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Stephen's Sermon

Bible Passage: Acts 6-7

Kids Church: January 17, 2021

Volume 10: The Mission Begins. Unit 29: The Early Church. Session 2 of 4

Leading Parent, please read below for an overview of today's lesson (drop down) ----->>

Stephen's Sermon

Stephen was one of the seven men chosen to serve as leaders in the early church at Jerusalem. (See Acts 6:1-7.) God blessed Stephen and gave him power to do wonders and miracles like some of the apostles.

Some of the Jews accused Stephen of blasphemy and dragged him to the Sanhedrin, a group of Jewish leaders who acted as a legal council. Stephen addressed the group. He drew from the Jewish history, which the leaders of the Sanhedrin would have known well. But Stephen taught from the Old Testament things the Jewish leaders had likely never realized.

As Stephen preached, he showed how the Old Testament pointed to a coming Savior and how that Savior was Jesus. Stephen pointed out that the Jews’ ancestors had rejected God’s prophets. And they were just like their fathers; they rejected the Messiah, the Lord Jesus. Not only did they reject Jesus, they killed Him!

The Jewish leaders rushed at Stephen. As he faced his enemies, Stephen looked into heaven and saw God’s glory. Jesus was standing at God’s right hand. The Jews forced Stephen out of the city, and they stoned him.

Remind kids of Jesus’ words in Matthew 10:22: “You will be hated by everyone because of my name. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.” Following Jesus will include difficulty and suffering. Jesus gives words of both warning and comfort: “Don’t be afraid” (Matt. 10:26).

Stephen was killed because he was a Christian. Jesus told His followers that they would be persecuted—hated, hurt, or even killed—for loving Him. (Mark 13:9-13; John 16:2) Jesus also said that those who suffer for Him would be blessed. (Matt. 5:11) Stephen was not afraid to die because he saw Jesus waiting for him in heaven. We can face suffering in this life because we know great joy is waiting for us in heaven.

Opening Prayer for Kids Church Worship

Dad (or Mom) lead your family

Praise God for His attributes: holiness, greatness, grace, love, mercy, etc.
Thank God for sending His Son Jesus to save us from our sins.
Thank God for His goodness, provision, forgiveness, etc.
Thank God for carrying us through 2020.
Ask God for His Holy Spirit to prepare our hearts, minds, and spirits to worship God and learn the lesson He has for us today.
God, we are here to worship, adore, and exalt You. Speak and teach us through Your Word. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

You may ask all the kids to take turn to pray as well.

Pledges - recite out loud together

Right hand to your heart

Bible raised high in the air

Praise & Worship singing to God together

Leader - Ask the Big Picture Question

Everyone reply with the Big Picture Answer

Everyone memorize the Scripture verses CSB version

NIV

Leader: Everyone who trusts in Jesus is part of the church—the body of Christ. Like Stephen, all believers can face suffering in this life because Jesus suffered first. He died and then rose again, and He is waiting for us in heaven. Let's all sing “We Who are Many" (Romans 12:5).”

Everyone sing the Scripture song CSB version

Everyone open your Bible and read aloud Romans 12:18-19

Leader: Jesus said those who suffer for Him would be blessed. When we face suffering for our faith, we can trust God. One day He will make all things right. Let’s sing together “One Foundation.”

Praise & Prayer Time

Share praises from this past week of what you see God's been doing in your lives.
Confess and repent of our sins. Pray to God for His holiness and purity in our lives.
Ask God to forgive us, and ask the Holy Spirit to help us in self-control.
Share prayer requests with each other. Pray for each other.
Ask God to give wisdom for parents, school teachers and kids for virtual learning to manage time, technology, and meals for this semester.
Let's pray that God will raise many good Christian men and women to serve in public offices, so that the ones who govern over us would fear the Lord, walk humbly, and act justly.
Father God, we pray for the believers all over the world who face persecution because they follow You. We pray You would give them comfort and strength. Guide them as they work to tell others about You. You are worth any suffering we face in this life, and we look forward to the day we will be with You face-to-face. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Bible Lesson Time

Leader - Read the main story point below

Watch the Bible Story video

Christ Connection: Stephen faced persecution. Persecution is when someone is hated, hurt, or killed for what he or she believes. Stephen was killed because he was a Christian. Jesus told His followers that they would be persecuted—hated, hurt, or even killed—for loving Him. Jesus also said that those who suffer for Him would be blessed. We can face suffering in this life because Jesus suffered first. He died and then rose again, and He is waiting for us in heaven. Those who trust in Jesus will live with Him forever.

Apply the Bible Lesson

Guide kids to open their Bibles to Acts 7. Challenge kids to name the divisions of the New Testament. (Gospels, New Testament History, Paul’s Letters, General Letters, New Testament Prophecy) Remind kids that the Book of Acts is New Testament History. It shows how the Holy Spirit worked in the lives of those in the early church and how the gospel spread to all the world.

LEADER SAY • Stephen was one of the men chosen by Jesus’ disciples to serve in the early church. He was falsely accused of speaking against God, but that did not stop Stephen from telling the truth. Stephen preached about Jesus no matter what.

Choose a volunteer to read aloud Acts 7:54-55.

Ask the following questions. Lead your family to discuss:

(Take your time to ask, let the kids to ponder and answer the following questions)

1. How did Stephen show love to those who hated him? (drop down for answer) ----->>

Guide kids to recognize that even as he was being killed, Stephen prayed for those who were hurting him. He asked God to forgive them. Point out that Jesus also prayed for His enemies as He died on the cross.

(Option: Choose a volunteer to read Luke 23:34.)

2. How do you think Stephen was able to face suffering so courageously? (drop down for answer) ----->>

Emphasize to kids that the Bible is clear that when we do God’s work, He is working through us. We may feel afraid when facing suffering, but we can ask the Holy Spirit to give us peace and courage.

(Option: Choose a volunteer to read John 16:33.)

3. Have you ever been laughed at or made fun of because you go to church or read your Bible? Would you ever change your mind about Jesus because you didn’t want to feel left out or embarrassed? (drop down for answer) ----->>

Lead kids to discuss persecution and how it makes them feel. Explain that in some countries, it is illegal to own a Bible or tell others about Jesus. Even today, Christians in many nations face imprisonment or death for their faith in Jesus. They are not allowed to meet with other believers to worship God or read His Word.

(Option: Choose a volunteer to read Matt. 5:11-12.)

Sing the Response Song below

A Missionary Moment

Leader: The first churches had a lot to learn about how to honor Jesus and do right by others. Ananias and Sapphira lied about their gift to the church. They needed the Holy Spirit to change their hearts so that they would do what is right. For the next few sessions, we’re going to learn about two cities in the U.S. that need more churches and Christians who will help the people living there know Jesus.

Closing Prayer - Leader

Praise and thanksgiving to God that the Holy Spirit helps us to listen and obey God.
Protection from the COVID-19.
Productive at home this week.
For others who are sick or lost of job.
For the United States to turn back to honor and follow God.

2020 KCCC Christmas Shoeboxes

Dear church family, thank you all for your support and generous giving the Lord's Kingdom outreach especially during the pandemic! We have exceeded our goal of 75 shoesboxes with blessing 98 kids somewhere in the world with Christmas gifts and the ultimate Christmas Gift, that is Jesus Christ. God bless you.

Pastor John Chen on behalf of the pastoral staff

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The bold Scottish missionary Mary Slessor has gone deeper into the Nigerian jungle than any other, bringing with her medicine, education, and the life-changing message of the Gospel. When a young mother arrives on her doorstep in the dead of night with newborn twins, Mary receives an even more challenging call from God: go bring peace and Good News to the Okoyong people, where a powerful witch doctor is terrorizing the most vulnerable to appease a vindictive god. In spite of strong warnings from Brits and Nigerians alike, Mary follows Christ even farther into the jungle. With the Okoyong people’s chief near death and the lives of more innocent people on the line, can Mary’s Savior save them all? Discover the story of this courageous peacemaker in the latest episode of the Torchlighters!

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