​Read all or parts of Acts 6:1-7 from your Bible or watch the Bible story video.

STORY:

     In today’s story, we saw that there was a problem within the early church. As the apostles taught the gospel, more people believed and the early church grew. The believers tried to meet the needs of the people within the church, but some thought the Greek widows were not being taken care of because they weren’t getting the food they needed. The apostles and believers within the early church came up with a plan to solve this problem.

    The apostles needed help from other believers within the church. The church chose men of good character who were filled with the Holy Spirit to care for widows, other believers, and help with serving in the church. These men had an important job and helped serve where there was a need, allowing the apostles to keep praying and preaching the gospel. As a result, God grew the church as many more people were able to hear the good news through the apostles’ preaching.

    God has given every believer the job of serving God’s people and spreading the gospel. God gives us different opportunities to serve both believers and also people who do not yet believe. In whatever way we serve, we can share the gospel and lead others to the Lord so they can be saved.

DISCUSSION QUESTION #1: What job does God give all believers?

ANSWER:  Prompt kids to think about Jesus’ command in Matthew 28:19-20. Remind kids that Jesus commanded all of His followers to share the gospel and make disciples. Encourage kids to think of people they can share the good news with this week. Invite kids to discuss how they can share the gospel with people they know.

DISCUSSION QUESTION #2: How do we, as Christians, serve people differently than those who are not Christians?

ANSWER: Discuss how any person, believers or unbelievers, can serve other people and help others. Point out that when believers serve, we want to help others and point them to Jesus. Remind kids that serving and meeting people’s needs is a way to demonstrate the gospel, but we also want to speak the truth of the gospel as well. Challenge kids to think about how they can serve others this week while also sharing the good news of Jesus.

MORNINGS:

Father, we are so thankful for Your Word and for the encouragement we find in the stories of the early church. Give us wisdom in handling the conflicts in our own lives so that we can show the world what You are like by loving the people around us well. In Jesus' name, amen.

EVENINGS:

Thank You, Lord, that you give each believer a job to do to serve others and honor You. Help us be obedient to serve in our church and share the gospel with those who have not heard. In Jesus’ name, amen.