Explore
P r ocla i m i ng Je s u s to t he World
1 Begin Invite young people to share stories from movies or literature in which characters have experiences that change their lives. Share an example such as the story of Cole Matthews from the book Touching Spirit Bear. Say: Now we’re going to read how a vision that Peter experienced changed the course of his life.
2 Connect Invite volunteers to read aloud the article title and the first section. Have young people summarize Peter’s vision. Ask: What was Peter’s first response to his vision? (He was puzzled by it.) Explain that Jews follow a strict set of dietary practices found in the Torah that dictates what foods can be eaten and how they are to be prepared. Ask: What did Peter realize the meaning of the vision was after he was sought out by Cornelius’s servants? (While for a Jew it was unlawful to associate or visit with Gentiles, God told Peter not to call anyone profane or unclean.) Emphasize that Peter’s vision did not refer to food, as Peter had first thought, but to the relationship between people— Gentiles and Jews. Point out that Cornelius was a Gentile. Invite volunteers to read aloud the section The Holy Spirit Descends on Cornelius. Say: In this passage, the phrase “circumcised believers” refers to the Jews. Point out that they were amazed that Gentiles were able to receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Say: When the Gentiles began speaking in tongues and glorifying God, Peter’s interpretation of his vision was reaffirmed. He became even more certain that God wanted the Church to be open to Gentiles and Jews alike. Explain that the word discern means “to detect or decide.” Point out the word converts. Have young people look up the definition in the Glossary.
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Jesus’ Death, the disciples preached only to their fellow Jewish believers. They proclaimed that Jesus had come to fulfill the promises of the Old Testament. One day, after the Resurrection, Peter had an experience that would deeply influence the Church’s mission. While he was walking to Jerusalem, Peter stopped to pray. During prayer he had a vision in which he saw animals that Jews were forbidden to eat being offered for food. He saw heaven opened and something resembling a large sheet coming down, lowered to the ground by its four corners. In it were all the earth’s four-legged animals and reptiles and the birds of the sky. A voice said to him, “Get up, Peter. Slaughter and eat.” But Peter said, “Certainly not, sir. For never have I eaten anything profane and unclean.” The voice spoke to him again, a second time, “What God has made clean, you are not to call profane.” Acts of the Apostles 10:11–15 Peter was puzzled by this vision. Its meaning became clear, however, when the servants of a Roman officer named Cornelius came looking for him. They told Peter that Cornelius was told in a vision to seek out Peter. Peter realized the meaning of his vision: While it was unlawful for a Jew to associate or visit with Gentiles, God had shown Peter that it is wrong to call anyone profane or unclean.
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The Holy Spirit Descends on Cornelius Peter went with the servants to Cornelius’s home. Upon his arrival, Cornelius told Peter that he was ready to listen to whatever Peter had to say. While Peter was still speaking these things, the holy Spirit fell upon all who were listening to the word. The circumcised believers who had accompanied Peter were astounded that the gift of the holy Spirit should have been poured out on the Gentiles also, for they could hear them speaking in tongues and glorifying God. Then Peter responded, “Can anyone withhold the water for baptizing these people, who have received the holy Spirit even as we have?” He ordered them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Acts of the Apostles 10:44–48
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Life-Changing Experience Scenes_______ PDF Signoff: Production Have small groups work together to write and perform scenes in which a character has an experience that changes his or her perspective about an issue in a positive way. If groups have trouble developing scenes, encourage young people to think of examples from movies or literature. Once groups have performed, have young people discuss how God might have been at work in each situation.
Inclusion
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10/24/12 11:31 AM
Autism Spectrum Design _______ EditorialIf_______ Think, Pair, Share you
have young people who are on the autism spectrum, you may wish to modify the Begin activity. Give individuals a few moments to think about stories to share. Then invite partners to share their stories with one another. Finally, invite volunteers to share their stories with everyone.