JOY- Champions by the Fruit of the SpiritSample

Joy vs. Jealousy

Bible story: Religious leaders are jealous (Acts 5:12-33)

Theme Verse: 1 Corinthians 3:3

It is time to learn about JOY! Today we are looking at jealousy and how it steals our joy. We can be overcome with jealousy when we are envious of someone's achievements or advantages. Jealousy can happen when looking at other's possessions, like toys or jewelry. It can also arise over things that no one but God can control. We can be jealous over someone's great looks, their wonderful parents, or talents they were born with.

We can also become jealous of each other in church, for the gifts of the Holy Spirit, or talents we use in church. That is what happened in today's Bible story.

Peter and other apostles were performing many miracles, gathering often at the temple in Jerusalem. The crowds continued to grow as the apostles continued to perform miracles, healing the sick and driving out evil demons. However, some religious leaders and the high priest became jealous of their successes. In anger, they threw Peter and the other apostles into jail. The Bible says that their motives were jealousy. Peter had not done anything wrong.

Has this happened to you? Have you ever been punished for no reason, except that someone was jealous of you? Have you ever punished someone else for no reason, except that you were jealous of them? Jealousy is everywhere today and in the Bible. People are constantly comparing themselves with others, and wanting what they have. We step on others in order to lift ourselves up.

The spiritual leaders in Jerusalem probably were jealous of the apostles' spiritual gifts. They probably dreamt at night wishing they could heal people too. The apostles would have been very popular at that time, especially with many healings. I bet the religious leaders were jealous that the apostles had large crowds listening to them. Jealousy steals our joy and makes us angry. It makes us think about what we lack instead of being content with what we have.

Even though the Priest had the apostles thrown into jail, an angel showed up in the night and set them free. They quickly returned to the temple and continued to preach and heal people. Therefore, in the end, putting the apostles into jail did not help the religious leaders at all! It only made the apostles even more popular and showed the people even more miracles.

Questions:

1. Would Jesus fit in with my friends?

2. What if being a Christian makes me unpopular?

3. What actions are common to jealous people?

Life Application:

Thank God for the spiritual gifts, physical appearance, possessions, and family that you have. Ask God to give you joy and contentment for what you have. Choose someone you may have been jealous of in the past, and give them a small gift. (Do not tell them of your past jealousy.)