Springs of Living Water

Acts 9:36-42, New International Reader's Version

³⁶In Joppa there was a believer named Tabitha. Her name in the Greek language is Dorcas. She was always doing good and helping poor people. ³⁷About that time she became sick and died. Her body was washed and placed in a room upstairs. ³⁸Lydda was near Joppa. The believers heard that Peter was in Lydda. So they sent two men to him. They begged him, “Please come at once!”

³⁹Peter went with them. When he arrived, he was taken upstairs to the room. All the widows stood around him crying. They showed him the robes and other clothes Dorcas had made before she died.

⁴⁰Peter sent them all out of the room. Then he got down on his knees and prayed. He turned toward the dead woman. He said, “Tabitha, get up.” She opened her eyes. When she saw Peter, she sat up. ⁴¹He took her by the hand and helped her to her feet. Then he called the believers and especially the widows. He brought her to them. They saw that she was alive. ⁴²This became known all over Joppa. Many people believed in the Lord.

New International Reader's Version (NIRV) Copyright © 1995, 1996, 1998, 2014 by Biblica, Inc.®. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

‘Show’ Visual:

Box of tissues.

Message:

The book of Acts in the Bible tells of the beginning of the church. It tells of miracles and how the early believers lived and died for their faith. The book of Acts shows us how the people of the early church lived and how you can follow their example in bravely telling others about Jesus.

Listen as I read today’s scripture passage to hear a miracle and an example of God using someone to help “show and tell” others about Jesus.

(Read from NIRV Bible translation).

³⁶In Joppa there was a believer named Tabitha. Her name in the Greek language is Dorcas. She was always doing good and helping poor people. ³⁷About that time she became sick and died. Her body was washed and placed in a room upstairs. ³⁸Lydda was near Joppa. The believers heard that Peter was in Lydda. So they sent two men to him. They begged him, “Please come at once!” ³⁹Peter went with them. When he arrived, he was taken upstairs to the room. All the widows stood around him crying.

(Pause, take out tissue box and give each child a tissue.)

They showed him the robes and other clothes Dorcas had made before she died.

⁴⁰Peter sent them all out of the room. Then he got down on his knees and prayed. He turned toward the dead woman. He said, “Tabitha, get up.” She opened her eyes. When she saw Peter, she sat up. ⁴¹He took her by the hand and helped her to her feet. Then he called the believers and especially the widows. He brought her to them. They saw that she was alive. ⁴²This became known all over Joppa. Many people believed in the Lord.

I wonder if anyone can guess what today’s “show” item is. (Allow children to answer.) In the passage that I just read, Peter didn’t heal Tabitha all by himself, did he? Who helped? (Allow several children to answer.) That’s right; he prayed to God, and God helped. Peter knew that God could provide the power of healing. When Tabitha’s friends and others living in Joppa found out that she was alive and well, they didn’t put their faith in Peter. No, they put their faith in God!

We also should pray to God for healing and for help during difficult times. This tissue reminds us of those times when we may feel like crying. Sometimes we may not only feel like crying, but we may really cry! God uses doctors and nurses and medicines to heal people. People who love Jesus always pray for healing when they are around sick people whom they love. Whenever someone is healed, no matter how it happens, Christians give thanks to God.

This week, use your tissue as a reminder to pray for healing for someone that you love. If you hear of someone that you love who is sick, but healing and getting better, give thanks to God!

Prayer:

Merciful God, thank you for answering our prayers for healing. Help us to always trust in you. Amen.