We know better. Nothing is really free, is it?
That “free” weekend get-a-away isn’t really free—you “pay” for it by enduring a four hour time-share sales pitch.
That “free” 1-month trial isn’t really free—you “pay” for it by needing to give your credit card info which they automatically bill on day 31 as they make it nearly impossible to cancel.
That “free” kids meal isn’t really free—you “pay” for it by being required to purchase two adult meals.
We have all been duped by “free” offers before, so many of us have become a little jaded, cynical even. We are too wise in the ways of the world now.
An Early Question
When it came to being right with God, the early church may have had a lingering suspicion of anything deemed “free” as well. Most of the early believers were coming out of a Jewish background steeped in legalism. To be right with God, one had to do, and not do, quite a bit.
As the early church processed the gospel (we have to remember they did not have the benefit of the completed New Testament and 2,000 years of theologians grappling with doctrine), a question pertaining to the salvation of Gentiles quickly arose: Can a person be saved by faith alone, or is something more needed? In other words, must a Gentile step through obedience to the law to become a Christian? Or, put still another way, is salvation really free?
How the church answered this important question would chart the course of the proclamation of the gospel for some time to come, if not for good.
A Conclusive Answer
Before we get to the church’s answer, we need to pause and appreciate how they reached their answer. First, they gathered together. This question was addressed by the church, not just one or two key leaders. Second, they debated, but seemingly without anger. They discussed and wrestled, but they did so not as foes, but as friends, all wanting the same thing: clarity on the gospel. Third, they rejoiced over their agreement and shared it with the rest of the church. The Jerusalem Council in Acts 15 really is a strong example for us to follow.
So what was the verdict? The church agreed that salvation is by faith alone. That no work can, nor should, be added to it. Salvation is truly free. There is no catch. No strings. No fine print. We are justified by faith alone.
This answer has guided the church from that day. While our context might differ, the question still lingers. Is there really nothing I can, or should, do to be saved besides believe? And we still echo the same answer with joy: “No. There is nothing at all you need to do to be right with God. You are saved by grace. Salvation is free. Now, enjoy your freedom in Christ.”
*Devo from Pastor Brian, from The Gospel Project.
#JesusJams for today!
---> And here's this week's story!!
Christ Connection: The church leaders met to answer a hard question: Can someone be saved by faith alone? Yes! The early church agreed that Jesus is all we need. Anyone who trusts in Him will be saved.
If you have a bible at your house, you'll be turning to Acts 15. If you don't have one, that's okay! CLICK HERE!
OPTION 1: Play a 'follow the rules' game Write names of places in your room (door, window, chairs, puzzle table) on strips of paper. Place the papers in a gift bag or basket. Write ways to move (jump, skip, walk backwards, wave your hands) on another set of paper strips. Place those strips in another gift bag. Invite preschoolers to take turns pulling a paper out of each bag. Guide them to “follow the rules” and move to that place and back in the way described. SAY • You followed the rules for our game. In today’s Bible story, some of the Jewish believers thought the Gentile believers should follow Jewish rules. They even said Gentile believers needed to obey those rules to be saved from sin! Do you think they were right? Listen to the Bible story to find out.
OPTION 2: Make a People Collage Cut out a large cross from poster board. You may also tape together several sheets of paper to form a large paper cross. Guide children to find pictures of people in magazines or catalogs, cut them out, and glue them on the cross. Cut out people pictures before the session for younger preschoolers. Encourage children to work together to cover the cross with diverse people pictures. Display the cross in your room.
SAY • The Bible tells us that Jesus loves all people and that everyone who believes in Jesus will be saved. The church leaders met together and agreed that Jesus is all we need to be saved from sin. We can choose to do good things and love others, but we are saved by trusting in Jesus, not because of the good things we do or the rules we follow.
OPTION 3: PBJ Instructions Challenge
Doing the Activity
Show your students the materials you have for making your sandwich. Hand out paper and pencils and ask each student (or pair of students) to write down their instructions for making a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. Have them pass the instructions to you when they are done.
Take a minute to look through the instructions—look for unclear commands—these are the ones you will want to act out. If you have an apron or a smock, put it on.
Read the first instruction, and do EXACTLY what it says. For example, if it says “put the peanut butter on the bread”, you can literally put the jar of peanut butter on the bag of bread. There was no instruction to open the bread or the jar of peanut butter, no instruction to use the knife in any way, etc. See Suggestions (under “Make it Better”) for other examples of unclear instructions and how you might act them out. The more literal you are by doing exactly what the instructions say, the funnier the activity will be and the more likely you are to get your point across about the importance of clear instructions.
You can take some instruction from the “audience” of students. They will be shouting out clarifications of the instructions you have read—this is a good thing! Once you have placed the jar of peanut butter on the bag of bread, for instance, students may yell out, “No—open the bag of bread!” You can then rip open the bag, spilling the bread everywhere. Look for these opportunities to get children more and more focused in their instructions.
Use more lines of instruction from other students’ “recipes” until you have made a “sandwich”—it will likely not look much like anything you want to eat!
UNIT QUESTION:
UNIT VERSE:
THE GOSPEL PRESENTATION: