READ: Acts 2:14-47

DISCUSS: Home improvement shows on TV are extremely popular. People love to watch a renovation that produces a big transformation with incredible design skills. The climatic moment in each show is when the host reveals the new dream home that was once outdated or in bad shape.

We love a good story of transformation because it reminds us that even the worst thing can be made new. This is true of houses, but it is also true of people. Because of who Jesus is and what He has done to save sinners, we can be made new through faith in Him.

After the Holy Spirit arrived and gave power to the disciples, Peter stood and preached the good news of Jesus to thousands of people in Jerusalem. The people believed and were baptized that same day. They were added to the followers of Jesus, and their lives were never the same! The Holy Spirit changed their hearts and minds to meet together, fellowship, learn God’s Word, and pray continually.

2 Corinthians 5:17 says, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has passed away, and see, the new has come!” When we trust in Jesus as Lord and Savior, he makes us NEW! Jesus didn’t die on the cross so that we could keep on living the same life, and He didn’t die on the cross so we could feel better about the times that we mess up. Jesus died on the cross so that we could have a new life, a new identity, and a new purpose. God’s grace isn’t just something that we add to our life to make it better. It 100%, completely, absolutely, positively changes us!

Christ Connection: Peter’s sermon shows the Holy Spirit’s power to change those who trust in Jesus. God used Peter to preach Jesus to the crowd so that thousands of others would believe and be changed as well. All who believe in Jesus are changed and will never be the same.

WATCH: Peter Preached in Jerusalem

LEARN: "How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?" - Romans 10:14

PRAY: God, thank You for the new life that comes through believing in Jesus! Thank You that this new life gives us a new identity and a new purpose. Help us honor You with the way we live so that others can see Jesus and believe in Him. Amen!

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

Q: Why does God command Christians to tell others about Jesus?

A: We tell others about Jesus so they will hear and believe in Him.

READ: Acts 3:1-26

DISCUSS: If you could have any superpower, which would you choose? According to a gaming experts report, the top three superpowers are flight, invisibility, and super strength. Although, perhaps many of us would agree that the greatest superpower is the one that makes every vegetable taste like ice cream!

When the Holy Spirit filled the disciples, He gave them supernatural power. Acts 3 shares the story of how Peter healed a man who couldn’t walk. Everyone was amazed at the sight of this man walking, leaping, and praising God. When the religious leaders asked Peter who had given him the power to do such a miracle, Peter told them that this man was healed by the power of Jesus Christ!

Jesus had given the disciples a mission, and the Holy Spirit supplied the power to fulfill that mission. The disciples received power better than the ability to fly or have super strength. They received the power to do God’s will and boldly share the gospel to the world! This same power is available to all who believe in Jesus as Lord!

Christ Connection: After Jesus returned to heaven, the Holy Spirit gave the disciples power to begin working. With the power of Jesus’ name, Peter healed a man who was lame. Peter and John showed God’s power and pointed to a greater, spiritual healing found in Jesus.

WATCH: Peter Healed a Man

LEARN: "How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?" - Romans 10:14

PRAY: Jesus, we praise You because Your name is powerful. Help us boldly share the gospel without fear. Thank You for sending the Holy Spirit to give us the power to fulfill the mission You’ve given us.

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

Q: Why does God command Christians to tell others about Jesus?

A: We tell others about Jesus so they will hear and believe in Him.

READ: Acts 4:1-31

DISCUSS: In 2009, Lluis Colet set the World Record for the longest speech by talking for 124 hours without stopping! Colet filled the five days by reading a 700-page speech about art, politics, and other subjects. Even when he was tired, hungry, or had to use the restroom, Lluis Colet kept talking no matter what!

As Peter and John shared about Jesus, some of the religious leaders wanted them to keep quiet. Even when they told Peter to never preach the name of Jesus again, Peter couldn’t keep quiet. He kept on sharing so that more and more people would hear about Jesus. God had given Peter and John the power and boldness to tell others about Jesus no matter what!

There were probably times when Peter was tired, and maybe some other times when he was scared. It wasn’t easy for Peter to face the angry crowd that recently crucified Jesus. So why did Peter keep preaching? Peter continued to preach because he knew that the good news of Jesus is exactly what everyone needs to hear. Peter couldn’t keep quiet because he wanted everyone to know the saving power of Jesus!

Christ Connection: Peter continued to preach about Jesus even when it was difficult. Not even the religious leaders could stop Jesus’ followers from sharing the good news about Jesus. The gospel is great news that we must share if we believe in Jesus Christ.

WATCH: Peter Continued to Preach

LEARN: "How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?" - Romans 10:14

PRAY: Lord Jesus, helps us trust in You and tell others about You even when it’s hard. Give us faith to endure these hard times and remind us of the eternal promises You have made. Help us live in a way that gives You glory in every circumstance.

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

Q: Why does God command Christians to tell others about Jesus?

A: We tell others about Jesus so they will hear and believe in Him.

READ: Acts 4:32–5:11

DISCUSS: The amount of money Christmas shoppers spend on gifts is now more than $1 trillion dollars every single year! While it’s often said that it’s better to give than to receive, we probably hope some of that money goes toward the gifts we really want. Often times, our love for getting what we want can lead us to think more about the gifts than the giver.

As the early church grew, the people generously gave their own money and possessions to help others. They were able to live generously because they were focused more on the Giver than the gifts! They remembered how Jesus had generously given His life to save them and how through Him we have an eternal inheritance. As a result, they showed their love and appreciation for His gifts by giving to others.

As we read about what happened to Ananias and Sapphira, we are reminded of how easy it is for all of us to let our love for gifts outweigh our love for the Giver. It’s easy for our hearts to be influenced by greed, but Jesus can change our hearts. When we trust in Him and remember His incredible generosity as He gave His own life to save ours, the Holy Spirit helps us share His gifts with others.

Christ Connection: Ananias and Sapphira wanted to look generous, but they were greedy. The Holy Spirit changes our hearts to want to share with those in need because Jesus generously gave all He had so we can share in His riches and have forgiveness and eternal life.

WATCH: Peter Confronted Sin

LEARN: "How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?" - Romans 10:14

PRAY: Thank You, Jesus, for giving Your life to save sinners. Help us know You as the Giver of all good gifts. Change our hearts to be generous with others like You have been generous toward us. Amen.

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

Q: Why does God command Christians to tell others about Jesus?

A: We tell others about Jesus so they will hear and believe in Him.

READ: Genesis 2-3

WATCH: God Loved First

SIMPLE TRUTH: God Loves Me

LEARN: "God is Love." - 1 John 4:16

PRAY: God, thank You for loving us first, before we were even born. Thank You for our friends and for loving each of them. Amen.

READ: Genesis 1-3, Luke 2, Acts1, Romans 5, & Colossians 1

WATCH: God Loves Best

SIMPLE TRUTH: God Loves Me

LEARN: "God is Love." - 1 John 4:16

PRAY: God thank You that Your love is best. Thank You for sending Jesus so we can have a friendship with You. Amen.

READ: Judges 1-3

WATCH: God Loves More

SIMPLE TRUTH: God Loves Me

LEARN: "God is Love." - 1 John 4:16

PRAY: God, thank You so much for Your wonderful love. Thank You for always loving us and for sending Jesus. Amen.

READ: 1 John

WATCH: God Loves Always

SIMPLE TRUTH: God Loves Me

LEARN: "God is Love." - 1 John 4:16

PRAY: God, thank You so much for Your wonderful love. Thank You for always loving us and for sending Jesus. Amen.