9/29 The Gospel Project, The Church Grows
Session 2:  Peter learned that Jesus is for all

Step 1: Read the Scripture

Read all or parts of Acts 10:1-43

Step 2: Read a devotional

On April 15, 1947, Jackie Robinson became the first African American player in Major League Baseball. Until that day, the game was restricted to white players only. This rule that kept people from playing because of their skin color was unkind and unfair. By taking the field that day, Jackie Robinson showed the world that anyone could play baseball.

In this week’s Bible story, God used a vision to show Peter that the good news of Jesus is for everyone! Peter learned that God does not show favoritism to some people over others. When Peter preached the gospel to those at Cornelius’ house, the Holy Spirit helped both Jews and Gentiles to believe in Jesus and be baptized. God’s love is big enough for all people, and the sacrifice of Jesus is great enough to forgive the sins of anyone who believes in Him!

God wants everyone to hear the good news about Jesus! It should never be limited to only certain people. Like baseball is a game that everyone should be able to enjoy, the good news about Jesus is news that everyone needs to hear!

God showed Peter that just as there is no “clean” and “unclean” food in Christ, there are no “clean” and “unclean” people. God calls believers to tell everyone the good news about Jesus, no matter who they are or where they come from. Jesus is the Lord of all.

Step 3: Reflect and respond

PRAYER PROMPT
God, thank you for loving all people and sending Jesus to save anyone who believes in Him! Help us to love others because You love them and give us opportunities to tell them the good news about Jesus! Amen.

FAMILY DISCUSSION STARTERS
  • Praise God for the uniqueness we see in His creation. Thank Him for the variety of colors, shapes, and sizes that we see just in people. How do our differences show God’s creativity? How can we celebrate differences as a sign of God’s love for us?
  • Thank God for His love that doesn’t have favorites! Praise Him for creating every person in His image and loving all of us equally. Ask God to help you see others as made in His image and therefore worthy of respect, love, and the good news about Jesus.
 

Step 4: Review from class

BIG PICTURE QUESTION
This is an important biblical truth that your child will encounter each week of this unit.
  • Preschool: Who is the church? The church is all Christians around the world.
  • Elementary: What is the church? The church is all Christians everywhere, who gather together in their communities to worship and serve God.

KEY PASSAGE
This is a Bible verse that relates to our unit emphasis. Encourage your kids to memorize the verse.
  • Preschool: Like a body has many parts, the church has many people who work together. 1 Corinthians 12:12
  • Early Elementary:  For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ.  1 Corinthians 12:12

UPPER ELEMENTARY:
  • Lesson: Acts 1-13 overview by the Bible Project and Acts 8:1-10
  • Tools for Bible learners: Spending time with Jesus. 
    • Work on building a regular habit of spending time with God and studying His Word. 
    • Encourage your child to Pray, Read, Reflect, and Respond to God's Word. 
  • Memory Verse: Acts 1:8

** Next Week: Gentiles became part of the church (Acts 11)