MEMORY VERSE:

I will speak of your statutes before kings. Psalm 119:46,(NIV).

TARGET :

To help the child understand that by the power of the Holy spirit he or she can be a bold and faithful witness anywhere and to anybody, even to leaders, just as Paul was.

OBJECTIVE :

During and after the lesson, each child will show that he or she understand the lesson by: 1. Mentioning the different ways he or she , as a child can witness to others about Jesus and also identifying places he or she can witness. 2. Practising in class how he or she can witness to others with boldness.

OUTLINE :

1. Festus tells king Agrippa about Paul.- Acts 25:13-27

2. Paul tells his own story. - Acts 26:1-23

3. Paul gives an invitation concerning Jesus. - Acts 26:24-32

INTRODUCTION

After paul's nephew revealed the plot to kill Paul, the Roman officer sent Paul to Felix as we learnt last week. For the next two years Paul remained in prison.

Governor Felix did not release him. He wanted Paul to give him bribe for his release. But Paul continued to witness about Jesus in spite of his condition. At last Felix went on transfer leaving Paul in prison and Festus took over from him. Festus did not know what to do with Paul for he knew Paul had done nothing wrong. But he did not want to offend the Jews by releasing Paul. Paul, therefore had to appeal to the emperor. It was while he was waiting to be sent to Rome that an important King visited Festus. And this weeks lesson will tell what happened during this king's visit.

LESSON COMMENTARY

1. FESTUS TELLS KING AGRIPPA ABOUT PAUL- ACTS 25:13-27

While Paul was still a prisoner caesarea, king Agrippa and his sister Bernice came to visit governor Festus. After some days, the governor told them about Paul's case. He needed advice as to what to tell the emperor about Paul. Festus told the king about how he had handled the case thus far, King Agrippa who was well informed about the religion of the Jews became interested in Paul's case. He asked to see Paul and hear him speak. Festus agreed to bring Paul before him. The next day governor Festus had Paul brought in before king Agrippa and his sister Festus made it clear to the king that he felt Paul was innocent of any evil behaviour. He also made it known that Paul had also appealed to Caesar because he did not want to go to Jerusalem to be tried by the Jews. His desire was for the king to examine Paul so he would have something to write to Caesar the emperor concerning him.

2. PAUL TELLS HIS OWN STORY- ACTS 26:1-23

Here, King Agrippa took over and asked Paul to speak for himself, boldly, Paul began to testify before king Agrippa, Bernice, Festus and the important officials of the government. He told them about his childhood, that he had been brought up in strict home as a Pharisee. Then he told his listeners about his activities against Christians.

He continued by telling how Jesus met him on his way to Damascus and how God call him to be a witness to everybody, both Jews and Gentiles. He told the king that he had been put on trial simply because he told the people about Jesus Christ. Lastly Paul said something about the persecutions he had suffered at the hands of his people. But he was careful to acknowledge that he had God's help to that very day.

3. PAUL GIVES AN INVITATION CONCERNING JESUS - ACTS 26:24-32

When Festus could no longer stand Paul's speech, he shouted at him, saying that he had become mad because of much learning. Paul was not frightened by what the governor said. He calmly told him that he was not mad but was speaking the words of truth and reason. He said that the king to whom he was speaking freely had knowledge of the things he was saying. Paul knew that the king was living a morally better life than most of the kings at that time. That was why Paul spoke to him forcefully. Then Paul addressed the king directly. He asked him if he believed in the prophets. Rather than answer the question, King Agrippa tried to avoid it. Being a man of great importance, he did not want people to think he was identifying with Paul. He didn't want them to think he was mad also. So simply told Paul that he almost persuaded him to be a Christian. Paul replied that he wished the king was like him but without being a prisoner like him. As the company rose up to leave, King Agrippa told Festus that Paul was innocent and he would have released him had he not appealed to Caesar in Rome. It was, however, in God's plan for Paul to go to Rome so that he might tell the good news in Rome also.

APPLICATION

At times, we Christians delay to share our faith with our friends. Paul never did that and such an attitude does not please God. If we really understand what Jesus did for us because of love, we will be very, very earger to tell others about him. And we will always have more desires to please God and glorify him through our word and actions. Paul did not attack or argue with his enemies. He simply told them how God had changed his life. That's the way it should be with us when we have a chance to speak about Jesus. Boldness is a quality we should desire when we witness. As we trust God and are willing to reach out to others, he will give us the courage we need to be bold in our witnessing. It takes courage to be a witness for Christ, but we need not to be afraid. God promises to help us become bold witnesses.

THIS PUBLICATION IS A PRODUCT OF GENERAL COUNCIL SUNDAY SCHOOL DEPARTMENT ASSEMBLIES OF GOD NIGERIA