HOME GUIDE| JULY 5, 2020

SUMMARY | A CHURCH ON MISSION BRINGS GODS HEALING POWER TO THE WORLD

Wartime is forever devastating, especially for those who lost friends and family members. We often reflect upon those who fought bravely in the conflicts with a sense of pride because they fulfilled a higher purpose.  There is a sense of healing through these conversations. Sure not all things are as dramatic as wartime. As you reflect upon your life, you can see many moments where something seemed so wrong, but later, you discovered that it served a higher purpose.  In Acts chapter 3, we read about two terrible situations that were ultimately used to show powerful healing from God. As you take the next few moments to read Acts chapter 3, consider how the lame man's life and healing served a higher purpose. Also, consider Peter's sermon when he directs the guilt upon the people for the death of Jesus and yet brings to light the higher purpose. Ultimately, this series is for us to discover the 'action' side of being Christ-followers. It is our mission to bring about the healing power of the gospel to the world.  
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS | 

1. [Children] Activity: Have the children draw what comes to mind throughout today’s discussion.  Help them use their words to describe what GOD is doing in this storyline.   Here is the link to a video that can help with today’s lesson; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gnbzvAKFTXY Color Sheet:https://www.pinterest.com/pin/42010208999254066/
2. [Teens - Adults] What’s standing out at the moment from today’s reading? Also, what questions come to mind? 
3. [Children - Adults] It can be very difficult to understand why someone is born with some different body or mental challenges. That’s a question we will have to personally ask God one day, but in this story it was used for the greater good.  Take a few moment and describe how the ‘lame man’ responded to the healing. Do you think he ever was sad again?   How did Peter address the astonished crowd? 
4. [Teens - Adults] When Peter was addressing the crowd, did you notice how he pointed out that the Messiah they have all be waiting on was put to trial and traded for another criminal?   There is no denial in this guilting approach to the crowd. How did he smooth out the conversation? [Read Acts 3:17-26, use various translations]
5. [Teens - Adults] Reading the Bible can be difficult without knowing the setting and what the original listeners understood.  Peter is addressing the group that is likely numb and unsure of a few things. Yet this moment serves as an “awakening” for these people as Peter brings together things many of them have been taught a number of years.  Peter also tells them what they should do and that was “repent and turn from their wicked ways.”   So, what is our role in this story? What do we do with it? 

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS | Family Activity from last week
[Children - Adults] For several weeks now we have encouraged a family prayer board. How is that going?   Here is what that looks like: Find a blank piece of paper or a whiteboard, go around the room asking about any concerns or thanksgivings before a time of Prayer.   Leave this paper where you can see it all week, discuss them everyday and see where God might be working in them. [Deu 6]
Additional Resource | Mission and Vision of the West Side Church of Christ: https://www.westsidear.org/mission-and-vision.html