Bible Lesson at a Glance Along with Priscilla and Aquila

LESSON

All Together Now! Year A 3rd Quarter Lesson 12 COMMUNITY We see God’s love in our church.

Power Text “Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves” (Romans 12:10, NIV).

Key Text and References Acts 18:1-28; The Acts of the Apostles, pp. 243-254, 269-280; student story on page 114 of this guide.

Objectives The students will: Know that they show love for Jesus when they work together. Feel eager to blend their work with the work of others. Respond by finding ways to work with others in their church.

Power Point We show love for Jesus when we work together with other believers.

Getting Ready to Teach

The Bible Lesson at a Glance along with Priscilla and Aquila. Paul leaves Paul travels to Corinth and meets Priscilla and Aquila in Ephesus and jour- Priscilla and Aquila, who are tentmakers. neys on to Antioch. While in Ephesus, Paul stays with them and makes tents to Priscilla and Aquila meet Apollo, who ac- support himself. Every Sabbath Paul goes cepts their message about Jesus and be- to the synagogue to teach the Jews about comes an effective worker for Jesus. Jesus. Timothy and Silas join Paul in Corinth. The Jews of Corinth reject Paul’s This is a lesson about community. message and take him to the Roman pro- Community consists of working to- consul, Gallio, who refuses to support the gether for the common good of everyone. Jews against Paul. Paul travels to Ephesus It means supporting one another in con-

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Program Notes

Lesson Section Minutes Activities Materials Needed Welcome Ongoing Greet students at door Hear pleased/troubled

1 Readiness 10-15 A. Naughts and Crosses Chalk/masking tape, quiz B. Contain This Paper cup/container, paper, pens/pencils

* Prayer 15-20 See page 110. and Praise* *Prayer and Praise may be used at any time during the program.

2 Bible Lesson 15-20 Introducing the Bible Story Six copies of Net Kids script

Experiencing the Story Bibles, paper, pens/pencils

Exploring the Bible Bibles, Bible map, paper, pens/ pencils, art supplies, songbooks, musical instruments, puppets, Bible costumes, Bible commentary, Bible resource book

3 Applying 10-15 Building Together Marker board/markers the Lesson

4 Sharing 10-15 A Dream for the Future Marker board/markers, assignment the Lesson list from last week

versations with others as well as in actual separate parties. . . . Each is to work in work. It means loyalty, unity, respect, har- harmony with his brethren. In their ser- mony, encouragement, and perseverance. vice God’s workers are to be essentially one. . . . Under God each is to do his appointed work, respected, loved, and Teacher Enrichment encouraged by the other laborers. “God’s servants are to work to- Together they are to carry the work for- gether, blending in kindly, courteous ward to completion” (The Acts of the order, ‘in honor preferring one another’ Apostles, pp. 275, 276). (Romans 12:10). There is to be no un- How well do you work together with kind criticism, no pulling to pieces of others? How do you show your love for another’s work; and there are to be no others?

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Teaching the Lesson Welcome Welcome students at the door and direct them to their table/small group leader. Have leader ask how their week has been—what they’re pleased/troubled about. Then debrief student(s) on their Bible study activities last week. Say: What was the most interesting part of the Bible story? What activity did you find the most helpful? Which activity was the most fun? (The leader should know what the students’ activities were for the past week so he/she can direct dis- cussion.) Have students begin the readiness activity of your choice.

1 Readiness Activities Select the activity or activities that are most appropriate for your situation.

A. Bible Naughts and Crosses Mark out nine squares on the floor with masking tape or chalk. You Need: Divide the students into two groups (boys and girls preferably). Name one group the naughts, the other the crosses. Give the following quiz as a review of chalk/ this quarter’s lessons. Alternate the questions from the naughts to the crosses. masking When a team answers a question correctly, they are to select one member to tape stand in one of the nine squares. The object is to get three members in a quiz row—up, down, or diagonally. The first team to fill one row wins that round. Continue playing until all the questions are asked. Quiz: 1. Who asked God for wisdom? (Solomon) 2. What else did God give him? (wealth and fame) 3. Name Solomon’s son. (Prince Rehoboam) 4. What experience showed how wise Solomon was? (the two mothers and their babies) 5. Which woman wanted the live child killed? (the one who was not the real mother) 6. Who traveled a great distance to see Solomon’s wisdom? (queen of Sheba) 7. Studying the Scriptures is like planting ______. (seeds) 8. Jesus said, “The kingdom of God is like a ______seed.” (mustard) 9. What did the king do for the servant who owed him a large sum of money? (canceled the debt) 10. What did the king do to the man who would not forgive the debt of his fellowservant? (put him in jail) 11. To what city were the two disciples walking? (Emmaus) 12. What did Jesus explain to the two disciples about Himself? (He had to suffer and die.)

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13. How did the members of the early church take care of one another? (shared their possessions; helped one another) 14. Why did the Christians leave Jerusalem and scatter to other areas? (persecution) 15. In what city were Jesus’ followers first called Christians? (Antioch)

Debriefing Ask: Could anyone have won this game by themselves? (no) Why or why not? (You needed enough people to fill one row; you needed help on the questions.) What does this game tell us about our need for others? (We need help from one another.) Say: Our lesson this week is about members of the early church helping one another. Our power point is:

We show love for Jesus when we work together with other believers.

B. Contain This Distribute paper and pens/pencils, then hold up the cup/container. Say: Without talking to anyone else, I want you to write down You Need: as many uses for this container as you can think of. paper cup/ Give the students a few minutes to complete this task. container Ask: How many got five uses? 10 uses? 15 uses? more than 15? paper (You may vary the numbers.) pens/pencils Say: Now I want you to get into groups of four and combine your lists. Give the groups about three minutes to complete their lists. Ask: How many groups have 10 uses? 15 uses? 20 uses? 25 uses? more than 25?

Debriefing Ask: Did anyone get more uses working alone than working with your group? (Acknowledge responses.) How many more uses did you get working in a group than you did alone? (Accept responses.) What does this tell you about working together? (We accomplish more working together.) Say: Our lesson this week tells us about how much the members of the early church accomplished working together. Our power point is:

We show love for Jesus when we work together with other believers.

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Prayer and Praise * Fellowship Report the students’ joys and sorrows (pleased and troubled) as reported to you at the door (as appropriate). If they have given you permission, share one or two special items from students’ Bible study during the week. Acknowledge any birthdays, special events, or achievements. Give a special, warm greeting to all visitors. Suggested Songs “We Are His” (He Is Our Song, No. 140) “We Are the Family of God” (He Is Our Song, No. 114) “Love Is in Your Hand” (He Is Our Song, No 134) “Touching Heaven, Changing Earth” (Praise Time, No 22) Mission Use Adventist Mission for Youth and Adults or another mission report avail- able to you. Offering Say: Jesus came to earth to reach out His hands in love to us. When we give our offerings we are reaching out a hand of love to people around the world whom we will never meet on this earth. Prayer Tell the students that during the past few weeks your class has been fo- cusing on the community within your church. Have them spend time praying for the church body and for ways to meet the needs members in your congregation have at this time.

* Prayer and Praise may be used at any time during the program.

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2 Bible Lesson

Introducing the Bible Story through the passage one more time The Net Kids and create a headline for the passage (Note: The Net Kids as if it were a newspaper story. You Need: are an imaginative way to introduce the Bible six scripts Debriefing story. If you prefer not Ask: What did you do to make to use this imaginary element, read over your presentation? (work together, the script yourself and introduce the les- plan, etc.) In what ways was your son concept in your own words.) working together similar to what (Refer to Lesson 1 for background the people in your passage did? and setup information.) (They also worked together, planned, etc.) Make the appropriate number of Say: Remember: copies of the Net Kids script found at the back of this guide. Distribute as We show love for Jesus early as possible to the students you when we work together have selected. Allow practice time be- with other believers. fore using this activity. Present the skit.

Debriefing Exploring the Bible Ask: Name some friends in other Provide materials for the follow- You Need: places who are doing missionary ing activities and divide the class work there as you do it here? into groups allowing students to Bibles (Accept responses.) What are some of choose an activity from the follow- Bible map their projects? (Accept responses.) ing list. paper Today we will talk about working Group 1. Make a map of Paul’s pens/pencils together with others in the church. travels as outlined in Acts art supplies 18. Include a legend songbooks Experiencing the Story showing the distances. musical Divide the class into Group 2. Create a rebus of the instruments You Need: two groups. Assign memory verse. simple one group Acts 18:1- Group 3. Find or compose a theme Bibles puppets* 17 and the other song for Acts 18. paper cloth for group Acts 18:18-28. Group 4. Make two or three lists of pens/pencils Bible Instruct each group to the people in Acts 18 costumes read their passage and come up with a under different headings, Bible plan to present their passage to the such as “Spreaders” for commentary other group. those who helped spread Bible Suggestions: skit, mural, ballad/ the gospel message, etc. resource song, choral reading, etc. Allow time Group 5. Design an advertisement book for the students to plan. Have each for Priscilla, Aquila, and group present their passage to the Paul as tentmakers. *make simple pup- class. After each group has made their Group 6. Plan a puppet show for pets with paper sacks or socks presentation, ask the groups to go one scene from Acts 18,

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such as Priscilla and Aquila Priscilla, Aquila, and Paul teaching Apollos, or the Jews make? What were tents used condemning Paul before for during this time period? Gallio. 4. What can you find out Group 7. Plan a skit of one scene from about Apollos? (verse 24) this passage. Use simple Bible 5. What was the job of a syna- costumes or pieces of fabric gogue ruler? (verses 8, 17) for head coverings. Allow time for the groups to Group 8. Using your Bible and a Bible work and for them to present to the commentary and/or resource whole class. book, research the following: 1. When and why did Say: Remember: Claudius order the Jews to We show love for Jesus leave Rome? (Acts 18:2) when we work together 2. What kind of reputation did with other believers. Corinth have? 3. What kind of tents did

Notes

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3 Applying the Lesson

Building Together about doing a group project if we Write “Group Rules” all kept these rules in mind? (good, You Need: on a marker board. appreciated, etc.) How much did you Based on their work to- accomplish by following some of marker board/ gether in groups during these rules even though you didn’t markers the “Experiencing the realize you were following a rule? Story” and “Exploring In what ways did the people in our the Bible,” ask the class to create a list of Bible passage (Acts 18) show their rules for working together that also show love for Jesus? (by working together, love for one another. Record their re- etc.) sponses on the marker board (for exam- Ask: What is our power point ple: Listen while others speak. Help find this week? the materials needed to do the job.) We show love for Jesus Debriefing when we work together Ask: How would each person feel with other believers.

4 Sharing the Lesson

A Dream for the Future Debriefing Write “A Dream for Ask: What obstacles might we You Need: the Future” where all face in doing this ministry project? can see. Have the class (Accept responses.) What can we do marker report on their assign- to take care of those obstacles? board/ ments for the project (Accept responses.) How will this markers chosen last week. project demonstrate our power assignment Discuss what still needs point this week? Say it with me: list from to be done. Give assign- last week ments to get those We show love for Jesus things done. Lay specific plans that when we work together involve everyone. with other believers.

Closing Have a prayer session, consecrating your ministry to God. While praying, let each student place hands on another’s shoulders or clasp hands as a demonstration of unity. Conclude by repeating the power point together.

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STUDENT LESSON All Together Now! Key Text Acts 18:1-28 Have you ever lived with people who were not in your biological family? What was it like? It was common for people in the early church to share everything: work, time, min- Power Text istry, space. In this way they not only were able to spread the gospel more effectively, “Be devoted to but also supported themselves while doing so. one another in brotherly love. “Priscilla,” Aquila said as his wife came they went to the synagogue. Speaking Honor one through the door, “Paul is a believer like with the Jews and Greeks who wor- another above us. He just arrived from Athens.” shiped there, Paul told them about Jesus yourselves” Extending her hand in greeting, and His death. (Romans 12:10, Priscilla smiled and said, “Welcome One day as Paul was cutting fabric for NIV). to Corinth.” a tent, two men came into the shop. “Thank you,” Paul replied. “It’s good “Silas and Timothy!” he exclaimed, drop- Power Point to find someone here in Corinth who ping his tools and walking around the knows about our Saviour. Aquila, you workbench to hug them. “What are you told me that you came to Corinth from doing here?” We show Rome. What made you leave?” “We just missed seeing you in love for “Emperor Claudius ordered all Jews Athens,” Silas said. “When we learned Jesus when we out of Rome,” Aquila said softly. that you were in Corinth, we decided to work together “And since Aquila and I wanted to be come here.” with other able to witness to nonbelievers, we With Silas and Timothy in Corinth, believers. thought Corinth would be perfect,” Paul was able to dedicate all his time to Priscilla added. preaching. Paul stayed for more than a “But we also have to make a living,” year preaching and teaching in Corinth. continued Aquila. “We decided to open One morning Paul said to Aquila and our tentmaking business here as we did Priscilla, “I believe that God is calling me in Rome.” to leave Corinth for a while.” “Do you have enough business to “That’s amazing, Paul,” Aquila said. need help?” Paul asked. “I’ve had the very same thoughts.” “Yes! The business is growing, The next few days were spent finish- and we can’t keep up with every- ing up tent orders and making arrange- thing,” Aquila replied. “But I haven’t ments for the house. Soon they were been able to find anyone trained packed and on their way to Ephesus. in tentmaking.” Priscilla and Aquila found a place to stay “I trained in tentmaking when I was and Paul found the synagogue. He spent younger,” Paul said. “I’m going to need several days in Ephesus talking with the some way to support myself.” Jews. They said, “Stay with us.” “Praise God!” Aquila said. “You can Paul answered, “I must return to start work tomorrow.” Jerusalem for the festival, but I will come “And you must stay here with us,” back if it is God’s will.” Paul left Priscilla added Priscilla. and Aquila in Ephesus to carry on the Paul, Priscilla, and Aquila settled into work he had begun while he sailed to the routine of working during the day at Caesarea. They worked hard to teach the small tentmaking shop and studying others the good news of Jesus. together in the evening. Every Sabbath One day they heard a new preacher

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at the synagogue. “Listen to what he is saying,” Priscilla said. “He’s so committed, it’s too bad he doesn’t know about Jesus. I think we should invite him home to eat with us.” “That’s a good idea,” Aquila agreed. “We can teach him more about salvation.” After the meeting Aquila introduced himself. “We’d like to have you come to our home for a meal.” “I’m Apollos,” the man replied. “Thank you for the invitation.” Priscilla and Aquila learned that Apollos had been baptized by John the Baptist. They explained the mission of Jesus, the Messiah, to him. “This is wonderful,” Apollos said. “For a long time I’ve believed there had to be something more. Now I know what it is. I’ve got to tell others about this good news.” “We’ll write a letter of introduction for you to the believers at Corinth,” Aquila said. “They’ll be happy to have you work with them.” Apollos traveled to Corinth. He went from house to house and showed people that Jesus was the Christ. Paul had planted the seed. Priscilla and Aquila had watered it. Now Apollos gath- ered in the harvest.

Sabbath Wednesday • Do this week’s activity on page 81. • Read Acts 18:18-20. • Find a Bible map showing Paul’s first missionary journey. Trace his route with your finger. Sunday • Suggest a couple reasons Paul might have cut • Read “All Together Now!” his hair. See Numbers 6:1-21. • Begin to learn the power text. • Priscilla’s name is always mentioned first. Why • Pray that the political leaders in your country do you think that is? will always allow you to witness peacefully. Thursday Monday • Read Acts 18:22, 23. • Read Acts 18:1-8. • What was Paul’s role as he traveled to these • Find out why Paul had to work as a tentmaker towns? and where he learned the trade. • In your Bible study journal, describe what Paul • Design and construct a tent model out of ma- would have said if he had visited your church. How terials you find around your home. do you think you and others would have re- • Why did Paul shake out his clothes and say he sponded? was going to the Gentiles? • Pray that you will be open to hearing God’s • Pray for the ability to work diligently. word preached by different people. Friday Tuesday Read Acts 18:24-27. Read Acts 18:9-17. • • • Was it wrong for Apollos to preach although he • Underline verse 9 in your Bible with a soft-col- knew he was missing some information? How do ored pencil. you think he felt when Priscilla and Aquila cor- • Have there been times you have been afraid to rected him? How did he respond when he heard speak about Jesus to others? the rest of the story? • What are some adjectives to describe Gallio? • Make a list of ways you can encourage Are there people like Gallio in your life? Christians in other places. • Pray that God will give you the courage to • Pray that God will help you to be faithful in ev- speak out for Him. erything you do for Him and others.

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