sapphira"

Tips for teaching adults:

• Spend some time contrasting the character of Barnabas with that of Ananias and Sapphira.
• One of the things we learn from the story is that one of the characteristics of God’s people is generosity.  Who are some people you know who are generous?  What makes them generous? 
•  What would motivate you to be more generous?  Do something generous this week.

Full teaching instructions free from Mission Bible Class:

Bible Lesson:  Ananias and Sapphira 

Scriptures quoted from The Holy Bible, International Children’s Bible® Copyright© 1986, 1988, 1999, 2015 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission.

Excerpts from Mission Bible Class used by permission.

Music: Upbeat Positive Culture (Acoustic Corporate Travel Promo Christian Rock),  Individual License, Stock Media provided by HumansWin, pond5.com 

For questions or comments email: [email protected]

Send us Fan Mail

As Peter and John were passing through the temple gate, a man who was unable to walk begged money from them.  Instead of giving him money, Peter miraculously healed him by the power of Jesus. Peter followed this by preaching a convicting sermon to the amazed people who had witnessed the healed man.  

Concerned that so many people were turning to Jesus, the Jewish leaders imprisoned Peter and John and instructed them to keep silent about Jesus. These two apostles refused to be quiet and said that they must speak about the things they had seen and heard.

Jesus is powerful, and we should tell people about him.

Bible verses used in this episode:

Acts 3:1-4:22

Outline:

1. Peter heals a man (Acts 3:1-10)
2. Peter talks to the people (Acts 3:11-26)
3. Peter and John before the Jewish leaders (Acts 4:1-22)

Tips for Teaching Children:

• To help children understand the large amount of information in this text, try “mind mapping”.  Instructions are in the activities section here. 
• For a fun craft, apply washable paint on the soles of the children's feet.  Make footprints on paper.  

Tips for Teaching Adults:

•  Ice breaker for the beginning of class:  ask volunteers to share stories of courage or bravery they have witnessed in others.  Talk about how this affected them.
•  Ask the class what impresses them about Peter and John and why. 
• Ask each class member to write on a piece of paper an area of their life that they need to have more courage for Christ and explain it briefly.  You may give them this as an example:  write, “I need more courage at my work because I need to speak up to say the right thing or to do the right thing”, etc.  As the class teacher, you can prompt them by giving them some ideas such as home, at the gym or school, etc.   Collect these notes, put them in a pile, let each class member randomly draw one and then pray for one another.  
• The teacher and some students might enjoy further study.  Ritmeyer’s short article on the possible location of the Beautiful Gate. It makes for interesting reading and discusses some of the challenges of identifying biblical places. Link to the article here. 
•  Photos and drawings of the Southern Wall of the Temple Mount 

Full teaching instructions free from Mission Bible Class:

Bible Lesson:  Peter and John Heal a Man  Who Could Not Walk

Scriptures quoted from The Holy Bible, International Children’s Bible® Copyright© 1986, 1988, 1999, 2015 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission.

Excerpts from Mission Bible Class used by permission.

Music: Upbeat Positive Culture (Acoustic Corporate Travel Promo Christian Rock),  Individual License, Stock Media provided by HumansWin, pond5.com 

For questions or comments email: [email protected]

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Title:

The early church was full of excitement as they saw more and more people becoming Christians every day. Many people who had come to Jerusalem to celebrate Pentecost stayed longer to be with the rest of the new Christians. The church devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread (Lord’s Supper), and prayer.

The church is not a building but is made up of Christians. The church today does the same things as the early church.

Bible verses used in this episode:

• Acts 2:42-47
• Matthew 16:18
• Ephesians 2:19-22
• Hebrews 10:24-25

Tips for teaching:

For Children:

• To help children understand that the church is people instead of a building, first, draw an outline of a church building on a large piece of paper.  Then, ask the children to write names or draw pictures inside the outline depicting all of the people at church.  Once they have done this, then use scissors to cut away the outline.  All that is left is the people.  The saved people of God do not need a building to be the church.
• Plan a way for the children to participate together in an aspect of church life that is unfamiliar to them.  They might prepare the Lord’s Supper for the church or interview the preacher and learn what preparations he is making for the upcoming sermon. A visit to a member’s home is another idea.
• Older children might take photographs or make a scrapbook to show what your church does together.
• Sing “Building Up the Temple” and talk about Ephesians 2:19-22  

For Adults:

• Challenge the class to memorise these verses (or, as an alternative, just verse 42).  And then challenge several people to recite these verses in the class.
• Print out the text for each member of the class.  Ask them to circle all the words and phrases that denote groups, such as “they spent time”, “everyone felt great respect”, and “all believers stayed together”.  How many of these describe your class?
• Ask the class to brainstorm ways your class group can be more devoted to these four things (apostles’ teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread, and prayer).  Be creative.  What can you do to make your gatherings (your fellowship time) more meaningful and rich?  What can you do as a class to make each one feel special, loved and valued?  For example, one thing you can do to make prayer more meaningful is to pray at the beginning of class, in the middle and at the end.  One prayer is focused on praising God, another on the spiritual growth of your class, and the other on the needs the class has.  When you come together, make it a habit to eat together with a little twist.  Always include bread that the host will break at the start of the meal to signify fellowship, unity and friendship. 

Full teaching instructions free from Mission Bible Class:

Bible Lesson:  The First Church 

Scriptures quoted from The Holy Bible, International Children’s Bible® Copyright© 1986, 1988, 1999, 2015 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission.

Excerpts from Mission Bible Class used by permission.

Music: Upbeat Positive Culture (Acoustic Corporate Travel Promo Christian Rock),  Individual License, Stock Media provided by HumansWin, pond5.com 

For questions or comments email: [email protected]

Send us Fan Mail

While the eleven apostles waited in Jerusalem, Matthias was chosen to replace the now-dead Judas. During the Jewish feast of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit came upon the apostles just as Jesus had promised. The Spirit gave these uneducated men the miraculous power to speak in languages they had never learned or spoken before (speak in tongues). Because of this, all of the crowds of Jewish pilgrims from many countries were able to hear about Jesus in their own languages. After Peter preached the first “gospel sermon,” 3,000 people were baptized. Emphasise that this was the beginning, or “birthday”, of the church.

Bible verses used in this episode:

Acts 1:12-2:41

Outline:

1. Matthias replaces Judas (Acts 1:12-26)
2. The Holy Spirit comes upon the apostles (Acts 2:1-13)
3. Peter’s Sermon and the crowd’s response (Acts 2:14-41)

Tips for teaching:

• Tell the story to children using an interactive parallel to a Birthday Party.  Link to full instructions here.
• Children's Craft: Children can write the words of Acts 2:38 on a card and then wrap the card as a gift. (the gift of the Spirit)
• Children's Craft: To represent the Holy Spirit children can make a windsock or windchime or simply tape streamers on a stick.
• Adults might enjoy the YouTube clip: “Why is Pentecost Significant Today?”
• Have adults read Peter’s sermon again (verses 14-36) and then discuss the following: 
  •  What OT texts does Peter quote from? 
  • Why would Peter use so many quotes to this audience? 
  • From Peter’s sermon what facts about Jesus would be key for non-believers to understand?  
  • What is significant about Peter’s climatic conclusion in v.36?  What implications  do you see?
• Using v.37-38, describe what one must do to become a follower of Jesus
• Reflecting on your baptism, tell the class why you were baptised and what you were feeling at the time. Include the events that led to your decision to be baptised. 
• How would you encourage others to be baptised based on your own baptism?

Full teaching instructions free from Mission Bible Class:

Bible Lesson:  Sermon at Pentecost  

Scriptures quoted from The Holy Bible, International Children’s Bible® Copyright© 1986, 1988, 1999, 2015 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission.

Excerpts from Mission Bible Class used by permission.

Music: Upbeat Positive Culture (Acoustic Corporate Travel Promo Christian Rock),  Individual License, Stock Media provided by HumansWin, pond5.com 

For questions or comments email: [email protected]

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After his resurrection from the dead, Jesus spent forty days with his disciples. Before ascending to heaven, he gave the apostles important instructions on announcing the gospel to all people and making them followers of Jesus.  This is the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20). An angel comforted the apostles by reminding them that just as Jesus rose up into the clouds, he would someday come back to earth again.

Bible verses used in this episode:

• Matthew 28:16-20 
• Acts 1:3-11

Outline:

1. The Great Commission (Matthew 28:16-20)
2. The promise of the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:3-5)
3. The Ascension (Acts 1:6-11)

Tips for teaching:

• You will need a helium balloon and a still clear day to use the following method.  Take children outside and tell the story of the ascension.  After telling the story, release the balloon and watch it rise in the sky.
• Another outside idea is to spend time watching the clouds in the sky.  As you look at the clouds, talk about what the apostles might have felt like watching Jesus ascend.
• When learning about the “going into all the world” make crafts involving maps or globes.
• Adults: Go outside and look up into the sky.  How far can you see into the sky?  Try this at night, too.  How far can you see into the night sky?  Know that Jesus is enthroned over everything you can see day or night.  Ask the class to discuss what it means that Jesus is enthroned over the whole cosmos.  What does it mean for the creation?  What does it mean for the nations of the world?  What does it mean for our communities?  And what does it mean for me?
• Adults: The apostles had a special commission of being his witnesses.  Today, we can’t be the same kind of witness they were, but we can still be a witness to Jesus.  What can you do to tell others the good news of Jesus?  How can you be a witness in your neighbourhood?  In your city?  In your country? In the world? Think of ways to announce to the people in your world that Jesus is the world’s rightful and true Lord and that he loves them and wants them to give him their allegiance and loyalty.

Full teaching instructions free from Mission Bible Class:

Bible Lesson:  The Great Commission and Ascension of Jesus  

Scriptures quoted from The Holy Bible, International Children’s Bible® Copyright© 1986, 1988, 1999, 2015 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission.

Excerpts from Mission Bible Class used by permission.

Music: Upbeat Positive Culture (Acoustic Corporate Travel Promo Christian Rock),  Individual License, Stock Media provided by HumansWin, pond5.com 

For questions or comments email: [email protected]

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In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus told the crowd how to live Godly lives. He illustrated the significance of followers displaying Godly lives by saying, “You are the salt of the earth” and  “You are the light of the world”.

Our actions and lives can be a positive influence on our world and point people to God.

Bible verses used in this episode:

• Matthew 5:13-16
• Psalm 18:28; 27:1; 119:130.
• Isaiah 42:6 and 49:6.
• John 1:1-9; 8:12; and 12:44-46.
• 1 Thessalonians 5:4-8
• 1 John 1:5-7

Outline:

1. You are salt (Matthew 5:13)
2. You are light (Matthew 5:14-16

Tips for teaching:

• For children, tell the story in a dark room with only a tiny light ( lamp or torch/flashlight).  Serve unsalted popcorn and add salt as you share the teaching.
• Mix salt in paint to do salt painting.  It dries with a little sparkle.
• Crafts can be created using small battery-operated tea lights. Alternatively, you can use a Sharpie pen and write the verse on the underside of the tea light.
• Discuss ways children can make a difference in the world around them.  How can they shine their lights?
• Childen and/or adults can sing songs that mention ‘light’: “Here I Am to Worship”, “Shine, Jesus, Shine”, and “This Little Light of Mine”
• When teaching adults, gather in a class member’s home to have this Bible study and a meal together.  Have the meal first and then follow with a Bible study of this text.  Make it a simple meal but with a twist.  Have volunteers prepare the dishes for the class without salt.  Begin eating the saltless meal.  And then ask your guests to salt their food as they like. Discuss the difference salt made to the meal.    The group can also eat this meal by candlelight with all other lights in the house turned off.   Afterwards, have the bible study. 

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Full teaching instructions free from Mission Bible Class:

Bible Lesson:  Jesus Teaches about Salt and Light 

Scriptures quoted from The Holy Bible, International Children’s Bible® Copyright© 1986, 1988, 1999, 2015 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission.

Excerpts from Mission Bible Class used by permission.

Music: Upbeat Positive Culture (Acoustic Corporate Travel Promo Christian Rock),  Individual License, Stock Media provided by HumansWin, pond5.com 

For questions or comments email: [email protected]