Family Devotional
Acts 17:1-9 & 1 Thessalonians 1:1
Read together: Acts 17:1-4
“Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a synagogue of the Jews. And Paul went in, as was his custom, and on three Sabbath days he reasoned with them from the Scriptures, explaining and proving that it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead, and saying, ‘This Jesus, whom I proclaim to you, is the Christ.’ And some of them were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, as did a great many of the devout Greeks and not a few of the leading women.”
Main Idea
Paul and his friends traveled to a new city called Thessalonica to tell people about Jesus. They started a church there built on four important things:
- Sent People – They went on purpose to share Jesus
- An Open Bible – They taught from God’s Word
- A Clear Message – Jesus died, rose again, and is King!
- Steadfast Faith – They didn’t give up when things got hard
Even though some people got angry and caused trouble, the church in Thessalonica kept growing strong. What we build our lives on matters!
Discussion Questions
For Younger Children
Question 1: Paul traveled to different cities to tell people about Jesus. Where are some places you go every week? (school, playground, grocery store, sports practice)
Question 2: Paul told people three important things about Jesus. Can you remember them?
- Jesus _____ (died)
- Jesus _____ (rose from the dead)
- Jesus is _____ (King!)
Question 3: When some people got mad at Paul and his friends, did they give up and go home? (No!) They kept going! When is it hard for you to keep going? (when someone is mean, when you’re tired, when you don’t get your way)
For Older Children
Question 1: The sermon talked about Paul and his team being “sent people” – they moved to a new city on purpose to start a church. Where has God placed YOU on purpose? Think about:
- Your school
- Your neighborhood
- Your sports team or activities
- Your friend groups
How can you live like someone who is “sent” to those places by God?
Question 2: Paul went to the synagogue and “reasoned from the Scriptures.” He knew the Bible really well!
- How often do you read your Bible?
- What’s one thing that makes it hard to read the Bible?
- What’s one way you could get better at reading God’s Word this week?
Question 3: The message Paul preached was super clear: “Jesus died, Jesus rose, Jesus reigns (is King).”
- Why did Jesus HAVE to die? (Because we sinned and needed forgiveness)
- Why is it important that Jesus rose from the dead? (It proves He defeated death and sin!)
- What does it mean that Jesus is King? (He’s in charge of everything, not us!)
If a friend asked you, “What do Christians believe?” could you explain it like Paul did?
Question 4: Read Acts 17:5-9 together. When Paul started the church, some people got really angry and even started a riot! But the church didn’t quit. Have you ever faced any pushback or teasing for being a Christian? What happened? How did you respond?
For Teens
Question 1: Living Sent
The sermon said, “You don’t gotta move across the country and plant a church to be a sent person… you are called to walk across the street to share the gospel with your neighbors.”
- Do you view yourself as “sent” by God to your school, your job, your friend groups? Why or why not?
- What would change about your daily life if you truly saw yourself as a missionary where God has placed you?
- Who is one specific person God might be calling you to reach out to this week?
Question 2: The Authority of Scripture
Over the last 13 years, this church has preached through entire books of the Bible – Esther, Acts, Romans, Genesis, Hebrews, James, and more. They’re committed to the “whole counsel of God.”
- What’s your honest relationship with the Bible right now?
- Do you view it as something you have to read or something you get to read?
- The culture around us is constantly offering other voices as “authority” – social media influencers, popular opinions, feelings. How do you decide what voice to trust?
Question 3: A Clear Gospel in a Confused Culture
The sermon mentioned that some popular Christian teachers today are trying to “undercut and diminish the gospel message” by removing things like substitutionary atonement (Jesus dying in our place for our sins).
- Why do you think some people want to change or soften the gospel message?
- Have you ever been tempted to downplay certain parts of Christianity to make it more acceptable to friends or on social media?
- The gospel is: Jesus lived perfectly, died in our place, rose from the dead, and reigns as King. How does each part of that message matter?
Question 4: Steadfast Faith Through Opposition
Acts 17:5-9 shows that when Paul preached the gospel clearly and people lived differently, they faced serious opposition – riots, accusations, persecution.
- In what ways do you experience pushback for following Jesus? (It might not be riots, but maybe social pressure, mockery, exclusion, etc.)
- The early Christians were accused of “turning the world upside down” and “acting against Caesar’s decrees” because they said “Jesus is King” instead of Caesar. When you say “Jesus is King,” what are you saying is NOT king in your life?
- James 1 says trials produce steadfastness. Have you seen that in your own faith journey?
Family Activity: The Gospel in 3 Parts
What you need: Paper, markers/crayons
What to do:
- Fold a piece of paper into three sections
- In section 1, draw or write “JESUS DIED” – talk about why (our sin, our need for forgiveness)
- In section 2, draw or write “JESUS ROSE” – talk about the resurrection and victory over death
- In section 3, draw or write “JESUS REIGNS” – talk about Him as King
Keep this somewhere visible this week as aKeep this somewhere visible this week as a reminder of the simple, clear gospel message.
Memory Verse
1 Thessalonians 1:8
“For not only has the word of the Lord sounded forth from you in Macedonia and Achaia, but your faith in God has gone forth everywhere, so that we need not say anything.”
For younger kids: “Your faith in God has gone forth everywhere.” – 1 Thessalonians 1:8
What it means: The church in Thessalonica was so excited about Jesus that everyone around them heard about it! Their faith “went forth” – it spread like ripples in a pond. That’s what happens when we live sent, know our Bibles, share the gospel clearly, and don’t give up!
Closing Prayer
Let each family member pray one sentence, or pray this together:
“Dear Jesus, thank You that You died for our sins, rose from the dead, and are King over everything. Help our family to be sent people who love Your Word, share the gospel clearly, and never give up – even when it’s hard. Use us to tell others about You everywhere we go. We love You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
