The Parent Weekly for July 3rd (God answers prayer)
What we learned today
Big Idea: God’s spirit unifies, part 2
Peter and Cornelius. Acts 10—11. God’s Spirit led Peter to eat with a Gentile named Cornelius.
Where we're headed next time
Big Idea: God answers prayer.
Peter delivered from prison. Acts 12v1–9. God released Peter from prison.
Did you know?
Share these facts to get the conversation started:
King Herod Agrippa ruled over the Palestinian territory from A.D. 41–44 and was committed to maintaining Pax Romana—Latin for “Roman Peace.” This meant keeping the Jewish religious leaders happy or else risking the threat of an uprising.
When the new church community began to welcome Gentiles, many in the Jewish community were outraged. To show solidarity with the Jews, Herod began to persecute the leaders of the early church (Acts 12v1).
While Herod strategically planned to kill off the early church leaders and destroy the entire movement, he had no clue about the forces against him. Through prayer, the early church took the battle to God, and God miraculously intervened.
Connect as a family
Gather your family before bedtime and read Acts 12v1–19. Ask your children how God answered the people’s prayers. Have each person share how he might have felt if he’d been Peter and an angel had set him free. Invite each family member to share a prayer request. Remember, nothing is too difficult for God! He always hears our prayers and answers them. He may not answer in the way we think He should, and He may not answer right away, but He does answer. After your discussion, take some time to practice the posture of kneeling in prayer as you bring your requests to God.
After reading the Scripture passage, discuss these questions together:
How did God answer the prayers of His people?
What was Peter’s response to his miraculous release from prison?
How have you seen God answer prayer in your own life?
These questions can easily extend into the rest of the week. Look for opportunities to bring conversations about how God answers prayer into your everyday life as a family.
Blessing
Blessings are often used in the Bible. A blessing can be a prayer of commission, a portion of Scripture, or words to encourage and guide.
A blessing to pray over your child:(Child’s name), may you take every worry and every situation in your life to God. May you know that He listens to your prayers and answers you.
