Hechos para actuar - Dios nos llama a actuar

Welcome to Sunday School

Introduction to the Series

• The session begins with a warm welcome to participants in the Sunday school program, focusing on learning about the early believers from the Book of Acts.

Recap of Previous Lessons

• In week 6, the transformation of Saul into Paul is highlighted, emphasizing his conversion by the Lord.

• Week 7 discusses Peter's encounter with Cornelius, illustrating that God's love is for everyone.

• Week 8 covers how many Christians prayed for Peter during his imprisonment and how God miraculously freed him through an angel.

The Role of Missionaries

Understanding Missionary Work

• A missionary is defined as someone who travels to share Jesus' message, often in places where people have never heard of Him.

• Paul and Barnabas are introduced as the first missionaries who traveled far from home to spread the good news about Jesus.

Growth of Early Christianity

• Despite persecution, Christians continued to grow and spread their faith; Antioch became a significant location for new believers.

• The apostles sent Barnabas to assist this new church due to its rapid growth and need for guidance.

Paul and Barnabas: The First Missionaries

Teaching and Leadership Development

• Barnabas sought out Paul after realizing he needed help teaching and organizing new believers in Antioch.

• Together, they spent a year teaching and encouraging these new Christians, leading to further growth within the church.

Divine Commissioning

• God instructed believers in Antioch to set apart Paul and Barnabas for special work as His witnesses in other regions.

Journey Through Cyprus

Encounter with Opposition

• Upon arriving at Paphos on Cyprus, they encountered Bar-Jesus (a magician), who tried to dissuade the Roman governor from listening to them.

• Paul confronted Bar-Jesus, declaring that he would be struck blind; this miracle led the governor to believe in Jesus.

Teaching in Pisidian Antioch

Reception of Paul's Message

• After reading scriptures on Sabbath day at a synagogue, Paul was invited back due to positive reception from listeners eager for more teachings.

Conflict with Jewish Leaders

• As crowds grew enthusiastic about Paul's message among Gentiles (non-Jews), jealousy arose among Jewish leaders leading them to oppose him.

Challenges Faced by Missionaries

Rejection and Perseverance

• Jewish leaders expelled Paul and Barnabas from their city due to rising tensions over their teachings.

Miraculous Healing

• In Lystra, while preaching, Paul healed a man unable to walk; this miracle astonished locals who mistook them for gods.

Conclusion of Their Message

The Journey of Paul and Barnabas

Opposition and Perseverance

• Some Jewish leaders began to incite the people against Paul and Barnabas, leading to violent opposition where Paul was stoned and left for dead outside the city.

• Believers rushed to check on Paul, who miraculously revived, stood up, and returned to the city with them. This highlights his resilience in faith despite adversity.

• After their ordeal, Paul and Barnabas revisited cities where they had faced danger, encouraging new believers who had accepted Jesus as their Savior.

Missionary Work and Faithfulness

• Their journey exemplifies obedience to God; they served as missionaries spreading God's love despite facing significant challenges.

• The narrative emphasizes that while we may not face extreme hardships like Paul and Barnabas, sharing Jesus can still be difficult due to potential ridicule or rejection from peers.

Encouragement in Sharing Faith

• It’s important not to give up when faced with discouragement in sharing about Jesus; seek other opportunities instead.

• The Holy Spirit empowers us to speak about Jesus even when it is challenging. We can ask for divine assistance whenever needed.

Call to Future Missionaries

• God may be preparing young hearts for future missionary work; being open to His calling is essential.

• Children are encouraged to learn about missionaries around the world, fostering a sense of global awareness and prayer support for those spreading God's message.

Memorization of Scripture

• A verse from Romans 10:15 is introduced emphasizing the importance of preaching the Gospel: "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news."

• The discussion raises questions about how people can believe in Jesus without someone telling them about Him, highlighting our role in evangelism.

Importance of Evangelism

• The passage stresses that individuals need someone to share God's love with them so they can come to faith in Christ.

• Repetition of Romans 10:15 reinforces its significance—sharing the Gospel is a beautiful act recognized by God.

Fun Facts About Antioch

Understanding the 10/40 Window and Missionary Work

The Importance of the 10/40 Window

• The term "10/40 Window" refers to a geographical area that includes parts of North Africa, the Sahara, and almost all of Asia, where diverse religions coexist including Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, animism, Judaism, and atheism.

• There are 61 countries within this window such as Afghanistan, China, Egypt, Greece, Iraq, Japan, India, and Israel. This region is home to approximately two-thirds of the world's population.

• Many governments in these areas restrict the teaching of Christianity; thus it is crucial for Christian communities to send missionaries to share the message of Jesus Christ.

• The speaker emphasizes that God can call many individuals to serve as missionaries and encourages active participation in spreading God's love.

Crafting a Missionary Kit

• A hands-on activity is introduced where participants will create a "missionary suitcase" as a reminder that God calls people to serve Him.

• Materials needed for this craft include cardboard (or brown paper), black paper, glue (silicone), scissors, colored pencils or crayons.

• Instructions are provided on measuring and cutting pieces for the suitcase; dimensions specified are 30x23 cm for the main body and smaller pieces for details.

Assembling the Missionary Suitcase

• Participants are guided through assembling their crafted suitcase by gluing together various components while encouraging collaboration with family members if needed.

• Additional steps involve painting flags from different countries and incorporating Bible verses into their designs as part of their missionary kit.

Final Touches on the Craft

• After completing painting tasks and cutting out flags, participants will assemble all pieces together using glue to finalize their missionary suitcase.