Adult Sunday School Lesson Plan
MORNINGSIDE BAPTIST CHURCH
Lesson Date: August 14, 2011
Focal Scripture Passage: Acts 11:19 – 12:25
AIM: To lead adults to acknowledge that God is in sovereign control of the events of their lives, and to encourage each person to tell God they trust Him to always do what is right in their life.
INTRODUCTION (Create Learning Readiness): Before class: Prepare a very brief review of Acts 1 – 10 for step 1. Familiarize yourself with the map so you can point out the locations named in steps 2 and 7.
When class begins: Ask the class to listen to the following definitions[i] as you read them to the class:
Ask the class what word those phrases define (the word is sovereign). Write the word “Sovereign” on the marker board or chalkboard. Tell the class that today’s lesson will teach us that God is in sovereign control of the events of our lives.
HEART OF THE LESSON (Bible Study):
1. Review.
a. Briefly review the events of the first ten chapters of Acts.
b. Especially remind the class that in last week’s lesson they learned about the gospel going to the Gentiles. That was a startling new development.
2. God Used Persecution to Spread the Gospel.
a. Read Acts 11:19-21.
b. Ask: “Why were many believers scattered abroad?” (because of persecution).
c. Locate Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch on the map.
d. Remind the class about the persecution that followed Stephen’s death (Acts 8:1; 9:1-2).
e. Ask: “Could God have stopped or prevented that persecution?” (certainly).
f. Tell the class that God sovereignly used persecution to spread the gospel so people in other parts of the world could be saved.
g. Note that a great number of both Jews and Gentiles were saved (verse 21).
h. Explain that persecution is bad for those who are persecuted, but God knows how to use bad events to accomplish good things (Rom. 8:28).
3. A New Name and a Coming Famine.
a. Ask a volunteer to read Acts 11:22-26.
b. When the news of these conversions came to the apostles and elders in Jerusalem, they sent Barnabas to Antioch. He checked out what was taking place and encouraged the new believers. He then went to Tarsus and brought Saul back with him to Antioch.
c. Ask: “How long did Saul and Barnabas teach in Antioch?” (a full year).
d. Ask: “What new name was given to the believers in Antioch?” (Christians).
e. Read Acts 11:27-30.
f. Tell the class that God sovereignly used a bad event (famine) to teach the new Christians about the grace of giving to help their brothers and sisters in Christ.
4. More Persecution.
a. Tell the class that persecution continued in Jerusalem.
b. Ask a volunteer to read Acts 12:1-4.
c. Ask: “What did Herod do to the Apostle James?” (executed him).
d. Herod then put the Apostle Peter in prison.
e. Ask: “Why did he do this?” (to please the Jews and make himself more popular).
f. Herod planned to execute Peter, as well.
g. Tell the class that the execution and imprisonment of Christian leaders is a bad thing, but God is always in sovereign control.
5. God’s Sovereignty over Iron Bars and Armed Guards.
a. Ask a volunteer to read Acts 12:5-6.
b. Ask: “What was the church doing while Peter was in prison?” (praying for his release).
c. Peter was in prison under the guard of 16 soldiers. There were always soldiers chained to Peter, as well as outside the door.
d. Read Acts 12:7-11.
e. Ask the following questions:
· “Who came to Peter in the prison?” (an angel).
· “What happened to Peter’s chains?” (they miraculously fell off).
· “At first, did Peter know if this was really happening?” (he wasn’t sure; he thought it might have only been a dream).
· “How did Peter and the angel get through the locked doors?” (they opened automatically before them).
f. After the angel took him outside the prison, Peter realized that these events were real and not just a dream.
g. Tell the class that God is in sovereign control of the events of our lives.
h. If He does not want His child in prison, then the best of man’s security measures cannot keep him there. (Why didn’t the guards wake up? See 1 Samuel 26:12 for the answer. God is sovereign!)
6. A Surprising Answer to Prayer.
a. Remind the class that the believers were praying for Peter’s release.
b. Ask a volunteer to read Acts 12:12-17.
c. Ask: “How did the believers react to news of Peter’s miraculous release from prison?” (they didn’t believe it at first).
d. Ask: “Are we ever guilty of praying for something without really expecting God to answer?”
7. “Meanwhile, back at the prison….”
a. Read Acts 12:18-19.
b. Ask: “How did the soldiers react to Peter’s disappearance?” (there was “no small stir” – this is undoubtedly quite an understatement).
c. Ask: “What did Herod do to the guards?” (executed them – the customary penalty for allowing a prisoner to escape).
d. Herod left Jerusalem and went to Caesarea (locate on the map).
8. Herod Blasphemed and Died.
a. Tell the class that God is in sovereign control of the events of our lives. He used persecution to spread the gospel and He miraculously delivered His servant from prison. God is the sovereign Lord of the universe.
b. Ask: “What do you think God would do, if someone tried to take His place as God?”
c. Tell the class they will learn the answer to that question in Acts 12:20-25. Read those verses.
d. King Herod made a public appearance and speech.
e. Ask: “According to verse 22, what did the people say about Herod?” (they said he was a God and not a man).
f. Note that Herod accepted their worship and did nothing to stop it.
g. Ask: “What did God do to Herod?” (killed him).
h. Tell the class that the gospel grew and spread even more (verse 24). Barnabas and Saul went to Antioch, taking with them John Mark (Barnabas’ nephew – Col. 4:10; see also Acts 12:12).
PERSONAL APPLICATION: Tell the class that God is sovereign and He is in control of the events of their lives. He can allow bad things to happen in order to accomplish His purpose (just as He used persecution to spread the gospel). He can miraculously deliver us from bad circumstances if He so chooses (just as He miraculously delivered Peter from prison). God expects us to worship Him only (Herod learned that lesson the hard way).
Read the lesson aim to the class. Ask: “Do you acknowledge that God is in sovereign control of your life?” Tell the class that if we truly believe God sovereignly controls the events in our lives then we won’t get mad every time we don’t get our way. Remember – God may use bad circumstances to accomplish His good purpose. We are not wise enough to understand all the ways God works in our lives, so we should accept what He does as being the best thing for us and for His kingdom.
Tell them that they will have a brief time of silent prayer. Encourage everyone to use that silent prayer time to tell God that they trust Him to always do what is right in their life. Have a silent prayer time and then voice a closing prayer.
CONCLUSION: Tell the class that something will probably happen to each of them this week that does not seem to be good. At that moment they should tell God they trust Him to do what is right, and then ask Him to do His will in that situation.
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