Season: Book of Acts
Episode 5: “Don’t Lie to God!”
Today’s Bible Bite: Acts 4:32-5:11

Video Story:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JQhkWmFJKnA (The Bible Project – Acts 1-7 – for parents and older children)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r-gUtHMUfsk (WEAG – Anania & Sapphira)

“Then Peter said, ‘Ananias, why have you let Satan fill your heart? You lied to the Holy Spirit, and you kept some of the money for yourself. The property was yours to sell or not sell, as you wished. And after selling it, the money was also yours to give away. How could you do a thing like this? You weren’t lying to us but to God!’” (Acts 5:3-4, NLT)

The early Church grew quickly as people became convinced that Jesus was the Messiah through the disciples’ preaching and the miracles they performed. The new believers got busy not only learning about Jesus, but helping to meet needs. Barnabas sold a field and brought all the money to the Apostles to use to care for others and of course everyone appreciated his generosity. A couple named Ananias and Sapphira noticed how Barnabas’ generosity was approved of by the other believers and they wanted the others to think they were extra generous too.

But Ananias and Sapphira were not generous like Barnabas. Barnabas had given his gift because he wanted to help others. Ananias and Sapphira decided to give a gift because they wanted others to congratulate them on their generosity. So, they sold some land and gave some of the money to the Apostles; the problem was that they claimed they were giving all the money they received, when they actually kept some back. They lied. Not just to the other believers, but they also attempted to lie to God.

God didn’t have any issue with Ananias and Sapphira only giving some of the money—it was still an act of generosity. What God did not approve of was the lie; Ananias and Sapphira were putting on a show and pretending to be more generous than they actually were. They had wanted others to view them as super-Christians, but what they got was punished for lying to God.

Think about it...
• Both Barnabas and Ananias & Sapphira sold property and gave money to the church. What made Barnabas’ gift better?
• Ananias and Sapphira wanted other people to applaud them. How did they try and go about this?
• Giving only part of the money wasn’t the problem. Why did God punish them?
• Ananias and Sapphira died for their lie. How important is it for us to tell the truth?
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Prayer: Thank you, God, help me to always be truthful and not care so much about what other people think. Help me to always obey you and not do things for show. Help me be generous like Barnabas.

Season: Book of Acts
Episode 4: “We Can’t Stop!”
Today’s Bible Bite: Acts 4:1-31

Video Story:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JQhkWmFJKnA (The Bible Project – Acts 1-7 – for parents and older children)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rQTFNyctPVU (Lifekids)

“But Peter and John replied, ‘Do you think God wants us to obey you rather than him? We cannot stop telling about everything we have seen and heard.’” (Acts 4:19-20, NLT)

The people were amazed when they saw the miracle that Peter and John had performed…helping a man to walk for the first time in his life. Peter and John told the crowd they hadn’t healed the man by their power, but by Jesus’ power. The crowd praised God for this act of healing. But the religious leaders responded much differently!

The religious leaders didn’t believe that Jesus was the Messiah….and they didn’t want anyone else to believe either. They had Peter and John arrested and put in jail overnight. The next day, they called them to stand before the council and explain what had happened. Peter told them it was Jesus who had done the miracle through them…Jesus the Messiah…Jesus the one they had crucified. The leaders knew that Peter and John had been followers of Jesus and they couldn’t deny that they gave a testimony for God that was powerful. They wanted to punish them, but knew they’d be in trouble if they did because all the people would be angry that they had punished two men who had done a miracle—the man who had been healed was standing right there!

So, instead, the religious leaders told Peter and John that they shouldn’t tell anyone about Jesus anymore. But Peter and John refused. They knew they had to obey God, not these leaders who didn’t believe in Jesus. The Council threatened them to try to keep them quiet, but the first thing that Peter and John did after they were allowed to leave was to go and tell the others believers. The whole group asked God for more courage to tell others about Jesus and for more power to heal; when they did, the Holy Spirit showed up by shaking the building and the believers continued to preach the good news without hesitation.

Think about it...
• Peter and John healed a man so that he could walk. How do you think you would have responded if you had been there?
• The religious leaders weren’t happy. Why not?
• The religious leaders didn’t believe that Jesus was the Messiah. But what happened?
• Peter and John were warned not to talk about Jesus? How did they respond?
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Prayer: Thank you, God, that you sent your Son, Jesus. And even though he’s in heaven, you still help Jesus’ followers to obey you, by telling others about the good things Jesus has done for us. Give us courage to be just like the early believers.

Season: Book of Acts
Episode 3: “Peter Heals A Man at the Temple”
Today’s Bible Bite: Acts 3, 4:4

Video Story:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JQhkWmFJKnA (The Bible Project – Acts 1-7 – for parents and older children)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=orp4ZT9710Y (Saddleback Kids – Peter Heals a Man Who Couldn’t Walk)

“Through faith in the name of Jesus, this man was healed—and you know how crippled he was before. Faith in Jesus’ name has healed him before your very eyes.” (Acts 3:17, NLT)

One day, Peter and John were going to the Temple to pray. They saw a man being carried to the gate called ‘Beautiful.’ He had been born unable to walk. His friends often took him there to beg for money from the people going into the Temple, because he also couldn’t work. Peter saw the man and he got his attention. The man thought that Peter and John were going to give him some money, but Peter said he had something better for him. He told the man, “In the name of Jesus, get up and walk;” Peter then helped the man to stand. As he got to his feet, his feet and ankles were made whole…not only did he walk, he jumped around. He was so happy!

Peter saw the crowds gathering and used this opportunity to tell them about Jesus. He and John hadn’t healed this man, who they all recognized had been the crippled beggar at the Temple gate; Jesus had! Many of the people believed Peter’s message because of the miracle and the Church grew to around 5,000 believers.

Think about it...
• One day, John and Peter went to the Temple to pray; but God had a different plan for their day. Who did they meet?
• The crippled man hadn’t been able to walk since the day he was born. What did Peter tell everyone had happened?
• The man wanted to be healed and he believed in the power of Jesus. How did Jesus do the miracle when it was Peter who helped the man?
• Many people believed in Jesus because of the miracle they had seen. Why can we still believe in Jesus, today?
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Prayer: Thank you, God, that you used Peter to heal this man. Thank you that Peter and John were willing to stop their plans to help this man. Because they obeyed you, they had a chance to talk to others about the amazing things Jesus has done for us and continues to do for us. Help me to always be ready to tell others about Jesus.

Season: Book of Acts
Episode 2: “The Believers Spend Time Together”
Today’s Bible Bite: Acts 2:42-47

Video Story:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JQhkWmFJKnA (The Bible Project – Acts 1-7 – for parents and older children)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OMQKy1Mx49M (Saddleback Kids – God Sends the Holy Spirit)

“And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had.’” (Acts 2:44, NLT)

The first people to believe in Jesus were called believers of “The Way.” These followers of Jesus truly believed that he was the Messiah and he was going to come back any day, so they worked very hard to obey everything Jesus had told them. They carefully studied all the things that the Apostles taught them. The Apostles had been Jesus’ students for three years and they knew Jesus best—what he taught and all the miracles he performed.

The new believers—or as they are known now, the early church—loved spending time together. They would visit in each other’s homes and meet at the Temple regularly to worship. If anyone needed something, those who had property would sell it and generously give it to the Apostles who then helped to take care of those who needed help. They proved they loved God by showing that they loved and cared about other people.

People who did not believe could not help but notice how nice the followers of Jesus were. They were also amazed by the miracles that the Apostles were able to do. Many people decided to join them and the early church grew. Jesus could still come back any day. Make certain when he does, that he finds you obeying him and showing love to others!

Think about it...
• The believers thought Jesus could come back any day. How did they choose to live while they waited?
• The Bible tells us that none of the believers had any needs. Why? Who helped them?
• The followers of Jesus loved to spend time together. What would they do together?
• Today, if we are followers of Jesus, we should want to spend time with other believers. Do you spend time with other Christians? What kinds of things do you like to do together?
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Prayer: Thank you, God, that when we choose to become your followers, we are given a new family…the family of God. Help us to always be kind to one another, spending time with one another and looking for ways to help and show we care. Thank you that you are my heavenly father.

Season: Book of Acts
Episode 1: “The Disciples Get Help”
Today’s Bible Bite: Acts 1-2:46

Video Story:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JQhkWmFJKnA (The Bible Project – Acts 1-7 – for parents and older children)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hKa9jqvJ378 (God’s Story – Peter Preaches)

“In the last days, God says, ‘I will pour out my Spirit on all people.’” (Acts 2:17a, NLT)

The Bible is split into second main sections—the Old Testament and the New Testament. The Old Testament covers events before Jesus came from heaven and the New Testament tells us about Jesus and the events that happened after he returned to heaven. The Book of Acts, found in the New Testament, gives us the story of what happened immediately after Jesus left and gave his disciples the task of continuing his mission—to tell people about him! But in order to continue to do the work, Jesus knew his followers were going to need some help…which is our story today.

One morning, all the believers (about 120 people) were meeting together. Suddenly there was a loud sound like a blast of wind and little flames of fire hovered over each person’s head. Just as God had shown the people in the Old Testament that he was present with the Tabernacle by appearing as a pillar of fire (Numbers 9:15), the Holy Spirit showed that he was now going to live in each believer through the flames that appeared above their heads. Also, he gave all the believers the ability to speak in different languages, so that everyone in Jerusalem could hear about Jesus and what he had done for them.

Some people thought the believers were drunk—they thought they were just talking gibberish. But Peter told them, “No!” What they were seeing and hearing, had been prophesied about—God’s Holy Spirit had come and would be with anyone who believed that Jesus was the Messiah, our Rescuer from sin and death. Jesus had sent the Holy Spirit to teach his followers, to provide help, to give them courage and to show them the way they should live.

Think about it...
• Jesus had given a big job to the disciples. What did he want them to do?
• Jesus knew they were going to need help. What did he promise to do for them?
• When the Holy Spirit came everybody knew it. What happened?
• All the believers began speaking in different languages they hadn’t previously known. Why did Peter say this was happening?
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Prayer: Thank you, God, for giving us the Holy Spirit. Thank you for his help to spread the news to everyone about Jesus. Help me to always do my best to obey Jesus.

Season: Rebuilding Jerusalem
Episode 3: “Nehemiah – Wall Builder”
Today’s Bible Bite: Nehemiah 1-7

Video Story:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HdDvqWtVkro (God’s Story – Nehemiah)

“If it please the king, and if you are pleased with me, your servant, send me to Judah to rebuild the city where my ancestors are buried.” (Nehemiah 2:5, NLT)

After Zerubbabel and Ezra, the next leader to return to Jerusalem to help was Nehemiah. The city was still a mess and unprotected, because the walls were all just a collapsed ruin. Nehemiah organized the people and they set to work to rebuild the walls.

But it wasn’t all easy. There were enemies who didn’t want to see the walls rebuilt and they tried to stop the work. They mocked the workers, but that didn’t stop them. They threatened to tell the king and lie about what they were doing, but that didn’t work. They planned to attack the workers, but their plan was discovered and Nehemiah found a way to continue the work. They even tried to trick Nehemiah and scare him, but that didn’t stop the work either. Eventually, they gave up because they saw that despite all their plans the wall was being rebuilt. God was protecting Nehemiah, the workers and the city.

The city of Jerusalem now had the Temple to worship God, God’s laws to follow and a wall to keep them safe.

Think about it...
• Walls were used to keep cities safe from enemies. Why was it important to rebuild Jerusalem’s walls?
• Nehemiah was the king of Persia’s cup-bearer. Why might he be frightened to ask the king to allow him to go to Jerusalem?
• When Nehemiah told the people he wanted to help them rebuild the walls, they agreed. Who wasn’t happy with this plan?
• Nehemiah had enemies who tried to stop his work. What ways did they try to prevent the wall from being rebuilt?
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Prayer: Thank you, God, for keeping Nehemiah safe and helping him to complete the job of rebuilding the walls. His story helps me to know that you will help me to do the things you give me to do too! I don’t have to be scared when others disagree.

Season: Rebuilding Jerusalem
Episode 2: “Ezra – Learning to Obey”
Today’s Bible Bite: Ezra 7-10

Video Story:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MkETkRv9tG8 (the Bible Project – Ezra & Nehemiah)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OsSTTkwiQrw (Douglas Talks – A Lesson About Obeying)

“Ezra had determined to study and obey the Law of the LORD and to teach those decrees and regulations to the people of Israel.” (Ezra 7:10, NLT)

After the Temple was reconstructed, people got busy reestablishing their own homes, their crops and their families. Time passed and a new king, Artaxerxes of Persia, allowed Ezra to take a second group of Jews to Jerusalem from Babylon. He gave Ezra permission to take whatever he would need so that Ezra could reestablish worship of God at the Temple. Yes, the building had been completed some time ago, but the people had not returned to worshipping God as they were supposed to and so Ezra went in order to help the people obey God more fully.

But when he got there, he grew very discouraged. Some of the first people who had returned to Jerusalem had married local women from families that worshipped other gods. This wasn’t right. It wasn’t wrong for them to marry local women if they chose to worship only God, but the problem was that often these new wives continued to worship their idols and persuaded others to as well. And that was a big problem, because that is how the Israelites had wound up in captivity to the Babylonians in the first place! Ezra helped the people to understand the rules that God had provided and how to obey and serve him better.

Think about it...
• The Temple of Jerusalem had been completed, but the people still didn’t know how to worship God well. What was Ezra’s job?
• When Ezra got to Jerusalem, he was very disappointed in some of the first people who had returned. What had they done wrong? Why was this a bad thing?
• Ezra wanted people to obey God. How important is it to obey God?
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Prayer: Thank you, God, for helping the people of Israel to return to Jerusalem. Thank you too for giving them Ezra so that they would know how to obey you. Please help me to know how to obey you too!

Season: Rebuilding Jerusalem
Episode 1: “Cyrus – Chosen by God”
Today’s Bible Bite: Ezra 1-6

Video Story:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MkETkRv9tG8 (the Bible Project – Ezra & Nehemiah)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jBCf1YY5pzM (unfolding Word – The Exile and Return)

“The LORD, the God of heaven, has given me, Cyrus, all the kingdoms of the earth. He has appointed me to build him a Temple at Jerusalem, which is in Judah.” (Ezra 1:2, NLT)

The prophets, Isaiah and Jeremiah, had warned the Israelites that because of their disobedience to God he was no longer going to protect them. The Assyrians captured the nation of Israel and about 100 years later the Babylonians captured the nation of Judah. Assyria and Babylonia took all but the poorest of the people away from their home. The prophet Jeremiah promised the people of Judah that after living in captivity for 70 years God would bring them back. It sounded impossible, but that’s exactly what happened.

The Babylonians were themselves conquered by the Persians. Cyrus, the king of Persia, received a message from God that he was to let the people of Israel, the Jews whom the Babylonians had captured, go home. God also told him that he wanted King Cyrus to rebuild his temple. It is amazing that Cyrus obeyed—he was a foreign king, who didn’t have a relationship with God like the Jews. He even gave back all the treasure stolen by the Babylonians! Many of the Jews took up the king’s offer to return home and a man named Zerubbabel led them back. They did rebuild the Temple, but it wasn’t easy. Some of the people who now lived in the land didn’t like being excluded from the project and so made it difficult. However, even with their interference, eventually the Temple was rebuilt and the people held a celebration.

Think about it...
• The people no longer wanted to obey God. What happened to them?
• The prophet Jeremiah promised that God would bring the people who were taken into captivity by the Babylonians back to Jerusalem after 70 years. Why might this have been hard to believe?
• The Persians conquered the Babylonians and a new king came to power. Why did King Cyrus decide to help the Jews to go back home?
• God told Cyrus that he wanted him to help rebuild his Temple. Why would God give this job to someone who wasn’t even an Israelite?
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Prayer: Thank you, God, that you always keep your promises. Jeremiah had told the people that you would bring them out of Babylon and back to their home…and you did! Thank you that we can trust your promises still.

Season: Prophets
Episode 8: “John the Baptist – The Prophet Who Knew Jesus Best”
Today’s Bible Bite: Matthew 3

Video Story:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7NMHOLPWeTM (God’s Story: John the Baptist)
“He is a voice shouting in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the LORD’s coming!” (Matthew 3:3)

For hundreds of years the prophets had been telling people God’s messages. One of the messages was a promise that God was going to send someone to rescue them; the rescuer was known as the Messiah. Jesus was the Messiah! But one of the prophets, Isaiah, also told people that God would send a special prophet before the Messiah came to prepare the people for his arrival. That was John!

John was…how to say this nicely…a little different. He lived in the wilderness for a time; he ate bugs and honey; he wore itchy clothing made from camel hair and had a belt of leather. John didn’t care. He knew that he had a job from God. He needed to let people know that the Messiah was about to come any day and they needed to get right with God. Many people didn’t like his message because he didn’t worry about tradition; he told them exactly what God told him to say. That annoyed people. John didn’t care.

But one day something happened that John really did care about. As he was baptizing people, Jesus came and asked John to baptize him. This was a big deal and John didn’t feel he was good enough, but Jesus told him it was exactly what God wanted him to do. And so John baptized Jesus, the Messiah, the long promised rescuer…and God was pleased.

Think about it...
• John the Baptist was given a job even before he was born. Which of the prophets told people about John?
• John ate bugs and honey, wore camel hair clothing and a leather belt, and lived in the wilderness. How would you like to live like that?
• John told people that they needed to say they were sorry to God and be baptized. Why was this important?
• John obeyed God, but when Jesus came to be baptized John hesitated. Why did John not want to baptize Jesus?
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Prayer: Thank you, God, that John obeyed you and cared more about what you wanted than what others thought. Help me to always do what you want me to, no matter what other people think.

Season: Prophets
Episode 7: “Anna – A Prophet Who Saw the Messiah”
Today’s Bible Bite: Luke 2:22-40

Video Story:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=leN-xNrkjbo (God’s Story: Anna & Simeon)
“Anna gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.” (Luke 2:38)

Unlike most of the prophets that we read about in the Old Testament, Anna was a prophet in New Testament times—that means that she was alive after Jesus was born. As a young woman, her husband had died; they had only been married for seven years. In the story, Anna was already 84 years old, and had spent her time in the Temple serving God, praying and fasting day and night, ever since she had become a widow. We don’t know exactly how long she had been doing this, but it is safe to assume that this had been her life for about sixty years!

She was a prophet which meant that God gave her messages to share with the people. One day he gave her an extra special one—the Messiah had finally arrived. For years, the prophets had promised that God was going to send the Messiah, a rescuer. The people had waited…and waited…and waited! But the day finally arrived when Jesus’ parents brought him to the Temple and Anna was able to tell everyone that he had finally come. God had fulfilled his promise.

Think about it...
• Anna and Simeon both heard God speak. Has God ever talked to you?
• When Jesus’ parents took him to the Temple Anna and Simeon both knew that this was no ordinary baby. How did they respond?
• Both Anna and Simeon were getting quite old. Do you think they ever gave up looking for the Messiah?
• Sometimes God’s promises take time. Why is it so hard to wait sometimes?
• Anna told everyone that the Messiah had come. Do you think others believed her?
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Prayer: Thank you, God, for answering Anna and Simeon’s prayers. Thank you that Anna was able to share this wonderful message, “Jesus has come!” Help me to tell others your amazing message, “…and he’s come back!”