FirstLook
God’s love for His children is often most obvious during difficult times. Jesus’ followers experienced many difficult times during the formation of the early church, as recorded in Acts. Shortly after the death of James, Peter was seized and imprisoned. Because it was the time of the Passover Festival, 16 soldiers were placed as guards for this one man in the prison. Herod wanted to appease the Jews during the celebration of their festival and would wait to hold a public trial until after these celebrations. Not only would this give the Jews their festival, but it would allow Herod a larger crowd during the trial and execution—making an example of Peter’s death to the zealot groups and messianic movement.
As soon as Peter was taken to prison, a group of believers gathered together in a home to pray for him. Scripture tells us the church prayed earnestly for Peter. God then sent an angel to release him from jail and lead him to safety. Peter being released seemed so unlikely it was easier for the believers to think he had died and his angel, or ghost, had come to tell them. After realizing it was in fact Peter, the faithful group rejoiced. Peter had to quiet them in order to tell them of all that happened that night. He instructed the witnesses to tell James and the others what had happened. Then he left.
“At dawn there was a great commotion among the soldiers about what had happened to Peter” (Acts 12:18 NLT). It was customary that should a prisoner escape, the supervising guard or soldier would then take the punishment intended for the accused. Upon hearing the news of Peter’s escape, Herod commanded a search be made to locate the man. When he was not found, the guards were put to death.
JUST FOR FUN
Gather your family together in the main room of your home to read this part of The Big God Story. Tell your children that you’re going to read about a time when people gathered in a home to pray. Then read together Acts 12:5–14.
Ask your children who led Peter out of prison, and what the people in the church were doing while Peter was in jail. Remind them that God answers our prayers too. Encourage them to share anything they would like your family to pray for. Also pray about any important things going on in the lives of your family and friends. Start by thanking God for who He is before spending time huddled together praying for your requests. You might want to keep a list of your prayer requests and update each other when one of these prayers has been answered!
Share with your children that what they just heard is a part of The Big God Story, and they’ll hear more about how God responds to the prayers of His people in church this week.
KidQuest
“Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died,” [Mary said]. When Jesus saw her weeping … he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled. “Where have you laid him?” he asked. “Come and see, Lord,” they replied. Jesus wept. (John 11:32–35)
This is the moment directly before Jesus raised Lazarus from death. This passage is extremely moving. In verse 33, the words “deeply moved” come from the Greek word embrimaomai. This word is used to
describe deep anger and frustration.
Why would Jesus be angry and frustrated at this moment? Some say He was angry at their lack of faith. But others suggest that Jesus was angry at death itself—the great enemy. His anger could also have been linked to the grief that death inflicted upon the people He loved.
After this, Jesus showed another strong emotion: sadness. When the mourners told Jesus to “come and see” where Lazarus had been laid, “Jesus wept.” In the original language, the mourners were wailing: klaio. In contrast, “Jesus wept”: dakryo. He shed tears of empathy. Those who saw Him weep said, “Could not he who opened the eyes of the blind man have kept this man from dying?” (John 11:37). When Jesus heard this, He was again “deeply moved”—embrimaomai. Full of this emotion Jesus said, “Lazarus, come out!” (v. 43).
In this passage, Jesus used His power to glorify God and prove He is the One who can save us from the enemy of death. Because many believed in Him after this, the high priest worried there would be an uprising and decided Jesus must die. Yet, what he did not know is that Jesus would rise again.
JUST FOR FUN
Play a game of hide-and go-seek with your kids this week. When you can’t find each other, call, “come out, come out, wherever you are!” Gather your family and tell them you are going to read about a time when Jesus called His friend to “come out.” Then read John 11:32–44.
Be amazed together that Jesus has power over death, including His own. Because of this, He has the power to give life to all who believe in Him. Ask your children how they think the people watching felt when they saw Lazarus walk out of his tomb. Then, discuss how Jesus loved Lazarus and his family enough to weep with them. Share with them that Jesus loves them that much too. Ask: “Is there anything you want to talk to Jesus about that is making you sad?” Share a time of prayer together, talking to God about whatever is on your heart.
Remind your children that what they just heard is a part of The Big God Story in the Bible. Tell them in church this week they will hear more about how Jesus has power over death.
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