Paul and Silas Started Churches (Acts 15-18)
Dear families,
In today’s passages, we read how Paul began his second missionary journey, bringing Silas with him to share the good news from Philippi down to Corinth. In our last session, we saw that the salvation of the Gentiles was due to their faith alone. Today, we’re reading a step further as these two apostles began sharing Christ’s message of freedom with Gentiles from varying walks of life.
What can today’s reading teach us about the salvation found in Jesus?
One notion we keep seeing throughout these passages of Scripture is the freedom found in Jesus. Jesus sets us free from the condemnation of our sin and the reality of eternity spent separated from God.
Jesus’ gift of saving faith and freedom does not come from following rules nor from meeting the criteria of the world; rather, it’s the simple act of believing in Jesus’ sacrifice on our behalf, that we would be made right before God the Father. We see from the story of Lydia, a woman of influence whose heart was opened by Paul's words of salvation. She was a woman who had the riches of the world, yet knew she needed salvation that could only be found in Jesus. Another key figure in this passage is the jailer, a hardworking man on the verge of taking his own life. He recognized the power and freedom of God on display inside the jail, which ignited the desire to be saved.
The missionary journeys of Paul and Silas were birthed out of their own experience of freedom found in Christ. They had been called by God, empowered by His Spirit, and sent forth to share the good news of freedom from sin found in Christ Jesus. This freedom was so profound that they risked their lives so others could hear and believe. May you believe in the power of the same God who has equipped you with the same simple message of salvation. Lead boys and girls through your faith in the risen Savior who desires that all would believe, just as the men and women in today’s story did.
Check out The Gospel Project At Home for resources designed to help you lead a family worship experience as well as suggestions for morning and evening prayer times and family activities.
FAMILY TALKING POINTS
CHRIST CONNECTION
This is the big idea of how this week’s Bible story points to Jesus.
Babies & Toddlers: We are saved when we believe in Jesus.
Younger Preschool: Many people heard the gospel and were saved. They listened and believed in Jesus. Paul and his friends said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved.”
Older Preschool: 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.”
Kids: 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.”
BIG PICTURE QUESTION & ANSWER
This is an important biblical truth that your child will encounter each week of this unit.
Younger Preschool: What should Christians do? We should tell others the good news of Jesus.
Older Preschool: What is our mission as Christians? Our mission is to make followers of Jesus from every nation by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Kids: What is our mission as Christians? Our mission is to make disciples of all nations by the power of the Holy Spirit.
KEY PASSAGE
This is a Bible verse that relates to what your child will encounter each week of this unit.
Babies & Toddlers: Tell people of God’s wonderful works. Psalm 96:3
Younger Preschool: Tell people of God’s wonderful works. Psalm 96:3
Older Preschool: Declare his glory among the nations, his wondrous works among all peoples. Psalm 96:3
Kids: Declare his glory among the nations, his wondrous works among all peoples. Psalm 96:3
** Next week: Paul Visited the Churches (Acts 18–21)