The Bible Class – Sunday School                                                                                   

Weekly Lesson:  Acts Chapters 12 & 13

 

Teacher:  Bro. Chris Sims

Weekly Significant Event:  Bro. Chris mentioned the Lord touched the revival he preached the previous week at Fellowship Baptist and stated it was a good meeting.

Acts 12:25 – John Mark has now joined Barnabas and Saul (Paul) on the Missionary Journey. 

Acts 13:2 – We see the Lord (Holy Ghost) saying “Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.”  The Lord gives them a distinguishable ministry.  Saul(Paul) and Barnabas fasted during this time.

• When do you fast?  When you have urgency or a burden on your heart. 
• Fasting requires you to draw nigh unto the Lord.
• Fasting:  Self-denial of a fleshly need.  Bring flesh under subjection to God and then give yourself over to a time of prayer.
• Fasting can also be other things you can deny your flesh to give up.  Examples (Group Discussion):
  • Food
  • Coffee (Caffeine)
  • Television
  • Computer (internet, games, social networks…)
  • Alabama Football
  • Hunting
  • Shopping

Preachers have been known to spend time away from family and everything to prepare for their ministry.  You can declare a fast to get a hold of the Lord.  Use affective prayer and draw nigh unto me and I’ll draw nigh unto you.   Over the years people have gone away from fasting.  The early church often fasted.  When a person performs a fast you will find on the third day something special happens.  Always remember the devil doesn’t want you to get close to God so he will always tempt you to fail at fasting.

Acts 13:4 – Who’s leading?  The Holy Ghost.

Acts 13:9 – Paul is full of the Holy Ghost.  He’s withstood the evil presence. 

What has Paul done in the synagogue?  He is converted and realizes all promises are fulfilled in Christ. 

Key Point:  Paul walked in the synagogue after the reading of the Law. 

Acts 13:33 – Once again he confirms the Son of God and ties this back to the Bible and the written scripture.

Acts 13:38-39 – Refer back to our Highlight Points for Sunday School

1.        Who is speaking?

2.       Who is the audience?

3.       What is the context of the scripture?

4.       What are the spiritual applications?

Paul is teaching in the synagogue that we all have a resurrected Christ that is preaching the forgiveness of sins.  All that believed are “Justified”.  Paul has hit them regarding Justification. 

What is Justification?  This is when you get saved – saved by the blood of Jesus Christ.

Acts 13:40-42 – Gentiles were interested in Paul’s preaching and this Justification of Christ.  All were interested and wanted to hear.  Jews were controlling people. 

Acts 13:51 – They left a testimony behind them that they had had heard the gospel.

KEY POINTS

1. Don’t reject God’s message
2. Don’t reject Gods messenger

 

HOMEWORK:   Practice some sort of “Self-Denial”

NEXT WEEK:       Acts Chapter 14

Fast And Pray About It!