The Gospel Spreads to the Gentiles

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" (Acts 1:8). We will study how the disciples did, in fact, spread the message of Gospel as Jesus said: Week 1- In Jerusalem, Week 2- In Judea and Samaria, Week 3 - to the Gentiles, Week 4- to Asia Minor.

INTRODUCTION - 5 Minutes

We've seen how the Gospel has spread in Jerusalem, then out to Samaria and the region of Judea through the work of the Holy Spirit in St. Philip, St. Peter, and St. John. Back in Jerusalem, the persecution of the church was still in full swing. Saul of Tarsus was breaking into homes and arresting the followers of Christ. He even watched as St. Stephen was being executed by the temple leaders. Saul had a great love for God and a zeal for doing what was right. He thought he was preserving God's commandments by punishing those he thought were against God and the rules God gave to the Isrealites. However, God saw Saul's heart and the love Saul had for Him. The Lord Jesus stopped Saul on the road to Damascus and said, "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?" Acts 9:4. Once Saul knew the Lord, he was baptized and he devoted his life to spreading the news about Him (Acts 9:1-31)

The Isrealites were given strict rules by God to not follow the strange traditions that other societies did in order to keep them isolated from pagan practices. The Isrealites were not allowed to eat the same food or even visit the homes of non-Israelites.

If the Isrealites, who were now following the teachings of Christ and living by the Holy Spirit, were traditionally not allowed to interact with non-Isrealites, also known as Gentiles, how was the Gospel going to be spread to the Gentiles?

HOLY SCRIPTURE - 10 Minutes

Memory Verse - "In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality. But in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him." Acts 10:34

Read together the following passages. The content of the lesson will discuss each of these.

Acts 10:1-48
Acts 11:1-18
Acts 11:19-25

CONTENT (KEY POINTS) - 10 Minutes

Repeat the Memory Verse "In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality. But in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him." Acts 10:34

Let's go back to these readings and see how the words of the Lord are being accomplished in the gentiles.

Acts 10:1-8 - Cornelius was a gentile, a centurion of what was called the Italian Regiment. He was righteous and accepted by God because it says of him that he was "a devout man and one who feared God with all his household, who gave alms generously to the people, and prayed to God always." He saw a vision of an angel who told him to send for St. Peter
Acts 10:9-16 - At around the same time, St. Peter had a vision of all types of animals that traditionally the Isrealites are not allowed to eat, or even touch. St. Peter never ate or touched these types of animals because he followed the traditions of his Jewish heritage. The voice spoke to him and told him, "What God has cleansed you must not call common." This was done three times. And the object was taken up into heaven again. This vision actually does not have to do with food, but has more to do with people. Remember, the Jewish people were told to stay away from Gentiles because of their pagan practices.
Acts 10:17-23 - The Holy Spirit said to St. Peter, "Behold, three men are seeking you. Arise therefore, go down and go with them, doubting nothing; for I have sent them." The Lord wanted St. Peter to know that visiting with this Roman centurion gentile was what The Lord wanted
Acts 10:24-33 - St. Peter traveled to Joppa to meet Cornelius and Cornelius and his household were all anxious to hear the Gospel.
Acts 10:34-43 - "Then Peter opened his mouth and said: "In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality. 35 But in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him." St. Peter continued to teach about Jesus' life, death, and resurrection.
Acts 10:44-48 - "While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who heard the word." This is the first time they witness the Holy Spirit descending on the gentiles, just like at Pentecost All of those were baptized into the faith.
Acts 11:1-18 - Back in Jerusalem and Judea, the followers were surprised that St. Peter even went to visit at a gentiles house and ate with them. St. Peter explained the miraculous events that took place and the Church rejoiced in hearing this amazing news.
Acts 11:19-25 - So far, the apostles were preaching to Jews only in the surrounding cities. When some apostles were in the busy metropolitan city of Antioch, they saw that the Hellenists (Jews of Greek nationality) were converting to the way of Christ. The apostles sent St. Barnabas and St. Paul to Antioch to help teach the growing Church there. The disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.

DISCUSSION (Challenge) - 5 Minutes

Our Lord Jesus was preparing the disciples for the expansion of God's Kingdom outside of Israel during His ministry. Think of when Jesus commended the Canaanite woman for having great faith (Matthew 15:21-28), and when He healed the Roman centurion's servant also commending his faith (Luke 7:1-10). However, this is the first time that the disciples saw the power of God acting on the gentiles the same way as on the Jews. The Holy Spirit came upon Cornelius and his household and gave them power to speak in tongues and to glorify God.

LIFE APPLICATION (Action) - 5 Minutes

What were the qualifications of Cornelius that made him worthy of receiving the Good News of the Gospel?

Devout man
Feared God with all his household
Gave alms generously to the people
Prayed to God always
Just man
Has a good reputation among all the nation of the Jews

Try to practice these attributes and incorporate them in your lives.

CONCLUSION - 5 Minutes

Our Lord Jesus Christ loves all His children no matter where they come from. God looks at the heart of each individual person and sees their devotions and intentions. God wants all that love Him to be His children

ACTIVITY - 10 Minutes

Print or reproduce the table in the attached activity on a board. Draw a heart and list the qualities of Cornelius on one side of the heart. List how we will practice these qualities on the other side of the heart.

RESOURCES

Great videos to show after class or send to parents.

BibleProject Overview Acts Ch. 1-12

BibleProject Acts Ch. 8-12

New Testament Books Song

PARENTS CORNER/HOMEWORK

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 to the gentiles through the work of the Holy Spirit. Week 3 covers the conversion of Cornelius, a Roman centurion, and his family, to the family of Christ. We emphasized how much God loves His children of all different races and ethnicities.