Series

The Church Begins

The risen Jesus sends His Spirit, and the good news spreads to the whole world.

13 lessons

The Church Begins · Lesson 1Jesus Goes Back to HeavenActs 1:1-11; Matthew 28:18-20Forty days after He rose, Jesus gave His friends a job, to tell the whole world about Him, and promised the Holy Spirit's power. Then He went up to heaven, and angels said He will come back.New TestamentResponsibilityThe Church Begins · Lesson 2The Holy Spirit ComesActs 2:1-47; Genesis 11:1-9On Pentecost, Jesus sent the Holy Spirit like a rushing wind and tongues of fire. The disciples told about Jesus in many languages, Peter preached, and 3,000 people believed. The church was born with great joy.New TestamentFreeJoyThe Church Begins · Lesson 3Peter and John Heal a ManActs 3:1-4:31; Isaiah 35:5-6Peter and John healed a man who couldn't walk, in the name of Jesus. When leaders told them to stop talking about Jesus, they bravely said, "We cannot stop speaking about what we have seen and heard."New TestamentCourageThe Church Begins · Lesson 4The Church SharesActs 2:42-47; Acts 4:32-37The first Christians loved each other so much that they shared everything they had. They ate together, prayed together and made sure no one was in need. Barnabas even sold a field and gave the money to help.New TestamentGenerosityThe Church Begins · Lesson 5Stephen ForgivesActs 6:8-8:4; Luke 23:34, 46Stephen loved Jesus and told others about Him. When angry men hurt him, Stephen saw Jesus in heaven and prayed, "Lord, do not hold this sin against them," forgiving them just as Jesus forgave.New TestamentForgivenessThe Church Begins · Lesson 6Philip and the EthiopianActs 8:26-40; Isaiah 53:7-8God sent Philip to a desert road to meet an important man from Ethiopia who was reading the Bible. Philip told him the good news about Jesus, the man was baptized, and he went home full of joy.New TestamentJoyThe Church Begins · Lesson 7Saul Meets JesusActs 9:1-22; 2 Corinthians 5:17Saul was trying to hurt Jesus' followers. But on the road to Damascus, the risen Jesus stopped him with a bright light and spoke to him. Saul turned around, followed Jesus, and became one of His greatest messengers.New TestamentRepentanceThe Church Begins · Lesson 8Dorcas Helps PeopleActs 9:36-43; Mark 5:35-43Dorcas loved Jesus and was always doing kind things, like making clothes for widows. When she got sick and died, her friends sent for Peter. Peter prayed, and God brought Dorcas back to life, and many people believed in Jesus.New TestamentKindnessThe Church Begins · Lesson 9Peter Escapes PrisonActs 12:1-19; Exodus 12:11King Herod put Peter in prison, chained between soldiers. The church prayed hard for him, and God sent an angel to lead Peter out. When Peter knocked at the door, the praying friends could hardly believe it!New TestamentPrayerThe Church Begins · Lesson 10Paul and Silas Sing in JailActs 16:16-34; Philippians 4:4Paul and Silas were hurt and locked in jail for telling about Jesus. At midnight they prayed and sang to God. An earthquake opened the doors, and the jailer and his family believed in Jesus and were filled with joy.New TestamentJoyThe Church Begins · Lesson 11Shipwrecked!Acts 27:1-44; Jonah 1:4-5Paul was on a ship to Rome when a terrible storm raged for 14 days. Everyone lost hope, but God sent an angel to promise Paul that every person would live. Paul kept trusting God and encouraged everyone, and all 276 people made it safely to shore.New TestamentPerseveranceThe Church Begins · Lesson 12Timothy Learns God’s Word2 Timothy 1:5; 2 Timothy 3:14-17; Acts 16:1-3Timothy's grandmother Lois and mother Eunice taught him God's Word when he was little. He grew up to help Paul tell people about Jesus. In his last letter, Paul told Timothy to keep holding on to the Scriptures, because they come from God and point to Jesus.New TestamentFaithfulnessThe Church Begins · Lesson 13Jesus Makes All Things NewRevelation 21:1-7; Revelation 22:1-5, 20; Genesis 2:8-10God showed John a vision of the future. Jesus will make a new heaven and a new earth, with no more tears, sickness or death. God will live with His people forever, and they will see His face.New TestamentHope