Children’s Bible Program – Level 3: NT Lesson 15 “Establishing Congregations (Part 1)”

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Featured Passage: Acts 16-17

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NT-L3L15 Establishing Congregations pt 1Download/Print

God started His Church in Jerusalem with over 3,000 people baptized on the same Pentecost when Jesus Christ sent the Holy Spirit. As the apostles continued to preach the gospel, and news of Jesus Christ’s resurrection traveled, the church quickly grew.  Though many of the original followers came from the areas around Jerusalem, a growing number of people from other regions and nations were also interested in learning about Christ and following God’s way. The apostle Paul and some others traveled near and far to cities all around Asia minor to teach the people about God’s way and to set up congregations for the brethren. Their mission was exciting, but also rather dangerous.

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Discuss:

  1. After being in Jerusalem for a conference with the other leaders in the church, what reason did Paul have to go on another trip (Acts 15:36-41)? 
  2. Who was Timothy? Why do you think Paul wanted Timothy to come with him?
  3. What were the people in Philippi doing by the riverside on the Sabbath? Who did Paul and Silas meet from that group of people?
  4. Why were Paul and Silas arrested in Philippi? What were Paul and Silas doing in the prison that night? What do you think caused the jail keeper to become a believer? 
  5. To what city did Paul and Silas go to after leaving Phillipi? How did the Jews there respond to the gospel message? What did they accuse Jason and the other Christians of doing (Acts 17:6)? 
  6. When Paul taught in Berea how did the people there receive the truth? What can we learn from their example?
  7. When Paul spoke to the people in Athens, how did he introduce the true God? Why do you think he took this approach? 
  8. Imagine that someone asked you something about your beliefs. What are some ways you could answer them? Have you ever had to explain what you believe to someone? Are you always going to be able to explain things the same way? Why or why not?
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Memory Challenge:

Acts 17:30-31 

“Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent, because He has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man whom He has ordained. He has given assurance of this to all by raising Him from the dead.”

Children’s Bible Program – Level 2: NT Lesson 15 “Philip Preaches the Gospel”

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Featured Passage: Acts 8

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NT-L2L15 Philip Preaches the GospelDownload/Print

After Stephen was killed the Christians began to be persecuted more than ever before.  A young man named Saul received permission from the authorities to hunt down Christians and put them in prison. Many of the Christians began to move to other places to get away from the persecution in Jerusalem. The Apostles stayed in the area, continuing to preach the good news. Philip, a recently ordained deacon, was one of those who went out from Jerusalem preaching the gospel, making an impact everywhere he went. One day, an angel spoke to Philip and sent him on a very particular mission.

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Discuss:

  1. What is persecution? What was Saul doing to the Christians?  
  2. What was the name of the magician who had astonished the people of Samaria? Why was he following the Apostles? What did Peter tell him? 
  3. Where did the angel tell Philip to go? Whom did he meet? How was he able to catch up with him? 
  4. What part of Scripture was the Ethiopian reading when Philip overtook the chariot? What is it in this passage that Philip could use to preach the gospel? 
  5. How did the Ethiopian respond after Philip explained the passage? 
  6. Where did Philip go after he left the Ethiopian? How did he get there? What do you think he did when he got there?
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Memory Challenge:

Acts 8:12 

“But when they believed Philip as he preached the things concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, both men and women were baptized.”

Children’s Bible Program – Level 3: NT Lesson 16 “Establishing Congregations (part 2)”

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Featured Passage: Acts 18

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NT-L3L16 Establishing Congregations part 2Download/Print

Paul traveled all around Asia minor, visiting the brethren and spreading the gospel wherever he went. Some places where he went, the people were not very receptive to his preaching, like in the city of Athens. In other places, the people were excited to hear about the truth and the congregations grew quickly! One of those places was the city of Corinth. Paul met a couple there named Aquila and Priscilla. Aquila was a tentmaker by trade, just like Paul! Paul stayed with them for a while, for there was a lot of work to do – making tents and teaching God’s message!

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Discuss:

  1. Who were Priscilla and Aquila? Why had they come to Corinth?
  2. On what day of the week was Paul preaching and persuading Jews and Gentiles? 
  3. What impact did Paul’s preaching have on the Corinthians in terms of baptisms? Were there any notable people baptized in Corinth?
  4. How long did Paul stay in Corinth? Where did he travel to when he left Corinth? Who traveled with him?
  5. Why did Paul stay only a short time in Ephesus? What was Paul’s purpose in going back through Antioch, Galatia, and Phrygia? Why do you think it was important for Paul to travel around to so many different places? 
  6. Who was Apollos? What did he do that attracted the attention of Aquila and Priscilla? What did Aquila and Priscilla do to help Apollos? Why was it important for Apollos to understand this doctrine?
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Memory Challenge:

Acts 18:9

“Now the Lord spoke to Paul in the night by a vision, “Do not be afraid, but speak, and do not keep silent; for I am with you, and no one will attack you to hurt you; for I have many people in this city.”

Children’s Bible Program – Level 2: NT Lesson 16 “Saul is Called”

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Featured Passage: Acts 9

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NT-L2L16 Saul is CalledDownload/Print

A young Pharisee named Saul was very zealous about God’s law, but sadly in the wrong way. He thought the brethren who were followers of Christ were trouble makers, so he wanted to get rid of them. He consented to Stephen’s death, and he dragged many men and women off to be thrown in prison for their belief in Jesus Christ. One day, Saul went to the high priest and asked for letters saying that if he found anyone in the synagogues following “the Way” (followers of Jesus Christ) he had the authority to arrest them. With the letters in his hands, he rushed off to Damascus, a nearby city, to find the brethren. Thankfully, God had other plans.

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Discuss:

  1. What do you think is meant by “the Way”? The brethren were not called Christians until later (Acts 11:26).
  2. What happened to Saul on the road to Damascus? How did he respond?
  3. Who did God send to anoint Saul so that he would receive his sight? What was his initial response to God about going to see Saul? Why do you think he hesitated?
  4. What was God’s plan for Saul? What is the first thing Saul did after baptism and receiving the Holy Spirit? 
  5. Why did Saul have to leave Damascus? How did he get away?
  6. How did the brethren in Jerusalem respond to Saul when he returned there? 
  7. Which of the brethren helped Saul and introduced him to the apostles?
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Memory Challenge:

Acts 9:15-16

“Go for he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel. For I will show him how many things he must suffer for My name’s sake.”

Children’s Bible Program – Level 3: NT Lesson 17 “Timothy Continues in the Faith”

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Featured Passage: 1 & 2 Timothy

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NT-L3L17 Timothy Continues in the Faith Download/Print

When Paul and Silas were traveling to visit brethren in some of the newly established congregations, they met a young man named Timothy. From the time he was a little boy, Timothy grew up learning about God’s way of life. His mother Eunice and grandmother Lois followed God and taught Timothy to do the same. Timothy had established a very good reputation with the brethren, so Paul wanted to take Timothy with him on his travels. He wanted to teach and train Timothy to become an evangelist – to serve the brethren and to preach the gospel of the kingdom. On one of their journeys, when they were in Ephesus, Paul noticed that the brethren there needed some more guidance, but he needed to continue traveling to Macedonia. So Paul decided to leave Timothy there to minister to them – but not without giving Timothy some guidance himself.

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Discuss:

  1. Timothy was quite young. Can you think of any challenges a young minister might have in a congregation? What might be some advantages?
  2. What were some points of advice that Paul gave Timothy as a young minister?
  3. What qualities was Timothy to look for in men before appointing them bishops (elders) and deacons? 
  4. In his second letter to Timothy, how did Paul describe the Holy Spirit (1 Tim 1:7)? 
  5. What instructions did Paul give concerning widows?
  6. What does it mean to “rightly divide the word of truth”? How do we prepare to do that?
  7. What are some characteristics that Paul mentions people will have at the end of the age? 
  8. After reading the two letters to Timothy, what verses stood out to you the most?
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Memory Challenge:

2 Timothy 3:16-17

“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

Children’s Bible Program – Level 2: NT Lesson 17 “Peter Meets Cornelius”

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Featured Passage: Acts 10

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NT-L2L17 Peter Meets CorneliusDownload/Print

Even though the brethren were being persecuted for their belief in Jesus Christ, the disciples continued to spread the gospel of the Kingdom of God and a way of life — “the Way”– everywhere they went. Many of the brethren at the time came from a Jewish background, and to the Jews, anyone who wasn’t Jewish was called a Gentile and was considered to be “unclean”. God did not want anyone to be considered “unclean” anymore, and He had a plan to spread the Gospel to many different kinds of people. To make His plan known, God chose to work through a man named Cornelius.

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Discuss:

  1. Who was Cornelius? What type of reputation did he have? Who did Cornelius worship?
  2. What did God tell Cornelius to do?
  3. What did Peter see in the vision while he was on the rooftop? What did Peter conclude the vision meant (Acts 10:28)? (Note: Many people wrongly conclude that this dream meant it was okay to eat unclean food.)
  4. Who was at the house with Cornelius when Peter came?
  5. What happened to Cornelius and his household while Peter was speaking? 
  6. What did Peter do after Cornelius had received the Holy Spirit? 
  7. What did Peter mean when He said “God shows no partiality”? God accepts all those who fear Him regardless of race, ethnicity, or nationality (Romans 2:11).
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Memory Challenge:

Acts 10:34-35

“In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality. But in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him.”

Children’s Bible Program – Level 2: NT Lesson 18 “Paul and Barnabas”

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Featured Passage: Acts 11-14

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NT-L2L18 Paul and BarnabasDownload/Print

After Peter had met and baptized Cornelius, Peter went to Jerusalem and explained to the brethren there that God intended people from all nations to be part of His Church. The Church was growing quickly, so the Apostles sent a man named Barnabas to Antioch to shepherd the flock there. It was in Antioch that the brethren were first called Christians. God was calling more and more people, so Barnabas went looking for Saul to help.

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Discuss:

  1. Why did Barnabas seek out Saul? Where did Barnabas find him? 
  2. What miracle did God perform after Peter had been thrown in prison?
  3. What were the disciples doing when Peter was in prison? 
  4. What other name did Saul use? 
  5. What were Paul and Barnabas sent out to do?
  6. What did the people in Lystra do to Paul and Barnabas after Paul healed a man who was born lame? What happened to Paul after some people from Antioch came to Lystra and stirred them up? 
  7. What happened to Paul in Derbe? Why do you think he went back into the city? 
  8. What kinds of things did Paul do at each congregation to ensure its stability?
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Memory Challenge:

Acts 14:22

“We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God.”

Children’s Bible Program – Level 3: NT Lesson 18 “Letters of John”

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Featured Passage: 1, 2, & 3 John

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NT-L3L18 Letters of JohnDownload/Print

John had been with Jesus from the beginning of His ministry. He left his work as a fisherman to follow Jesus and be a “fisher of men”. The young John and his brother James with their zealous, fiery disposition were called “sons of thunder” by Jesus Christ (Mark 3:17). Now John was old, and far from being a “son of thunder”, he became known as the apostle of love. John writes about godly love more than any other author in the New Testament. Many of the other Apostles had faced martyrdom including his brother James. The young Church was suffering persecution from the Jews and the Roman authorities, as heresies began causing problems among the brethren. John was one of the only ones left to address the problems.

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Discuss:

  1. What is sin? In what scripture does John give a definition for sin?
  2. What is the difference between committing a sin and practicing sin? What should Christians do when they commit a sin?
  3. What does John mean when he says we are not to love the world? How do we walk in the light?
  4. How did the Father and Jesus Christ show their love for mankind?
  5. How did John say we show our love for God?
  6. How are we assured that our prayers will be answered (1 John 5:14-15)?
  7. What did John say Christians should do if someone tries to bring them a false doctrine? What would you do if your friend tried to pressure you to do something you know is not right? Come up with a few scenarios and talk through what you would do.
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Memory Challenge:

1 John 5:2-3 

“By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and keep His commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome.”

Children’s Bible Program – Level 3: NT Lesson 19 “Letters to the Seven Churches”

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Featured Passage: Revelation 1-3

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NT-L3L19 Letters to the Seven ChurchesDownload/Print

John was one of the last living apostles. He suffered persecution from the Roman authorities, until finally, they exiled him to the isle of Patmos. While on the island, Jesus Christ revealed to John many things about the future. Jesus Christ gave warnings for seven churches that were established. While these seven churches were given these warnings in the first century, it is thought that these seven churches also represent seven eras, or time periods, of the church of God.  including warnings for each Church era. These warnings teach lessons which could apply to all Christians in any era.

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Discuss:

  1. How did John describe the One like the Son of Man who spoke to him? 
  2. What were some of the good works for which Christ commended the church at Ephesus? What correction did Christ have for the Ephesians?
  3. What did Christ warn the church of Smyrna that they would suffer? What promise did God give to those who overcame?
  4. For what did Jesus commend the Church at Pergamos? What did Christ warn them to repent of? Who was Balaam? 
  5. What good things did Christ have to say about the church at Thyatira? What did Christ promise those in Thyatira who held fast to the truth?
  6. What did Christ have to say about the church at Sardis? What did they need to do to be in the Kingdom of God?
  7. What do you think is meant by the Philadelphians having “an open door” (Colossians 4:3)? What did Christ promise them about the Great Tribulation? 
  8. What problems did Christ address with the Laodiceans? What will happen to the Laodiceans if they fail to repent? 
  9. What is the reward for those who overcome and endure to the end?
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Memory Challenge:

Revelation 3:20-21 

“Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me. To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.”

Children’s Bible Program – Level 2: NT Lesson 19 “Paul and Silas”

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Featured Passage: Acts 16-20

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NT-L2L19 Paul and SilasDownload/Print

After visiting many congregations, Paul and Barnabas returned to Jerusalem for a special conference. When the conference was over Paul wanted to return to the congregations and see how the brethren were doing. Barnabas decided he wanted to bring a young man named John Mark along with them on this trip, but Paul didn’t like the idea. He was opposed to him coming because he had left the previous tour before the mission was completed (Acts 13:13). Since Paul and Barnabas could not agree, Barnabas took John Mark and left for Cyprus, while Paul chose another man, Silas, to go with him.

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Discuss:

  1. Why were Paul and Silas put in jail at Philippi? What were they doing in the jail?
  2. What miracle did God perform so that Paul and Silas could be released from prison?
  3. What did the mob accuse Paul of in Thessalonica?
  4. What thing stood out in Paul’s mind about the city of Athens? Were there a lot of converts in Athens?
  5. What happened when Paul was in Ephesus? 
  6. What happened to Eutychus while Paul was speaking? 
  7. What did Paul tell the elders of the church from Ephesus? Why do you think the people were so sad when Paul left?
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Memory Challenge:

Acts 16:31

“They replied, ‘Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.’”