LESSON
LESSON 10NOVEMBER 5, 2023SUBJECT: Freedom from ExpectationsDEVOTIONAL READING: Acts 17:22-34BACKGROUND: Acts 15:1-21LESSON: Acts 15:1-11MEMORY VERSE: God, who knows the heart, showed that he accepted them by giving the Holy Spirit to them, just as he did to us. He did not discriminate between us and them, for he purified their hearts by faith. Acts 15:8-9 NIVLESSON AIM: To understand how the Jerusalem Council resolved the conflict of legalism and affirmed the doctrine of salvation (justification) by grace through faith.INTERNATIONAL SUNDAY SCHOOL STUDY OUTLINE1. THE DISPUTE AT ANTIOCH: ACTS 15:1-5Where does this week’s Lesson take place? Locate on a New Testament Map. Acts 15:1aWhat demands did the Jewish Christians (known as Judaizers) put on the Gentile converts to Christianity? What did they consider was necessary for salvation? (These individuals were saying that Gentiles had to first become Jews and follow the Mosaic Law before becoming Christians.) Acts 15:1bResearch the Judaizers. Use a Bible Dictionary. The Judaizers main tenets are revealed in Acts 15:1, 5.What did the Judaizers base the demand for Gentiles to be circumcised? Genesis 17:9-14Who disputed the claims of the Judaizers? Where was the matter of the Gentiles’ salvation to be settled? Locate on the Map above. Acts 15:2What arguments do you think Paul and Barnabas used against these Judaizers? Discuss.Romans 2:26-29Romans 3:28-301 Corinthians 7:18-20What did the doctrine, “You cannot be saved unless you be circumcised.” put forth by the Judaizers directly contradict? Ephesians 2:8-10What did Paul and Silas convey with the Christians in Phoenicia and Samaria? Locate the cities on the map above. What was the impact of their success? Acts 15:3How was the delegation from Antioch received in Jerusalem? What did the delegation convey? Acts 15:4Who immediately challenged the Antioch delegation? Acts 15:5Why do you think Paul and Barnabas acted strongly against the teaching of the Pharisees and Judaizers?II. THE DEFENSE BEFORE THE JERUSALEM COUNCIL: ACTS 15:6-12Who met to decide the issue of circumcision? This is known as the first Church Council? Acts 15:6Outline and discuss Peter’s defense before the Jerusalem Council. Was Peter on the side of the Judaizers or Paul and Barnabas?What was God’s decision for Gentiles? Acts 15:7What did God do to show He had accepted Gentiles into His family? Acts 15:8What is God’s stance when it comes to saving souls? Acts 15:9aHow does God purify hearts? Acts 15:9bHow were the Judaizers putting God to the test? What were the Jews reminded? Acts 15:10How are persons saved? Acts 15:11 (Compare with Ephesians 2:8-10)Define “grace.” Use a Bible Dictionary.How did those gathered at the Jerusalem Council respond to Barnabas and Paul? Acts 15:12aWhat proof did Barnabas and Paul give to show God accepts the Gentiles? Acts 15:12bIII. THE DECISION OF THE JERUSALEM COUNCIL: ACTS 15:13-21Who presided over the Jerusalem Council? To whom was this person kin? Acts 15:13; Galatians 1:19Who did Peter and James say took the initiative in bringing Gentiles into the family of God? Acts 15:14What did James use to support his statement? Acts 15:15-17What did the prophet Amos (9:12-13) prophesy about the Gentiles? Acts 15:16-17How long had God known that the Gentiles would come to serve Him? Acts 15:18What decision did James announce at the Jerusalem Council? Acts 15:19How were the Gentiles informed of the decision of the Jerusalem Council? Acts 15:20aWhat things were the Gentiles to abstain from when they embraced Christianity? Discuss. Acts 15:20bcde (Compare with Acts 15:29)v. 20b[Sacrificial Food]v. 20c[Sexual Immorality]v. 20de[Sanguine (Blood) Food]Do you think Christians today should follow the restrictions given by the Jerusalem Council? Why or why not?How extensive was the Mosaic Law being taught? Acts 15:21What was the response of the Gentiles to the letter from the Jerusalem Council? Acts 15:31 ................
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