Outreach to Samaria

Acts 9:31 KJV 1900

Then had the churches rest throughout all Judaea and Galilee and Samaria, and were edified; and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied.

Order of Service

Welcome / Reminds / Chatty

Song: Deep and Wide

Song: Amazing Grace

Game: Protect the President or Head, Shoulders, Knees, Cup

Song: Thank You Lord

Lesson Time: Snow Ball Fight

Memory Verse

Game: Heavenly Hopscotch - Need signs of the Romans Road to jump to. -x2 groups

Introduction

Enemy Camps

Organize the students into two groups. Give each group paper and marker. Each group represents a nation that is at war with the other group or nation.

Give the two groups colored bandannas. Give them a chance to come up with a design their own flags with the paper and markers passed out.

Have them think about how they will treat their enemy. Will they let them join their nation if they are hit or leave them lay.

You are going to war with the other nation in a (paper) snow ball fight. If you are hit you have to either join the other nation and help them defeat your now enemy nation, or lay on the ground until the war is over.

Transition to the Bible Lesson

The Bible lesson for today is about a man named Philip. He went to an enemy city to help them. And it was God's idea. We will find out what happened to Philip and the city in our lesson.

Spreading the Gospel to Samaria

After Stephen's murder, terrible persecution came upon the Christians in Jerusalem. Many believers fled Jerusalem and found new places to live. Even though this must have been a very scary time for these new Christians, they took the gospel with them to their new homes. The Bible says they went "everywhere" preaching the gospel. The apostle Philip went to the city of Samaria in the country of the same name.

ASK: What do you remember about the country of Samaria? (See if the students remember the parable of the Good Samaritan or the account of the Samaritan woman at the well.)

ASK: How did the Jews usually feel about Samaritans? (The Jews usually hated the Samaritans Usually the Jews would not even walk through the country of Samaria. They would make the long trip around that country.)

The Samaritans were a group of people who descended from Jews who married pagan Gentiles. The Jews considered Samaritans to be like "wild dogs." They wanted nothing to do with them. But Jesus died to offer salvation to everyone. He wants everyone to hear the good news of salvation.

Acts 1:8 KJV 1900

But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

ASK: Where did Jesus say the apostles were to spread the gospel? (To Judea, Samaria, and the ends of the earth.)

Jesus specifically named Samaria. He was determined that everyone hear the gospel. So Philip preached to the Samaritans.

Acts 8:5–8 KJV 1900

Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them. And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did. For unclean spirits, crying with loud voice, came out of many that were possessed with them: and many taken with palsies, and that were lame, were healed. And there was great joy in that city.

ASK: How did the Samaritans respond to Philip's preaching? (Great multitudes put their faith in Jesus!)

Wow! Christ's church grew and grew! Samaritans became part of the early church! They were saved and redeemed just like the Jews in Jerusalem! We will see them in Heaven someday!

Simon the Sorcerer

There was a man named "Simon, the Sorcerer" in Samaria. A sorcerer is someone who uses witchcraft to perform wonders. This was serious. Satan gave power to Simon to perform unusual things. Satan uses things like witchcraft and sorcery to lead people away from God, Satan is the enemy of God. Satan wants no one to hear the good news. He wants no one to be saved from sin. Satan gave Simon the power to do things so people would follow him instead of Jesus.

The people of Samaria were led astray by Simon. They thought he was some kind of great man who had the power of God because of the amazing things he could perform.

But when the Samaritans heard Philip preach, they believed and put their trust in Jesus and were baptized.

Acts 8:12–13 KJV 1900

But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done.

ASK: What happened when those who had followed Simon the Sorcerer heard Philip preach the good news of Jesus? (Many believed and were baptized.)

ASK: Who else believed and was baptized? (Simon, the sorcerer.)

Notice that Simon followed Philip and was amazed at the miracles and signs that Philip was able to do with God's power. H-m-m. Maybe Simon didn't truly repent of his sin and put his trust in Jesus. The Bible says when someone puts his faith in Jesus, he will show the change in his heart with his words and actions. Let's see if Simon showed a true change in his heart.

The apostles who had stayed behind in Jerusalem heard how the Samaritans had believed and been baptized. They sent the apostles John and Peter to Samaria. When John and Peter arrived, they prayed with the believers and laid hands on them, and the Holy Spirit came upon the Samaritans.

Acts 8:18–19 KJV 1900

And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money, Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost.

ASK: Uh-oh! What did Simon want to do? (Buy the power of the Holy Spirit.) Is the Holy Spirit for sale? (No!)

ASK: What does this reveal about Simon's true heart? (He just wanted more power and glory for himself. He had never actually accepted Jesus by faith.)

ASK: What is the only way to have the indwelling of the Holy Spirit? (Through faith in the shed blood and resurrection of God's Son, Jesus.) Peter was not happy one bit when he heard what Simon wanted to do.

"You think the gift of God can be bought with money?" Peter asked. "You and your money will perish together! Your heart is not right in the sight of God. You need to repent of this wickedness. You are trapped in your bitterness and sin! "

The Bible never records that Simon repented of his sin or humbled himself or put his faith in Jesus. Even though Simon had been baptized, his actions and thoughts revealed that he had never truly trusted Christ as his Savior.

God's Offer of Salvation to All

God gives salvation from sin to everyone who truly believes in Jesus. God offered eternal life to Simon the Sorcerer. But Simon did not want to turn from his sins to put his faith in Jesus. He did not truly acknowledge his need for a Savior.

God offers salvation to you too. He offers salvation only through His Son, Jesus. God wrote down exactly what we need to know and do to be saved from sin.

John 20:31 KJV 1900

But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.

ASK: Do you believe in your heart that Jesus is God's Son, the Savior? Do you trust in Him for salvation through His shed blood on the cross? Do you believe that He rose again and conquered sin and death for you?

If you need to make sure of your salvation, you can talk to God at any time. You can tell Him that you are a sinner and that you need Jesus to be your Savior. You can tell God that you believe that Jesus died and rose again in your place for you. When you do, God promises to give you His gift of eternal life in Heaven and send the Holy Spirit to live with you forever.

ASK: As the gospel spread, what grew and grew? (The church.)

When we talk about "the church," we are talking about all the people from all over the world who have put their faith in Jesus. When we talk about "churches," we are talking about local groups of believers who meet together to worship God. These churches were springing up all over in the days of the apostles.

ASK: Where were these churches developing? (Judea, Galilee, and Samaria.)

Compare Acts 1:8 and 9:31.

ASK: How do you think the apostles and new believers obeyed Jesus' command? (Very well!)

ASK: What does it mean to be "edified?" (Let the students guess.) (It literally means "built up.

As the new believers gathered together, they were "built up" in their faith. They listened and learned from the apostles' preaching. They prayed together. They put God's truth into practice in their own lives. They learned how to trust God in their day to day lives. And they encouraged one another to live obediently.

If you have questions or just want to make sure you understand, please talk with me or a helper after class. (Close in Prayer).

Memory Verse

Acts 9:31 KJV 1900

Then had the churches rest throughout all Judaea and Galilee and Samaria, and were edified; and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied.

Application Game

Heavenly Hopscotch

Gather

• Sidewalk chalk for outside option

• Butcher paper or bulletin board paper for inside option

• Wide-tip permanent marker for inside option ' Small beanbag to toss

Line up two rows of chairs to make a pathway.

3. Lay out the road signs in random order on a table or on the floor. Assign a student to stand by each one and look up the Scripture reference.The Romans Road Verses. If you have a large class, assign groups to each sign.

4. Have the students move to a new sign once they have looked up and read the reference of the sign they are in front of.

5. Instruct the class to work together to arrange the signs according to their Scripture passages. The order of the passages should reflect a logical gospel message. Help students understand why we must start with God's holiness and man's sin before moving to Christ's forgiveness.