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What's Next?: a 4-Week Teaching Series for Children's Ministry TOPIC: The Early Church SCRIPTURE: Acts DECORATING THEME: Mazes and puzzles AGE GROUP: Elementary (Get the Preschool version here !) DISCIPLESHIP ACTIVITY: Get The What's Next Challenge, the discipleship activity that goes along with this teaching series, here ! Puzzles don't come with step-by-step instructions for solving them. That's what makes them so much fun. You have to try to figure out the next best step to take. When Jesus left Earth, his followers had to wonder the same thing-"What's next?" In this 4-week series about the Early Church, kids will see how Jesus' followers solved the puzzle of what to do next and the ways we can follow in their footsteps. As kids discover what to do next, they'll learn they can follow Jesus, pray for others, love like Jesus did, and share the good news. BIG IDEAS & BIBLE STORIES We can follow Jesus. (Saul on the Road to Damascus: Acts 9:1-20; 1 Corinthians 15:1-9) We can pray for others. (Peter Prays for Tabitha: Acts 9:36-43; James 5:13-16) We can love like Jesus does. (Peter Meets with Cornelius: Acts 10:1-8; 11:1-18; John 13:34-35) We can share the good news. (Paul in Macedonia: Acts 16:6-15; Matthew 28:18-20) WEEKLY CURRICULUM SUMMARIES: This week, kids learn about how Saul became a follower of Jesus. When you put a puzzle together, starting at the corners and slowly following the edges as a guide is a good idea. This week, we'll hear about how Saul became a follower of Jesus after his unique experience on the way to Damascus. Saul shows us that we can follow Jesus even when we don't see the big picture right away. This week, kids learn about how Peter prayed for a woman to come back to life. Mazes may seem like simple puzzles, but they are designed to trick us into bumping into walls as we search for the exit. This week, we'll learn about how Peter prayed for a woman named Tabitha to come back to life. When we're puzzled about where to go or what to do next, Peter's story reminds us we can pray for others. This week, kids learn about how God spoke to Cornelius and Peter to show that everyone is welcome to follow Jesus. One of the most fun parts of solving a puzzle is the feeling of joy we get whenever we overcome a difficult challenge. This week, we'll learn about how God spoke to Cornelius and Peter to show that everyone is welcome to follow Jesus. Their story helps us see how God helps us overcome our challenges so that we can love like Jesus does. This week, kids learn about how Paul shared the good news and Lydia decided to follow Jesus. Once you have finished a great puzzle, the next step is to share it with others so they can have a similar experience. This week, we'll hear about how Paul shared the good news and how Lydia decided to follow Jesus. Paul's life was completely different because of what God was doing, and he helps us see that we can share the good news. MEMORY VERSE: "In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps." - Proverbs 16:9 (NIV)

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