Memory Verse:

There is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved. Acts 4:12b (NIV).

TARGET:

To help the child realise that it is only through Jesus Christ that he or she can be saved from sin.

OBJECTIVES

During and after the lesson, each child will show that he or she understands the lesson by:

1. Listing some ways people erroneously think will lead them to heaven.

2. Praying for those who tell others the good news about Jesus, that is, missionaries.

OUTLINE

1. Paul in Thessalonica - verses 1-9

2. Paul in Berea - verses 10-15

3. Paul in Athens - verses 16-34

INTRODUCTION

In this lesson, Paul visits three important cities and in each of them trouble comes up for him. But it meant nothing to Paul. For in one of his epistles he made this declaration: 'I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God unto salvation for any one that believes, to the jews first and also to the Greeks'. That was his pattern all the time and God helped him spread the gospel all over the Roman Empire.

This week, we shall go with him to Thessalonica, Berea, and Athens and see what happened.

LESSON COMMENTARY

1. PAUL IS IN THESSA. VERSES 1-9

When Paul and Silas left philippi, they passed through Amphipolis and Appollonia and arrived at Thessalonica. Thessalonica was 100 miles from Philippi. At the new place, Paul first went to the synagogue as he used to do. For three weeks he reasoned with them about Christ from the word of God. He tried to explain and prove to them that it was necessary that Christ must suffer and then rise from the dead. Some of the Jews and some Greeks believed. Some chief women also believed.

But once again the Jews were jealous. They stirred up the people to persecute and oppose Paul. When they could not find Paul, they drew out Jason with whom Paul was living and dragged him and some other brothers to the city officials. They accused the people of turning the world upside down. Jason's sin was that he had received Paul and Silas into his house. The mob also said that Paul and Silas were acting against the decrees of Caesar, saying there is another king called Jesus. Paul and Silas were immediately sent away at night to Berea.

2. PAUL IS IN BEREA VERSES 10-15

As soon as they arrived at Berea, Paul and Silas went to the synagogue. The people of Berea are said to be honourable than those in Thessalonica. The reason is that they received the gospel eagerly and also searched the scriptures daily to see whether the things Paul said were true.

Once again Jews from Thessalonica came to Berea. Their purpose was to stir up the people against Paul and Silas. As they tried to do this, the brethren sent Paul off on his way to the sea, but Silas and Timothy remained in Berea. The men who led Paul out took him to Athens and then left. Paul instructed that Silas and Timothy join him in Athens as soon as possible.

3. PAUL IS IN ATHENS VERSES 16-34

Athens was the great capital city of Greece. It was the greatest city in culture, learning and literature in the whole Roman Empire. Paul had to wait for his companions in Athens. While doing so he was sad to notice that the city was full of idols. He went to the synagogue and reasoned with the Jews and Greeks that feared God. He also went to the market place and preached to those who were there everyday.

In this city, certain very learned men heard him and invited Paul to talk to them because they loved to hear new things everyday. They brought him to a place where learned men had the habit of gathering to hear others talk. Paul, being a learned man also, could talk at the same level as any of the learned men in Athens.

Paul addressed them and told them as he walked around the city and carefully looked at their objects of worship, he found out one altar that was described as being for an unknown God. He told them that this unknown God was the One he was bringing to them. And that he was the God that made the world and everything in it. He is the Lord of heaven and earth. He does not live in shrines made by man, nor is HE served by human hand as though He needed anything since He himself gives life, breath, and everything to all men. At the end of his message, Paul encouraged the people to repent and accept Jesus Christ so as to escape the judgment of God that was coming upon all sinners. Some of those who heard Paul repented while others put it off.

APPLICATION

God wants us like Paul to keep telling others about Jesus without being afraid, for the lord is with us. The holy spirit will help us know what to say even if some people may not be eager to hear the message or may even trouble or persecute us.

God does not want is to have anything that becomes an object of devotion in our lives. We should therefore be aware lest any of the following things become an idol in our lives-- cloths friends, good marks in school, money, sports, television, food etc. Though we may not actually bow down to these things or give them sacrifices, yet sometimes we let them keep us from serving God with all our heart, we begin to believe that these things will bring us lasting happiness. God is not pleased when we allow ourselves to go this way.

In the same way we should not think that we can get to heaven through the way of good works, being very sincere, sacrificing to God, bribing God, being a church member etc we can never earn our way to heaven. The only way we have to God is Jesus Christ, according to our memory verse.

THIS PUBLICATION IS A PRODUCT OF GENERAL COUNCIL SUNDAY SCHOOL DEPARTMENT ASSEMBLIES OF GOD NIGERIA