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FEBRUARY242018
evidence
of conversion
Scripture Story: Acts 12:1-23; 1 Peter; 2 Peter.
Commentary: The Acts of the Apostles (or Unlikely Leaders ),
chapters 15, 51, 52.
Key Text: 2 Peter 1:3.
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low me” (Mark 1:17, NIV). His final words to him were •
See Peter as a real person—marked by both
“You must follow me” (John 21:22, NIV). In between success and failure. (Feel)
those commands Peter’s colorful life flourishes with •
Have an opportunity to respond to God’s desire
essential life lessons for all who would strive to follow to perform miracles in them, just as He did in
Jesus. Peter. (Respond)
Peter was a fisherman when he first met Jesus.
That encounter with Jesus radically redefined the tra- III. EXPLORE
jectory of Peter’s life. Jesus gave Peter a new name— •
Miracles and the miraculous
the “rock.” But more than that Jesus gave him a new •
Grace
life. Peter was certainly never perfect, but he was •
Love is . . .
transformed into the character of Christ. Peter gave
his life to proclaim the good news of a risen Christ. He TEACHING
was the recognized leader among Jesus’ disciples. He
was the first great voice to share the gospel during and I. GETTING STARTED
after Pentecost. He most likely knew Mark and gave
him information for the Gospel of Mark. And finally, he Activity
wrote the books of 1 and 2 Peter. Refer the students to the What Do You Think?
This lesson focuses on Peter. Given the colorful section of their lesson. After they have completed it,
stories, engaging personality, and personal writings of discuss their responses.
Peter, there are many directions you could take this As an alternate activity, use this scenario:
study. The primary story of this lesson recounts the Assign students the following roles from the story
deliverance of Peter from prison. Thus the emphasis of Peter’s deliverance from prison: Peter, two soldiers,
of this lesson will be on miracles and the miraculous. an angel, two guards, believers who were gathered at
Intertwined in the narrative are lessons about grace Mary’s house to pray, and Rhoda. Have the students
and love. For when Jesus chooses His followers, He act out the story as you read Acts 12:1-18.
isn’t looking for perfect people; He is looking for real
folk who can be changed by His love. Illustration
The Historical Setting of Peter’s Letters: “The
apostle writes what might be termed a circular letter
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the end of the apostle’s life (see Vol. VI, pp. 34, 35). Picture the dispersed Christians who are being
The absence of any reference to Peter’s presence in hunted. Imagine Sister Martha or Brother Nico-
Rome in Paul’s letters from that city suggests that demus holed up in some hovel with other
Peter did not arrive there until ‘about the time of Paul’s believers. Their lives are endangered, and when
final arrest’ (The Acts of the Apostles, p. 537), about you’re dealing with someone who is on the brink
A.D. 66 (see Vol. VI, pp. 101-107). Although nothing of death, you don’t talk about trivial matters.
definite can be said regarding the date of 1 Peter, You talk about life and death stuff. You concen-
the foregoing suggests as a likely date the middle of trate on what really matters. Scan through the
the sixties of the first century. The epistle reflects the book of 1 Peter and find passages that illustrate
existence of an unfriendly attitude toward Christians the life-and-death nature of Peter’s message.
(chaps. 2:12; 4:12-16). This may suggest the time of • 2 Peter—The theme of 2 Peter varies from that
Nero’s persecution, which began in A.D. 64 (see Vol. of 1 Peter. The second letter addresses the
VI, pp. 81-84)” (The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Com- issue of laxity in the church—which comes as a
mentary, vol. 7, pp. 547, 548). result of defective doctrine. For example, one of
the stalwart teachings in question centered on
II. TEACHING THE STORY the Second Coming. “Where is this ‘coming’?”
the scoffers asked. “Ever since our ancestors
Bridge to the Story died, everything goes on as it has since the
Keep this historical context in mind when you read beginning of creation” (2 Peter 3:4, NIV). Peter
1 and 2 Peter as well as the stories of Peter in the answers: “The Lord is not slow in keeping
book of Acts. It was a time of severe persecution when his promise, as some understand slowness.
Christians were fed to half-starved lions for sport. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting any-
Most Christians were running for their lives, just pray- one to perish, but everyone to come to repen-
ing to survive. Because of Peter’s unique relationship tance” (verse 9, NIV). Scan through the book of
to Jesus, as well as his own story of imprisonment and 2 Peter and identify other doctrines that were
persecution, his voice rings a credible call to remain being challenged.
faithful to God—no matter the circumstances.
68 www.cornerstoneconnections.net
RABBI 101
Herod Agrippa I—“It was about this time that
Education theorists suggest that learning is
King Herod arrested some who belonged to the
enhanced when it is more like a team effort than
church . . .” (Acts 12:1, NIV). Four generations of
a solo race. Superior learning is collaborative and
the Herod dynasty are mentioned in the Bible:
social rather than competitive and isolated. This
Herod the Great murdered the children at the time
principle rings true in the traditional classroom; it
of Jesus’ birth; Herod Antipas was involved in
is also true in the Sabbath School setting. Work-
Jesus’ trial and John the Baptist’s death; Herod
ing with others tends to heighten involvement in
Agrippa I murdered the apostle James and is
learning. Sharing one’s own ideas and respond-
the ruler referred to in Acts 12; and finally, Herod
ing to others’ perspectives focuses concentra-
Agrippa II was one of Paul’s judges.
tion and deepens understanding. So, as much as
Herod Agrippa I (grandson of Herod the Great
possible in your context, encourage reciprocity
and brother of Herodias—the woman respon-
and cooperation among your students.
sible for the death of John the Baptist) enjoyed
modest favor among the Jews because his
grandmother (Miriamne) was Jewish. Although
as a young man he had been imprisoned by
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Tiberias, he was later trusted by Rome and bolstered his political aspirations.
assigned the governorship of most of Palestine. •
Mary the Mother of John Mark—“When this
His fatal error came while on a visit to Cae- had dawned on him, he went to the house of
sarea when the people called him a god and he Mary the mother of John, also called Mark,
accepted their praise. “Immediately, because where many people had gathered and were
Herod did not give praise to God, an angel of praying” (Acts 12:12, NIV). Scholars suggest
the Lord struck him down, and he was eaten that Mary’s home was the headquarters of the
by worms and died” (Acts 12:23, NIV). Like Christian church. It has also been suggested
his grandpa, uncle, and son after him, Herod that it was in Mary’s home where Jesus and
Agrippa I was exposed to truth, but he would His disciples partook of the Last Supper. Notice
not accept it. Religion was important only as it that in this story, her home served as a meeting
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Remind the students about the reading plan that will take them through the inspired
commentary of the Bible, the Conflict of the Ages Series. The reading that goes with
this lesson is The Acts of the Apostles (or Unlikely Leaders), chapters 15, 51, 52.
70 www.cornerstoneconnections.net
CORNERSTONECONNECTIONS
FEBRUARY242018
STUDENT LESSON
Scripture Story: Acts 12:1-23; 1 Peter; 2 Peter.
Commentary: The Acts of the Apostles (or Unlikely Leaders),
chapters 15, 51, 52.
evidence of conversion
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Photo by Colleen Cahill
keytext
“His divine power has given us
of the wide and effectual work which this apostle was to do in the future for those who should (2 Peter 1:3, NIV)
come to the faith. For this work, Peter’s own experience of sin and suffering and repentance
had prepared him. Not until he had learned his weakness could he know the believer’s need of
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INTO
did so. ‘Wrap your cloak around you
a. I believe in miracles.
and follow me,’ the angel told him.
THE
b. Every life is a miracle.
Peter followed him out of the prison,
c. Miracles occur more for people of faith.
STORY
but he had no idea that what the angel
d. Grace is impossible to fully grasp.
was doing was really happening; he
e. I am 100 percent positive that I am saved by grace.
thought he was seeing a vision. They
f. I believe that God loves all people equally.
“It was about this time passed the first and second guards
g. I believe that only people filled with the Holy
that King Herod arrested and came to the iron gate leading to
Spirit are capable of fully loving others.
some who belonged to the the city. It opened for them by itself,
church, intending to perse- and they went through it. When they
cute them. He had James, had walked the length of one street,
the brother of John, put to suddenly the angel left him.
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STORY worthy of the Good News about Christ. Then, whether I come and see you again
or only hear about you, I will know that you are standing together with one
spirit and one purpose, fighting together for the faith, which is the Good
Read the passages in the Into the Story sec- News” (Philippians 1:27, NLT).
tion and answer the following questions:
“Now that I am old and gray, do not abandon me, O God. Let
What is the irony in verses 13-15? me proclaim your power to this new generation, your mighty
miracles to all who come after me” (Psalm 71:18, NLT).
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“Who can list the glorious miracles of the
Lord? Who can ever praise him enough?”
(Psalm 106:2, NLT).
How might the scene of Peter’s knocking at the door and their reluctance to
believe it was Peter be impacted by the detail provided in verse 2?
further 35
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tion. What are three lessons that you can take life today. Why is this verse meaningful to could happen to you? Why or why not?
from Peter’s life that can be of help to you? you? Think about somebody who might be ___________________________
Write them below. encouraged by the same verse and pass it ___________________________
___________________________ along by sending an e-mail, a text message,
___________________________ or a good old-fashioned hand-addressed note If the only story in the Bible that you knew
___________________________ in the mail. was the story of Peter, how would you finish
this sentence?
Monday Thursday
Read 2 Peter 1:3. Read Psalm 71:18. Love is: ______________________
Tuesday privileges within the reach of every believer. Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188.
All rights reserved.
Read Matthew 11:20. In the full assurance of his faith the aged dis-
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