New Testament Module
OBJECTIVE
In this module, we will take the children through the journey of the Acts of the Apostles. Specifically, we will see how the Word of God spread from Jerusalem to the entire world through the work of the Holy Spirit. Jesus told His apostles that "You shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth."
MILESTONES
Scripture: The Holy Bible teaches us that the Gospel firstly spread in Jerusalem and then to Samaria. Later it reached the Gentiles within the Roman Empire. The Book of Acts (Officially called The Acts of the Apostles) describes the proliferation of the Gospel from Jerusalem to the known world.
Spiritual: Pentecost is often referred to as the "birthday" of the Church. On the day of Pentecost, St. Peter the Apostle preached the Lord Jesus Christ and 3,000 souls were saved (Acts 2:41) They repented and were baptised. In all, it is important to note that the Holy Spirit continues to work in and through us.
Social: In the Bible story of Cain and Abel, Cain reluctantly asks the Lord God, "Am I my brother's keeper?" The Book of Acts answers Cain loud and clear: Yes - we are our brother's keepers. We have been given a beautiful gift of Salvation and the Holy Spirit dwells in us. The manner in which we keep our brother is to share the message of Salvation.
Rituals: The Coptic Church's Rituals places the reading of the Synaxarion immediately after the reading of the Book of Acts. One of the reasons for this chronology is that the Synaxarion is the continuation of the Acts and it is still being written until present day.
TOPICS BY WEEK
Please read through all of the lessons in this module in preparation for this lesson.
- Week 1: The Gospel Starts in Jerusalem
- Week 2: The Gospel Spreads to Judea and Samaria
- Week 3: The Gospel Spreads to the Gentiles
- Week 4: The Gospel Spreads to Asia Minor
- Capstone Activity
CHURCH CONNECTION
Make connections to the liturgy and liturgical practices whenever possible.
PARENTS CORNER
Every week, relay the lesson overview and any homework/ related activities to the parents.