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Lesson 1: The apostles’ mission.
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A unit on the early followers of Jesus.
Bible Passage: Luke and Acts.
Acts 2:22-41 - During his sermon on the day of Pentecost, Peter boldly proclaims that Jesus of Nazareth was accredited by God through miracles, signs, and wonders, yet was handed over to be crucified according to God’s plan. Peter declares that God raised Jesus from the dead, fulfilling prophesy, and exalted him as Lord and Messiah. Convicted by his message, the crowd asks what they must do, and Peter urges them to repent and be baptized for the forgiveness of their sins and the gift of the Holy Spirit. About 3,000 people respond to the message and are added to the early church that day.
Acts 1:15-26 - The followers of Jesus gather together after his return to heaven. Peter stands up among them and explains that they need to choose someone to take the place of Judas as one of the twelve apostles. The new apostle should be someone who was with them the whole time Jesus was teaching and who saw him after he came back to life. They pray and ask God to show them who to choose. Then, by casting lots, they select a man named Matthias to join the apostles.
Acts 1:9-11 - In this passage, Jesus is with his disciples for the last time before he is taken up into the clouds before their eyes. As they are staring into the sky after him, an angel appears and asks them why they are looking at the sky. He then informs them that Jesus will one day return in the same way that he left.
Luke and Acts - This week’s lesson is about how the story of Jesus continues from the Gospel of Luke into the Book of Acts. Luke tells us about Jesus’ life, his teachings, and the amazing things he did — right up to his death, resurrection, and return to heaven. But before Jesus went back to the Father, he gave his followers a special mission: to be his witnesses throughout the whole world, spreading the good news of God’s love and forgiveness that is available to all. The Book of Acts picks up the story, showing how the apostles carried out that mission and how the church began to grow.