Dear FPC Families,

Greetings and Happy Mother’s Day to all the Moms, Grandmoms, Aunties, and Like-a-Moms out there! I hope you enjoy spending the day with family, and of course, spoiling the special ladies in your family just a bit.

Today’s lesson is about Peter and John and the focus is on community service. Enjoy this time worshipping together, and have a great week!

Step 1: Read the Scripture

Today’s scripture comes from the 3^rd and 4^th chapters of Acts, which is quite lengthy. I have excerpted key parts here. Please read this scripture passage aloud with your family.

Acts 3:1-4:22 (excerpted from The Message)

One day at three o’clock in the afternoon, Peter and John were on their way into the Temple for prayer meeting. At the same time there was a man crippled from birth being carried up. Every day he was set down at the Temple gate, the one named Beautiful, to beg from those going into the Temple. When he saw Peter and John about to enter the Temple, he asked for a handout. Peter, with John at his side, looked him straight in the eye and said, “Look here.” He looked up, expecting to get something from them.

Peter said, “I don’t have a nickel to my name, but what I do have, I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk!” He grabbed him by the right hand and pulled him up. In an instant his feet and ankles became firm. He jumped to his feet and walked.

The man went into the Temple with them, walking back and forth, dancing and praising God. Everybody there saw him walking around and praising God. They recognized him as the one who sat begging at the Temple’s Gate Beautiful and rubbed their eyes, astonished, scarcely believing what they were seeing.

The man threw his arms around Peter and John, ecstatic. All the people ran up to where they were at Solomon’s Porch to see it for themselves.

Turn to Face God

When Peter saw he had a congregation, he addressed the people:

…

 “Now it’s time to change your ways! Turn to face God so he can wipe away your sins, pour out showers of blessing to refresh you, and send you the Messiah he prepared for you, namely, Jesus. For the time being he must remain out of sight in heaven until everything is restored to order again just the way God, through the preaching of his holy prophets of old, said it would be.

…

Nothing to Hide

While Peter and John were addressing the people, the priests, the chief of the Temple police, and some Sadducees came up, indignant that these upstart apostles were instructing the people and proclaiming that the resurrection from the dead had taken place in Jesus. They arrested them and threw them in jail until morning, for by now it was late in the evening. But many of those who listened had already believed the Message—in round numbers about five thousand!

…

[The leaders planned to put Peter and John on trial.]

…

[Eventually, Peter and John were released from jail.] The leaders couldn’t come up with a charge that would stick, that would keep them in jail. The people wouldn’t have stood for it—they were all praising God over what had happened. The man who had been miraculously healed was over forty years old.

Step 2: Watch the Video

Watch this video together.

Step 3: Discussion

1. How was Peter able to heal the sick man?
2. What did the man do after he was healed?
3. How did the religious leaders respond to what Peter did? Why?
4. Talk about ways that you and your family can serve the community. Share your experiences and ask children for their ideas of ways to help.

Step 4: Pray Together

Dear God: Thank you for the stories of Jesus after the Resurrection. Help us to keep the spirit of Easter alive in our hearts as we serve our community as we are called to do.

Amen.

Step 5: Activity Time

After Peter healed him, the beggar went into the Temple “dancing and praising God”! Our family activity this week is to have your own family dance party. Let each person pick their favorite song and have fun dancing together! Don’t be afraid to be silly and show off your best moves!

Take care! I miss you all!

Miss Karen