Welly Church Kids Lessons

Teens · 13-17 · Lesson 9

Mission from Jerusalem to the Nations

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

The Spirit-directed mission crossed geographic, ethnic, and social boundaries.

Teach the lesson

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

Pick how long you want to teach. The plan updates to fit.

Short · 25 minutes
  1. 3 min
    Connect

    Locate the lesson within Cycle 2 and activate prior knowledge.

  2. 8 min
    Read

    Read selected portions of Acts 1:8; 8:4-40; 13:1-3 and identify direct observations.

    Ask: What does the passage directly say?

  3. 5 min
    Understand

    Connect observations to the big idea without adding unsupported details.

    Ask: What conclusion can we support from those observations? · Where could someone overstate or misapply this passage?

  4. 6 min
    Do

    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

  5. 3 min
    Respond

    Name one faithful response and pray.

    Ask: What faithful response fits the text?

Standard · 35 minutes

  1. 4 min
    Connect

    Locate the lesson within Cycle 2 and activate prior knowledge.

  2. 4 min
    Context

    Identify genre, audience, setting, and immediate context before making claims.

  3. 9 min
    Read 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?

  4. 7 min
    Discuss

    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?

  5. 7 min
    Activity

    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

  6. 4 min
    Respond

    Name one faithful response and pray.

    Ask: What faithful response fits the text?

Extended · 45 minutes
  1. 3 min
    Connect

    Locate the lesson within Cycle 2 and activate prior knowledge.

  2. 6 min
    Context

    Identify genre, audience, setting, and immediate context before making claims.

  3. 10 min
    Read closely

    Read selected portions of Acts 2:1-47 and identify direct observations.

    Ask: What does the passage directly say?

  4. 8 min
    Discuss

    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?

  5. 9 min
    Activity

    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

  6. 5 min
    Extension

    Compare another passage or claim classification and state what additional evidence contributes.

    Ask: What conclusion can we support from those observations? · Where could someone overstate or misapply this passage?

  7. 4 min
    Respond

    Name one faithful response and pray.

    Ask: What faithful response fits the text?

Close the class

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.

More help: full script, questions, and printables

A word-for-word way to run the lesson, plus every question, activity, and printable.

Teach now

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
  • What does the text directly say?
  • What conclusion requires synthesis or inference?
  • What should we avoid overstating?
  • What is one faithful response?
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

Discussion questions

  • What does the passage directly say?
    Simple answer: Name one concrete detail from the passage.
    Going deeper: Which observations carry the most interpretive weight?
  • What conclusion can we support from those observations?
    Simple answer: Which evidence best supports the big idea?
    Going deeper: What reasoning connects the evidence to the conclusion?
  • Where could someone overstate or misapply this passage?
    Simple answer: Name one statement that goes beyond direct quotation.
    Going deeper: Explain the interpretive hinge and what would be an overstatement.
  • What faithful response fits the text?
    Simple answer: Choose one concrete response.
    Going deeper: Explain why the response follows from the evidence.

Activities

Mission from Jerusalem to the Nations Claim Audit · 10 min

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

  1. Read or review Acts 1:8; 8:4-40; 13:1-3.
  2. Record at least two direct observations.
  3. State the supported meaning without adding details the text does not supply.
  4. Name one faithful response and one interpretive limit.

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

Mission from Jerusalem to the Nations Claim Audit Discussion · 8 min

Materials: Bible

  1. Read Acts 1:8; 8:4-40; 13:1-3 and name two observations.
  2. Test the big idea against the text.
  3. Name one interpretive limit and one faithful response.

Low-resource option: Use verbal responses.

Printables

Prepare before class (optional, about 30 minutes)

Passage context

Apostolic mission: Mission within the Church, Worship, and Mission cycle

  • 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.
  • Start with the selected passage before moving to synthesis or application.
  • Read this as Narrative history and account for its immediate literary setting.
  • Distinguish explicit text, synthesis, inference, framework position, and prudential application.

Keep it faithful

  • Do not equate mission with cultural domination. Acts repeatedly portrays the gospel crossing boundaries rather than requiring ethnic assimilation.
  • Questions and disagreement may be expressed without embarrassment or coercion.

Questions children may ask

How sure are we about this conclusion?
What if Christians disagree?

Every child can join in

  • Offer verbal or written responses.
  • Preview activity sequence.
  • Allow students to pass on personal-sharing questions.
  • No sensory simulation is required.
  • Read aloud and use icons, sequence cards, oral choices, or a scribe.
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