“GOD RESCUES PETER”

YEAH! CHURCH - SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2022

"Doing Life with Jesus”
Today’s Lesson - “God Rescues Peter”

Video Story/Resource:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zzM9aFqkw6s (Slapstick Theatre – Peter Escapes from Prison)

An Angel Helps Peter Escape the Prison
Acts 12:1-11, NLT
About that time King Herod Agrippa began to persecute some believers in the church. 2 He had the apostle James (John’s brother) killed with a sword. 3 When Herod saw how much this pleased the Jewish people, he also arrested Peter. (This took place during the Passover celebration.) 4 Then he imprisoned him, placing him under the guard of four squads of four soldiers each. Herod intended to bring Peter out for public trial after the Passover. 5 But while Peter was in prison, the church prayed very earnestly for him.

6 The night before Peter was to be placed on trial, he was asleep, fastened with two chains between two soldiers. Others stood guard at the prison gate. 7 Suddenly, there was a bright light in the cell, and an angel of the Lord stood before Peter. The angel struck him on the side to awaken him and said, “Quick! Get up!” And the chains fell off his wrists. 8 Then the angel told him, “Get dressed and put on your sandals.” And he did. “Now put on your coat and follow me,” the angel ordered.

9 So Peter left the cell, following the angel. But all the time he thought it was a vision. He didn’t realize it was actually happening. 10 They passed the first and second guard posts and came to the iron gate leading to the city, and this opened for them all by itself. So they passed through and started walking down the street, and then the angel suddenly left him.

11 Peter finally came to his senses. “It’s really true!” he said. “The Lord has sent his angel and saved me from Herod and from what the Jewish leaders had planned to do to me!”

Engage:
• Within the Jewish community there was disagreement about who Jesus was. What did the people who didn’t believe Jesus was their Rescuer want done to those that did?
• Herod imprisoned Peter intending to put him on trial. What happened the night before the trial was set to take place?
• God’s angel lead Peter out of the prison. Why do you think Peter thought he was just dreaming?
• When Peter realized that God had helped him escape Herod’s prison he went to the home of some of his Christian friends. What had they been doing?

Weekly verse:
1 John 5:14, NLT – “And we are confident that he hears us whenever we ask for anything that pleases him.”

2022 Theme verses:
Colossians 2:6-7, NLT – “And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow him. Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.”

Prayer – Dear God, thank you for rescuing Peter. This story reminds us that you can rescue us from dangerous situations. It also reminds us to pray because you hear us and will answer.
~ Pastor Jane