Jesus
Visited Frequently in Homes
Those
who teach
children should use Children’s study #23
for children.
Prayer: “Dear Lord,
you came to live among us and
to visit us in our homes. In that way, you showed love for us and
brought
salvation to us. Many people did not recognize you or receive you.
Thank you
for opening our eyes to who you are. Help us to take your good news to
the
homes of other people who need you.”
1.
Prepare your
mind through prayer and studying Jesus’ example
Find in Luke 19:1-10 how salvation came to Zacheus and his family. (Answers follow.)
· How did Zacheus show his interest in Jesus and his message? See verse 3.
·
How
did Jesus show his love and forgiveness to Zacheus?
[See verse 5.]
· Why was everyone surprised at the words Jesus spoke to Zacheus? See verse 7.
·
How
did Zacheus show his repentance and his gratitude?
[See verse 8.]
·
Why
did Jesus ask to visit Zacheus in his home?
[See verse 10.]
Find in Acts chapter 10 how salvation came to Cornelius, to his family and to many of his friends.
·
How
did God prepare Peter to visit people who did not practice Jewish
customs?
[See verses 9–16.]
·
Who
accompanied Peter to visit Cornelius?
[See verse 23.]
·
Who
was waiting for Peter in the home of Cornelius?
[See verse 24.]
·
What
did Peter do before he began giving his message?
[See verse 29.]
·
What
were some things that Peter said about Jesus?
[See verses 38–43.]
·
How
soon was Cornelius baptized along with his friends and family?
[See verses 47 & 48.]
·
What
did Peter and his helpers from Joppa do after they baptized the new
believers?
[See verse 48.]
Find in Acts 9:32-43 another purpose
for visiting in homes.
2.
Plan with
your co-workers activities to do during the week
Make plans to visit the homes of the people in the congregation. Take others with you, so that they can learn from your example. Organize the church members so that all the families receive regular visits from others in the church.
Make plans to visit those who are sick and in trouble, so that you can pray for them.
Make plans
to visit in the homes of
friends and family members who do not know Jesus, so that you can tell
them
about Christ. Take others with you, or accompany them to visit their
friends
and relatives, so that they can learn from your example. Help new
Christians to
prepare a simple testimony about Jesus and what he has done for them,
so that
they can tell their testimony to friends and families
3.
Plan with Co-workers the Upcoming
Worship.
Choose activities that fit current needs and local customs.
Tell or act out the story of Peter and his team taking the gospel to the home of Cornelius.
Ask questions about the things you found in part 1.
Explain:
· We should visit in one another’s homes to encourage each other and to pray for one another.
· We should not normally go alone but in pairs or groups.
· To avoid gossip, a man should not visit a woman alone in her home.
Peter visited other believers to encourage them and to pray for the sick. God used him to raise a sister in Christ from the dead.
We should also go to the homes of those who do not know Christ, just as Peter went to the home of Cornelius. Peter gave to Cornelius a simple message about Jesus. We can use this same message when we visit in the homes of people who do not know Jesus.
Here are the important things that Peter said about Jesus:
a) God wants all people to know him and be saved. Verse 34-36.
b) God anointed Jesus with the Holy Spirit and power to do good, to heal the sick, and to heal all who were oppressed by the devil. Verse 37-38.
c) People witnessed Jesus’ death, his burial, and his appearances after he came back to life. Verse 39-41.
d) Just as the prophets promised long ago, Jesus offers us forgiveness of sins through his name. Verse 43.
e)
Jesus
commands us to share this good news with everyone. Verse 42
Read 1 Peter 4:8-9. Explain that God blesses those
who practice
hospitality.
To introduce the Lord’s Supper read Luke 7:36-50 about the woman who washed the feet of Jesus with her tears. Explain that, as we come into the presence of Jesus, the Holy Spirit convicts us of our sin. We should take time to confess our sins and to remember how great God’s forgiveness is. The more we realize our sinfulness, the more gratitude and love we feel for his great mercy.
Have the children present the drama, poem and questions that they have prepared.
Ask the believers to give testimonies or reports about how God has used them to serve others in their homes and also how God blessed them when they offered hospitality to other believers.
Form groups of two or three people, to pray for, and to counsel one another and to confirm plans for visiting one another in their homes and for going to visit unbelievers.
Memorize together John 1:14.