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The Jerusalem Council

Bible Passage: Acts 15

Kids Church: May 9, 2021

Volume 11: The Church United. Unit 33: A Firm Foundation. Session 1 of 4

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

The Jerusalem Council

The church in Antioch praised God for His grace to Paul on his first missionary journey. Though Paul and Barnabas were strongly opposed in some places, many people heard the gospel and believed. Paul and Barnabas took the gospel to both Jews and Gentiles. But a problem arose when some Christians began saying that the new followers of Jesus—the Gentile believers—needed to obey the Law of Moses in order to be right with God.

Paul and Barnabas debated this issue with other church leaders in Jerusalem. They met together to answer a tough question: Can a person be saved by faith alone or was something more needed? When Paul addressed the council, he insisted that God saves Gentiles the same way He saves Jews: through the grace of the Lord Jesus.

Paul testified to the things God had done among the Gentiles. God had given Gentiles the Holy Spirit. James cited the prophets Amos and Isaiah in support. The group agreed that because of Jesus’ death and resurrection, He alone is all we need to be saved. They also agreed that they should not make salvation more difficult for Gentiles by adding unnecessary rules.

The church chose two men—Judas and Silas—to go with Paul and Barnabas to the church at Antioch. They wrote a letter for the Gentile believers there, encouraging them and giving them instructions for how to live as followers of Christ.

The message for the Gentile believers was important: Whether Jew or Gentile, salvation comes only through faith in Christ. No one is saved by the law but by grace alone. Emphasize to the kids you teach that, while the Bible does give us plenty of instruction for how to live, sinners are made right with God only by the grace of Jesus. Salvation is a gift. To receive this gift, Jesus is all we need.

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 You God for for sacrificing Your Son Jesus on the Cross to take our just punishment of death. Thank You Jesus for Your obedience to the Father and suffer the pain and death on the Cross. Thank You for the victory over death by raising Jesus from the grave on the third day! Because He is risen, the children of God shall inherit eternal life. Thank You God!
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

Let's dwell on the holiness of God and His expectation of us, too.

Leader - Ask the Big Picture Question

Everyone reply with the Big Picture Answer

Everyone memorize the Scripture verses CSB version

NIV

Leader: Salvation comes only through faith in Jesus. Only Jesus lived a sinless life and was the perfect sacrifice for our sins. We can never earn salvation on our own through behaving a certain way or doing certain things. Salvation is the free gift of God offered to us because of His grace and love.

Let's all sing “In No One Else" (Acts 4:12).

Everyone sing the Scripture song CSB version

Everyone open your Bible and read aloud Psalm 13:5-6.

Leader: Out of His mercy and grace, God has given us salvation through Jesus and eternal life. Let’s thank Him for this free gift of love that He offers to us! Rejoice in the gift of salvation!

Let’s sing together “Come, Ye Sinners, Poor and Needy.”

Praise & Prayer Time

Invite kids to pray items below:

Share praises from this past week of what God did 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 work, in-person and virtual learning to manage time, technology, and meals for this semester.
Let's thank God for our mothers on Mother's Day. Think of one thing you are thankful to God for your mom.
Lord, thank You for the free gift of salvation You give us through Your Son. Thank You that while we were held captive by sin, You rescued us. Thank You for providing everything we need to be saved. You are all we need. May we live our lives in a way that pleases You. In the Name of Jesus we pray, Amen.

Bible Lesson Time

Leader - Read the main story point below

Watch the Bible Story video

Christ Connection: We have been talking about the importance of having a firm foundation when it comes to our faith. There are some things we must know in order to provide this strong foundation. The church leaders met in Jerusalem to answer a tough question: Can a person be saved by faith alone or is something more needed? The early church agreed that because of Jesus’ death and resurrection, He alone is all we need to be saved.

Apply the Bible Lesson

Guide kids to open their Bibles to Acts 15. Explain that the Book of Acts tells about the early church and its growth around the world.

Choose a volunteer to read aloud Acts 15:11.

LEADER SAY • Throughout Acts, God reminds Christians that the gospel is for everyone and that salvation only comes through faith in Jesus.

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 Peter say the Gentiles were saved? (drop down for answer) ----->>

Prompt kids to recall that all believers—Jews and Gentiles—are saved by grace through faith in Jesus. Nothing else is needed for salvation.

(Option: Choose a volunteer to read Rom. 3:27-30.)

2. Why can’t our works gain or add to our salvation? (drop down for answer) ----->>

Help kids express there is nothing we could ever do to gain or add to our salvation. Nothing we try is good enough because it’s less than perfect. Jesus did everything needed for our salvation through His perfect life, His substitute’s death, and His resurrection. Our salvation is complete in Jesus.

(Option: Choose a volunteer to read Eph. 2:8-9.)

3. Where do we find answers to tough questions we have about God? (drop down for answer) ----->>

Lead kids to recognize that we can find answers to our questions in God’s Word. God’s Word shows us who He is and can guide us as we live for Him. There are some things we won’t know the answers to here on earth, but because we know who God is, we can trust Him and His plan for our life.

(Option: Choose a volunteer to read Ps. 119:105.)

Leader Say: The Jerusalem Council answered one of the most important questions of our faith: How is a person saved? Through our story today, we learn that salvation comes only through faith in Jesus. Nothing else is needed.

Application: Questions from Kids

Leader Say: As you watch this video, think about how you know if something you hear about Jesus is true.

After the video discuss when and where you can read the Bible for yourselves.

Sing the Song of Response below

A Missions Moment

Leader: Salvation comes only through faith in Jesus. That’s the reason we want to tell everybody around the world about Jesus. Without Him, they cannot have eternal life. William Carey, a missionary hundreds of years ago, wanted to make sure that people in India heard about Jesus.

Watch the missions video. Then pray, thanking God for missionaries who first brought the gospel to new countries.

A KCCC Missionary Cared for by Kids Ministry

Kaiyi Chen & Lisa Jan

Pastor Kaiyi is a personal friend of Pastor John and Mrs. Catherine. They left to the mission field on April 29, 2021, and they have safely arrived in Lima, Peru where they planned to commit 2 years in the field. Let's pray for them.

You can read their 1st NEWSLETTER HERE, May, 2021.

Country Peru

Kaiyi and Lisa both grew up in Taiwan and have lived in Houston, Texas for the last 20 years where he has served as the Children’s Pastor at Fort Bend Community Church since 2011. They are serving in Lima, where they will be engaging with the ministry and the local community.

Kaiyi loves working with families and empowering parents to be the spiritual leaders of their homes. He serves as the liaison between Kids Alive Peru and local churches. He also helps direct the children and family mentoring programs. Lisa provides support for various ministry projects in conjunction with caring for their young children.

Kaiyi and Lisa have two children. Sophia is 8 years old and Connor is 5 years old. They both enjoy swimming and listening to stories.

Happy Mother's Day!!

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 those who are sick or lost of job.
For our family, our church, our nation our leaders to repent to honor and follow God.
For the Fasolinos and for the church in Toronto.
For Pastor Kaiyi Chen and family settling down in Lima, Peru, and getting ready for the missionary work.

William Carey: Bearer of Good News (Heroes for Young Readers) | Biography Story for Kids

A book reading. 7:30 mins.

William Carey - Father of Modern Missions

A short documentary. 21:45 mins.

Candle In The Dark (1998) | Full Movie | Richard Attlee | Lynette Edwards | Julie-Kate Olivier

A full movie drama. 1:34:49 mins.

An adult Class Lecture

An adult class lecture. 48:05 mins.

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