📖

The Jerusalem Council Decision

Paul's Missionary Journeys

Day 101of 180
Week 21of 36
30Minutes
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🖨️ Download Worksheet (PDF)
🎯 What You'll Learn

Learning Objectives

1

Understand how early Christians resolved theological disagreements

2

Explain the significance of Gentiles being accepted without Jewish law

3

Appreciate God's inclusive plan of salvation

📖 Scripture Connection

Acts 15:11

“But we believe that we are saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, just as they are.”

— Acts 15:11 (WEB)

Demonstrates God's universal plan of salvation for all people

📦 Materials Needed

  • Bible (World English Bible)
  • Colored pencils
  • Large poster board
  • BibleMouse Journey Map
  • Notebook
📚 Step-by-Step

Lesson Plan

1Opening (3 min)

BibleMouse Adventure Intro: Imagine being in a big meeting where important decisions about faith are being made!

💭 Review Question: What did we learn about Paul's first missionary journey last week?
2Teaching (10 min)

Exploring the Jerusalem Council - How Early Christians Solved Big Questions

📌 Key Talking Points:
  • Different believers had different ideas about following Jesus
  • Paul and Barnabas shared how God was working among Gentiles
  • The council listened and made a loving decision
💬 Discussion Questions:
  • Why was it important that Gentiles could follow Jesus?
  • How do we show love when we disagree?
3Activity: BibleMouse Council Simulation (12 min)
council study

Role-play the Jerusalem Council, discussing and resolving a faith question

📝 Instructions:
  1. Divide into groups representing different perspectives
  2. Use the BibleMouse Resource Guide for discussion guidelines
  3. Create a poster showing the council's decision
  4. Share your group's conclusions
🔄 Variations:

Simpler: Use provided discussion cards with guided questions

Challenge: Research historical context of early church debates

4Closing (3 min)

Recap the important lesson of God's inclusive grace

📝 Review Questions:
  • What was the big decision of the Jerusalem Council?
  • How does God show love to everyone?
🙏 Prayer:

Thank God for loving all people and bringing them together

Coming up: Tomorrow we'll explore Paul's exciting journey to Europe!

💎 Memory Verse

Acts 20:24

“However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God's grace.”

— Acts 20:24 (WEB)

🎯 Activity: Grace Race Memorization Game: Create a race track where students move forward by correctly reciting parts of the verse

👨‍👩‍👧 For Parents

Teaching Notes

📚 Background:

The Jerusalem Council was a pivotal moment showing how early Christians resolved theological differences with love and unity

💡 Teaching Tips:
  • Emphasize God's love for all people
  • Help children understand complex ideas through storytelling
  • Encourage respectful discussion about differences
🤔 Common Struggles:

Children might find the historical context challenging to understand

👀 Signs of Understanding:

Signs of empathy and understanding of God's inclusive grace

🚀 Want More?

Extension Activities

  • Create a timeline of Paul's missionary journeys
  • Write a journal entry from the perspective of a council member
  • Draw a map showing the spread of early Christianity

Ready for Tomorrow?

Great job completing today's lesson!

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