Lessons for3rd grade – 5th grade.

Lesson week 38

Acts 19:22-20:1

Lesson: Paul’s 3rd Journey

Ecclesiastes 8:7 “Since no one knows the future, who can tell someone else what is to come? NIV”

This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND

Can you look atThe stars and

tell the future. Somepeople think they can.

Paul had spent over two years in Ephesus preaching about Jesus being ‘The Way’ to God. The new Christians became known as followers of ‘The Way’.

In Ephesus was the Temple of the Greek goddess Artemis (worshipped by the Romans as the goddess Diana). People from all around the area came to worship at the temple.

Demetrius, a silversmith, had a business, making silver shrines of the goddess Artemis. He called a meeting of craftsmen and traders who sold items to worshippers of Artemis

Harry Potter and his adventures have put sorcery back in the news today. Is sorcery from God or from the devil and his workmen? If not God then who?

‘Gentlemen, you know that our wealth comes from this business,’ Demetrius declared. ‘But Paul has persuaded people around this area that handmade gods aren’t really gods at all. I’m concerned that the temple Artemis will lose its influence and this magnificent goddess will be robbed of her great prestige!’

On hearing this, the men got very angry and began shouting, ‘Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!’ Artemis was believed to come from the heavens and ruled over nature.

The angry mob rushed towards the amphitheater, a large stadium in Ephesus that could hold 25,000 people. (This diagram of Ephesus shows the position of the amphitheater).

They dragged two of Paul’s travelling companions from Macedonia, Gaius and Aristarchus, into the amphitheater with them.

When Paul heard about the riot he wanted to go to the amphitheater but the believers wouldn’t let him. Officials who were also friends of Paul, were begging him not to risk his life and to stay away.

Inside, the people were all shouting, some one thing and some another. Everything was in confusion and many didn’t even know why they were there

Eventually, the city clerk was able to get them quiet. ‘Citizens of Ephesus,’ he said. ‘Everyone knows that Ephesus is the official guardian of the temple of the great Artemis, whose image fell down to us from heaven (historic belief, maybe meteor rock)

‘Stay calm. You have brought these men here, but they have not stolen from the temple or spoken against our goddess. If Demetrius and the craftsmen have a case against them they should make formal charges. The courts are in session and the officials can hear the case at once

‘We are in danger of being charged by the Roman Government of rioting without a good reason. And if Rome demands an explanation, we won’t know what to say.’

Review Questions: Read Acts 19:18-20 before answering the questions.

1.What was the name of the city where Paul spent two years teaching in a school? Ephesus2.What did the sorcerers and magicians in Ephesus do with their expensive scrolls and books? Burned them3.Why did the sorcerers and magicians in Ephesus burn their scrolls and books? They learned that God is the only real power.4.Why is it wrong to trust sorcery, horoscopes, witchcraft, and things like that? Because only God has the real power and he wants us to trust in Him.5.Should we have riots today?

/ Artemis

/ Artemis

How God looks on false gods 1 Samuel 5

• 5 Now the Philistines took the ark of God and brought it from Ebenezer to Ashdod. 2 Then the Philistines took the ark of God and brought it to the house of Dagon and set it by Dagon. 3 When the Ashdodites arose early the next morning, behold, Dagon had fallen on his face to the ground before the ark of the LORD. So they took Dagon and set him in his place again. 4 But when they arose early the next morning, behold, Dagon had fallen on his face to the ground before the ark of the LORD. And the head of Dagon and both the palms of his hands were cut off on the threshold; only the trunk of Dagon was left to him. 5 Therefore neither the priests of Dagon nor all who enter Dagon’s house tread on the threshold of Dagon in Ashdod to this day.

• 6 Now the hand of the LORD was heavy on the Ashdodites, and He ravaged them and smote them with tumors, both Ashdod and its territories.

Sorcery (lavistachurchofchrist.org)This lesson touches many of the problems of sorcery and false gods in our world today. Well worth a read.

The temple in Ephesus to Artemis has been destroyed and rebuilt 4 times. Now there is a little evidence in a mud pit that it existed at all. Compare that to our God who is worshiped practically all over the world today. Our God is great because true religion will stand the test of time.

• Discuss modern forms of sorcery, magic, etc. Make posters depicting some of these. You might glue on horoscope columns from magazines and the internet.. Have the children use large lettering to write the words of Ecclesiastes 8:7 on the poster. “Since no one knows the future, who can tell someone else what is to come? NIV”

Daily Combined Ephesus Priene Tour - AncientEphesus

This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA

Sorcery (lavistachurchofchrist.org) Teaching notesThis lesson touches many of the problems of sorcery and false gods in our world today. Well worth a read.

Teaching notes: Why the art of astrology and false gods are harmful to the Christian.• 1. Astrology and false gods are harmful to the Christian

because they are an attempt to seek forbidden information. Deuteronomy 29:29 29 “The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but the things revealed belong to us and to our sons forever, that we may observe all the words of this law.

• 2. Astrology and false gods are harmful to Christians because they have a corrupting influence. Leviticus 19:31 31 ‘Do not turn to mediums or spiritists; do not seek them out to be defiled by them. I am the LORD your God.

• 3. Astrology and false gods are harmful to the Christian because if followed to seek unrevealed true, that it impeaches the all sufficiency of the scriptures. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 16 All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; 17 so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.

• 4. Astrology and false gods are harmful to the Christian because they undermine God as being in control of His universe. Acts 17:28 28 for in Him we live and move and exist, as even some of your own poets have said, ‘For we also are His children.’

• 5. Astrology and false god are harmful to the Christian because one who follows this life style is not walking by the Spirit. Galatians 5:20 19 Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality, 20 idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, 21 envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God

Notes from Jim Terry, sermon

Use review Bible facts and lesson facts for this game.