Peter Speaks About Jesus Prayed for by the

Peter Speaks About Jesus Prayed for by the church Acts 12: 1 -19

Peter Speaks About Jesus Prayed for by the church Today’s lesson has three parts: Locked up in prison Released by an angel Locked out by friends The memory verse is John 16: 33(b) In this world you will have trouble but take heart! I have overcome the world.

Peter Speaks About Jesus Prayed for by the church ‘The Salvation Song’ is one we’ve sung a few times in church. I hope you enjoy singing it again. As we go through today’s lesson pray that the Holy Spirit will help you think of people and situations you should pray for.

Peter Speaks About Jesus Prayed for by the church Today we will try something a bit different. Have your Bible open at Acts Chapter 12: 1 -19. Read along while you watch/listen to the dramatic reading of the passage in this clip. (stop at 4 minutes 20 secs)

Locked Up in Prison Life was difficult for Christians in Jerusalem. For a while they had been left alone by the leaders in the city but King Herod realised that he could make himself popular by giving the Christians a hard time (Read Acts 12: 1 -2) This can even happen in the playground. Sometimes people might be cruel to you when the find out you are a Christian. Talk through this with an adult you trust.

Locked Up in Prison King Herod’s uncle had killed John the Baptist and sent Jesus to his death and so this King Herod decided to kill one of the disciples. (James the brother of John) This went down very well with some people so he decided to do something else to please them (Read verses 3 -4)

Locked Up in Prison What could the Christians do? They weren’t in important positions to be able to help Peter who had been bold in talking to others about Jesus (Read verse 5) But they knew someone far more important than King Herod and spoke to him about it.

God always hears our prayers and we should trust him to find the solution to our problem. We may feel helpless but God is not. A helpful way to think about God answering our prayers is by thinking of traffic lights! God might say “No” God might say “Yes” God might say “Wait” His answer is always best for us

Released by an angel How do you think Peter was feeling on the night before he would probably be put to death? You would expect him to be scared! (Read verse 6). He slept, even though he could not escape! Altogethere were sixteen soldiers guarding him and he was in chains.

Released by an angel Read verses 7 -10. It was so incredible that even Peter thought he was dreaming. God is in control of everything! He can use our prayers to help people who are in difficult situations.

Locked out by friends Read verses 11 -12. Peter realised it was not a dream and decided to find his friends to let them know he was safe. He went to Mary’s house where he knew some of his Christian friends might be. He found that lots of them were praying! (Look back to verse 5 to find what they were praying about)

Locked out by friends Peter knocked on the door (Read verses 13 -16) Rhoda answered the knock but those who were praying did not expect Peter to be released. How would you have reacted if you had been there?

Locked out by friends Their prayers were answered! But Peter could not stay long. He soon had to go somewhere safer because the soldiers would come to look for him. We need to pray for suffering Christians knowing that God will answer in his own special way. He doesn’t always rescue them (the apostle James was killed) but he has a plan for their lives. Even if they do die, they will be with him in heaven.

The Christians were surprised at how God answered their prayers. We need to pray that God will help others – especially those who suffer because they are Christians. Here is a link to The Open Doors Children at Home website. It has some excellent resources & ideas. https: //www. opendoorsuk. org/resources/children-at-home/

Our final song is from Awesome Cutlery and is called ‘We are the church’. It reminds us that we are part of God’s worldwide family. I think Peter and the early church might have enjoyed singing this song! God bless, Colin.