summer sunday school 8-26-12

8/19/2019 Summer Sunday School 8-26-12

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Growing in the WordGod Preserves in a Storm Acts 27:13–44

LawIn a world ruined by sin, I will have storms in

my life.

Gospel

God is with me and preserves me in the

storms of life, and in His boat, the Church, He

brings me safely to eternity in heaven.

Context

During Paul’s imprisonment in Jerusalem,

Jesus appeared to him with the encouragingnews that Paul would indeed testify about

Him in Rome (Acts 23:11). After two

years of detention under Felix,

the opportunity finally came. As

a prisoner, Paul was placed in

the care of a centurion named

Julius, who showed him kind-

ness and respect. Paul was

accompanied by Luke, the author

of Acts, and Aristarchus, who

would later be imprisoned with Paul.

The intended trip from Fair Havens to

Phoenix, only about 60 miles, became a hazard-

ous 600-mile adventure. An initially favorable

breeze changed suddenly to a wind of hurricane

force that was sweeping down the mountains

and into the sea (Acts 27:13–19).

Commentary

Luke’s account is among the most detailed

and realistic descriptions of a storm and ship-

wreck in ancient literature. The storm drovethem with such force that the crew feared they

would run aground at Syrtis (Acts 27:17), a huge,

infamous sandbar off North Africa. In despera-

tion, the crew literally begins pulling parts of the

ship off in order to jettison them overboard and

stay afloat.

At this most desperate moment, God sends

His reassurance. Not only will God’s plan for

Paul to reach Rome not fail, but all aboard will

be spared for his sake. What a chance for Paul to

witness his faith to a receptive audience!Sounding confirmed the water

was growing more shallow. First,

it was 120 feet, then 90 feet.

Soon the ship strikes a reef

and begins to break up in the

pounding waves.

Because he cares for Paul,

Julius will not permit the pris-

oners to be executed. Instead,

all 276 persons swim or float to

safety, clearly by God’s hand.Not only is God always guarding His people

from physical danger, but much more important,

He is constantly warding off Satan’s spiritual

threats. The Bible even speaks of the security

Christ gives us in nautical terms: “a sure and

steadfast anchor of the soul” (Hebrews 6:19). We

can be sure God is watching over us in even the

most frightening circumstances.

Podcast

cph.org/teacherspotand listen to the

Seeds of Faith podcasteach week!

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I need two volunteers to help me out this morning. Have them come to the front ofthe room. Give each of them one of the toy vehicles. Send them to opposite sides of the room,and instruct them to try to make the toys crash somewhere in the middle. Give them a fewtries. Then have them come closer to each other, to a distance where they are sure they canmake the toys crash. Let them have a crash.

It is fun playing with toy cars and having them crash. Nobody gets hurt, andthere is no damage. What if these were real cars? How many of you have ever beenin an accident? What was it like? Allow one or two students to briefly share their experi-ence.

What if you knew that the car, train, boat, or plane you were traveling on wasgoing to crash? How many of you think you might be frightened? I don’t think thatany of us would want to be in an accident.

Today you are going to hear the story of an accident St. Paul was involved induring one of his trips to other countries to tell people about Jesus. You will hearhow God promised to take care of St. Paul and everyone else and made everythingwork out right. We know that God also loves us so that even if we are in an accident,He is there and takes care of His children.

Because Jesus has forgiven our sins and promised to give us eternal life with

Him, we don’t need to be afraid of anything in life. We don’t need to be afraid ofdeath either, because those who believe in Jesus will go to heaven to be with Himwhen they die. God promises to take care of us always.

Prayer: Dear Father, thank You for sending Jesus to be with us while we live andwhen we die. Protect us so that we may live a long time to praise and serve You.Help us always show others Your power in what we do and say. In Jesus’ name.Amen.

Text: Psalm 91:15

Hymn of the Day: I Am Trusting You, Lord Jesus (LSB 729; LW 408;TLH 428; AGPS 126)

Visual Helps: Two toy cars or trucks

God Preserves in a StormLesson 13

Seedlings Devotional Talks

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106

God Preserves in a Storm

Acts 27:13–44

Story Page 13 Growing in Christ ® Early Childhood © 2007 Concordia Publishing House. Scripture: ESV ®. Reproduced by permission.

Though I walk in the midstof trouble, You preserve mylife. Psalm 138:7

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Acts 27:13–44



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Reproducible Page 13BGrowing in Christ ® Middle and Upper Grades © 2007 Concordia Publishing House. Reproduced by permission.


Find the following items in the picture: anchor, cross, Bible, church, ark or ship, sail orforesail, compass, telescope, steering wheel, rope, and sounding instrument. Color thepicture.



Craft Guide

Lesson 13: God Preserves in a Storm

Craft-Stick Cross

Material: For each project, you will need notched craft sticks, glue, glow-in-the dark paint,paintbrushes, and yarn.

Instructions: Have children glue two or more craft sticks together in the shape of a cross. Tiea piece of yarn onto the top of the cross for a hanger. Paint the cross with glow-in-the-dark paint.Talk about times the children are afraid. Encourage them to hang their cross in their room toremind them that our Savior, Jesus, has promised to be with them always. Even when they havetroubles or are afraid, He is with them to preserve them and bring them safely to His home inheaven.

Option: Use plain craft sticks. Add glitter or sequins to the cross.

Life Preserver

To Prepare: Make a life-preserver plaque. Use a paper plate, yarn, markers, craft paper, glue,a paper punch, and tape.

Cut out a red construction-paper cross; glue it inside the plate. Write “Jesus Saves” around therim. Punch widely spaced holes around the inside of the rim. Cut a piece of yarn, tape the end,and lace around the rim. Punch a hole at the top for hanging. Talk about how Jesus saves us fromsin and danger.

Options: Cut out the center of the plate, and draw the cross on the rim. Decorate with stick-ers. Glue round cereal over plaque.

summer sunday school 8-26-12

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