The Kingdom of God II Getting into God’s Family

How can you tell if someone is honest or lying? How can you tell if someone is honest or lying? How do you get into a family? How do you get into a family? What do people in families do? What do people in families do? What do people in God's family do? What do people in God's family do? Guiding Questions

What will I learn? After this study you will: 1. Describe what you must believe to get into the Kingdom 2. Describe what you must do to get into the Kingdom 3. Describe what the Kingdom looks like.

Main Ideas 1. I must believe some things about Jesus to get into God’s Kingdom. He came from God, did miracles, died for my sins, and came back to life. 2. To get into God’s Kingdom I must do some things. I must understand my sin, repent, and get baptized. 3. People in God’s Kingdom love to hang out with God and each other.

Joining a Family Film Clip- AF. Film Clip- AF. How did he get in the house? How did he get in the house? What were the people like? What were the people like? Would you like to be there? Why? Would you like to be there? Why? God’s Kingdom is like this. God’s Kingdom is like this.

Let’s read Acts 2:22-24 …listen to this: Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs…and you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death…But God raised him from the dead… …listen to this: Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs…and you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death…But God raised him from the dead…

What must I believe? “…listen to this: Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs…” “…listen to this: Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs…” -Jesus came from God. -Jesus came from God. He did miracles. He did miracles.

What must I believe? “…and you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death…” “…and you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death…” I helped kill Jesus. I helped kill Jesus. He died because of my sins. He died because of my sins.

What must I believe? “…But God raised him from the dead…” “…But God raised him from the dead…” Jesus came back to life after he died. Jesus came back to life after he died. God made it happen. God made it happen.

Questions What do you need to believe to get in God’s Kingdom? Jesus is from God. He died for my sins. He came back to life.

36 "So, all the people of Israel should know this truly: God has made Jesus—the man you nailed to the cross—both Lord and Christ." 36 "So, all the people of Israel should know this truly: God has made Jesus—the man you nailed to the cross—both Lord and Christ." 37 When the people heard this, they felt guilty and asked Peter and the other apostles, "What shall we do?" 37 When the people heard this, they felt guilty and asked Peter and the other apostles, "What shall we do?" Let’s read Acts 2:36-37 (NCV)

What Must I do? Get “Cut to the Heart”. Feel sad that Jesus suffered for me. Feel happy because he loves me so much. Want to do whatever God says. (v36-37)

Acts 2:38 38 Peter said to them, "Change your hearts and lives and be baptized, each one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

What Must I do? "Change your hearts and lives” = Repent Feel guilt about what you have done. Want to change the way you think, believe, and act for God. Stop doing bad things. Do good things instead.

What Must I do? Get Baptized. Get all under the water. That’s when you get the Holy Spirit. That’s when you get into God’s kingdom! That’s when you get into God’s family!

Acts 2: This promise is for you, for your children, and for all who are far away. It is for everyone the Lord our God calls to himself." 40 Peter warned them with many other words. He begged them, "Save yourselves from the evil of today's people!"41 Then those people who accepted what Peter said were baptized. About three thousand people were added to the number of believers that day.

What does it look like? Let’s read Acts 2:42 (NLT) All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer.

What does it look like? People in the Kingdom love to: Read the Bible Hang out together Remember Jesus (communion) Pray

What does it look like? Let’s read Acts 2:43-47 (NCV) 43 The apostles were doing many miracles and signs, and everyone felt great respect for God.44 All the believers were together and shared everything.45 They would sell their land and the things they owned and then divide the money and give it to anyone who needed it.46 The believers met together in the Temple every day. They ate together in their homes, happy to share their food with joyful hearts.47 They praised God and were liked by all the people. Every day the Lord added those who were being saved to the group of believers.

What does it look like? People in the Kingdom: Are amazed by God Happy to be together Help each other Help others to know God.

Let’s Practice! 1. Read the scripture. 2. Practice telling each other about God and his Kingdom

Acts 2:14 14Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd: "Fellow Jews and all of you who live in Jerusalem, let me explain this to you; listen carefully to what I say. 14Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd: "Fellow Jews and all of you who live in Jerusalem, let me explain this to you; listen carefully to what I say.

Summary The Kingdom is God's family! The Kingdom is God's family! Its the church. Its the church. Its amazing! Its amazing!

Challenge 1. Tell a friend about the Kingdom. 2. Write down two questions you have about the Kingdom.