Teaching

Let’s say the SuperTruth together: “God shows no favoritism.”

God demonstrated this when He spoke to a Gentile and a Jew in visions one day apart. Through the visions, God revealed His plan for all to be one in Christ and provide salvation to all.

What do we know about the Gentile named Cornelius? The Bible tells us that he was a Roman officer called a centurion. A centurion led about 60–80 soldiers. He was a God-fearing man who gave generously to the poor and prayed regularly. He was respected by the Jewish people. (See Acts 10:1–2,22.)

A God-fearer meant that he worshiped God and respected the Jewish laws but did not necessarily participate in all of their customs and rituals such as their food laws. It was during Cornelius’s afternoon prayer time that he had a vision of an angel sent from God. This angel told Cornelius that God had received his prayers and offerings. He then instructed Cornelius to send for Peter so he could hear his message about salvation through Jesus. (See Acts 11:13.)  

The next day around noon, Peter was up on the flat roof of the house praying as he waited for his meal to be prepared. As Peter prayed, he saw the sky open and God’s vision appeared. It was like a sheet holding different types of clean and unclean animals according to Jewish law. (See Leviticus 11 and Deuteronomy 14.) A voice told Peter, “Do not call something unclean if God has made it clean.” (See Acts 10:15.) At first, Peter refused to accept the instruction because it was against Jewish laws and customs. The same vision was repeated two more times. Peter must have realized after the vision was repeated that God was revealing something very significant to him, something that he should not ignore! God was not only talking about food and animals in the vision; He was talking about the Jewish and Gentile nations.

Peter was puzzled by the vision. He didn’t fully understand it, yet it didn’t stop him from trusting the Holy Spirit. Aren’t God’s detailed plans and timing amazing? He sent two visions to two men, a Jew and a Gentile, a day apart. Both men were surprised, stunned, and didn’t completely understand; yet they chose to obey. Both men were focused on God and took time during their day to seek God alone. When we do as they did, we may not receive a vision; however, God delights in speaking to us. When we pray, He will give us wisdom, direction, encouragement, and anything else we need!

Yes, God wants to speak to us, and the Holy Spirit will give us understanding and help us to apply what we hear. Peter brought the message that Cornelius and his family longed to hear—the Good News of Jesus Christ.

Call two volunteers up to hold the “Jews” and “Gentiles” puzzle pieces so all can see. In the game we just played, what were the Jews and Gentiles separated by? A wall of hostility.

Yes, they really didn’t like each other and had no relationship. Have the volunteers bring the two tabs of the puzzle pieces together and tap them together as if butting heads. Have children stand at arm’s length from each other while holding the pieces up.  

Do these pieces connect or unite? No.

The Jews and Gentiles could not come together and stayed apart.  

Choose a third volunteer to stand between the other two children and hold up the “Christ Jesus” piece.

Then Jesus Christ came into the world and died for our sins to give salvation to everyone. The wall of hostility was removed and replaced by His peace. The Jews and Gentiles were united into one people through Christ’s body on the cross. Have children interlock all three pieces together as one.

Let’s say the SuperVerse together. Galatians 3:28:

There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male and female. For you are all one in Christ Jesus.

Peter was sent by God to share God’s message of repentance, forgiveness and salvation to the Gentiles. He was an ambassador for Christ to reconcile all people to Him. It is time for the Discipleship Challenge where we will receive authority to be ambassadors for Christ, too! Let’s find out what that means.                 

Discipleship Challenge/Practical Application

Give each child an Ambassador for Christ Certificate.

In the video, what job was Jia Wei (“J–eye-uh Way”) authorized to do by the school administration? To be a hall monitor.

He represented the principal and teachers in their absence and enforced the school rules. What did God authorize or direct Peter to do in the Bible story? To take the Good News, the Gospel of Jesus Christ, to the Gentiles.

In the beginning of the book of Acts, the early church believed that God’s salvation and promises were only for the Jews, not for the Gentiles. God changed that and appointed Peter to bring the message of salvation to Cornelius and his household! Did you know that we are appointed by God to share the same Good News? We are appointed to be His ambassadors. Now, what exactly is an ambassador?

An ambassador is an official representative of a nation who stands for or reflects its interests and values. In our case, we are ambassadors for Christ. We represent the interests and values of God’s Kingdom! Look on your certificates and let’s read aloud 2 Corinthians 5:18–20, which authorizes us to be ambassadors for Christ. Read slowly so children can follow along.  

¹⁸ And all of this is a gift from God, who brought us back to Himself through Christ. And God has given us this task of reconciling people to Him. ¹⁹ For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to Himself, no longer counting people’s sins against them. And He gave us this wonderful message of reconciliation. ²⁰ So we are Christ’s ambassadors; God is making His appeal through us. We speak for Christ when we plead, “Come back to God!”

That’s exciting isn’t it? God authorizes us to be Christ’s ambassadors to reconcile all people to Him. To reconcile means to reunite, restore, or repair a relationship to bring it back in harmony. The relationship between God and people was broken by sin. Jesus died to forgive our sins so that relationship could be restored. We have been authorized and given the task of calling people back to God through the Gospel message; how exciting!

Give pencils to the children. If you would like to accept the challenge of being Christ’s ambassador, sign your name on your certificate. Children write their names. 

Great; now hold your certificates up in the air. By the authority of God’s Word, I hereby pronounce you ambassadors for Christ! Congratulations, you took the first step in our Discipleship Challenge. At the bottom of your certificate is your challenge for Lesson 1: I will share the Good News. Look up and read 1 Thessalonians 2:4, then discuss this with your family if possible. Look and pray for opportunities to share God’s message with others.      

When we meet again, you will have a chance to share your experiences as a newly appointed ambassador for Christ!