VERSES: Acts 6:1-7
MEMORY VERSE: Acts 6:7 "And the word of God increased..."
BOOK TO REMEMBER: Matthew. We are beginning the 27 books of the New Testament, so we will be memorizing "Matthew". Write the word, "Matthew," on small slips of paper, so the students can memorize the first book in the New Testament at home.
PRAYER: May we pray continually like the apostles did, thanking God for everything He gives us.
SPECIAL SONG: Read, Read Every Day (see February 2014 - Songs We Sing In Bible Class #1 on this blog. Click on orange circle to hear tune.)
VISUAL AID: Large Activity (see below) either drawn on a white board or chalkboard or on paper.
LESSON POINTS:
- The number of disciples or followers of Jesus kept growing and growing, but in time there was a problem. Because there were so many people staying in Jerusalem after the Day of Pentecost, the people who had land were selling it and then giving the apostles the money in order for the strangers from different countries around Jerusalem or the poor people to have food and the things that they needed. During this time, some of the Grecians or people from Greece complained that the Grecian widows were not receiving their daily portion of food. They said the Hebrew widows were receiving their food, but the Grecian widows were not, so the Grecians complained.
- The twelve apostles called all the disciples together and explained to them that it didn't make sense that the apostles should stop teaching the people the Word of God to serve tables or feed the people. They suggested that the people choose seven men who were honest, full of the Holy Spirit, and full of wisdom to set them over the business of serving the people. The apostles were going to devote themselves to prayer and to preaching and teaching the Word of God.
- This suggestion met with the people's approval and they chose seven men like the apostles asked. They chose Steven, a man who was full of the Holy Spirit and of faith, Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas, who was a convert from the city of Antioch. The men were placed in front of the apostles and the apostles laid their hands on them.
- The Word of God's influence increased and the number of disciples grew larger and larger in Jerusalem, even a great amount of the priests were obedient to the faith. The church was growing!
- "Laying the apostles' hands on someone" meant that, not only could the apostles perform miracles, but also that person on whom their hands had been placed could perform miracles. We find that Stephen in Acts 6:8 could perform great wonders and miracles after the apostles laid their hands on him Acts 6:6.
- There are no examples of anyone who had been the recipient of the apostles' laying on of hands, being able to pass the same ability on to someone else.
Materials needed: 9" x 12" yellow construction paper, crayons.
- Hand out yellow paper.
- Fold paper in half, lengthwise.
- Fold paper in thirds, width-wise.
- Unfold paper completely.
- Trace lines with dark crayon.
- In Box #1, draw a sad face and a happy face. Over the sad face, write "Grecians' widows." Over happy face, write "Hebrew widows."
- In Box #2, draw an apostle in front of a crowd of people saying, "Choose 7 men."
- In Box #3, write "#1. Honest" "#2. Full of Holy Spirit" and "#3. Full of wisdom."
- In Box #4, write "The apostles prayed and preached God's Word."
- In Box #5, number from 1-7. Write, Stephen, Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas.
- Draw a pair of hands.
- Fold up paper completely.
- On bottom box, write "A Problem And A Solution" and "Acts 6:1-7."
- Review lesson, using the students' papers.
- Fold papers up to take home.
