Paul Apostle of Jesus Seeing The Light Paul

Paul- Apostle of Jesus Seeing The Light

Paul- Apostle of Jesus Seeing The Light Acts 9: 1 -19 In today’s lesson we learn about a man who changed. He became the complete opposite to what he had been like. (Even how he was known changed – from Saul to Paul – the last slide in the power point explains this). By reading the Bible, watching the video clip, doing your activities and singing the songs we will realise that God can make enemies of Jesus become his friends. Before starting the lesson say a prayer thanking God for his goodness and asking him that he will help us live for him. Memory Verse: 1 Timothy 1 v 16 a But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life.

Paul- Apostle of Jesus Seeing The Light Acts 9: 1 -19 After reading the bible passage take a look at this video clip which is a good summary.

Paul- Apostle of Jesus A Proud Pharisee Saul was a Pharisee ( a very religious Jew who tried to keep all of God’s laws). He believed Christians were wrong and was angry that they were telling people that Jesus was “The Way, The Truth and The Life and that no-one could come to God except through Jesus”. Saul believed he was serving God by persecuting Christians. In other Sunday School lessons when we learned about Stephen (Acts 7: 58) a key person involved in his death was a young man called ……… Saul! Those stoning Stephen took off their coats and left them for Saul to look after.

An interrupted journey Can you fill in the missing words? (Acts 8 v 1) After the death of Stephen, Christians in Jerusalem suffered so much that many left to find new places to live. Saul went to the High Priest and asked for papers giving him permission to go to Damascus and arrest any belonging to ‘The Way’ (this was a nickname for Christians). The papers were handed to Saul and he set off to Damascus, telling people he wanted to kill those who believed Jesus was ‘The Way’ to God.

Paul- Apostle of Jesus An interrupted journey As he got near to the city, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him and he fell to the ground. He heard a voice: ‘Saul, why do you persecute me? ’ Who are you, Lord? ’ Saul asked. ‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting, ’ the voice replied. ‘Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do. ’ The men traveling with Saul stood there speechless. They heard the sound but did not see anyone. Saul got up, but when he opened his eyes he could see nothing.

Paul- Apostle of Jesus An interrupted journey Saul was led into Damascus. For three days he was blind, and did not eat or drink anything. He must have spent a lot of time thinking about the huge change in his life. The Lord Jesus had changed him.

Paul- Apostle of Jesus A big surprise The Christians in Damascus must have heard Saul was coming and been worried about what could happen. In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord called to him in a vision, ‘Ananias! ’‘Yes, Lord, ’ he answered.

Paul- Apostle of Jesus A big surprise God said to Ananias ‘Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man named Saul. He is praying. In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on him to restore his sight. ‘Lord, ’ Ananias answered, ‘This man has harmed your holy people in Jerusalem. And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name. ’

Paul- Apostle of Jesus A big surprise But the Lord said to Ananias, ‘Go! I have chosen Saul to proclaim my Name not only to Jews but Gentiles (non-Jews) and their kings. I will also show him how much he must suffer for me. ’ Ananias went to the house and placed his hands on Saul. ‘Brother Saul, Jesus-- who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here—has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit. ’ Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see.

Paul- Apostle of Jesus A changed man Ananias knew the Lord could change Saul. The man who had wanted to kill him became like a brother. Saul had been completely changed and wanted people to know he was a Christian. He was baptized to show he belonged to the Lord. When we become Christians we don’t become perfect. God, through His Holy Spirit, helps us to become more like Jesus. The biggest change is that we stop being God’s enemy and we become his friend. Writing this paragraph reminded me of a song we sometimes sing in church which I hope will encourage you.

Seeing The Light After Jesus had stopped Paul, his life changed for ever. We are unlikely to meet Jesus in the same way as Paul, who was chosen by God for a special job, but we all need to be changed by God. We can learn about Jesus by reading the Bible and listening to what the Bible has to say. God can speak to us through what we read and hear and we can respond to him in prayer. Awesome cutlery have a great song that reminds us of how God’s word – the Bible can change lives. My prayer is that God will change us and use us for His glory. Perhaps you could say a prayer now. God Bless, Colin

Seeing The Light Here is an extra song which tells today’s story.

Paul- Apostle of Jesus A changed name Why does Saul become Paul? The answer is that Saul’s name was also Paul. He had two names. Paul was born in the Roman city of Tarsus and his parents were Jewish. He was probably known as Saul (a Jewish name) by most people when he was growing up but as he lived in a Roman city he had a Roman name – Paul (in the Roman language it means small). It might be like a Scottish person calling their pal ‘titch’ or ‘wee fella’ But things changed after he met Jesus! Acts 13: 9 describes the apostle as “Saul, who was also called Paul. ” From that verse on he is called Paul. After that time, as “the apostle to the Gentiles” (Romans 11: 13), he used his Roman name, Paul. It would make sense for Paul to use his Roman name as he travelled farther and farther into the Gentile (non Jewish) world.