New Testament – Acts 8: 26-40
These verses tell of two different events. The first event involves a wizard named
Simon and the apostles. While the word “magician” is used, Simon was not a
magician in the way we use the word today. Back then a person who practiced
the “magic arts” was a believer in the occult. The occult is the ability to perform
miracles through the use of Satan’s name and his demons. This is why the Bible
tells us not to participate in the occult. Simon saw that the power of God was
greater than what he had through Satan. Simon envied the apostles’ gift of giving
the Holy Spirit and wanted it for himself. Simon wanted it to make him even
richer and more popular than before. Peter told him that the Holy Spirit was not
for sale. Peter told Simon to repent before God punished him for being evil.
The second event in this passage is when Philip meets a high court official from
Ethiopia. This man was in charge of the queen’s treasury so he was very
powerful. He was Jewish as he had come to Jerusalem to worship and was
reading our friend, Isaiah. He didn’t understand what Isaiah was saying so Philip
offered to help him understand this passage. So they had Bible study in a chariot.
The Ethiopian was so changed that he wanted to be baptized and Philip baptized
him. Then Philip was taken away by the Spirit and brought to a village many miles
away. Below is a video of this event.
Old Testament – Psalm 22
This psalm written by David is used throughout Lent. David prophesies Jesus’
sufferings in this psalm. So it seems odd to have it in the middle of our Joyous
Easter season. These verses are at the end of this song. They remind us that even
when we are suffering God still is there for us. They also remind us that we can
praise God and remember He is with us even in our darkest times. Listen to this
part of Psalm 22 sung below.
New Testament – 1 John 4:7-21
Here the disciple John teaches we are to love one another as God loves us. We
are reminded God loves us so much that He sent His Son, Jesus, to die for our sins.
As a result, we live through Jesus. John teaches we don’t have to be fearful of
God. He loves us. Here we learn that if we hate someone and don’t repent we
don’t love God.
New Testament – John 15:1-8
Jesus teaches us that we must remain, faithful followers, if we want our lives to be
eternally worthwhile. We need to remain in His Spirit. He teaches we don’t have
to do things on our own. We have His Spirit. Jesus promises us we will be
wonderfully useful when we rely on Him.
Younger Children Lesson:
New Testament – Acts 8
Today we learn about Philip. Philip was one of Jesus’ friends. After Jesus went
back to heaven, Philip went to many places telling about Jesus. Watch today’s
story in the video below.
New Testament – 1 John 4
Another of Jesus’ friends, John, teaches us that Jesus is love. We learn that when
we love others we love God. How will you show your love to other people today?
New Testament – John 15
Today Jesus teaches we must believe in Him. When we believe in Him, we will be
able to do many things for Him.
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