LESSON NINE Alive Again! Monthly Theme We look for ways to help others. References Acts 9:32-42; The The Bible Lesson at a Glance Acts of the Apostles, Dorcas, from Joppa, is a loving believer in Jesus. Her life is pp. 131, 132 filled with acts of kindness. She freely ministers to the poor, mak- ing clothing for them and giving sympathy. Dorcas becomes sick and dies. The sorrowing church sends for Peter, who prays for Dorcas and tells her to arise. She comes back to life. Many people Memory Verse believe in the Lord because of this miracle. “I am not ashamed of the This is a lesson about service. gospel, because it is Lovingly helping others shows the Word lived out in the helper’s the power of God that life and accomplishes greater good than preaching or talking. brings salvation to every- Dorcas’ “skillful fingers were more active than her tongue” (The Acts one who believes” of the Apostles, p. 131). Meeting people’s everyday needs prepares (Romans 1:16). the soil of their heart so that God’s Word will take root.

Teacher Enrichment “In the case of Dorcas, the church may have delayed burial in Objectives the hope of divine intervention. Peter had just healed Aeneas, and The children will: devout souls may well have hoped that he would restore Dorcas Know that they to life” (The SDA Bible Commentary, vol. 6, p. 242). show Jesus to others by being helpful. Room Decorations Feel a desire to be See Lesson 5. helpful to others. Respond by doing something helpful for someone in the coming week.

The Message We serve when we help others.

90 LESSON NINE www.gracelink.net/primary SERVICE

Program Overview Lesson Section Minutes Activities Materials Needed Welcome ongoing Greet students at door; none hear pleased/troubled ______1 Readiness Options up to 10 A. Helping Hats newspaper; tape; otional materials such as stapler, pins, construction paper, foil, yarn or ribbons B. Footprints sheets of paper, markers, pens or pencils, scissors ______Any Prayer and Praise* up to 10 Fellowship none Time Songbook Sing for Joy Mission Children’s Mission Offering offering container used last week Prayer prayer diary ______2 Bible Lesson up to 20 Experiencing the Story Bible-times costumes; paper, pen, basket or bowl; clothing; glass of water; damp cloth; paper fan Memory Verse chalkboard or poster board, chalk or marker, Bible Bible Study Bibles ______3 Applying the Lesson up to 15 A. Dorcas Hunt copies of local newspaper, Bible B. Sammie’s Service none ______4 Sharing the Lesson up to 15 Sharing Jesus shoebox; paper; stickers; crayons, markers; stapler; yarn

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

www.gracelink.net/primary LESSON NINE 91 TEACHING THE LESSON

Welcome Welcome students at the door. Ask how their week has been—what they are pleased/troubled about. Give directions for the Readiness Activity of your choice. 1 Readiness Activities Select the activity most appropriate for your situation.

A. Helping Hats You Need: As the children and adults arrive, group them in twos and threes or allow them • newspaper to work alone to create a hat that is worn by helpers in the community. (Helper hats • tape might be for a traffic policeman, chef, farmer, sports coach, messenger, soldier, runner, • optional: miner, etc.) The hats should fit the child’s head. stapler, pins, When the hats are finished, the children model them and tell what a person wear- construction ing this hat does to help in the community. (Small church: The children might talk paper, foil, about other hats they could have made, or they could make more than one hat.) yarn or ribbons Debriefing Say: Think about all the hats and helpers we saw. (pause) Everyone needs help once in a while, right? God meant for everyone to be helpers and to serve others. What kind of helper do you best like to be? (Wait for responses.) Today’s message is:

WE SERVE WHEN WE HELP OTHERS.

Say that with me.

B. Footprints You Need: Ask the children to draw around their foot (or shoe), cut out the footprint, and write • paper their name on it. When all have finished, have them show their footprint. Compare • markers them to see who has the biggest, smallest, same size. • pens or pencils Debriefing • scissors Allow time as you ask: How can we use our feet to help others? Do our feet sometimes take us away from helping others? Why? God wants us to be helpers. Today we will learn about someone who used their feet and talents to help others. Today’s message says:

WE SERVE WHEN WE HELP OTHERS.

Say that with me.

92 LESSON NINE www.gracelink.net/primary Prayer and Praise Any Time Fellowship Report the students’ joys and sorrows (pleased and troubled) as reported to you at the door (as appropriate). Review the memory verse and allow time for sharing experiences from last week’s lesson study. Acknowledge any birthdays, special events, or achievements. Give a special warm greeting to all visitors.

Suggested Songs “We Are His Hands” (Sing For Joy, no. 129) “I Want to Be” (Sing for Joy, no. 124) “Jesus Bids Us Shine” (Sing for Joy, no. 133) “This Little Light of Mine” (Sing for Joy no. 134)

Mission Share a story from Children’s Mission in which someone’s service helped another learn about Jesus.

Offering You Need: Say: Giving offerings to help others learn about Jesus is another way we can serve. • offering container used last week

Prayer Ask the children for names to add to the list in the prayer diary. You Need: Form prayer groups of three or four (with an adult, if possible) and • prayer diary from pray sentence prayers for all on the list. Ask God to show the chil- last week dren how to be helpful to them.

www.gracelink.net/primary LESSON NINE 93 2 Peter was nearby in a town called Lydda. Bible Lesson Two men from Joppa went to Lydda to get Peter. [Two messengers hurry to get “Please, come quickly,” they said, You Need: Experiencing the Story Peter.] Dramatize the Bible story and involve taking Peter by the arm. • Bible-times So Peter went with them to Joppa. costumes everyone in its telling. Children this age can [The messengers lead Peter to Dorcas.] When • clothing play a role if you prompt them to speak and he got there, the believers were crying • glass of water act. • damp cloth [wipe eyes]. Peter found Dorcas’s body laid • paper fan Characters: Dorcas, Peter, two messen- out for burial. Many of the people whom • paper/pen gers. Other children act as believers and Dorcas had helped stood around, holding • basket or mourners the clothes she had made for them and bowl Costumes: Bible-times costumes crying [wipe eyes]. They told Peter what a Props: Articles of clothing; chairs placed kind woman she had been, and showed close together to form a “bed” for Dorcas him the clothes she had made for them. Interactive element: When you say [The children with the clothes show them to “heartbroken” or “crying,” the children Peter.] They crowded around Dorcas’s bed. should wipe their eyes as if wiping away Peter sent all the crying [wipe eyes] tears. people out of the room. (The mourners back away from Dorcas.) Peter got down on his knees and prayed. Then he took Read or tell the story. Dorcas by the hand and said, “Dorcas, get [Position Peter either at the back of the up.” room or just outside the door. Dorcas sits up Immediately Dorcas opened her front and to one side folding clothes.] eyes and sat up. Peter took her by the hand and helped her to her feet. Then Dorcas lived in the town of Joppa. he called all the other believers and pre- She was a good woman who loved Jesus. sented Dorcas to them. [The other children She loved Jesus so much that she wanted hug Dorcas and tell her how happy they are everyone to share in His love. So she did to have her back.] kind things for them, especially for those News of this miracle spread all over who were poor. When she made clothes, Joppa. Many people wanted to know she gave them to people who needed about Jesus because of the wonderful them. [Dorcas gets up and gives away the miracle Peter had performed in Jesus’ clothes.] name. One day Dorcas became sick. [Dorcas Like Dorcas . . . lies on a bed made of several chairs that have been set close together up front.] Her friends WE SERVE WHEN WE HELP tried to help her. [Three children come to OTHERS. help. One offers water; another wipes her forehead, a third fans her.] But soon Dorcas Debriefing died. [Dorcas lies very still with her eyes Ahead of time, write the questions closed.] The church people were heart- that follow on small slips of paper and broken [wipe eyes]. put them in a basket or bowl. Have chil- Then someone remembered that dren take turns taking a question from

94 LESSON NINE www.gracelink.net/primary the container and answering the question I am not ashamed of the gospel, or asking another child to answer it. (Why?) because it is the power of God (For 1. Why were the other believers sad what?) when Dorcas died? (Because they loved that brings salvation (Of whom?) her; because she loved and helped to everyone who believes. (You them.) and me!) 2. What did the believers do when Romans 1:16 (Do a high five.) Peter arrived? (They showed the clothes Dorcas made for them.) Bible Study 3. What did Peter ask them to do? Have the children open their Bibles You Need: (Leave the room.) to Acts 9 and take turns reading one • Bibles 4. What did Peter do when he was verse at a time from verse 36 to verse alone? (He prayed to Jesus, then told 42. Ask two boys to read what the two Dorcas to get up.) men said in verse 38 (in quotations). Ask 5. How did this miracle spread the another boy to read what Peter said in news about Jesus? (It made people want verse 40. to know more about Jesus.) 6. How do you feel when someone Debriefing helps you with kindness like that of Ask: If you had been one of the Dorcas? (grateful, gives me a warm feel- people in that city, how would you ing toward that person, want to know have felt when Dorcas died? What that person better, etc.) would you have done? (not sure, felt bad, cried, gone to her home) Memory Verse What does the Bible call Dorcas? Before class, write You Need: (Jesus’ disciple. Acts 9:36. The SDA Bible the memory verse in • chalkboard or Commentary says she was a “female dis- phrases where all can large paper/ ciple” [see vol. 6, p. 242, on Acts 9:36]). see. Include the words poster board Why was Dorcas so important in in parentheses at the • chalk or the community? (She helped people, she end of each phrase. marker was kind, people liked her, etc.) Why did Say: Today’s • Bible the people send for Peter? (Maybe they memory verse adds thought he could do something to help the last part to the them. Maybe they needed someone to text learned last help them remember that God still cared week. Let’s say the entire text together. for them. Neither the Bible nor the Spirit of Allow time, then divide the class into Prophecy say the people believed Dorcas two groups. Have the first group read would be resurrected.) aloud, pausing after each phrase so the How would you have felt when second group can call out the words in Dorcas came back to life? Allow parentheses. Repeat three times. Then response time. Why? have the second group read the text aloud At the end of the activity, say the and have the first group call out words in message together: parentheses, repeating three times. Then have everyone say the text together, omit- WE SERVE WHEN WE HELP ting the words in parentheses. OTHERS. www.gracelink.net/primary LESSON NINE 95 3 ference with the load of bricks. But how Applying the Lesson could she refuse? So she let him push on one handle. A. Dorcas Hunt Sammie was a great help lifting the You Need: Divide the class into groups of two or bricks and stacking them in a pile in the • copies of a three children. Ahead of time, find three backyard. He worked quickly and care- local stories about people with needs either fully. And all the while he talked to the newspaper from your local news station or commu- woman. • Bible nity organization or the internet. Either “We are new here,” he told her. “My print or cut them out of the newspaper. daddy is a pastor. We read the Bible every Give the stories to three different groups. day. Do you know what we read today?” After they read the stories have them ask Soon Sammie was telling the woman themselves, “What would Dorcas do?” a Bible story as they pushed the wheelbar- After five or six minutes ask the row back and forth and stacked the bricks. groups to take turns reporting on the “Is that from the Bible?” the woman story they chose and telling what Dorcas asked, as Sammie finished his second would do. Then ask, What can we do story. Sammie’s mouth dropped open. to help one of these persons? Allow How could she not know that the story of discussion time, then lead the class into Joseph was in the Bible? making a plan. Follow through by assist- “Don’t you read your Bible?” Sammie ing the class to put their plan into action. asked. When the woman replied that she See “Sharing the Lesson” for ideas. did not have a Bible, Sammie ran back to his house, grabbed his mother’s Bible, Debriefing tucked it under his arm, and ran back Read aloud Romans 1:16. Say: One across the street. way we share the gospel is by shar- Sammie’s mother saw the boy run- ing Scripture. Another way to share ning off with her Bible, so she followed the good news about Jesus is by serv- him. At her neighbor’s house, she saw ing—by helping others. Jesus needs Sammie showing the woman the Bible. you and me to serve too. How does Soon Sammie’s mother was offering to it make you feel to know that Jesus bring Sammie back every day to tell the needs you? Let’s say our message for woman a new Bible story. today: One day Sammie invited his new friend to church. “Don’t be afraid,” he told WE SERVE WHEN WE HELP her. “You can sit by me.” She smiled and OTHERS. took his hand as he led her to a seat. And so the woman began to attend B. Sammie’s Service (Optional Story) church. Soon she was baptized—all “Can I help?” Sammie asked the neigh- because a little boy was willing to be a bor as she pushed her wheelbarrow full of helper and talk about Jesus. bricks up her long driveway. The neighbor looked down at Sammie Debriefing and saw a little 5-year-old with smiling Say: Why do you think the neigh- eyes looking earnestly up at her. He was bor woman was willing to listen to not strong enough to make much dif- Sammie talk to her about Jesus?

96 LESSON NINE www.gracelink.net/primary (Because he helped her first.) Jesus with someone who wants to How do you feel about a person know more? Let’s say our message who helps you when you need help? together: (I like that person, I feel grateful, etc.) Do you know someone whom you WE SERVE WHEN WE HELP can help? How would you share OTHERS. 4 form the service. Sharing the Lesson 3. Donate clothing and/or toys for You Need: Community Services or for someone in • shoebox Sharing Jesus need that they read of in the newspaper. • piece of paper for Plan an activity to share Jesus with 4. Donate coats/blankets for the each child someone whose story of need was in the homeless. • stickers 5. Have your parents contact Comm- newspaper and was shared by someone • crayons, in the class. unity Services or a local relief agency markers, etc. Suggestions: about other needs. (Toiletry items such • stapler 1. Make a giant greeting/condolence as soap, toothbrushes, toothpaste, razors, • yarn card. Cut a hole in the top of a shoebox. etc., are generally in short supply.) Give each child a piece of paper and stickers, crayons, markers, etc., to write Debriefing a note or make a card of condolence. Ask: How do you feel about help- Staple each card to a length of yarn. Put ing others in this way? How does this the yarn with all the notes inside the share Jesus? Let’s say today’s message box, with one end sticking out. When the together: recipient pulls on the yarn, the messages pop out in a long stream. WE SERVE WHEN WE HELP 2. Make coupons that are good for OTHERS. services the children can perform (raking leaves, picking up trash, helping to pre- Closing pare or delivering a meal). The children Sing “We Are His Hands” (Sing for Joy, have their parents help them give out no. 129). Ask a child to pray for the people the coupons and go with them to per- your class read about in the news-paper.

www.gracelink.net/primary LESSON NINE 97 STUDENT MATERIAL

And then she gives it away to some poor Alive Again! widow in need.” The two women turned back to their References Mary and her mother had little to live work. There was much to be done that Acts 9:32-42; The on. They needed food. Their clothes were old day. But first they would pray for Dorcas. Acts of the Apostles, and patched. One day someone told Mary’s Several days passed. Then early one pp. 131, 132 mother that the Seventh-day Adventist morning the news spread through the Community Services center in her town could town. “Dorcas has died.” help her. So Mary and her mother went there People hurried to her house to see Memory Verse for help. Soon they received some food and if it were really true. They could hardly “I am not good, clean clothes. believe it! Some of the women were ashamed of the Seventh-day Adventist Community already washing her body, tears running gospel, because it Services can be found all around the world. down their faces. Then they gently carried is the power of God Perhaps there is one near you. Sometimes her to a room upstairs. that brings salvation Community Services are called the “Dorcas Suddenly, amid all the crying and to everyone who Society.” Why? Because Dorcas, one of Jesus’ chaos, somebody remembered that Peter believes” (Romans friends, helped many people in the village was visiting the believers in Lydda, about 1:16). where she lived. Here is her story: 10 miles away. “Let’s send for Peter!” they exclaimed. So two men set off for Lydda “We’re all worried about our dear to find him. The Message friend Dorcas,” Elizabeth began. “She is so Finally Peter came. It was quite a We serve when sick, and she doesn’t seem to be getting scene that he walked in on! Crying, and we help others. any better.” wailing, and mourning. A whole house- “I know,” responded Sarah. “Dorcas ful of friends in distress. Someone led is such a precious woman! I love to go Peter to the upstairs room. Many widows to her house. I like to listen to her talk crowded around him, sobbing. They held about Jesus. Her big, brown eyes sparkle the coats and robes that Dorcas had and shine when she talks about Him. And made for them. I love to hear her laugh. It’s Peter sent everyone out of the room. wonderful Then he quietly knelt down beside the to watch her bed and prayed. As he stood up, he hands. They turned to Dorcas, lying so still. “Dorcas, are always get up!” he called. busy sewing. Immediately Dorcas opened her eyes I do believe and sat up! Peter took her by the hand she is the and helped her out of bed. He smiled at best seam- her. Then he called the people back into stress in the room so they could see her too. the city! How the believers rejoiced and Even if the praised God! “Our God is so good!” they shirt or shouted. Dorcas herself was amazed at coat she is what had happened. making is Of course the wonderful news spread a simple quickly. Everywhere in Joppa people one, it is heard about the miracle. And because of always elegant. that, many of them believed in the Lord.

98 LESSON NINE www.gracelink.net/primary Daily Activities • Lydda and Joppa were 10 miles apart. What Sabbath place is 10 miles from your town? Joppa was a • Put these things in a basket or box: a toy, a Bible, port city. What does that mean? What port is clos- a piece of clothing, food, a dust cloth. For worship, est to your town? Today Joppa is called Jaffa and ask your family to take turns holding up one thing, is part of the city of Tel Aviv in Israel. Try to find it then tell how they could use it to tell others about on a modern map. Jesus. Wednesday • Read your lesson story together. Do you know • With your family, read and discuss Galatians 6:2. anyone who reminds you of Dorcas? What does Then check the things below that you could joy- that person do to help others? fully do to serve others: • What was Dorcas’s other name? Find out the sec- __ Pick up trash lying on the street. ond name of everyone your family. __ Help your neighbors rake their yard or • Read Romans 1:16 together. Then ask God to sweep their walk. show you ways you can help others. __ Help your parents before they ask. Sunday __ Refuse to take money for helping someone. • With an adult, visit a soup kitchen that feeds • Say your memory verse to your family. Tell what homeless people, or visit a Community Services it means to you. center. (Or some other organization that helps the Thursday needy.) Learn all you can about what they do. How • When someone says nice things about your help, can you help them help others? what do you say? Act out the following with your • During family worship, read Acts 9:36-42 togeth- family: er. Why does the Bible say that Dorcas was a dis- “What a great help you are!” (Thank you. God ciple? What did Jesus’ disciples do? Read Matthew helps me. I want to pass it on.) 25:40 together. “You don’t have to do that.” (But I want to help • Ask God to bless those who work with homeless so you will know that Jesus loves you.) people. “Don’t you want to play now?” (Maybe later. Monday Now I’m having fun helping you.) • With your family, look at a newspaper. Circle two • Call a friend and say your memory verse to him stories or pictures of people that you and your or her. family could help. (Or ask your pastor or church Friday Community Services director for names.) • During worship, sing your favorite song about • Draw pictures or write a story about what you service for Jesus. found. Help your family make a plan, then do it. • Make a diorama to tell the story of Dorcas. (Use • Say your memory verse to someone in your family. a shoebox or other small box for the setting. Make Tuesday cutouts of story characters. Add clothes made from • Retell the story from Acts 9:36-42 to your fam- cloth scraps.) Then tell the story to your family. Ask ily. What might you have seen and heard had you a family member to read Acts 9:40-42 to end your been there? What does salvation mean? Whose story. power saves? According to the memory verse, who • Talk about the people your family chose to help. gets saved? Gospel means “good news.” Whom is Have you helped them yet? the good news about? • Say the memory verse like you are proud to serve.

www.gracelink.net/primary LESSON NINE 99