The Holy Spirit unites all believers.

Scripture: Acts 10:34–11:1-3,15-18 

Central Truth

It’s not as hard to come up with common ground as we think. Even within the church, we sometimes focus more on our differences. God challenged this same idea with the Jews and Gentiles, revealing that everyone could attain salvation through Christ.

Key Question

What did Christ’s death and resurrection do to the boundary lines people had put in place between Gentiles and Jews?

Keep in Mind

We sometimes complicate the simple gospel, and this can bleed into the lives and beliefs of our students. We add other requirements on top of what God requires, which is only to believe in and confess Christ as Lord. These Gentiles didn’t abide by Jewish customs, such as kosher eating or circumcision. But Peter realized that anyone who believes in Christ is “clean.” We tread on dangerous ground when we add to the gospel. If we’re requiring people to adhere to our own ideas and convictions before we welcome them into God’s family, we are overstepping our place and playing the role of God, and we’re teaching our students to do the same. It is God who welcomes us all, and it’s the Holy Spirit who continues to sanctify believers and convict them.  

APPLICATION

What is the difference between accepting people and excusing sin?

THE WIN

FOR THE STUDENT: We may have a misconception that acceptance means we must condone someone’s behavior. But acceptance means we see people as God sees them. It means we love them, despite our differences. It means we want them to know Jesus and be changed by Him. 

FOR THE LEADER: Accepting our students doesn’t mean we affirm their lifestyles of sin. God accepts us, but the Holy Spirit also changes us and draws us away from our sin. We can love them while also encouraging them to walk away from sin.