ONE small step - Week 3
Astronaut Neil Armstrong once said landing on the moon was “one small step for man.” The biggest adventures start in such a simple way — especially when it comes to space! Asteroids, distant planets, and brand new galaxies await us once we leave earth’s atmosphere. Being the first to explore such uncharted territory can be intimidating. In this four-week series, our families will take a look at the Book of Acts to learn from the first Christians. Through their stories of faith and bravery, our kids will learn how to take the first step of believing in Jesus, the next step of praying for others, and an even bigger step of trusting the Holy Spirit makes us brave. But they won’t want to skip the last step of telling others about Jesus.
BIG IDEA: Take a big step — the Holy Spirit makes us brave.
BIBLE: Acts 6, 7:54–59; Acts 2:1–21
MEMORY VERSE
Elementary: "The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands." Psalms 19:1 (NIV)
Toddler Twist: "God's creation shows his power." Hebrews 13:8
WATCH:
Preschool- teaching video
Elementary- teaching video
SONG: Every Move I Make, and Step by Step
DISCIPLE:
Show a video about space suits (like this). For more information on how to legally use copyrighted material for educational purposes, read this!
Space suits are necessary for astronauts to complete their mission in space. It protects them, supplies them with oxygen, and keeps them from overheating. Without their space suits, astronauts could not survive in outer space!
Just like space explorers need space suits to complete their missions, we need the Holy Spirit in our lives to help us complete our mission on Earth. What is our mission? To tell others about Jesus, just like Stephen did!
Stephen had the Holy Spirit who gave him words to speak to others about Jesus. The Holy Spirit in our lives will help us make good decisions, show us how we can love people better, and give us words to say in order to spread the exciting news about God's love!
Sometimes we can feel worried or scared about sharing Jesus with our friends, but just like Stephen did, we can take a big step — the Holy Spirit makes us brave!
Pray: God, thank you for sending the Holy Spirit to be with us as we take big steps in following Jesus. Please make us brave so we can share the good news with others. We want the whole world to know you! Amen.
DISCUSS:
SCRIPTURE QUESTIONS
What qualities did the chosen seven, including Stephen, have? They were full of the Spirit and wisdom.
Why was Stephen brought before the Sanhedrin? Because people made up lies that Stephen was making false statements against Moses and God.
What did Stephen pray while the people were throwing stones at him? For God to forgive the crowd, to not hold their sin against them.
Read Acts 2:2–4. What happened when the disciples were filled with the Holy Spirit? They were able to speak in other languages.
APPLICATION QUESTIONS
What does being brave look and feel like to you?
What can you ask the Holy Spirit to help you be brave with?
How can you help someone take their big step in allowing the Holy Spirit to make them brave for Jesus?