FAITH CHALLENGE

Saul’s Work for God

January 4 – February 1, 2004

Lesson 2

Scripture:          Acts 9:19b-31 (CEV)

Memory Verse:         Anyone who belongs to Christ is a new person.  The past is forgotten, and everything is new.  2 Corinthians 5:17

Concepts:

·       When Jesus changes us, he calls us to do God’s work.

Objectives:

  • Students will review the memory verse.
  • Students will discuss with Kirk adults how the adults serve God in their work and how the students can serve God as middle schoolers. 
  • Students will share parts of their discussions with the class. 

Gathering Time

NOTE:  Kirk adults will be joining the class today to discuss with students how they think they serve God in their daily work.  The adults have been asked to join the class at 10:10, but some may arrive earlier or later.  Welcome them as they arrive and proceed with the lesson until all have arrived and it is time for the interview/discussion as outlined below.  If adults are present during Gathering Time, ask students to explain a little about Faith Challenge, the prayer wall, murals, timeline, etc. 

1.   Depending on attendance last week and this week, the Gathering Time activity posting the Old Testament lessons on the timeline from last week could be repeated if there are a number of different students present this week.  If it is generally the same group as last week, students, coaches and guide may chat during the Gathering Time. 

2.   The Coach leads the opening routine: snack, fellowship, Prayer Wall activity, and Prayer Chain.  Name tags are available.

Workshop Lesson Procedure:

 

Scripture/Bible Story

1.     Ask the class to refer to the memory verse for this lesson which you have posted on the wall, written on the white board, or on chart paper.  Recite the verse several times. 

2.     Ask the class how this applies to the story of Saul?  Saul had been persecuting the Christians, he met Jesus on the road to Damascus and then began new work for God—preaching the good news of Jesus

NOTE:  For the class attending this lesson set first, the information from above about Saul on the road to Damascus will probably have to be provided by the guide.  The class attending second should have learned this information in the other lesson set. 

3.     Review the scripture that was read last week—Acts 9: 19b-31.  If most students were not present, the scripture may need to be read again—or summarized by the guide.  It can also be reviewed by using questions similar to the following:  Where was Saul at the beginning of this story?  Damascus  What did he do there?  Preach about Jesus  How did he leave Damascus and why?  His friends lowered him down over the city wall to avoid being captured  Where did Saul go next?  Jerusalem What did he do there?  Preach about Jesus, but he argued with the Jews who spoke Greek and they wanted to kill him What happened next?  Saul left Jerusalem and went to Caesarea and Tarsus.

 

Application:

1.     Ask what work Saul/Paul did for God. He traveled and preached to non-believers about Jesus.  When did this happen in Saul’s life?  After his experience on the road to Damascus.  This can again be related to the memory verse—Saul met Jesus and was changed to do God’s work.

2.     Ask the class what work people do for God.  Write all answers on a white board or flip chart paper.  It is expected that students will provide somewhat “traditional” answers such as preaching, teaching Sunday school, singing in the choir, talking to others about God.  Accept answers without comment at this point. 

3.     If it has not been mentioned, question the students about whether people in secular jobs such as computer programming, banking, teaching, etc can do God’s work in the world.  Most answers are acceptable. 

4.     Tell the class that the extra adults in the class are there for discussions/interviews with the students about their work for God in the world. 

5.     Ask students and adults to form pairs—one student and one adult are ideal, but adjust as needed for attendance. 

6.     Provide a clip board, pencil and interview sheet for each pair. Inform everyone the interview sheet is two-sided—one side has questions for the student to ask the adult, and on the reverse side, there are questions for the adult to ask the student. 

7.     Allow approximately 10 min for students and adults to complete the interview form.

8.     When completed, call the class back to order.  Inform adults they may stay for the remainder of the class or return to their own Sunday school class as desired.  Thank them for attending. 

9.      Allow each student to share some of their interview with the class.  Encourage discussion and comments as appropriate.   

 

Wrap-up:

1.     Point out the Stephen Ministry banner hanging in the classroom.  Ask students to relate the images on the banner with the memory verse for today.  Guide the discussion as needed to help students develop the following understanding:  The banner has the cross of Jesus in the center—and a person who is “broken” on one side and a person who is “whole” on the other side.  It is through an encounter with Jesus that people are changed and made new as mentioned in our memory verse.

2.     Ask students what they know about Stephen Ministry.  Provide the following information as needed:  Stephen Ministry is a caring ministry of the church.  People are trained to share God’s love by listening and praying with those who are struggling with any kind of burden.  This is certainly an example of people doing God’s work as discussed in the lesson today. 

Closing (Coach):

1.     The Coach conducts the closing prayer time.

2.     Close/lock the door and turn off the lights.

Guide preparation in advance:

1.     For questions on this lesson, call Nancy Stokes (387-7155). 

2.     Set up the “city room” with chairs and/or stools around the room.  Since extra adults will be attending this week, set up approx 20 places to sit.  No tables are needed.

3.     Post the memory verse on chart paper or the white board

4.     Make 15 copies per class of the interview sheet.  It is listed here as two pages—but please copy it two-sided, front-to-back. 

5.     Obtain the Stephen Ministry banner from the narthex

Supply List

  • Clip boards, pencils
  • Interview sheet
  • Stephen Ministry banner

References

·       Faith Quest Workshop Leaders’ Bible Study notes by Lori Houck.

·       Faith Challenge Curriculum Writers Bible Study notes by Susan Mazzara.

Interview Sheet

 

 

Student’s name__________________________________________

 

Adult’s name___________________________________________

 

 

Questions for student to ask adult-----

 

What is your work, career, occupation—or how do you spend most of your day?

 

 

 

 

Do you think you can serve God while doing this work (how you spend your time)?  Yes or No

 

 

         If yes, in what ways do you think you serve God?

 

 

 

 

 

         If no, why do you think this does not serve God?

 

 

 

 

 

Do you think everyone who has the same job/work/career as you, serves God?  Yes or No

 

        

         If yes, how does everyone who does this work serve God?

 

 

 

 

 

         If no, in what ways do other people who do this job not serve God?

 

 

 

 

 

Questions for adults to ask students-----

 

 

Where do you attend school?  In what grade?

 

 

 

 

Do you think you can serve God at school?   Yes or No

 

 

         If yes, how can you serve God at school?

 

 

 

 

 

         If no, why can you not serve God at school?

 

 

 

 

 

Do you think you can serve God in other ways or situations as a middle schooler?   Yes or No

 

 

         If yes, in what situations outside school do you think you can serve God?

 

 

 

 

 

 

         If not, why do you think that middle schoolers cannot serve God?