📖

The Jerusalem Council

Paul's Conversion and Mission

Day 79of 180
Week 16of 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 key decision about Gentile believers and salvation

3

Recognize the importance of unity in the Christian church

📖 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)

Central verse explaining salvation by grace through faith for all believers

📦 Materials Needed

  • Bible (World English Bible)
  • Notebook
  • Colored pencils
  • BibleMouse Resource Guide: Grade 5 Bible
  • Map of Paul's missionary journeys
📚 Step-by-Step

Lesson Plan

1Opening (5 min)

In today's BibleMouse lesson, we'll explore how the early church solved a big challenge: Could Gentile believers become Christians without following all Jewish laws?

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

The Jerusalem Council was a crucial moment in early Christian history. Paul and Barnabas met with church leaders to discuss how Gentile believers could be part of God's family.

📌 Key Talking Points:
  • Some believers thought Gentiles must follow all Jewish laws to be saved
  • Peter shared how God had already accepted Gentile believers
  • The council decided salvation comes through grace, not law-following
💬 Discussion Questions:
  • Why was this meeting so important?
  • How does God show that He loves all people?
3Activity: Grace Exploration Map (12 min)
discussion

Create a visual map showing how God's grace reaches people from different backgrounds

📝 Instructions:
  1. Draw a large world map
  2. Use different colors to represent different people groups
  3. Write key phrases about God's grace on the map
  4. Share how the gospel is for everyone
🔄 Variations:

Simpler: Use pre-printed map from BibleMouse Printables Library

Challenge: Research and add historical context about early church diversity

4Closing (3 min)

Review the key lesson about God's inclusive love

📝 Review Questions:
  • What did we learn about how people are saved?
  • Why is unity important in the church?
🙏 Prayer:

Thank God for His grace that welcomes all people

Coming up: Tomorrow we'll explore Paul's passion for sharing the gospel

💎 Memory Verse

Acts 9:15

“But the Lord said to Ananias, 'Go! This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel.'”

— Acts 9:15 (WEB)

🎯 Activity: Jerusalem Council Memory Verse Puzzle: Write each word of the verse on a separate sticky note, mix them up, and have the student reassemble the verse in the correct order

👨‍👩‍👧 For Parents

Teaching Notes

📚 Background:

The Jerusalem Council resolved a critical theological debate about salvation and inclusion

💡 Teaching Tips:
  • Use age-appropriate language about grace
  • Encourage questions and discussion
  • Help child understand salvation is a gift
🤔 Common Struggles:

Children might find the theological concepts challenging

👀 Signs of Understanding:

Understanding that God's love crosses cultural boundaries

🚀 Want More?

Extension Activities

  • Listen to BibleMouse Song Collection track about God's grace
  • Read additional passages about early church unity from BibleMouse Read-Aloud Library

Ready for Tomorrow?

Great job completing today's lesson!

Continue to Day 80 →Back to Bible