Teaching

Have a child select the first Signpost card and read it aloud. Tape the card to the wall or prop it up so children can see it. Lead a discussion with the information below. Repeat for the two remaining Signpost cards. Additional material is included for Grades 4–6 to look up and discuss.

Signpost 1  Everyone Is Clean in Christ  

Peter was confused and alarmed by God’s command in his vision on the rooftop. He had always been careful to avoid foods that were considered unclean because he wanted to follow the Jewish laws and customs. Was God just speaking to Peter about food in the vision? No.

Jews had always avoided having contact with Gentiles—but God was showing Peter that he could have a relationship with everyone. God’s command to Peter shows that in Christ, there are no longer Jews or Gentiles—all are one in Him.

OPTIONAL VERSES FOR GRADES 4–6

 Galatians 3:28: 

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

Acts 10:14–15:   

¹⁴“No, Lord,” Peter declared. “I have never eaten anything that our Jewish laws have declared impure and unclean.” ¹⁵But the voice spoke again: “Do not call something unclean if God has made it clean.”

Signpost 2  God’s Message Is for Everyone 

God made a promise through Abraham to save the world. God set Abraham and his descendants apart from everyone else. They became the Jewish people and the nation of Israel. Many Jewish people believed that only they would be saved. Yet God’s plan stretched beyond the Jews. His plan was to save the whole world through the Jewish people! Abraham’s line of descendants bring us to someone very important. Do you know who? Jesus, God’s Son. 

Yes, God loved us so much that He sent His own Son to the earth to die for us so that we could have eternal life. God made it clear to Peter that His love and message are for everyone. Even though Peter did not understand the vision at first, God showed him that he should no longer see anyone as impure or unclean. Even though Peter and the rest of the Jewish believers were surprised at first, God made it clear to them that His plan of salvation was for everyone.        

OPTIONAL VERSES FOR GRADES 4–6 

Genesis 17:7:

“I will confirm My covenant with you and your descendants after you, from generation to generation. This is the everlasting covenant: I will always be your God and the God of your descendants after you.”

Acts 10:28:

Peter told them, “You know it is against our laws for a Jewish man to enter a Gentile home like this or to associate with you. But God has shown me that I should no longer think of anyone as impure or unclean.” 

1 John 4:10:

This is real love—not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins. 

Galatians 3:8:

What’s more, the Scriptures looked forward to this time when God would make the Gentiles right in His sight because of their faith. God proclaimed this good news to Abraham long ago when He said, “All nations will be blessed through you.” 

Signpost 3  Salvation in Jesus Is for Everyone    

God revealed His wonderful plan of salvation for all the world, and Peter shared the message of Jesus with Cornelius and his household. He explained how God was with Jesus, and how Jesus went around doing good, healing all who were oppressed by the devil. He shared how Jesus died on the cross and God raised Him from the dead on the third day. Peter declared that all who have faith in Jesus will have their sins forgiven in His name. Peter understood that salvation comes only through Jesus. Cornelius and his family also understood and believed. God confirmed their belief and His acceptance by sending the gift of the Holy Spirit to them. God’s offer of salvation is still the same today. If you have never asked Him to be your Savior, are you ready to ask Him now? (If any children indicate that they would like to be saved, be sure to pray with them after class.)

     OPTIONAL VERSES FOR GRADES 4–6 

Romans 8:11:

The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. And just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, He will give life to your mortal bodies by this same Spirit living within you. 

John 3:16:

“For this is how God loved the world: He gave His one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.” 

Romans 1:16:

For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes—the Jew first and also the Gentile.

Now, let’s learn about how God empowers us to share His message of salvation with everyone. 

Discipleship Challenge/Practical Application

Give an Ambassador for Christ Certificate and a pencil to any children who missed Lesson 1.

What is our Discipleship Challenge for this course? Learning to be ambassadors for Christ.

An ambassador is a person who represents a nation or a kingdom to other people. We are Christ’s ambassadors who represent God’s Kingdom to the world! 

Last time, we were to read and discuss Colossians 3:17, and look for ways to represent Christ in everything that we do and say. How else can we represent Christ other than just sharing the Gospel? By our words and actions every day how we live our lives in front of people.

How can that be an effective witness? We show God’s love and mercy; we reflect His values and character and attract others to Him.   

Would anyone like to share about a way that you were able to be an ambassador for Christ?  

The final challenge on our certificates is to read and discuss 1 Thessalonians 2:4 with your family and discuss ways that God equips us to be His messengers. 

Optional: read 1 Thessalonians 2:4:

For we speak as messengers approved by God to be entrusted with the Good News. Our purpose is to please God, not people. He alone examines the motives of our hearts.

Optional: commission any new children as ambassadors, as in Lesson 1, and have them write their names on the certificates.