SUNDAY, APRIL 28 | Peter Was Rescued from Prison Acts 12

BIBLE PASSAGE: Acts 12

MEMORY VERSE: For just as the body is one and has many parts … so also is Christ. 1 Corinthians 12:12

BIG PICTURE QUESTION: What is the church? 

JK-GRADE 1 ANSWER: The church is all Christians everywhere.

GRADE 2-5 ANSWER: The church is all Christians everywhere, who gather together in their communities to worship and serve God.

CHRIST CONNECTION: God answered the people’s prayers for Peter. God had a plan for Peter and the church, and He rescued Peter from his enemies. Peter knew he would face death because he believed in Jesus, but he kept going so he could share the good news of the gospel.

Acts 12 tells the story of God’s divine and miraculous rescue of His apostle Peter. While King Herod sought to make an example of Peter, it was God alone who was able to showcase His power and might amidst the persecution of the church. This passage highlights the power of prayer amidst hardship and how God’s purposes for His church will prevail despite the futile attempts of the enemy. 

The consequence of declaring the gospel of Jesus Christ was costly for Peter and for James, who was executed by Herod. Though Herod’s sentence for James was death, to die would mean this disciple’s gain. Peter knew the consequences of sharing the gospel, yet he also believed that Jesus was worth giving his life to, trusting that the salvation of others was worth the risk as well. Even still, God granted Peter salvation from this prison cell so that he could continue living on mission for Him. 

May we be aware that God has done more than send an angel to rescue us from earthly hardship. He sent His very Son to rescue us from the eternal consequence of our sins. Christ’s sacrifice on our behalf offers the hope we need to endure difficulties and the boldness we need to share His divine hope with others.