Working
WELCOME TO WEEK 3
God has called each of us to spread the good news of Jesus Christ. This might seem like an overwhelming task! How do we know what to say or who to say it to? God does not expect us to do it alone. God has given us the Holy Spirit to help us do God’s work. He will guide us and tell us what He wants from us. We simply need to trust and obey. This week we will see how the disciples asked God to help them make a difficult decision as they continued their ministry.
BIBLE STORY
We all have a job to do that God has given us. Listen to these jobs that need to be done, and decide who would do the job best.
Drive a semi-truck (truck driver)
Do surgery on your broken arm (doctor)
Fly across the country (pilot)
Fix a leaky water pipe (plumber)
Teach a class to read and write (teacher)
Comforts those who are facing death or losing a loved one (chaplain)
Bandage wounds and give medicine (nurse)
Invent a new medicine or product (scientist)
Designs a machine to make jobs easier (engineer)
Helps others study and understand the Bible (pastor)
Every job we do can be done for God. God does not just use one type of person or job to accomplish his work, but he uses each one of us to serve others. The disciples needed to add a new disciple to their group after Judas betrayed Jesus. They wanted someone who could continue to spread the gospel of Jesus to everyone. They did not know who God would choose but they asked God to help them decide. The 12 disciples had a special task, but there were many others who God also used to do His work.
Read or listen to the Bible reading Acts 1:15-17, 21-26
What were the disciples trying to decide? (Who would take the place of Judas as a disciple)
What were they seeking wisdom for? (To know the right person to choose)
What did they want the new disciple to have done? (He needed to be with them the entire time as a witness of what Jesus had done?
What did they do to help them determine which names to consider? (The nominated 2 names of men who had been a witness of Jesus resurrection)
After they chose 2 names, how did they pick the final person? (They prayed and then cast lots to see who God had chosen)
Who was the new disciple to take Judas’ place? (Matthias)
BIBLE STORY ACTIVITY
Activity
What are some jobs you do at home that you need help to do? What are some jobs at school that you need help to do? What are some jobs God may be asking you to do for him that you need the Holy Spirit to help you? As a family, work together to accomplish the following task. Create a skit or play to act out and record with your family about any story in the Bible. You can use a familiar story or the story from this week. Work together and be sure every member has a part or job to do. If desired, record your video to watch later.
Materials: Household items for costumes and props for a play
Alternate
Think about the twelve disciples. They were each different and had different strengths but together they all did God’s work. Print the person outlines and decorate them as the 12 disciples. On the back of each disciple, write a brief description or something you know that disciple did.
Materials: Printed person outlines, crayons or colored pencils, scissors, bible for reference
Independent activity:
Complete the following activity sheet
Materials: printed activity sheet
ARTS & CAFTS
CRAFT 1
Coloring page
Materials: printed coloring sheet, crayons
Craft 2
Coloring page
Materials: printed coloring sheet, crayons
FOLLOW-UP
1 John 5:9-13 says that God has a testimony and it is of his son Jesus Christ. Those who believe in the son of God accept this testimony. “And this is the testimony,; God has given eternal life, and this life is in his son. Whoever has the son has life; whoever does not have the son of God does not have life.”
When we believe in the testimony of Jesus Christ we can have eternal life. Jesus calls us to share our testimony of what Jesus has done for us, too. When we share our testimony we are spreading the good news of what Jesus has done so that others will know how much God loves them as well.
What is your testimony?
What is something God has done for you?
Have you ever seen something unbelievable happen and know it was from God?
Have you heard a testimony from your parents or church leaders?
How does hearing someone else’s testimony strengthen our walk with God?
Practical Application at Home
There is not just one job we can do for God. We can choose to be something when we grow up that is a part of God’s work. When we think of what we want to be when we grow up, we can also think about how that work can honor and serve God. We don’t have to wait until the future to serve God, we can do things for God right now. Think of some things you can do for God this week. Here is a list to get you started.
-Help your parents with chores around the house
-Help you siblings with things they can’t do by themselves
-Be kind and take care of your pets
-Help your teacher with a cheerful attitude
-Smile at classmates as you walk by
-Do your homework on times
-Complete your tasks on time and cheerfully
-Say kind words to family, friends and classmates
-Choose to play someone else’s game first
-Let someone cut in front of you in line
Additional Resources
Outings to Reinforce Lesson
Donate to a local food shelter or toy drive this Christmas season. As a family, volunteer together or pick out toys you think another child your age might enjoy.