Mission from Jerusalem to the Nations - Teacher (Standard) (print)

Teach now

Objective: Analyse the relevant text and explain the case that the spirit-directed mission crossed geographic, ethnic, and social boundaries.

Read: Acts 1:8; 8:4-40; 13:1-3

Opening: Ask: What does this passage actually say before we explain what it means?

Say:

Acts 1:8 frames the witness of Jesus' followers as expanding from Jerusalem outward.
Acts 8 narrates gospel movement through persecution and Philip's encounter with an Ethiopian official, while Acts 13 depicts the Antioch church sending Barnabas and Saul.
Acts presents mission as crossing geographic, ethnic, and social boundaries under the Spirit's direction.

Ask:

Do: Complete Mission from Jerusalem to the Nations Claim Audit.

Close: Restate the big idea, name one faithful response, and pray.

Materials: Bible; Mission from Jerusalem to the Nations Claim Audit

4 minConnect. Locate the lesson within Cycle 2 and activate prior knowledge.
4 minContext. Identify genre, audience, setting, and immediate context before making claims.
9 minRead and observe. Read selected portions of Acts 1:8; 8:4-40; 13:1-3 and identify direct observations. Ask: What does the passage directly say?
7 minDiscuss. Test the big idea against the evidence and identify interpretive limits. Ask: What conclusion can we support from those observations? Where could someone overstate or misapply this passage?
7 minActivity. Complete the primary evidence-based activity. Activity: Mission from Jerusalem to the Nations Claim Audit. Printable: T3-L09-P01-mission-from-jerusalem-to-the-nations-claim-audit.
4 minRespond. Name one faithful response and pray. Ask: What faithful response fits the text?

Materials: Mission from Jerusalem to the Nations Claim Audit; Bible; Pens or pencils

Low-resource option: Draw the categories on blank paper or complete verbally.

Memory verse: Genesis 3:1-24

Prayer: Thank God for what this passage reveals and ask for wisdom to respond faithfully.

Take-home line: The Spirit's coming, apostolic proclamation, baptism, and shared life mark the church's public beginning.