Lessons 14-15: Stephen and Perpetua PDF

LESSON-14 STEPHEN Portion: Acts chapters 6&7 Memory Verse: 2 Tim 4:7, 8 Objective Children are persuaded to prepare themselves to suffer and even to sacrifice their lives for Jesus Christ Introduction Do you know how much your parents love you? They have made many sacrifices for you. Are you t...

LESSON-14 STEPHEN Portion: Acts chapters 6&7 Memory Verse: 2 Tim 4:7, 8 Objective Children are persuaded to prepare themselves to suffer and even to sacrifice their lives for Jesus Christ Introduction Do you know how much your parents love you? They have made many sacrifices for you. Are you thankful to them? You must love them and serve them even if you may have to suffer. Jesus Christ sacrificed his life for us. So we must be prepared to suffer anything for Him and his gospel. Let us learn about one of the followers of Christ, who suffered death for the gospel. His name was Stephen. Stephen who was of good report, full of Holy Spirit and Wisdom The meaning of the word Stephen is crown (in Greek Stephanos). After Pentecost many people believed in Jesus and became Christians. Then it was found necessary to make certain arrangements to help the poor. Due to lack of time, the apostles were unable to look after the affairs of the widows and such other people. The apostles gave the responsibilities to look into the affairs of the poor in the church to Stephen, Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas and Nicolaus. They were full of faith and were filled with Holy Spirit. They were full of wisdom too. They were leading a faithful life without losing their testimony. These seven men all were Jews from Greece except Nicolaus of Antioch. Apostles prayed and they laid their hands on them and entrusted them the ministry. Preaching the gospel with miracles and signs Along with his ministry of service, God used Stephen to preach the Gospel with great faith and power and he did great wonders and miracles among the people. If we are faithful in small matters wherever we are, God will give us greater responsibilities. Stephen preached the Gospel performing miracles and signs. Certain men who belonged to the Synagogues of the Libertines, Cyrenians, Alexandrians, Cilicia and Asia rose up and disputed with Stephen. Though they were very wise they were not able to resist the wisdom and the Spirit by which he spoke. So they caught him and brought him to the counsel, and set up false witnesses against him. Sermon which defeated the enemies In the council he spoke very powerfully quoting the Old Testament. When Stephen was speaking his face was shining like the face of an angel. While he was replying to their \'accusation, he explained to them the previous history. of Jews and he were expecting. He added that Jews were responsible for the crucifixion of Jesus their Messiah. When they heard those things, they became furious and gnashed their teeth first Christian martyr against him. But he, being full of the Holy Spirit, looked up steadfastly to a heaven. If we in our adverse circumstances look unto heaven we can see the Lord, who helps us. Stephen saw the heavens opened and the son of man standing on the right hand of God. Heaven was opened to receive Stephen Then they cried out with a loud voice and closed their ears and ran upon him with one accord. They cast him out of the city, and stoned him. He knew down and prayed for his enemies while sharp stones were falling on him. He committed his soul into the hands of God, and passed away. He died as the first Christian martyr, became eligible for his crown. Saul of the Tarsus was the one who took leader ship for killing of Stephen. But this incident marked the beginning of his conversion. This Saul later became the reputed Apostle Paul of the Christian Church. Have you had to suffer anything for our loving saviour Jesus Christ? Sometimes others may laugh at you for being a believer. Sometimes they hurt you or even kill you. Let us be prepared to suffer anything for our Lord who gave his own life for us. He lives for us and will come again to take us to heaven and to give us glorious crowns. LESSON-15 PERPECTUA Portion: Hebrews 12:1-6; 1 Peter 4:12-19 Memory Verse: Romans 8:36-37 Objective: Children are rooted in the love of Christ and inspired to be His brave witnesses. Introduction: Have you heard of any women martyr? Women and girls too can be witnesses of Jesus Christ. We will learn by about a young woman who suffered death for being a believer of Christ Jesus. Septimius Severus was the emperor during the fifth religious persecutions of the Christians by the Roman emperors. The persecutions had spread up to North Africa, which was one of the territories of the Roman Empire, and many died as martyrs there. Perpectua was one of the women martyrs among them. Lesson Perpectua a high caste, 22 years old mother of a child was imprisoned only for accepting Christ as her personal saviour. Her father, a gentile, used to come to the prison and advise her to leave Christianity. She said bravely that being a believer of Jesus Christ she could not reject Christianity. When the father heard this, he became very angry and threatened to kill her by cutting her into pieces and came forward like a tiger. But when he saw her courage and humility, he could not do anything to her and went back. Again persecutions on her increased. They separated the breast-feeding child from her. Those who saw the crying of the child were in great distress. Later, the soldiers felt compassion and returned the child. During her stay in the prison she could lead many people to Christ. When the ruler heard this, he called her to the palace and asked her to offer sacrifices to the idols. But she refused to do that. Therefore, they separated the child from her again and she was put in a dark cell. But some of the prison-keepers had compassion on her and allowed her to breathe fresh air. Again her father visited her many times and advised her to reject Christianity and to lead a peaceful life. But she replied that \"I am a Christian who worships the true God. Even in front of the emperor I will not offer sacrifice to the idols\". Therefore, the emperor ordered to kill her and other Christians by throwing them before wild animals. At the last moment the prisoners were allowed to see their relatives and friends one more time. Among them, Perpectua' s father was there with a sad and heavy face. That sight was very much heart-breaking to her. But she saw face of her heavenly father waiting for her on the other shore. This filled her with courage and strength. She had many other heavenly visions too. Perpectua and her friends were singing while going to the place of execution. The decree was to put the men as prey for leopards and bears. But towards Perpectua and her friend Phelisist they sent wild bullocks. The fierce bullocks attacked and injured them deadly. Perpectua was thrown away by the horn of the bullocks. She then took her loosened cloth and ran towards her friend Phelisist and made her to sit straight and served her. Those wild animals did not hurt them later. But at the request of the cruel audience they were killed by the swords of the soldiers. It is recorded in history that this happened on March 8, 205 (A.D.). How great was Perpectua' s love for Jesus Christ Do you love Jesus as she did.