Plan 3000 Plus (Trinity B Epistle)

Download a PDF of the Word One Bible Study for Trinity Sunday B Epistle.

Text: Acts 2:14a, 22-36 for Trinity Sunday, Lectionary Series B

OBJECTIVE

Participants will:

1. Discover how Christ’s death and resurrection were part of God’s loving plan for the world’s salvation.
2. See their role in God’s plan, from their part in Christ’s death, to their sharing in His victory.

MATERIALS NEEDED

Bibles

GROUP GUIDELINES

Form small groups of 4-6 people.  The youth in each group who is wearing the most red will serve as leader.

BUILDING COMMUNITY

1. Have participants share their plans for their life’s work.
2. Discuss how John 3:16 expresses God’s plan for humankind’s salvation. What is the Heavenly Father’s work in the plan of salvation?  The Son’s?  The Holy Spirit’s?

LOOKING AT GOD’S WORD

1. Have two participants read Acts 2:14a, 22-36, with one reading the Old Testament verses quoted by Peter (verses 25b-28, 34b-35), and the other reading the balance of the verses.
2. In this sermon at Pentecost, Peter is addressing Jews (verse 22). He accuses them of putting the Messiah to death.  In what way were we also involved in the death of Christ?  (Isaiah 53:4-6)
3. God let people kill Jesus. That was the plan.  What words in verse 23 indicate that God was in control of this plan?  Why would God allow this to happen to His Son?  (John 3:16)
4. God’s plan for the world’s salvation is further revealed in the quotations from the Old Testament (verses 25b-28, quoting Psalm 16:8-11 and verses 34b-35, quoting Psalm 110:1).
   1. In 25b-28, what did David foresee concerning the Christ? What emotion filled the heart of the Christ, as a result?
   2. In 34b-35, David speaks of a conversation between the Father and the Son: “The Lord (the Father) said to my Lord (the Son). . .” What is the Heavenly Father promising to the Son?
5. Jesus’ resurrection is the proof that He is “Lord” and “Christ.” How often is His resurrection spoken of in this passage?  Why is Jesus’ resurrection central to our faith?

REINFORCING WHAT HAS BEEN LEARNED

1. Peter’s audience recognized their own guilt in the death of Christ; they were cut to the heart (verse 37). How do you feel, knowing that your sin contributed to His death?
2. Yet God’s plan calls for loving forgiveness for those who repent. Three thousand heard and believed Peter’s message and were saved.  Read verses 38-39.  The you in those verses includes   “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners” (1 Timothy 1:15b).  He came to save you.  Make that over three thousand have been saved by God’s grace in Jesus Christ!  How will the knowledge of your salvation be of value to you at school?. . .in times of recreation?. . .when faced with difficult decisions?

CLOSING

Beginning with the leader, have each participant speak a thank you prayer, inserting the name of the person on his/her right:  “Thank you, Father, that your salvation plan includes            Name            .”

by Scott Sailer

Originally published in Discovery Bible Studies 9, 1996.

Updated for youthESource in May 2015