READ: Acts 15:1

DISCUSS: Imagine you’re playing a board game with your friends, but they keep changing the rules to stop you from winning. How would you feel? You would probably call them out for unfair behavior and ask them to play by the correct rules!

The early church was made up of both Jewish and Gentile believers. Some of the Jewish believers began teaching that Gentiles could be saved by trusting in Jesus and living according to the Jewish laws. Jesus actually taught that a person is saved by faith alone, so many of the Gentiles felt like the Jewish believers were adding unfair rules to keep them from salvation. Something had to be done, so many of the leaders gathered in Jerusalem to solve the disagreement.

Peter, Paul, Barnabas, and James agreed that all people—Jews and Gentiles—are saved by God’s grace through Jesus. Salvation is a gift from God that is given to all who put their faith in who Jesus is and in what He has done. The men wrote a letter to the Gentile believers to share their decision and to teach them of how to live as followers of Jesus. The letter encouraged all the believers and helped them continue to grow in their faith.

Christ Connection: 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.

WATCH: The Church Met Together

LEARN: "Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous deeds among all peoples." - Psalm 96:3

PRAY: Jesus, thank You for giving Your life to save sinners. We praise You because You are all we need for salvation! Amen!

APPLY: Learn the big picture question and answer and practice asking and answering randomly throughout the week together.

Q: What is our mission as Christians?

A: Our mission is to make disciples of all nations by the power of the Holy Spirit.

READ: Acts 15:36–18:4

DISCUSS: Walter Cronkite hosted the CBS Evening News from 1962 to 1982. For nearly 20 years, Cronkite ended every newscast by saying, “And that’s the way it is.” This phrase was heard over and over by millions of people.

Immediately after Paul trusted in Jesus, the Bible tell us he began sharing the good news of Jesus with others. Paul’s message was “Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved.” This phrase was heard over and over throughout Paul’s life, and many people believed in Jesus!

As Paul revisited cities on his second missionary journey, the message of the gospel was spreading from household to household. In Philippi, a woman named Lydia heard Paul preach the gospel. She and everyone in her house believed in Jesus and were baptized. When Paul and Silas were put in prison, God rescued them and gave them the opportunity to preach the good news to the jailer. He and everyone in his house believed! Everywhere they went and to everyone they met, Paul and Silas shared the good news about Jesus!

Christ Connection: Lydia, the jailer, and many others heard the gospel and were saved. They were willing to listen and believe in Jesus. Paul and other apostles preached the same message to all people: “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved.”

WATCH: Paul and Silas Started Churches

LEARN: "Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous deeds among all peoples." - Psalm 96:3

PRAY: Lord, thank You for offering salvation through Jesus as a free gift. Help us to believe in Jesus and share His good news everywhere we go and with everyone we meet. Amen.

APPLY: Learn the big picture question and answer and practice asking and answering randomly throughout the week together.

Q: What is our mission as Christians?

A: Our mission is to make disciples of all nations by the power of the Holy Spirit.

READ: Acts 18:23–21:17

DISCUSS: On November 26, 2022, Nicholas Perri Jr., an off-duty firefighter, was enjoying his Saturday when he saw a car on fire with a woman inside. Nicholas sprang into action. He pulled the woman out of the vehicle and cared for her injuries until the ambulance arrived. Nicholas Perri Jr. risked his own life to do his job of saving another life. He was dedicated to the work he was called to do.

On Paul’s third missionary journey, the Holy Spirit led him to go to Jerusalem. He knew that going to Jerusalem meant danger and trouble, but that didn’t stop Paul. Paul was uncertain of what would happen in Jerusalem, but he trusted in God who had called him to share the good news about Jesus.

Paul was willing to risk his own life to tell others about Jesus—the One who offers eternal life! Jesus has commanded all His followers to continue telling others about Him. When we trust in Jesus, we receive a new mission, and we can have courage that God is with us as we work to tell others the good news about Jesus.

Christ Connection: As Paul traveled on his third missionary journey, he used every opportunity to tell people the good news about Jesus and to help the church. Paul was dedicated to Jesus, who called him to do the work of sharing the gospel.

WATCH: Paul Visited the Churches

LEARN: "Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous deeds among all peoples." - Psalm 96:3

PRAY: God, thank You for giving Paul the courage to tell others about Jesus. Help us to have the courage we need to share the gospel with others. Amen.

APPLY: Learn the big picture question and answer and practice asking and answering randomly throughout the week together.

Q: What is our mission as Christians?

A: Our mission is to make disciples of all nations by the power of the Holy Spirit.

READ: Romans 15

DISCUSS: Did you know that play dough was not always a fun play toy? Its original purpose was as a product that cleaned wall paper! It wasn’t until a man named Joseph McVicker visited his sister-in-law’s classroom and saw the creations that children were making with the product that the idea for what we now know as play dough came to life.

In his letter to the Christians in Rome, Paul told them that God had created them for one purpose: to bring God glory! Paul explained that God is most glorified when His children love and serve one another. Paul pointed to Jesus as the perfect example of what it means to glorify God by serving the needs of others.

We live in a world that tells us to live for ourselves and do whatever makes us happy. But God has more for us! God’s purpose for our lives is to bring Himself glory, and He is glorified in us when we follow Jesus’ example of humility, love, and sacrifice. When we live to bring God glory, we find there is true joy in living out our purpose.

Christ Connection: God created people to bring Him glory. When we trust in Jesus and follow Him, we bring glory to God by seeking the good of others. God calls us to share the love of Jesus with all people by telling them the good news—the gospel.

WATCH: We Are Here to Glorify God

LEARN: "Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous deeds among all peoples." - Psalm 96:3

PRAY: God, You created us to bring You glory. Help us live out this purpose by following the example of Jesus. Give us opportunities to love and serve others by sharing the good news about Jesus with them. Amen.

APPLY: Learn the big picture question and answer and practice asking and answering randomly throughout the week together.

Q: What is our mission as Christians?

A: Our mission is to make disciples of all nations by the power of the Holy Spirit.

READ: Acts 21:18–22:29

DISCUSS: Would you ever want to skydive out of an airplane? The United States Parachute Association reports that skydivers make between 2.5 and 3.5 million jumps every year! When these men and women jump out of a plane at more than 10,000 feet above ground, they are trusting

in a paper-thin sheet of fabric to safely guide them back to the ground. Given the danger of skydiving, they place a lot of trust in that parachute!

When he set out to tell people about Jesus, Paul knew that it would not be easy or safe. Paul expected to encounter people who disagreed and wanted to stop the good news of Jesus from spreading. Paul knew that God would be with him and help him through whatever troubles Paul encountered. Though there would be hardships and danger, Paul continued the mission because He trusted in God.

God does not promise an easy life for those who trust in Jesus, but God does promise to always be with those who believe in Jesus. Though Christians may face hardships or even danger, they can be sure that God will safely bring them to the eternal rewards that He has promised.

Christ Connection: Paul followed God’s plan and returned to Jerusalem even though he faced danger in the city. Paul believed that God, who was faithful to raise Jesus from the dead, would help him in his troubles. We can follow God’s plan to tell others about Jesus and trust God to take care of us.

WATCH: Paul Returned to Jerusalem

LEARN: "Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous deeds among all peoples." - Psalm 96:3

PRAY: God, thank You for being with us in hard times. Help us to trust that You always have a plan and will take care of Your followers. Give us courage to tell others about Jesus and encourage them to believe in Him. Amen.

APPLY: Learn the big picture question and answer and practice asking and answering randomly throughout the week together.

Q: What is our mission as Christians?

A: Our mission is to make disciples of all nations by the power of the Holy Spirit.

READ: Romans 12:3-8

DISCUSS: Romans 12 is about the gifts God has given to different people who love and follow Him. Paul, a follower of Jesus, wrote to other followers in Rome that God gives every Christian special gifts to encourage and help other people know and follow Jesus. This is true for us today too.

WATCH: God Made Me Original

SIMPLE TRUTH: God Made Me Special

LEARN: "We all are the work of your hands." - Isaiah 64:8b

PRAY: God, thank You for sending Jesus. Help us remember that Jesus is the only truth. Thank You that Jesus can give us friendship with You forever. Help us tell people about Jesus. Amen.

READ: Jeremiah 1

DISCUSS: In Jeremiah 1 God told Jeremiah he was made for a special purpose-to share important messages from God with God's people. God has special plans and purposes for our lives too.

WATCH: God Made Me On Purpose

SIMPLE TRUTH: God Made Me Special

LEARN: "We all are the work of your hands." - Isaiah 64:8b

PRAY: God, we are so thankful You made each of us. Thank You for the plans and purposes You have for each preschooler here. Help us remember that You made us on purpose, and You have special plans for us. Help us love You more this week and show Your love to others. In Jesus’ name, amen.

READ: Exodus 24: 13-18; 31:1-11

DISCUSS: God provided skilled workers. God gave these workers talents to praise God and point others to Him. He gives us talents to praise God and point others to Him too.

WATCH: God Made Me Talented

SIMPLE TRUTH: God Made Me Special

LEARN: "We all are the work of your hands." - Isaiah 64:8b

PRAY: God, we are so thankful for You. Thank You for making each of us special with talents that we can use to celebrate and praise You. We love You. In Jesus’ name, amen.

READ: Luke 15:1-7

DISCUSS: In this story Jesus told the story of a shepherd who left 99 sheep to search for one lost sheep. God values and cares about people in a similar way.

WATCH: God Made Me Valuable

SIMPLE TRUTH: God Made Me Special

LEARN: "We all are the work of your hands." - Isaiah 64:8b

PRAY: God, thank You that You love us so much. Thank You that we are valuable to You. Thank You for making us special. In Jesus’ name, amen.

READ: Genesis 1-2; Psalm 139

DISCUSS: God made people in Genesis I-2, and He knew every detail about them. Psalm 139 shows that He made and knows every detail about us too.

WATCH: God Says You Matter

SIMPLE TRUTH: God Made Me Special

LEARN: "We all are the work of your hands." - Isaiah 64:8b

PRAY: God, thank You for the Bible that helps us know that You say we matter. Thank You for making each of us special and for our fingerprints that remind us that You say we matter. We love you. Amen.