Sunday Spotlight is where we share our Children’s Ministry Bible lesson topic each week for kids of all ages. Use this lesson for a Family Night devotion or a review time to talk about what your kids learned at Calvary this week! We post a new lesson every Wednesday.

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Sunday, April 21

Lesson Title: The Apostles Were Arrested

Bible Passage: Acts 5

Key Passage: Romans 5:8

Big Picture Question: Why did Jesus become human? Jesus became human to rescue sinners.

Lesson Summary

In Acts 5, we find the apostles performing many signs and wonders through the power and grace they received from the Holy Spirit. The healing power of the Holy Spirit displayed through Peter, in particular, was so compelling that people laid the sick in the path of his shadow. United in purpose, the apostles also continued their mission to share the Gospel with those around them, and as a result, they filled Jerusalem with their teaching! However, with the favor of their community came the opposition of the Jewish leaders who grew jealous of the apostles’ ministry. 

How did the early church navigate the ups and downs of their ministering experiences? What choices did they make when faced with rejection and suffering? 

Instead of cowering to the demands of the religious leaders to stop sharing the Gospel, the apostles rejoiced in being counted worthy of mistreatment in Jesus’ name. They continued to be faithful to Jesus' command to share the Gospel and, leaving directly from the presence of the Sanhedrin, they made a daily practice of preaching and teaching the good news of Jesus Christ in the temple and from house to house. 

Even when the apostles experienced persecution and shameful mistreatment, the power of God at work was evidenced in their boldness to continue to preach the name of Jesus. Amidst many uncertainties and challenging circumstances, they remained steadfastly assured of the power of the Gospel to save anyone who believes. On this truth they placed their hope as they rejoiced in their suffering. 

As you prepare to discuss this session with your kids, consider all that the apostles endured as they sought to share God’s Word so that people might hear and believe in the name of Jesus. If you find yourself in a difficult circumstance, thank God for their example of endurance despite times of trouble. Help your kids understand that when we face rejection and suffering, Christ remains near to us, just as He did to His church so long ago. We, too, can count it all joy as we face trials and trust that Jesus is worth giving our lives to. 

Christ Connection

This is the big idea of how this week's Bible story points to Jesus.

• Babies & Toddlers: Jesus wants us to tell others about Him.

• Younger Preschool: Jesus calls His followers to tell others about Him, even when it is hard. God uses everything for His glory.

• Older Preschool: Jesus calls His followers to tell others about Him, even when it is hard. Jesus suffered, and His followers will too. We can have joy in hard times, knowing God uses everything for His glory.

• Kids: Jesus calls His followers to be faithful and tell others about Him, even in times of trouble. Just as Jesus experienced rejection and suffering, so will His followers. We can have joy in suffering, knowing God uses our suffering, like Christ’s, for His glory.

Big Picture Question & Answer

This is an important biblical truth that your child will encounter each week of this unit.

• Younger Preschool: Why did Jesus become a person? Jesus became a person to rescue sinners.
   
• Older Preschool: Why did Jesus become human? Jesus became human to rescue sinners.
   
• Kids: Why did Jesus become human? Jesus became human to rescue sinners.

Key Passage

Romans 5:8  This is a Bible verse that relates to what your child will encounter each week of this unit.

• Babies & Toddlers: "Christ died for us." (Romans 5:8)
   
• Younger Preschool: "Christ died for us." (Romans 5:8)
   
• Older Preschool: "But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans 5:8)
   
• Kids: "But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans 5:8)

Next week: The Church Handled a Problem (Acts 6)

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