18/2/01 10.45 a.m. Family Talk - Acts 18:1-8, 18-28

Intro. Talk : Growing

Read George's Marvellous Medicine pages 8-11 re. growing.

Get a range of children of different heights in line.

or use O.H.P. of different stages of someone's life.

Ask what makes them grow; physically, emotionally, spiritually ?

Food, water, home, love, protection, relating, teaching, praying...

Today we are going to find out about two people who grew themselves, and helped other people to grow too...

Main Talk :

PRAY

Today's readings featured Priscilla and Aquila, Christian Jews who had been forced to leave Rome by the Emperor.

They helped two people by inviting them into their home O.H.P.

Can anyone tell me who these two people were ?

Paul and Apollos. OHP

In what ways did they help Paul ?

Gave him a home and a place to work - OHP

Paul used their home to work alongside Aquila as a tentmaker to earn enough money to live.

I am sure they spoke with one another and with Priscilla about the Christian faith and that this enabled them to learn from one another.

Their home was also a base for Paul to visit the synagogue, as was his custom, to share the Christian faith with the Jews and god-fearing Greeks who would meet there.

In what ways did Pricilla and Aquila help Apollos ?

They taught him more about the Christian faith - OHP

24 Meanwhile a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, came to Ephesus. He was a learned man, with a thorough knowledge of the Scriptures. 25 He had been instructed in the way of the Lord, and he spoke with great fervour and taught about Jesus accurately, though he knew only the baptism of John. 26 He began to speak boldly in the synagogue. When Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they invited him to their home and explained to him the way of God more adequately. - briefly expound ?

There is one more thing to find out about Priscilla and Aquila

Romans 16: 3 Greet Priscilla and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus. 4 They risked their lives for me. Not only I but all the churches of the Gentiles are grateful to them. 5 Greet also the church that meets at their house.

Church - OHP

The early church didn't have buildings until the third century. They usually met in people's houses. Acts 18: 7 Then Paul left the synagogue and went next door to the house of Titius Justus, a worshiper of God. 8 Crispus, the synagogue ruler, and his entire household believed in the Lord; and many of the Corinthians who heard him believed and were baptized.

Aquila and Priscilla welcomed people into their home as a hotel, workplace, and church, and they helped Christians to grow. This was risky because the early church was persecuted. There are still parts of the world today, such as China, where Christians have to meet in houses and they are persecuted for their faith.

Not only did they give their home but Priscilla and Aquila gave their time and energy to help people grow in their faith. I am sure we can think of times when other Christians have used their home, time, and energy to help us in our Christian faith.

Something that saddens me is that we no longer have regular home group meetings or central church meetings because there is little support for them.

Let us also consider if we want to grow, because the Christian life should be one of continuing growth. If so, let each one of us consider if we are prepared to meet on Wednesday evenings for prayer, Bible study and worship during Lent. If you would like to do this, please put your name on the list at the back of church.

Let us also thank God for the people who have used their homes, time and gifts to help us in our walk with God, and pray that we may all help others to grow in their love and knowledge of Jesus.