SIMON WANTS TO BUY POWER
DEVOTIONAL READING: 1 Corinthians 1:18–25
BACKGROUND SCRIPTURE: Acts 8:2–25
ACTS 8:9–25
9 But there was a certain man, called Simon, which beforetime in the same city used sorcery, and bewitched the people of Samaria, giving out that himself was some great one:
10 To whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, This man is the great power of God.
11 And to him they had regard, because that of long time he had bewitched them with sorcery.
12 But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.
13 Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done.
14 Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John:
15 Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost:
16 (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.)
17 Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.
18 And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money,
19 Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost.
20 But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money.
21 Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God.
22 Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee.
23 For I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity.
24 Then answered Simon, and said, Pray ye to the Lord for me, that none of these things which ye have spoken come upon me.
25 And they, when they had testified and preached the word of the Lord, returned to Jerusalem, and preached the gospel in many villages of the Samaritans.
KEY VERSE
When Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money.—Acts 8:18
A LIVING FAITH
Unit 2: Who Understands Faith?
LESSONS 6–9
LESSON AIMS
After participating in this lesson, each student will be able to:
1. List key points of the interactions of Simon with Philip, Peter, and John.
2. Brainstorm ways to prevent old ways, habits, and temptations from causing new believers to stumble.
3. Form support teams for group members to help one another resist temptation.
LESSON OUTLINE
Introduction
A. People Who Would Be God
B. Lesson Background
I. Wrong Faith (ACTS 8:9–11)
A. Leader (v. 9)
Superstition
B. Followers (vv. 10, 11)
II. Right Faith (ACTS 8:12–17)
A. Samaritans’ Response (v. 12)
B. Simon’s Response (v. 13)
C. Apostles’ Reaction (vv. 14–17)
III. Misguided Faith (ACTS 8:18–25)
A. Simon’s Request (vv. 18, 19)
Playing with a Basketball
B. Peter’s Rebuke (vv. 20–23)
C. Final Result (vv. 24, 25)
Conclusion
A. Using God or Being Used by God?
B. Prayer
C. Thought To Remember
The KJV Standard Lesson Commentary, 2012–2013, ed. Ronald L. Nickelson and Jonathan Underwood (Cincinnati, OH: Standard, 2012). 65-66.
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