Acolyte Training Event 
Jackson Snyder, 1995

Snyder Bible Home     Lessons

Lesson 1 - Peter, Andrew, James and John Followed Jesus

Matthew 4:18-22 The Simple English Bible {18} While Jesus was walking beside Lake Galilee, he saw two brothers. They were Simon (called Peter) and Andrew, his brother. They were fishermen and they were throwing their nets into the lake. {19} Jesus said to them, "Follow me and I will make you fishermen -- of people!" They left their nets immediately and followed him. {21} Jesus went farther and saw two more men. They were brothers -- James and John -- sons of Zebedee. They were in a boat with Zebedee, their father, preparing their nets. Jesus called them also. {22} Immediately they left the boat and their father to follow Jesus.

Acolyte is a Greek word from the bible which means "follower" (from akolutheo). Now we can sing Fishers of Men now knowing that we can be followers of Jesus and fishermen of people just as Peter and Andrew were.

Lesson 2 - Matthew Followed Jesus

Matthew 9:9-13 {9} As Jesus was leaving that place, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax office. Jesus said to him, "Follow me!" Matthew got up and followed him. {10} While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew's house, many tax collectors and sinful people came and joined Jesus and his followers for dinner. {11} Some Pharisees saw this. They asked Jesus' followers, "Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinful people?" {12} When Jesus heard about it, he said, "Healthy people don't need a doctor, but sick people do. {13} Go and learn what this means" 'I want mercy more than I want animal sacrifices.' I came to invite sinners, not 'righteous' people."

Jesus came to be with sinful and sick people. He wanted to help them, and wanted to teach his followers to help, also.

Lesson 3 - Philip and Nathaniel Follow Jesus

John 1:43-50 {43b} Jesus found Philip and said to him, "Follow me!" {44} Philip was from Bethsaida, the same town where Andrew and Peter lived. {45} Philip found Nathaniel and told him, "We have found the one of whom Moses wrote in the law. The prophets wrote about him, too! He is Jesus, the son of Joseph, from Nazareth." {46} Nathaniel said to him, "Is it possible for anything good to come from Nazareth?" Philip said to him, "Come and see for yourself!" {47} Jesus saw Nathaniel coming toward him. Jesus said this about Nathaniel: "Look, here is a real man of Israel! There is nothing false about him!" {48} Nathaniel asked Jesus, "From where do you know me?" Jesus answered him, "Before Philip called you to come here, I saw you under the fig tree!" {49} And Nathaniel answered Jesus, "Rabbi, you are the son of God! You are the king of the people of Israel!"

Followers of Jesus tell others about him. Followers of Jesus do not tell lies, but are honest at all times. They also know that Jesus is the real King, and help others to get to know him.

Lesson 4 - Although I Am Young, I Am a Follower of Jesus

Like Jesus' friends, and acolyte follows and learns from Jesus and other, older people, who also follow Jesus. To follow Jesus means to hear the things that Jesus and his friends say to us and do the good things they tells us to do. We know that Jesus and his friends can be trusted.

Lesson 5 - I Hear and Obey

As acolytes in church, we hear the words of Jesus through the pastor, the lay leader, and through our godly parents. We want to know what they want us to know, so that we can grow. We follow what they tell us to do, so we may become better followers of Jesus.

Lesson 6 - I Am a Good Example to Others

When we are not in church, we remember what Jesus, the pastor, the lay leader, and our godly parents would and would not do in any situation facing us. For instance, we would never make fun of anybody, and we will help others as often as we are able. We are not afraid to invite our friends to church, because we know that they need to know about Jesus, too.

Lesson 7 - We Can Act Together!

Now let's act out the callings of Peter, Andrew, James, John, Matthew, Philip, and Nathaniel.

Then let's practice our service to the church.

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