HIGHS AND LOWS: (15 minutes)
Write down one high and one low from your week in your prayer journal and share them with the group. Pastor Breen or another student will gather them in prayer as we light our candles.
REVIEW: (3 minutes)
What sticks with you from last class? You may refer to your one sentence summary from last week if you are stumped. What questions remain about the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost?
INTRODUCTION: (5 minutes)
What do you think that God’s role is in the healing of those who are sick? Do you pray for those people in your life who are sick or hurting? Why or why not? Today, we will learn about a time when Peter was given the power to heal through the Holy Spirit.
EXPERIENCE THE WORD: (5 minutes)
Today, we will watch a scene from the miniseries “AD: The Bible Continues” which shows Peter healing a crippled beggar. I do not recommend the whole series because much of the material is fictional, but when they do get to the Bible sections of Acts, it is visually stunning and impactful. Begin on disc one, and choose “play all.” Fast-forward to 2:01:07 and watch until 2:03:00.
DEFINITIONS: You may find the following meanings helpful as you explore the text today:
Piety: actions which you take to show that you are holy.
Lame: unable to use his legs.
Alms: money given to someone in need as a gift.
Portico: porch, often used as a place for teaching in the temple.
DWELLING IN THE WORD: (20 minutes)
First, read Acts 3:1-16 from the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible (take turns reading aloud, verse by verse). Answer the following questions about the whole story as completely as possible (group activity: do this with your parents):
Comprehension Questions:
- Where were Peter and John going? (verse 1)
- What time did they go there? (verse 1)
- Who was being carried in? (verse 2)
- Why did they carry the man there? (verse 2)
- What did the man ask Peter and John for? (verse 3)
- What did Peter and John do and say next? (verse 4)
- What did the man expect? (verse 5)
- What did Peter say to the man then? (verse 6)
- What did Peter do next? (verse 7)
- What happened to the ankles and feet of the man? (verse 7)
- What seven actions did the man do next? (verse 8)
- Who saw the man walking and praising God? (verse 9)
- Who did they recognize him as? (verse 10)
- What were the people filled with? (verse 10)
- What did the man do to Peter and John next? (verse 11)
- What were the people doing? (verse 11)
- What did Peter do when he saw this? (verse 12)
- What did Peter ask the crowd? (verse 12)
- Of which God does Peter speak? (verse 13), The God of ______________, The God of ______________, The God of ______________, and The God of ______________.
- Who was glorified? (verse 13)
- What had the people done to this man? (verse 13)
- What had Pilate wanted to be done, according to Peter? (verse 13)
- What did the people do to Jesus? (verse 14)
- What did they ask for instead? (verse 14)
- What else did the people do? (verse 15)
- What did God do? (verse 15)
- What is the role of the disciples in this? (verse 15)
- What made the man strong? (verse 16)
Content Questions:
- What scares, confuses, or challenges me in this text?
- What is my favorite part of this text? Why?
- What stories or memories does this text stir up in you? You might remember a time when you were injured, or asked God for healing from an injury, for example.
- What is God doing in this text? What is God up to?
TAKING IT HOME (5 minutes)
- During this week, in your prayers, try using “Healing God” as your title for God. You might choose to pray for others by laying your hands on them.
- Write a one sentence summary in your prayer journal. In this sentence, describe your answer to the question “What did you learn about in Confirmation class this week?” in as much detail as possible.
OUT LOUD PRAYER: (10 minutes)
Bandage Prayer: Each person receives two adhesive bandages and attaches them in the shape of a cross on a blank page in their prayer journal. Spend 3-5 minutes writing the names of people, places, or communities who need healing all the way around your bandage cross. If you do not have anyone specific to pray for, you might begin with the prayer list at your church. Take turns praying for these people out loud; and conclude your time together with the Lord’s Prayer.
Deep Roots Confirmation 