Intermediate Level, Block 10—Spread and Propagation
Week 91
Peter Standing with the Eleven
Point to Emphasize: We can be those who support others in their endeavors.
Reference Reading: Acts 2:1-14, 36-42
Memory Verse: We therefore ought to support such ones that we may become fellow workers in the truth. (3 John 8)
Story Sample
[Note to serving ones: The emphasis of this story is not the economical spirit.]
Today, we begin stories of what happened with the followers of Jesus after He ascended.
At the time of the year that Jesus left the disciples, it was customary for Jews from every place to come to Jerusalem for a big Jewish feast called Pentecost. So, the city was crowded with people. The disciples and followers of Jesus were also there, but not to keep the Jewish feast.
SUDDENLY, there was a sound out of heaven and it brought a huge crowd which gathered around the disciples of Jesus. Then Peter, standing with the eleven, made his voice as loud as possible in speaking to the crowd. He began to boldly proclaim the gospel of Jesus to the entire crowd. What does the word “gospel” mean? The word “gospel” means good news. The gospel is news that gladdens those who hear it. This was the first time that the good news about Jesus was so boldly proclaimed! Many of those listening were touched in their hearts by Peter’s speaking, and they became followers of Jesus too! What a marvelous thing! Before that, these three thousand were Jews, but on that day, due to Peter’s speaking, they became Christians.
Now, let’s talk about the very important start of this story. Acts 2:14 says, “But Peter, standing with the eleven…” This means that even though it was Peter who spoke so boldly to the crowd, he was not standing there by himself. He was standing with the eleven. That means twelve disciples of Jesus were together. Even though it was Peter’s voice that they heard, it was all of the disciples doing it together. This means that without the eleven being there Peter could not have spoken such a word to the crowd. They were all supporting each other. And this is just how we should be.
I remember having to give an oral book report at school when I was about your age. I had drawn a picture showing what the book was about and then I had written a few sentences about the book below. We all were so nervous about giving this book report. Some of the children spoke in shaky voices and looked down at the floor while they gave their report. It was easy to feel all alone while standing in front of the class. When my turn came, I stood in front of the whole class but I only looked at my good friend. The whole time I was giving my report I kept my eyes on my friend. And my friend was looking back at me as if we were just having a normal conversation with each other. This really helped me not to feel all alone up there. [Storyteller, tell your own story of how you or someone supported what another person was doing.]
There are many ways we can support others in what they are doing. If your friend needs to clean up their room before they can go outside, we can help them out. If mom is carrying in groceries from the car, we can carry something in for her. If dad is doing yard work, we can offer to help. With your help and support, others will not feel alone or have to do it all by themselves. That must have been how the twelve disciples felt that day when they were there supporting each other.