32 philip baptizes the ethiopian 3 6 - wordpress.com...2017/05/07 · see it as simply life’s...

1 © 2015-2016 Spirit and Truth Publishing—All Rights Reserved

Key Verse:

Then an angel of the Lord said to Philip, “Get up and go…” Acts 8:26

The Point: We learn about God through other people – meeting, talking, and learning together! We never know who might teach us about God’s love.

Making Connections: The Birthing of the Church

Bible Nuts & Bolts:

Bible Resources

Spiritual Practice: Worship

Lesson #3-32

Sunday, May 7, 2017

Philip Baptizes the Ethiopian Acts 8:26-39

3rd-6th

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© 2015-2016 Spirit and Truth Publishing—All Rights Reserved

Lesson #3-32 (3rd-6th) May 7, 2017

Activities Supplies

Listen for the Spirit.

None

Using resources to understand the Bible.

Bible Activity Sheet #3-32.A Optional: Internet-connected device(s)

What keeps the story going?

None

The importance of Baptism.

Baptism liturgy

Spread the good news.

Activity Sheet #3-32.B or map from #3-30 or 3-31 Pens or pencils Reference map

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Lesson #3-32 (3rd-6th) May 7, 2017

Finding ministry opportunities.

Activity Sheet #3-32.C

Design a chariot.

Activity Sheet #3-32.D Markers or crayons Scissors Glue or tape Optional: Stickers and other craft

embellishments

None


Lesson #3-32 (3rd-6th) May 7, 2017

Background for Teachers Story Connections We have been learning about how the early church grew. The last Scripture we read was about Stephen’s death. In between that and today’s story, there are those in Jerusalem who have continued to persecute the followers of Christ. Did the early Church stop spreading the word? Of course not! Instead, followers like Philip went on the road. They left Jerusalem and ensured that the good news spread!

Story Summary: Philip Baptizes the Ethiopian Within Jerusalem, followers of Jesus are being persecuted. For safety, they begin to leave Jerusalem, and the Church spreads beyond its earliest boundaries. Philip, one of the seven new leaders, needs to flee persecution. An angel appears to him and tells him to head south to Gaza. On this very road, there is an Ethiopian who is riding home from worship in Jerusalem and reading from the Book of Isaiah. The Spirit tells Philip to go join the Ethiopian in his chariot. The Ethiopian welcomes Philip and asks for guidance in studying the Scripture. Philip shares with him the good news of Jesus Christ. When he notices water by the side of the road, the Ethiopian asks to be baptized right then and there. Philip baptizes him before being snatched away by the Spirit. The Ethiopian rejoices in his baptism!

The Point We learn about God through other people – meeting, talking, and learning together! We never know who might teach us about God’s love. From Philip’s encounter with the Ethiopian, we are reminded that we never know when or where we can grow in our relationship with God. Whether we see it as simply life’s events or as the Spirit moving in our lives, we are led to encounters where God is present. We should be open to this transforming love.

Bible Nuts and Bolts: Bible Resources Who is Philip? Where is Gaza? What is a chariot? Reading any Scripture can leave people of all ages and backgrounds with plenty of questions. Fortunately, there are numerous resources available to help us make sense of the many questions that we have. In today’s lesson, children are encouraged to ask questions, and to be patient with people who help them find answers.

Spiritual Practice: Worship For our Spiritual Practice focus of worship, we will be looking at the sacrament of baptism. Different communities celebrate baptism in various ways, but it remains an essential part of our Christian identity and an important milestone in worship.


Lesson #3-32 (3rd-6th) May 7, 2017

Lesson Plan

Listen for the Spirit. You will need: Nothing

During class:

1. Begin with a brief check-in with your students about the past week. 2. Play a twist on the game of Simon Says. Instead of “Simon” use “The Spirit says.” 3. In today’s story, Philip, an early church leader, listens to the Spirit. We are going

to see how well you can listen! Whenever I say “the Spirit says” an action then you need to do that action. But, if I do not say “the Spirit says” first, stand still. If you do the action, you are out and must sit down.

4. If time allows, the last person standing can be the leader for the next round.


Lesson #3-32 (3rd-6th) May 7, 2017

Using resources to understand the Bible. You will need: Bible Activity Sheet #3-32.A Optional: Internet-connected device(s)

Before class:

1. If you can arrange to have Internet access on a number of devices for this lesson, that would be ideal.

2. Talk with your pastor(s) and see if they have any resources that they might be willing to share for today’s lesson.

During class:

1. Does everyone know where Ethiopia is? Does everyone know who Philip is? Does everyone know why Philip needs to leave Jerusalem? Give students a moment to contemplate these questions. Be clear that they are not expected to know the answers. The point is that sometimes we do not know all the information.

2. The answers to these questions might help us understand today’s Scripture reading. The Bible itself can help guide our search for answers. But, throughout the Bible, most people encounter a number of things they do not understand. Fortunately for us, there are many resources available to help us make sense of it. Today we are going to take a look at some of these resources.

3. We are going to start with the questions I asked you just moments ago, and are going to try and find some of the answers using Bible resources.

4. Give students an opportunity to look up the answers, using the Resource List found on Activity Sheet #3.32.A as their guide. Give them as much help as they require, and encourage them to work together.

5. When teachers prepare lessons, and pastors prepare sermons, they may have very similar questions about the scripture for the day. They use resources, just like you did, to help them understand the scripture better.


Lesson #3-32 (3rd-6th) May 7, 2017

What keeps the story going? You will need: Nothing

Before class:

1. Be sure you have a large area for movement for this activity. This is a re-telling from Acts 8:26-39. If you’d prefer to have students read it in segments from the Bible, that is also an option.

During class:

1. Have students line up and sit down on one side of your open area. 2. This morning’s story is about one of the early church leaders named Philip. In

today’s encounter, there are a number of things that keep the story moving, but it is not usually Philip. We are going to move through the story together. Every time Philip takes action, we are going to move forward together.

3. Let’s start: Then an angel of the Lord said to Philip “Get up and go toward the south to the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza. So he got up and went. Students should move forward (amount of movement is dependent on area available. There are five movement times to cover the whole area.) Now there was an Ethiopian eunuch, a court official of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians. He was in charge of her entire treasury. He had come to Jerusalem to worship and was returning home. Seated in his chariot, he was reading the prophet Isaiah. Then, the Spirit said to Philip, “Go over to this chariot and join it.” So Philip ran up to it (students should move forward) and heard him reading the prophet Isaiah. He asked, “Do you understand what you are reading?” He replied, “How can I, unless someone guides me?” And he invited Philip to get in and sit beside him. (Students move forward.)

4. Pause to discuss: The first two times we moved, what caused Philip to move? [An angel, and the Spirit of the Lord.] This time, what caused Philip to move; to climb into the chariot? [The Ethiopian invited him.]


Lesson #3-32 (3rd-6th) May 7, 2017

5. Let’s go on: Now the passage of the scripture that he was reading was this: “Like a sheep he was led to the slaughter, and like a lamb silent before its shearer, so he does not open his mouth. In his humiliation justice was denied him. Who can describe his generation? For his life is taken away from the earth.” The eunuch asked Philip, “About whom, may I ask you, does the prophet say this: about himself or about someone else?” Then Philip began to speak, and starting with this scripture, he proclaimed the good news about Jesus. As they were going along the road, they came to some water; and the eunuch said, “Look, here is water! What is to prevent me from being baptized?” He commanded the chariot to stop, and both of them, Philip and the eunuch, went down into the water and Philip baptized him. (Students should move forward.) When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord snatched Philip away. (Students move forward again.) The eunuch saw him no more, and went on his way rejoicing.

6. Have the students sit down. We’ve moved across this area as Philip moved. What were the two things that made Philip move in this story? [The Ethiopian and the Spirit] If Philip had ignored or denied the Spirit or the stranger on the road, he would have missed an opportunity to share the good news of Jesus. But he listened, and he got up! He climbed into the chariot and shared the good news, and his willingness helped the Church to grow!


Lesson #3-32 (3rd-6th) May 7, 2017

The importance of Baptism.

You will need: Your congregation’s baptismal liturgy

Before class:

1. Get a copy of your congregation’s baptismal liturgy. Often, these are found in the hymnal. If you use one tailored to your congregation, speak with your pastor about getting a copy of it for the lesson.

2. Ideally, you could go to the space where baptisms occur in your congregation. Consider gathering around the baptismal font. Determine if this will work for your class. If not, is there another space where students might remember their baptisms?

During class:

1. If you are going to be traveling to another space (see Before class), you can simply continue the momentum from Learning the Story. Otherwise, have the students form a circle for discussion.

2. In today’s story, the Ethiopian asks Philip to baptize him, and Philip does. In our Christian community, baptism brings people into the Church, and we celebrate them joining our Church family.

3. Depending on how your congregation celebrates baptism, walk them through the liturgy. Are there parts where the congregation participates? What is important about celebrating our baptisms?

4. If you are able to be close to your baptismal font, you might arrange with your pastor to have a blessing to remember baptisms and to bless each other with the baptismal water.


Lesson #3-32 (3rd-6th) May 7, 2017

The good news spreads. You will need: Activity Sheet #3-32.B or map from Lessons #3-30 and #3-31 Pens or pencils Reference map

Before class:

1. If your students have worked on maps during either of the last two lessons, it would be ideal to have them continue to add to these maps. If they have not, simply make copies of Activity Sheet #3-32.B for each student.

2. Locate reference maps. They can often be found in the back of the Bible. During class:

1. We have been looking at how the early Church spread out beyond its beginnings in Jerusalem. Today we are going to add two locations to the map.

2. Does anyone remember where Philip was headed at the start of today’s story? [Gaza] Let’s first add this to our maps. Help students locate Gaza on reference maps, and then add it to their own maps.

3. Next, we know that Philip met an Ethiopian. We are going to add the country of Ethiopia to the map. Help students locate Ethiopia on the reference map, and then add it to their own maps.

4. Collect and keep these maps for next week.


Lesson #3-32 (3rd-6th) May 7, 2017

Finding ministry opportunities. You will need: Activity Sheet #3-32.C

Before class:

1. Activity Sheet #3-32.C has a number of different opportunities listed. Cut out these cards, and then decide if you will use all of them or pick ones that represent real opportunities that students might have in your congregation or community. If you have other ministries that are not represented, feel free to make your own cards.

2. Consider inviting leaders of these ministries to come and share information about their ministries.

During class:

1. Philip did not go looking for the Ethiopian. The Spirit moved him, and he was open and willing to share the good news. If we open our eyes to the world around us, there are countless opportunities for us to share the good news. Let’s take a look at what some of these opportunities might be.

2. I have some cards for us to look at. Let’s see what we might do in each of these situations. Depending on the size of your group, you might choose to do this as a whole group, or break into smaller groups. If you break into smaller groups, report back to the class.

3. After addressing the cards specifically, talk with your students about ways these cards represent real opportunities for them to minister in their communities.

Design a chariot. You will need: Activity Sheet #3-32.D Markers or crayons Scissors Glue or tape Optional: Stickers and other craft embellishments

Before class:

1. Make copies of Activity Sheet #3-32.D for each student. 2. Gather craft supplies.


Lesson #3-32 (3rd-6th) May 7, 2017

During class: 1. Students can cut out and assemble their chariots. 2. Students decorate their chariots. 3. Display the chariots around the classroom as a reminder to students to “Go! Go! Get

in!”

Before ending class, make a point to come together to pray. Use the following or say your own prayer. In today’s story, Philip shares the good news of Jesus with a stranger. This stranger, an Ethiopian, goes on his way rejoicing. We know that the Church is growing! Philip is able to do this because he listens to the Spirit, and he accepts the Ethiopian’s invitation. We walked across the room as we listened to the story, thinking of Philip’s willingness to go where the Spirit led him. Let’s end today with a prayer. Gather students into a circle, and have them sit down.

Lord, thank you for the example of Philip. Help us be willing to get up. Students stand. Help us be willing to go. Students make an action pose. Help us to keep our eyes open for chances to share the good news. Amen.

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Lesson #3-32 (3rd-6th) May 7, 2017 Activity Sheet #3-32.A

Someone Guide Me—Resource List Using resources to understand the Bible.

Books: Talk with your pastor. Do they have any books that can help you on your search? Visit your church library. Congregations often have resources for children such as Bible atlases and dictionaries that will help. Online Resources: We encourage you to talk with your pastor, Faith Formation Coordinator, etc. to see if there are websites that they feel are useful. Below are listed a few sites that might guide students on their search to understand the Bible. They have been chosen to offer historical, geographical, and spiritual context. These resources are not endorsed by Spirit and Truth Publishing, and we cannot testify to the accuracy of the content. Please use your discretion as you peruse these sites. kids.britannica.com kids.nationalgeographic.com www.worldbookonline.com/kids www.factmonster.com www.uri.org/kids

kids.britannica.com

kids.nationalgeographic.com

http://www.worldbookonline.com/kids

http://www.factmonster.com

http://www.uri.org/kids

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Lesson #3-32 (3rd-6th) May 7, 2017 Activity Sheet #3-32.B

Spreading the Word The good news spreads…

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Lesson #3-32 (3rd-6th) May 7, 2017 Activity Sheet #3-32.C

Who’s Invited? Finding ministry opportunities.

There are people in your community who don’t have food to eat on a regular basis.

There are people in your community who do not have a safe place to sleep at night.

There are children in your community who don’t have anyone to help them with school work.

There are places in your community that are ignored and are not taken care of.

There are people in your community who don’t have warm clothes when the weather is cold.

There are people in your community who don’t have access to doctors, dentists, or other health

professionals.

There are people in your community who are lonely. There are people in your community who don’t know what happens inside your church.

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Lesson #3-32 (3rd-6th) May 7, 2017 Activity Sheet #3-32.D

Chariot Template Design your own chariot …

3rd-6th The Story @ Home

Living the Word: Teaching Kids God’s Story Narrative Lectionary, Year 3 (2016-2017)

Lesson #3-32

Acts 8:26-39


Story Summary: Philip Baptizes the Ethiopian

Within Jerusalem, followers of Jesus are being persecuted. For safety, they begin to leave Jerusalem, and the Church spreads beyond its earliest boundaries. Philip, one of the seven new leaders, needs to flee persecution. An angel appears to him and tells him to head south to Gaza. On this very road, there is an Ethiopian who is riding home from worship in

Other people help us learn about God and become a part of God’s family. From Philip’s encounter with the Ethiopian, we are reminded that we never know when or where we can grow in our relationship with God. Whether we see it as simply life’s events or as the Spirit moving in our lives, we are led to encounters where God is present. We should be open to this transforming love.

Spiritual Practice: Worship

For our Spiritual Practice focus of worship, we will be looking at the sacrament of baptism. Different communities celebrate baptism in various ways, but it remains an essential part of our Christian identity and an important milestone in worship.

Bible Nuts and Bolts: Bible Resources

Who is Philip? Where is Gaza? What is a chariot? Reading any Scripture can leave people of all ages and backgrounds with plenty of questions. Fortunately, there are numerous resources available to help us make sense of the many questions that we have. In today’s lesson, children are encouraged to ask questions, and to be patient with people who help them find answers. Embrace your students’ curiosity, and help them find answers in the Bible, through research, and through talking to trusted people.

Jerusalem and reading from the Book of Isaiah. The Spirit tells Philip to go join the Ethiopian man in his chariot. The Ethiopian welcomes Philip and asks for guidance in studying the Scripture. Philip shares with him the good news of Jesus Christ. When he notices water by the side of the road, the Ethiopian asks to be baptized right then and there. Philip baptizes him before being snatched away by the Spirit. The Ethiopian rejoices in his baptism!

Last Week/Next Week Last week, we learned about the early Church dividing up jobs, and the persecution that Stephen faced. We remembered that God was with us, even in hard times. Today’s story helped us to see how important it is to be willing to continue spreading the good news, and how the Church continued to grow. Next week we hear how the early Church continues to organize, handle disagreements, and make decisions within the first church council.

Sunday—Read Acts 8:26-39 —Philip Baptizes the Ethiopian Philip encounters an Ethiopian on the road to Gaza, and shares the good news with him! Have every family member share their favorite Bible story.

Monday—Read Acts 9:1-19 —The Conversion of Saul On the road to Damascus to persecute Christians, Saul encounters Jesus and is converted. Take turns being blindfolded while walking around the house, and imagine what it means to be without sight.

Tuesday—Read Acts 9:20-31 —Saul in Damascus and Jerusalem Saul begins to spread the word. Many are worried about his sudden conversion, but Saul works hard to grow the church. Pray for people who face challenges as they work to spread the word of God. Pray to be helpful and not be roadblocks in this call.

Wednesday—Read Acts 9:36-43 —Peter and Tabitha Peter performs a miracle. He raises Tabitha (also called Dorcas) from the dead. Have each family member name a miracle that they have seen. Encourage each other to keep eyes open to everyday miracles.

Thursday—Read Acts 10:34-48 —Gentiles Hear the Good News Peter declares that God shows no partiality, and the Holy Spirit comes upon the Gentiles who are then baptized. Learn how to say “God loves us!” in six different languages.

Friday—Read Acts 11:19-30 —The Church in Antioch The early Church continues to spread, strengthen, and organize. Get out a map and find where Antioch was (near modern day Antakya, Turkey) in relation to Jerusalem. Notice how the early Church was growing!

Saturday—Read Acts 12:6-19 —Peter Delivered from Prison Peter is saved from prison by an angel. Draw pictures of what you think an angel might look like. Would you recognize an angel in your life?


Lesson #3-32 Acts 8:26-39

@ HOME

As you hear and study these stories each week, consider what God has to say to you and your family. Help your children to imagine what it would have been like to be the people contained in the stories. What is God’s message to them—and to us?

How can we work together to see opportunities to serve God?

Think back to the baptisms of your family members. Why were these special to your family?

Practice sharing the good news of God in your lives.

Pick a time each day to gather together and read the following excerpts that share stories from a variety of geographical locations. It would be a great opportunity to find a map in the back of a Bible to further explore the world during biblical times. Engage in a few activities that help you better understand God’s message of love to people living in those places as well as where you live today.

Family Discussions

Family Devotions

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