Thanks to Edmund and Seth for this lesson guide.

Theme Verse: Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God's sight to obey you rather than God (Acts 4:19)

This would be the main point and we’ll talk more about it later.

Hook: Give the youths a mathematical question (e.g. 4578123/1256 * 45.5 + 12478 – 899) and ask them to solve it within 2mins without the use of a calculator. Then find an excuse to leave the classroom. Arrange among yourselves (the leaders and mentors) to leave the room to help the other groups. Other group leaders would offer to help the youths by producing a calculator. (handphone lah!) We must pressure the youths into using the calculator by telling them that they will be forfeited if they either fail to answer the question or answer it wrongly.

Point of hook: This hook would help them to experience what it is like to try to obey under duress. This is relevant to the example of Peter and John that we will share in Acts 4.

Recap:

· Acts 1 - What it means to be a Christian (Jesus instructions before His Ascension)

· Acts 2 – Before and After (A visible and tangible change from non-Christian to Christian)

· Acts 3 – Power of the Cross and Knowing that God gives you what you need rather than what you want (The healing of the crippled beggar)

Context and Summary: Acts 4 happens right after the events of Acts 3. Peter and John have just healed the beggar and the crowd is amazed. Acts 4 narrates the exchanges between Peter, John and the Sanhedrin and the reaction of the believers at that time.

Passage:

1. Acts 4: 1-6 talks about those who heard the healing of the crippled beggar in Acts 3 and Peter and John thrown into jail awaiting persecution (v.3). The Sanhedrin was worried about the teaching of Jesus’ resurrection while the people (about 5000) believed the message (v.4). Whenever disputes arise at that era, the elites/elders will come and judge the proceedings (v.5-7). As John and Peter were starting to get interrogated, their response would amaze everyone present.

2. Acts 4: 7-12 -Important point is that Peter was filled with the Holy Spirit (v.8) and attributed the healing to Jesus Christ (v.9). He continued by preaching the Gospel (v.10, 12) Focus on v12 that salvation is found in no one else.

3. Acts 4: 13-22 – The elites were trying to find ways to convict them but in the end Peter and John were only let off with threats (v.21). It wasn’t that they didn’t want to punish them but the fact was they couldn’t do anything about it. Why was that so? 1) The elites were amazed at the uneducated Peter and John being able to eloquently argue that they were empowered by God in the name of Jesus, even quoting the OT (v. 10, 13). 2) Public pressure because everyone saw the miracle healing (v.16) and maybe they even suspected that Jesus is the Messiah.

4. Acts 4:23-31 – Peter and John went back to their people and recounted what happened, and everyone prayed (v.23-31). Take note of the various things they prayed for. There is exhortation (v.25-26), affirmation (v.27-28), protection (v.29) and providence (v.30)

5. Acts 4:32-36 – Everybody shared everything they had and they also evangelized. Important point is all the believers were one in heart and mind (v.32). This is what propelled them forward in such radical living. Discuss with and challenge your youths about this kind of lifestyle among their circle of Christian friends. Bring up the concept of this ideal. If we as believers are not in one heart and mind, how can we expect non-believers to actually believe in what we say? (The heart and mind are the two main things that control us) The Bible is also talking about consistency in our thinking (mind), emotions (heart) and actions. To be truly changed on the inside, is shown by our change in behavior. (Acts 2 butterfly example)

6. Go back to the theme verse. Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God's sight to obey you rather than God (Acts 4:19) Peter and John’s behavior before the Sanhedrin (v.19) is testament to the fact that they rather obey God than other people (that boils down in doing the right thing too) and also even after they were released with threats (v.17) they continued to preach Jesus’ resurrection to people (v.33). When we truly understand that it is important to obey God rather than man (like what Peter and John did) will we start to see radical change in ourselves as our agendas will align with God’s.

This is actually a very important lesson for young kids. In their new schools, they may have seen others do things that they know is wrong. Cheating, lying, copying homework and so on. They may have also succumbed to similar pressures or seen other Christians succumb to them.

Ask them whether their friends have done wrong in school.
Ask them whether they themselves have done wrong in the school context.
Ask them why they did it.
If they have not done anything wrong, ask them what they think their friend's motivations were.
Ask them what they think they can doing about it. For example, if they have a Christian friend who cheats, perhaps he can pray for his friend and even confront him in love.

Remind them that God has laid out right and wrong... and that even if the world finds wrongdoing acceptable, it is sinful and offensive in God's eyes.