Leader Guide

Bible Study

Have children look up and read the Bible passages aloud. Then lead a discussion using the comments and questions below.

1. Romans 12:1:

And so, dear brothers and sisters,I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all He has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind He will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship Him.

• Who are we to give or dedicate our bodies to? God.
• What is the reason or motivation for doing this? Because of all He has done for us; to thank Him.
• What did God do for us? God loved us so much that He sent His only Son into the world. Jesus willingly came from heaven to the earth and died on the cross for us.
• What does it mean to give our bodies? To give our entire being, our whole self to Him. To place our lives in His hands.
• Who was the only perfect sacrifice without sin? Jesus. See John 1:29.
• How can we be a living and holy sacrifice? By dedicating our lives and living for Him according to His Word and will instead of our own. By trusting in Jesus we become holy in Christ. God sees Jesus’ holiness not our sin. Our self-righteousness efforts are not acceptable to God; only in Christ are we acceptable to Him. See Hebrews 10:10.
• What is true worship to God? Living for Him and following Christ. Submitting ourselves to Him.

2. Romans 6:13:

Do not let any part of your body become an instrument of evil to serve sin. Instead, give yourselves completely to God, for you were dead, but now you have new life. So use your whole body as an instrument to do what is right for the glory of God.

• What are some other things that people can dedicate themselves to, besides God? Careers, money, athletics, talents, gifts, or abilities, other people, worldly causes, or charitable purposes. These can be good, but in balance, and not to take the place of God. Some people spend their lives doing worldly or evil things.
• If we give most of ourselves to God, is that okay? Why or why not? No, God wants and deserves all of us, our entire being, every part of our lives. Jesus gave Himself completely for us; we need to do the same.
• When Jesus died for us, what did He give us? New life in Him, the ability to freely serve God, forgiveness of our sins, eternal life, the promise of heaven, etc.
• What are we to use our bodies for? As instruments to do what is right for God’s glory.
• How can we allow God to use us as an instrument? Give or dedicate ourselves to Him.

3. Acts 2:42–43,46–47:

⁴² All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer. ⁴³ A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders. ⁴⁶ They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity— ⁴⁷ all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved.

• Name some things that believers in the early church devoted or dedicated themselves to doing. The apostles’ teaching of God’s Word, fellowship or spending time together, eating together, communion and worship, prayer.
• What were the results of their dedication? A greater understanding of God; a deep sense of awe—reverence and respect; miraculous signs and wonders; generosity and joy; goodwill or favor of the people around them. The church grew as God added believers.
• Do you think this can happen today when believers dedicate themselves to the Lord? Please explain.

Conclusion: People can dedicate themselves to many different thingsother than God. Because of what Jesus did, it is right to dedicate ourselves to Him above all and to serve Him. When we do this, we will grow in favor and bring glory to Him.