Teacher’s Guide: Ages 10-12 Prophets & Promises Part 1: Acts through Revelation Unit 4, Lesson 19 Paul and King Agrippa Lesson Aim: To pray for others to know Jesus and for opportunities to share our faith. (Salvation Message) THE WORSHIP Who God Is: The Spirit Who Connects Us THE WORD Bible Story: Acts 26:19-32 What He Has Done: God made Paul bold to speak about Jesus to King Agrippa. Key Verse: Acts 26:29 THE WAY Christ Connection: Lamentations 3:22-26 BIBLE MEMORY VERSE “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:38-39 Unit 4: The Promise of Connection Bible Story What He Has Done Lesson Aim 17 Paul’s Third Journey, God sent Paul to encourage the To know we can connect and Acts 18:23; 20:19-24, 35-38; churches he started or visited on his encourage the church. 21:13 first and second missionary journeys. 18 Paul Is Arrested in Jerusalem, God gave Paul boldness to tell his To know God gives us courage to Acts 21:27, 33-36, 40; 22:1, 3-4; story to the people of Jerusalem. share our own stories about Him 23:11, 23-24 and defend the truth. 19 Paul and King Agrippa, God made Paul bold to speak about To pray for others to know Jesus Acts 26:19-32 Jesus to King Agrippa. and for opportunities to share our faith. (Salvation Message) 20 Paul and the Shipwreck, God saved everyone on the ship just To understand that hardships Acts 27:14-44 as He had promised. strengthen our faith and are a part of God’s plan for our lives. 21 Paul Imprisoned in Rome, God called Paul to boldly teach the To challenge children to live a life Acts 28:23-31; Jews and the Gentiles about Jesus. faithful to God. Philippians 1:12-14 TEACHER’S ENCOURAGEMENT This week, read John 17:20-23. Please join us in praying, “Thank You, Lord, for the opportunities You give us to spread the gospel and to pray for those who hear it to believe. Help us inspire the children to pray for others to grow close to You. Amen.” Permission is granted to reproduce these materials. Not for resale. Use is subject to the Terms of Use available at ResourceWell.org. Terms are subject to change without notice. All other rights are reserved. THE WORSHIP, THE WORD & THE WAY ~ © 2011. Northland, A Church Distributed, Inc. ~ ResourceWell.org Prophets & Promises Unit 4, Lesson 19 ~ Ages 10-12 Page 1 of 13 Segment Minutes Activity Supplies THE Up to 15 Meet & Greet None WELCOME Game: Pray for the King A jewel (e.g., craft jewel, photograph or picture, colorful wrapped candy, costume jewel, etc.) THE Up to 20 Worship Unit 4 Bible Memory Verse Song: WORSHIP Sheet music and recordings for “Neither Death nor Life” Bible Memory Verse Songs Other Bible Memory Verse Song Suggestions: available at ResourceWell.org “Chosen People” “For God So Loved the World” “I Am the Way” “Where the Spirit of the Lord Is” “You Will Seek Me” Additional Hymn Suggestions: “How Great Thou Art” “Shout to the Lord” Worship Scripture Reading: Bible Romans 10:9-10 Offering Baskets Worship Illustration Lesson 19 Commander Cosmos script or storybook THE WORD Up to 10 Read the Word: Acts 26:19-32 Bibles, Bible Story Scripture reference poster, highlighters THE WAY Up to 25 Discuss the Word Bibles, Christ Connection Scripture reference poster, Christ Connection: highlighters Lamentation 3:22-26 Golden Bowl Golden Bowl, pencils, note cards Final 5 Final Five Minutes Treasure Treat—Crown jewel, W3s, paper, pencils, crayons or markers, prayer notebook, Unit 4 Bible Memory Verse Song “Neither Death nor Life” GOT TIME? Up to 10 Snack: Crown Jewels Colorful individual candies (e.g., jellybeans, candy- coated chocolates, etc.) Up to 10 Game: Prayer Chain Hula hoop or rope tied as a circle Up to 15 Salvation Demonstration: Large paper heart, masking tape Cross Your Heart Up to 10 Discussion: Kicking Against the Bible, optional: picture of oxen plowing a field with Goads a farmer holding a goad (stick) Up to 10 Craft: Paul’s Letter Keeper Notebook paper, envelope, star sticker, hole punch, glue, crayons or markers Up to 10 The Apostles’ Creed Study Poster or individual copies of The Apostles’ Creed Up to 10 Bible Memory Verse Activity: Two sets of Love Shuffle cards (available at Love Shuffle ResourceWell.org), Unit 4 Bible Memory Verse Song, Unit 4 Bible Memory Verse poster (or Bibles) Up to 5 Bible Memory Verse Activity: Unit 4 Bible Memory Verse poster or Bible Do the Wave Up to 5 Bible Timeline Review Date with story title or name printed on card RESOURCES: Supplemental materials are available at ResourceWell.org. THE WORSHIP, THE WORD & THE WAY ~ © 2011. Northland, A Church Distributed, Inc. ~ ResourceWell.org Prophets & Promises Unit 4, Lesson 19 ~ Ages 10-12 Page 2 of 13 Getting started T W HE ELCOME To spark anticipation, encourage arriving children to meet and greet one another with today’s question. Meet & Greet Question: Who is someone who prays for you? GAME: PRAY FOR THE KING Purpose: Through this game, children will discover that Paul prayed for others to believe in Jesus. Supplies: A jewel (e.g., craft jewel, photograph or picture, colorful wrapped candy, costume jewel, etc.) Today, we will learn about Paul and King Agrippa. Paul prayed for the king and everyone who was listening to him speak about Jesus. In a few minutes, we will discover why he prayed for them. First, let’s play a game about Paul praying for the king. Directions: 1. Children sit in a circle. 2. Choose one child to be Paul. Paul leaves the room or hides his or her eyes. 3. The other children place their hands in front of them. 4. Place the jewel in one child’s hand. That child is the king and closes his or her hands to hide the jewel. The remaining children close and hold their hands like the king to pretend they are also hiding the jewel. 5. Paul returns to the room or opens his or her eyes. 6. Paul tries to guess who is holding the jewel. To guess, Paul points to the child he or she thinks is holding the jewel and says, “Oh King, I pray for you.”  If the child is the king, Paul takes the king’s place and the king becomes the new Paul.  If the child is not the king, he or she says, “Thank you, but I am not the king.” Paul must go outside and a new king is chosen for Paul to guess. 7. If Paul does not guess correctly the second time, choose another child to play Paul. The first Paul takes that child’s place in the circle. 8. Play as many times as you like. Teacher Tip: Older children may discover they can watch the other children’s body language to more accurately guess the king. You may consider giving younger children 1 or 2 hints each time to help them find the king. Use clues such as “the king is a girl” or “the king is wearing sneakers.” THE WORSHIP, THE WORD & THE WAY ~ © 2011. Northland, A Church Distributed, Inc. ~ ResourceWell.org Prophets & Promises Unit 4, Lesson 19 ~ Ages 10-12 Page 3 of 13 The Spirit who connects us T W HE ORSHIP Teacher Tip: To help children identify time set aside for worship, designate a special corner or area for singing, collecting offering, and watching the worship illustration. Play music as children move to the designated area. Prior to worship, find a child or teenager who is willing to give his or her personal testimony. Today, we worship the Spirit who connects us to Jesus as our Savior. In today’s story, Paul told a king about the day Paul first believed in Jesus. Listen as name of child/teenager shares his/her story about how he/she came to believe in Jesus. Child or teenager gives his or her personal testimony. Jesus invites each of us to make that same decision. We can pray; admitting that we sin, believing Jesus died to save us from those sins, and asking Him to come into our hearts for life forever close to God. If any of you want to pray to Jesus about that now, raise your hand and I will lead you in a special prayer. The ABC Prayer below may be offered as a salvation prayer for any child expressing the desire to receive Christ as their Savior. If time allows, see the GOT TIME? SALVATION DEMONSTRATION: CROSS YOUR HEART. This demonstration is also included in Prophets & Promises Lesson 6. Invite children who want to ask Jesus to be their Savior and Lord to pray the ABC Prayer (or a similar prayer of salvation) with you. The ABC Prayer may also be found in the GOT TIME? segment. ABC PRAYER (Admit – Believe – Come) Lord Jesus, I Admit I am a sinner. I Believe You are the Lord who died to take my sins away. Please Come into my heart and I’ll follow You forever. In Jesus name, I pray. Amen. When you believe in Jesus, the Holy Spirit lives in your heart and connects you forever to Him. Nothing can ever separate you from His love. Sing the Unit 4 Bible Memory Verse Song: “Neither Death nor Life.” You may also choose to sing songs that focus on believing in Jesus as Savior. Sing: “I Am the Way” while collecting the offering. Read Romans 10:9-10. Perform Commander Cosmos script or read storybook: Prophets & Promises Unit 4, Lesson 19. THE WORSHIP, THE WORD & THE WAY ~ © 2011. Northland, A Church Distributed, Inc. ~ ResourceWell.org Prophets & Promises Unit 4, Lesson 19 ~ Ages 10-12 Page 4 of 13 Paul and King Agrippa T W HE ORD Teacher Tip: As you move from worship to instruction, change rooms or locations within a room to help redirect the children’s focus to the Bible story. During this transition time, have each child write his or her name on a card and place it in the Golden Bowl. Before we read God’s Word, let’s go over our Class Covenant. A covenant is an agreement. Just as God made a covenant with His people, I ask each of you to make this covenant promise with me today. Listen as I read our Class Covenant: “I will keep my eyes on my teacher, my mouth in control, my ears on God’s Word—knowing God is my goal.” Last time, we learned Paul was arrested in Jerusalem and transferred to Caesarea. If a map is available, point to Caesarea in Ancient Israel. In Caesarea, Governor Felix heard the Jews’ case against Paul and Paul’s defense. Paul was falsely accused of being a troublemaker. He told Felix that the true reason the Jews wanted him in jail was because he was teaching about the resurrection of the dead. Felix made no decision and held Paul in prison there for two years! Then, a new governor named Festus heard Paul’s case. Paul asked to present his case to the highest official, which was Caesar, the Roman emperor. Governor Festus agreed and asked King Agrippa to help him find out what charges to write against Paul before sending him to Caesar. If a Bible Timeline is available, point to Paul and King Agrippa (Circa 60 A.D.). Paul was in chains when he entered to see Governor Festus and King Agrippa. He told them how he was a faithful Jew who honored the Jewish law and even used to persecute Christians because he thought they were wrong. He explained how God changed him from an enemy of Jesus into a believer of Jesus. He explained that after the bright light flashed around him, Jesus spoke to him from heaven and sent him to tell others about Jesus. We will start reading where Paul explains he never disobeyed that vision or the teachings of the Scriptures. Follow along as we read. Let’s play Find It First! Bring out your Bible; keep it right in front of you. Hand out spare Bibles. Today’s Scripture verse is behind the curtain (or secret door, secret window, etc.). Child reveals the Bible Story Scripture reference: Acts 26:19-32. Let’s see who can Find It First. Ready? Set? Go! Children race to find it first. The winner helps others find it. Let’s highlight our Key Verse: Acts 26:29. Before we read, let’s stand and ask God to open our eyes, ears, hearts, and minds to His Word today. Who would like to pray that for us? Child prays aloud. Be seated. Read Acts 26:19-32. THE WORSHIP, THE WORD & THE WAY ~ © 2011. Northland, A Church Distributed, Inc. ~ ResourceWell.org Prophets & Promises Unit 4, Lesson 19 ~ Ages 10-12 Page 5 of 13 Pray for others to believe T W HE AY What did Paul tell King Agrippa? (Children respond.) Paul told him how he had been blinded by the light and then heard Jesus’ voice. He explained Jesus was the Savior that the prophets and Moses had promised would come. What did the king ask Paul about becoming a Christian? (“Do you think you can convince me in such a short time?”) What was Paul’s answer? (He prayed everyone who heard his words would believe.) Do you think the king decided to believe? (Children respond.) The Bible doesn’t say. Only God knows whether people truly believe, but we can always pray for ourselves and others to become closer with God. Pray for someone you know who does not yet believe in Jesus or someone who would like to be closer to God. We can also pray for God to give us opportunities to tell others about Jesus, as He did with Paul. Lead children in a moment of silent prayer asking God to bring people closer to Him and to give them opportunities to tell others about Jesus. Just as Paul didn't know if anyone who heard his defense became a believer, we may not know how God uses our prayers and conversations to build the faith of others. Today, during our worship time, name of child/teenager who spoke during THE WORSHIP shared his/her story about how he/she came to believe in Jesus. Would any of you like to share your story? Volunteers may share their testimony. If any children have questions about salvation, review the GOT TIME? SALVATION DEMONSTRATION: CROSS YOUR HEART. Which of these descriptions reminds you of yourself or someone you know?  Paul: He loved and obeyed Jesus and told others about Him. He wanted everyone to hear about Jesus and believe in Him.  Governor Festus: He thought believing in Jesus sounded crazy.  King Agrippa: He listened to Paul’s words but was not ready to believe in Jesus. You may feel like Paul and want everyone to believe in Jesus. Some of you may feel more like Governor Festus or King Agrippa, or you may know someone who feels that way. No matter who you are or how you feel, God loves you. He wants you to believe in His Son Jesus and follow Him with all your heart. He wants you to have life forever with Him. Connecting the Old Testament, the New Testament, and Us CHRIST CONNECTION Even though the governor and the king did not immediately believe in Jesus, Paul did not seem discouraged. He could pray with hope for them to one day believe and then he could wait on God’s timing because he trusted Him. Let’s see what was written about waiting on God’s timing over 500 years before Paul spoke to King Agrippa. FIND IT FIRST> Everyone, place your Bible closed on your lap. Choose a child to reveal the Christ Connection Scripture reference: Lamentations 3:22-26. Let’s see who can Find It First! Ready? Set? Go! Find it and highlight it. Read Lamentations 3:22-26. How can remembering God’s love, faithfulness, and goodness encourage you to wait and trust God’s timing in answering your prayers? (Children respond.) In what current situation do you need to pray and trust God’s timing? (Children respond.) THE WORSHIP, THE WORD & THE WAY ~ © 2011. Northland, A Church Distributed, Inc. ~ ResourceWell.org Prophets & Promises Unit 4, Lesson 19 ~ Ages 10-12 Page 6 of 13 T W HE AY continued… Revelation 5:8 GOLDEN BOWL Teacher Tip: Write the names of classmates, local church leaders, and children in other nations or others who need prayer on small pieces of paper. Place the papers in a golden bowl. Revelation 5:8 says our prayers are like sweet smelling incense in the golden bowls at God’s throne. I’m going to lift each one of your names to God’s throne as you pray for each person silently. Then, we will pray the Lord’s Prayer (Matthew 6:9-13) aloud together. Let’s pray. Lord God, we lift up to Your throne the name of each child here. We trust You to watch over us and our needs, the ones we say aloud and the ones hidden in our hearts. First, we lift up to You ___, ___, ___. Read names in Golden Bowl. Now, we pray the prayer Your Son taught us: Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen. When only 5 minutes remain, begin this segment. FINAL FIVE MINUTES TREASURE TREAT: Today, your Treasure Treat is a crown jewel. All who believe in Jesus are like priceless jewels whom He treasures and saves forever. Let this crown jewel remind you to pray for those you know who do not yet believe in Jesus, just as Paul prayed for the king. CHILDREN’S GUIDE FOR NEW BELIEVERS: Supply any child who prayed the ABC Prayer or other prayer of salvation today with a Children’s Guide for New Believers (available at ResourceWell.org) for the next steps in nurturing spiritual growth. Print the date and the child’s name on the inside cover. W3: Take home today’s W3 Journal Entry as your personal devotional study. Keep your journal entries together in a notebook or in your Bible. Distribute W3 Journal Entry #19. Complete this at home and let God speak to you through His own words in the Bible! OFFERING OF ART: Until it is time to be dismissed, make an Offering of Art. For your offering, draw a picture of Paul standing with his hands bound in chains as he tells King Agrippa, Governor Festus, and others there about Jesus. PRAYER REQUESTS: As children work on their Offering of Art, ask how you can pray for them this week. Write their prayer requests in a prayer notebook. BIBLE MEMORY VERSE SONG: Play the Unit 4 Bible Memory Verse Song, “Neither Death nor Life,” in the background as children wait to be dismissed. THE WORSHIP, THE WORD & THE WAY ~ © 2011. Northland, A Church Distributed, Inc. ~ ResourceWell.org Prophets & Promises Unit 4, Lesson 19 ~ Ages 10-12 Page 7 of 13 If time remains, choose from the connected activities below. G T ? OT IME SNACK: CROWN JEWELS Purpose: Children will eat a snack while considering sharing their faith with others. Snack Suggestion: Colorful individual candies (e.g., jellybeans, candy-coated chocolates, etc.) Today’s colorful snack reminds us of the colorful jewels that decorate a king’s crown. What was the name of the king in today’s story? (King Agrippa.) Paul wanted the king and who heard him speak to know about Jesus and to believe in Him as their Lord and Savior. You can boldly tell others about Jesus, just like Paul did. Directions: 1. Serve snack and drink. 2. Child prays to thank God for the snack. 3. Ask the Snack Discussion Question: “Who could you tell about Jesus?” GAME: PRAYER CHAIN Purpose: Children share the names of those they can pray for. Supplies: Hula hoop or rope tied as a 3 foot wide circle. Prepare: None Paul was bound in chains when he spoke to King Agrippa. Paul prayed for him and everyone who heard him speak to become a follower of Jesus. In this game, we will form a human chain. As we pass through the hula hoop, we will each name one person we can pray for. Directions: 1. Children stand in a circle and hold hands in a circle. 2. Position the hula hoop between two children so their clasped hands are inside the hoop. 3. The child to the left of the hula hoop names one person he or she can pray for and then climbs through the hoop without unclasping hands. 4. Repeat step 3 until the entire circle has made its way through the hula hoop. 5. If time allows, play again and see how quickly the children can get everyone through the hoop. Competitive Version: Divide children into two teams. Each team stands in a straight line and hold hands. Teams race to see which team is the first to finish. THE WORSHIP, THE WORD & THE WAY ~ © 2011. Northland, A Church Distributed, Inc. ~ ResourceWell.org Prophets & Promises Unit 4, Lesson 19 ~ Ages 10-12 Page 8 of 13 G T ? OT IME continued… SALVATION DEMONSTRATION: CROSS YOUR HEART Purpose: This simple demonstration gives children a visual picture of the salvation message. Supplies: Large paper heart, masking tape Teacher Tip: This object lesson is designed to be very simple. Put it into your own words, but keep it brief so children can easily remember it. CROSS YOUR HEART was taught in Prophets & Promises Lesson 6. If it is familiar to the children, you may want to invite a child who remembers this demonstration to show it to the group with your assistance. Directions: 1. This heart shows God’s love for us. Show the paper heart. 2. We are separated from God’s love by our wrongdoing or sin. Tear the heart in half. 3. God sent His Son, Jesus, to die on the cross for us. His death paid for our sins, so we could be forgiven and close to God again. Use two pieces of intersecting tape to make a cross and tape the two pieces of the heart back together. 4. Anyone can ask Jesus for that forgiveness. When we believe and follow Jesus, His Spirit stays with us in our hearts forever. Nothing can separate us from God’s love. Hold the heart close to your chest. 5. If you would like to ask Jesus into your heart and be close to God forever, you may pray this prayer with me. Invite children who wish to pray a prayer of salvation to pray the ABC Prayer below (or a similar prayer of salvation) with you now. ABC PRAYER (Admit – Believe – Come) Lord Jesus, I Admit I am a sinner. I Believe You are the Lord who died to take my sins away. Please Come into my heart and I’ll follow You forever. In Jesus name, I pray. Amen. 6. If you do not want to pray now, know that anytime you are ready, you can ask Him to come into your heart, and He will! 7. Supply any child who prayed the ABC Prayer today with a Children’s Guide for New Believers (available at ResourceWell.org) for next steps in nurturing spiritual growth. Print the date and the child’s name on the inside cover. DISCUSSION: KICKING AGAINST THE GOADS Purpose: To understand the story of Paul (Saul) attempting to stop others from believing in Jesus. Supplies: Bible, optional: picture of oxen plowing a field with a farmer holding a goad (stick) Paul explained to King Agrippa that before he believed in Jesus, Paul had done everything possible to stop people from believing. He persecuted them by punishing them or putting them in prison for their faith. Listen carefully as I read what Jesus said to Paul about this on the road to Damascus. Read Acts 26:14. A goad is a long, pointed, wooden stick used by farmers to keep an ox moving or to turn it in the right direction. An ox not wanting to turn the right way would often kick back. Kicking against the goads was painful for the ox and it never stopped the farmer from turning it. When Paul refused to believe in Jesus and insisted on persecuting the believers, he was being as stubborn as an ox that kicks against the goads. THE WORSHIP, THE WORD & THE WAY ~ © 2011. Northland, A Church Distributed, Inc. ~ ResourceWell.org Prophets & Promises Unit 4, Lesson 19 ~ Ages 10-12 Page 9 of 13 G T ? OT IME continued… CRAFT: PAUL’S LETTER KEEPER Purpose: To create a collection of verses from Paul’s letters as the children learn of Paul’s travels and his writings. Supplies: Notebook paper, envelope, star sticker, hole punch, glue, crayons or markers Prepare: For any children who did not begin the craft in Lesson 12, provide materials for a cover (See lesson 12.) and maps of Paul’s second missionary journey, Paul’s third missionary journey, and Paul’s journey to Rome (available at ResourceWell.org). Display the following text for all to copy (or preprint for younger children): Dear friends in Thessalonica, “Finally, brothers, pray for us that the message of the Lord may spread rapidly and be honored, just as it was with you.” (2 Thessalonians 3:1) Your friend, Paul Teacher Tip: This craft is designed to continue through Units 3-4 (Lesson 12-21). For each lesson, children add a new letter to their Letter Keeper. They can take their Letter Keeper home and bring it back for each lesson, or the teacher can collect them after each lesson and give them their completed Letter Keepers at the end of Unit 4. Option: Each of Paul’s letters in the Letter Keeper craft can be created as an individual craft instead of part of a collection. Paul started many churches while on his journeys. He also returned to visit the same churches many times. He wrote letters to help them know how to love God and follow Jesus. We can find many of Paul’s letters in the New Testament of the Bible. Let’s imagine we are helping Paul collect copies of his letters. With each story we learn, we will add an envelope containing one of his messages. Today, we discovered Paul prayed for King Agrippa and everyone else listening to believe in Jesus as Lord. A few years earlier while Paul was in Corinth on his second missionary journey, he wrote a letter to his friends in Thessalonica. He asked the Thessalonians to pray for him and his friends as they told people about Jesus. The Thessalonians may have been praying for Paul as he told King Agrippa about Jesus! Let’s add part of Paul’s letter to the Thessalonians in our Letter Keepers. Directions: 1. Copy the words of 2 Thessalonians 3:1 onto a sheet of notebook paper. Decorate the paper with a picture of our favorite story about Jesus. 2. Address the envelope to “The Church at Thessalonica.” Write “From Paul in Corinth” as the return address. 3. Punch holes in the envelope to match the holes in your Letter Keeper. 4. Unclasp the binding of your Letter Keeper. Add the new envelope and re-clasp. 5. Place the verse from 2 Thessalonians inside the envelope. 6. On the map of Paul’s second missionary journey, place a star sticker on the city of Thessalonica to show where Paul sent this letter. THE WORSHIP, THE WORD & THE WAY ~ © 2011. Northland, A Church Distributed, Inc. ~ ResourceWell.org Prophets & Promises Unit 4, Lesson 19 ~ Ages 10-12 Page 10 of 13