Superbook

Lesson:

No matter how bad you are, or what you have done, God can help you change.

Extras

• Character Profiles

  • Saul/Paul

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    Saul/Paul

    

    Saul, was the son of a Pharisee (Acts:23:6) and was born in Tarsus, an important Greek city. He grew up to be a brilliant scholar of Jewish laws and customs and had a great future as one of the leading Pharisees. Saul looked for Christians, so that he could persecute them, but Jesus sought Saul out and changed Saul's life forever. It's through this encounter with Jesus that Saul's named was changed to Paul and the greatest missionary of Christianity came into existence.

    • Bible References

      • Philippians 1:20-21
      • Acts 23:6
      • Acts 13:9
      • Acts 13:21
      • Acts 19
      • Acts 17
      • Acts 21
      • Acts 27
      • Acts 28

  • Stephen

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    Stephen

    

    Stephen was one of the first seven deacons of the early church. Deacons were the men chosen to supervise the food distribution to the needy Christians from Greek backgrounds (Acts 6: 5). Stephen was filled with the Holy Spirit and he preached about Christ and criticized the Jewish religion and customs. These words made the powerful leaders among the Jewish people very angry, so they ended up killing him. Stephen became the first Christian martyr who gave his life for the gospel.

    • Bible References

      • Acts 7:59-60
      • Acts 6:5
      • Acts 7:57-58
      • Acts 8:1-3

  • Ananias

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    Ananias

    

    Ananias' name means "God is gracious." He was a Christian believer living in Damascus at the time of Saul's encounter with Jesus on the road. Because of a vision he received from God, Ananias went to Saul, greeted him as a brother, laid hands on him and explained the meaning of what had happened to him on the road to Damascus. Saul's sight was miraculously restored and he was baptized (Acts 22: 12-16).

    • Bible References

      • Acts 9:15
      • Acts 9:13-16
      • Acts 22:12-16

  • The High Priest

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    The High Priest

    

    The high priests and the most powerful priests were mainly Sadducees (Acts 5: 17) a Jewish religious group made up of mostly land owners, merchants and priests. The Sadducees opposed Jesus during his ministry (Matthew 22: 23-24) and also opposed the early church (Acts 4: 1-3; Acts 5: 17-18).

    • Bible References

      • Acts 5:17
      • Acts 5:17
      • Matthew 22:23-24
      • Acts 4:1-3
      • Acts 5:17-18

  • Caleb

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    Caleb

    

    Caleb is the fictional friend of Chris, Joy and Gizmo that helped them escape from Saul. He also shared the story of Stephen's martyrdom and assisted Joy and Gizmo on their way to Damascus.

    • Bible References

      • Matthew 18:4

• Adventure Guide

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    Gizmo's Bible Adventures - Your New Journey with God

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    The Road to Damascus - Family Discussion Guide

• Videos

  The Road To Damascus - The Salvation Poem

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    The Road To Damascus - The Salvation Poem

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    Paul

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    Ananias

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    Caleb

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    High Priest

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    Stephen

• Q & A

  • How was Stephen empowered to share about God's love even with those who killed him?

    Stephen had received the Holy Spirit as a follower of Jesus. Before Jesus ascended into heaven, he promised his followers that they would receive the Holy Spirit who would give them the power to tell people about Him everywhere. This promise came true at Pentecost and the disciples became changed people, people of power. All Christians have God’s power. If you are a follower of Jesus, so do you!
    
    
    Discover God's love and plan for you

    • Acts 1:8
    • Acts 2:1-47

  • How does Paul's life show that following Jesus may lead to suffering?

    Well, there are two ways. Before Paul became a follower of Chris, he was the one persecuting Christians. After he started following Jesus, he ended up being the one that was persecuted for his faith. Becoming a Christian guarantees you an eternal future with God in heaven, but it doesn’t guarantee you a life without difficulties or even persecution on earth. The early Christians suffered great persecution for believing in Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who himself, was arrested, beaten and put to death on a cross. You may not experience life-threatening persecution but you may experience people laughing at you, leaving you out of their circle of friends, avoiding you and teasing or mocking you for being a follower of Jesus. Jesus said, "God blesses those who are persecuted for doing right, for God, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs."
    
    
    Discover God's love and plan for you

    • Matthew 5:10

  • How does the story of Paul's conversion show us that we need to follow Jesus and not a religion?

    Some people are so caught up in religion that they can’t hear what Jesus is truly saying to them. Saul was a sincere and zealous follower of religious laws and customs. However, Jesus met him on the road to Damascus and he learned that instead of following religion, he should follow Jesus. Following Jesus means having a personal relationship with Him, not just following a set or rules and regulations.
    
    
    Discover God's love and plan for you

    • Acts 9:1-43

  • How does the life of Ananias show the importance of obedience?

    Imagine if Ananias had not obeyed God’s instruction to "Go!" Saul would not have become a believer and the message of the Gospel would not have been taken to "the Gentiles and to kings, as well as to the people of Israel." Saul, later named Paul, would not have written the many letters we have in the New Testament. Ananias heard – and obeyed. Because of that, history was changed. When God gives you an instruction, obey!
    
    
    Discover God's love and plan for you

    • Acts 9:15

  • How can the story of Paul's conversion encourage those who think they have too many bad things to become a Christian?

    God wants you to follow Him and not go your own way. He can help you change direction. He can also help you change whatever needs to change for your life to bring honor to Him - your beliefs, thoughts, attitudes, habits or actions. Saul completely changed his life with the power of God. God can help you change, too!
    
    
    Discover God's love and plan for you

    • Romans 3:23-24