If your class is meeting online, invite them to bring index cards and pens/pencils with them to class.

Today’s lesson showed us how differently people may respond to the message of Jesus. Some people, like those in Berea, may eagerly listen and soak up every word spoken about the love and grace of Jesus. Others may respond like the people of Athens with resistance. Paul didn’t know how his message was going to be received, but he faithfully shared it anyway. He trusted that God would use his words according to His plan. Paul didn’t let the fear or uncertainty of how someone might respond affect his desire to share the love of Jesus with others.

We can follow Paul’s example and share Jesus with people in our lives who don’t know Him as their Lord and Savior. At times, however, that is easier said than done. 

• What concerns might cause us to hesitate in being like Paul and telling others about Jesus? (We don’t know how someone might respond—they could show anger or resentment. They might make fun of us. We might lose their friendship; they might tell others to be angry with us.)

Instead of worrying about how someone might respond to us, we need to instead focus on doing what God asks of us, knowing that in the end, the results are completely up to God. He is the One who changes hearts and makes lives new; we are simply the messenger. We need to share the love of Jesus with those who need Him, and then we need to give that person back to God, trusting Him for the results.

Hand out index cards and pens/pencils. If your class is meeting online, invite students to have their cards and pens/pencils ready. On this card, write the name of someone in your life you have told about Jesus—someone who has not yet given their heart to Him. If you haven’t told anyone about Jesus, think of someone who needs to hear about the good news of the Gospel and the eternal life we are promised through a relationship with Jesus. If God is putting more than one name on your heart, feel free to write each of those names. 

Give the students a few minutes to think and write on their cards. When they’ve finished, instruct them to put their card somewhere they can see it regularly and be reminded to pray. They can also use the card as a reminder to share Jesus’ love with that person.

I encourage you to place this little box in a place where it can be a reminder to you to pray for the person inside who heard the Gospel. We need to share Jesus with those who don’t know Him. And what a blessing to know that even if it seems that they did not respond favorably, the rest is up to God; He will guide and direct their hearts according to His perfect plan.

Close in prayer.