Week 15: What should I tell people about Jesus?

Most of us want our family and friends to know Jesus too – we just don’t always know what to say. Let’s look at two of the greatest sermons in Scripture to see what Peter and Paul told people about Jesus.

Be ready to read the following passages:

Let’s start it.

Take turns telling your family about good news you heard or received this week.

Let’s learn it.

Everyone likes to share and hear good news. When Peter preached the first sermon after Jesus’ death and resurrection, he gave the crowd good news. Read Acts 2:22-24 and 36-41 together to see what Peter said to the people in Jerusalem.

Jews had come from all over to celebrate the Feast of Pentecost in Jerusalem. Even though they were religious people, they had not placed their faith in Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of their sins. Peter warned the crowd that their dishonest and wicked behavior displeased God. He pleaded with them to ask the Lord to forgive them, and he promised that the Holy Spirit would help them live to please God. That day, over 3,000 people accepted Peter’s message that Jesus died and came back to life, proving that He was God’s Son and the Savior they had been waiting for. Now that’s really good news, isn’t it?

After the day of Pentecost, the story of Jesus began to spread. The Apostles and other believers shared the same message – Jesus died, was buried, and was raised from the dead for the forgiveness of sins. Before you continue, look to see what word Paul used for this message in 1 Corinthians 15:1-8. The word gospel means “good news.” After all, learning that Jesus paid the price for sin is great news!

As a missionary, Paul took long mission trips to share the message of Jesus with people in other nations who worshipped false gods. Ask a family member to read part of Paul’s sermon to the people of Athens, Greece, in Acts 17:22-34.

Since these men were not Jews, they didn’t know about the God of Israel as the crowd in Jerusalem did. So starting with creation, Paul filled them in on who God is and why He is the only One who deserved their worship and loyalty. Paul begged them to ask God’s forgiveness for their sins, because God will judge each person for either receiving or rejecting His Son. Even though some of them laughed at his message and only a few people in Athens decided to follow Jesus, Paul didn’t stop sharing it wherever he went.

When you tell friends about the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus, you are giving them good news. Our families and friends need to know that their sins can be forgiven, and they can have a relationship with God, who created them and loves them. Isn’t that the best news you can give anyone?

Let’s discuss it.

  1. How would you share the good news of Jesus with a friend who doesn’t know much about the Bible or God?
  2. Discuss ways you can start conversations about the Lord with friends.
  3. Brainstorm short phrases you can use to share your faith while waiting in line, checking out, or getting a haircut. Where else can you be a witness for the Lord?

Let’s do it.

The best news in the world is that God loves us and sent His Son, Jesus, to die for our sins. Write out John 3:16 on index cards or sticky notes and place them where family members can see them throughout the week. If you don’t already know that verse from memory, make an effort to memorize it this week. Then you’ll have the good news on the tip of your tongue, ready to share with the people you meet.