This month's memory verse

Hebrews 10:24-25

And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

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Monday, Oct 19 Mon
Oct 19
Acts 24:1-9
 Tuesday, Oct 20 Tue
Oct 20
Acts 24:10-16
 Wednesday, Oct 21 Wed
Oct 21
Acts 24:10-21
 Thursday, Oct 22 Thu
Oct 22
Acts 24:22-27
 Friday, Oct 23 Fri
Oct 23

 

Family Activity: Dig for Truth

Key Verse | Acts 24:15

having a hope in God, which these men themselves accept, that there will be a resurrection of both the just and the unjust.

Acts 24:10-21

10The governor then motioned for Paul to speak. Paul said, “I know, sir, that you have been a judge of Jewish affairs for many years, so I gladly present my defense before you. 11You can quickly discover that I arrived in Jerusalem no more than twelve days ago to worship at the Temple. 12My accusers never found me arguing with anyone in the Temple, nor stirring up a riot in any synagogue or on the streets of the city. 13These men cannot prove the things they accuse me of doing.

14“But I admit that I follow the Way, which they call a cult. I worship the God of our ancestors, and I firmly believe the Jewish law and everything written in the prophets. 15I have the same hope in God that these men have, that he will raise both the righteous and the unrighteous. 16Because of this, I always try to maintain a clear conscience before God and all people.

17“After several years away, I returned to Jerusalem with money to aid my people and to offer sacrifices to God. 18My accusers saw me in the Temple as I was completing a purification ceremony. There was no crowd around me and no rioting. 19But some Jews from the province of Asia were there—and they ought to be here to bring charges if they have anything against me! 20Ask these men here what crime the Jewish high council* found me guilty of, 21except for the one time I shouted out, ‘I am on trial before you today because I believe in the resurrection of the dead!’”

Footnotes

24:20 Greek Sanhedrin.

Unwrap the Real Reason

Tertullus piled up accusations against Paul, but Paul’s answer cut through them to the one thing that was really on trial: his hope in the resurrection.

Materials

  • 5 sheets of paper or wrapping paper in different colors (or newspaper)
  • Markers and tape
  • A small prize (a treat, sticker, or small toy), plus an index card reading “Hope in the resurrection”
  • Bibles

Setup (5 minutes)

Wrap the prize and index card in five layers. Before wrapping each layer, write on its outside one accusation and one question, in this order from outermost to innermost:

Layer 1 (outermost)

  • Write on the outside: “Paul stirs up riots.”
  • Question: How many days had Paul been in Jerusalem? Was he found stirring up a crowd?
  • Where to look: vv. 11-12
  • Answer: Twelve days. No.

Layer 2

  • Write on the outside: “Paul tried to profane the temple.”
  • Question: What was Paul doing in the temple when they found him?
  • Where to look: vv. 17-18
  • Answer: Bringing gifts and offerings, purified, with no crowd

Layer 3

  • Write on the outside: “Paul leads a dangerous sect.”
  • Question: What does Paul say he worships and believes?
  • Where to look: v. 14
  • Answer: The God of our fathers, and everything in the Law and the Prophets

Layer 4

  • Write on the outside: “Paul’s accusers have proof.”
  • Question: What does Paul say about their proof? Who should be here to accuse him?
  • Where to look: vv. 13, 19
  • Answer: They can’t prove it. The Jews from Asia should speak up.

Layer 5 (innermost, around the prize)

  • Write on the outside: “What is Paul REALLY on trial for?”
  • Question: What one thing did Paul say he was on trial for?
  • Where to look: v. 21
  • Answer: The resurrection of the dead

How to Play

  1. Pass the parcel around the circle (or let one child hold it at a time).
  2. The holder reads the accusation on the outside layer aloud.
  3. The family reads the verses together and finds Paul’s answer. No answer from the text, no unwrapping.
  4. The holder says the answer, then peels the layer and passes it on.
  5. The last layer reveals the prize and the card. Read verse 15 together and say the card aloud.

For younger kids: a parent reads the verses and the child listens for the answer. Older kids can find and read the verses themselves.

Prayer

  • Thank God that he is the God of truth, and that he knows what is really true when others say false things.
  • Ask God to give you hope in Jesus and the promise that he will raise the dead.
  • Ask God to help you stay calm and tell the truth, even when people say untrue things about you.
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