Vacation Bible School

Day 5 – China

Teacher: Mr. Sterling

Celebrate the Power of Prayer

(Verses from Acts 12:1-19)

1 It was about this time that King Herod arrested some who belonged to the church, intending to persecute them.

4 After arresting him, he put him in prison, handing him over to be guarded by four squads of four soldiers each. Herod intended to bring him out for public trial after the Passover.

5 So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him.

7 Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him up. "Quick, get up!" he said, and the chains fell off Peter's wrists.

11 Then Peter came to himself and said, "Now I know without a doubt that the Lord sent his angel and rescued me from Herod's clutches and from everything the Jewish people were anticipating."

18 In the morning, there was no small commotion among the soldiers as to what had become of Peter.

Memory verse: Jeremiah 33:3

A Few Topics:

I. Power of Prayer

II. Necessity of Prayer

III. Uses for Prayer

Prayer is talking to God, whether you’re praising Him or asking Him for something you need. God knows what’s best for you. He answers yes, no, wait, and also does answer specifically sometimes in many different ways. Salvation is one thing we all need to ask God for, but prayer extends much further than just that!

Prayer is a GIFT FROM GOD! Open it & use it! J

A Little Review for Mr. Sterling’s Class…

(Day 5 should be obvious…)

Day 1

Philip & The Ethiopian Eunuch (Acts 8)

Remember the Heart (Philip meeting Ethiopian on the road back home)…

What GRABS you about this lesson?

God’s Care

Role of the Holy Spirit

All things are known by God
Baptism (characteristics, and comes after…)
Salvation

Be eager to learn more about God like the Ethiopian!

Tell others about Jesus like Philip!

Memory verse: John 3:36

Day 2

The Humility of Josiah (2 Kings 22)

0 out of 19 kings in Israel (north) were pleasing to God, and only 8 out of 20 were pleasing in Judah (south).

Hilkiah (the high priest) finds the Book of the Law.

Josiah reads it, tears his clothes in grief!

Josiah reads to his people and they all vow to follow God’s commands.

God had grace & mercy on the wickedness of the people because of Josiah’s humility and grief over sin.

Memory verse: 1 John 1:9

Day 3

Learning about our enemy: Satan (Ezekiel 28, Isaiah 14, John 10:10, etc.)

Our enemy is out to steal, kill, and destroy. (John 10:10)

He was full of pride and wanted to overtake God’s throne. (Ezekiel 28, Isaiah 14)

He convinced and still convinces us to sin (Genesis 3).

But…he’s been defeated by the Blood of Christ (our Lamb Sacrifice / Passover Lamb).

Memory verse: 1 Corinthians 15:57

Day 4

Celebrating victory over sin and life’s problems… (2 Chronicles 19 & 20)

Jehoshaphat! He wouldn’t win in a speed-writing test (he’d still be writing his name when everyone else was finishing).

3 Armies went to attack Judah, and Jehoshaphat was afraid.

He declared a fast for his people for 3 days (giving up something, usually food, in order to focus on God)

God spoke through the prophet Jahaziel and said that Judah wouldn’t even have to fight!

God turned the attackers against each other and Judah won easily.

Other Things to Remember…

- Keep Jesus #1 in your life (remember the fun road trip symbolizing God’s plan for your life…you don’t want to get lost and miss out on the best time you could ever have!)

- Pray! Going on our own strength leads us to a dead end, but God can help us over that wall.

- Get out there and meet some new people around you! Philip could have not gone and met the Ethiopian and missed out on an excellent opportunity to serve God!

- Honor your father and mother…they’re looking out for you and want the best for you. If they discipline you, it’s because they love you and want you to succeed and grow in a Godly fashion.