Lesson Thirty Two
THE GROWING CHURCH
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Memory Verse: Acts 4:31
Further Study: Acts 1:15-26; Acts 4:23-33; Acts of the Apostles, pp. 9-24, 70, 71
I have a two-year-old grandson who sometimes eats lunch with me. We do this through FaceTime. While he lives nearby, he’s not typically eating with me in person, but sometimes we do have that privilege.
His parents taught him about prayer as an infant, particularly in praying for his food. First, he learned to fold his hands, then repeat the prayer, and he’s now advanced to closed eyes. Many times, when he joins me, he’s already prayed for his food and eating. I, though, am just sitting down, and will say, “Just a minute—I need to pray.” I bow my head, close my eyes, fold my hands, and silence. Why? Because I’m praying in my head.
I never thought anything of this until one day, I witnessed something. “Remember, pray for your food,” his mother directed. He folded his hands, closed his eyes, and about a split second later began to eat. His mother said, “You didn’t pray!” “I did!” came the reply. It was then I realized I had modeled something he had no grasp of. For him, he had prayed just like Grammie did.
For him, he had prayed just like Grammie did.
Our lesson this week concentrates mostly on the growing church. The disciples had spread the word about Jesus, and more were joining them each day. We discover that as the church grew, they cared for each other. We also read that they are suffering from persecution. Yet in the middle of these verses is an important lesson—praying aloud.
In Acts 4:24 we find “they raised their voice to God with one accord.” In other words, they prayed aloud.
I’m someone who prays throughout the day, none of it audible. I also don’t pray aloud at night, but my prayers are long and detailed in praise or concern. And I’m not here to say that praying silently isn’t OK, because it is. I am saying that my grandson taught me a lesson—that praying aloud is important especially when there are little ones that need prayer modeled for them.
Having moments of prayer time outloud during family time each day is important.
Having moments of prayer time outloud during family time each day is important. Minimally, there should be prayer for meals. But in addition, family worship should have prayers heard and prayed by children. Bedtime prayers are also important. Teaching children that praying aloud to God is how we communicate with Him, and as they get older, realize that silent prayer will also sustain them through their days (or nights).
If there are no children in your household, praying aloud is still important. It is a conversation between God and us. It raises our awareness of who He is and how much He loves us, and we love Him. Everyone isn’t confident to pray from the pulpit or in a prayer meeting for others to hear, but in the privacy of your home, your car, or on a walk in nature, why not pray aloud? We may find that in doing so, we are renewed.
Digging Deeper
When the fledgling church prayed aloud together, they prayed from Psalm 2, a psalm that described the persecution they were facing, but also the hope that is found in Jesus. Read this psalm this week (see below or in your Bible) as you study the lesson. How do you think this psalm in particular helped the growing church?
Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing?
The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord, and against his anointed, saying,
Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us.
He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in derision.
Then shall he speak unto them in his wrath, and vex them in his sore displeasure.
Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion.
I will declare the decree: the Lord hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee.
Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession.
Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel.
Be wise now therefore, O ye kings: be instructed, ye judges of the earth.
Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling.
Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him.
—Psalm 2
Making it Real
Have you ever prayed by using Scripture? While most of the time we use our own words of praise and supplication, using Scripture can be a unique and different way to express ourselves to God. Try praying one of these each day this week:
Sunday: Exodus 15:2 (praise)
Monday: Psalm 4:1 (when in distress or in need of help)
Tuesday: Luke 1:37 (a reminder of faith)
Wednesday: 1 John 1:9 (confession of sin)
Thursday: Jeremiah 17:14 (for healing)
Friday: Isaiah 41:10 (for courage)
Sabbath: James 4:7 (for family members)
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Merle Poirier writes from Silver Spring, Maryland, where she works as the operation manager for Adventist Review and Adventist World magazines as well as the designer for KidsView, a magazine for 8-12-year-olds. She enjoys spending time with her family including being a grandmother to two active little boys, who greatly enjoy Starting With Jesus, and a granddaughter, who’s delighting everyone with her smiles. She is blessed to have all three living close by, continually bringing joy and delight.
