Devotions 1 Memory Verse: So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed!

John 8:36 (NIV) Scripture Background: Acts 12:1-19 Introduction: You can go to prison for many different things. What are some things that may get a person convicted and sent to prison? Is it possible for an innocent person to go to prison? Yes. It is. Most convicts claim they are innocent. The bible tells us that all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. (Romans 3:23) That means everyone is guilty of sin. What is sin? Sin is when we knowingly do something that we know is against Gods law. We know when we sin. What is an example of sin? One example of sin is being disobedient to our parents. We know we should obey them, but we do what we want instead. Have you ever told a lie? Have you ever taken something that didnt belong to you? What about being disobedient to your parents? Or used the name of God as a swear word? These are all sins. They are against Gods law. If we have done any of these things, we are guilty of sinning. So, who is guilty of sin? Everyone! But God is able to set us free from the devils prison Todays story is about a man named Peter who was in jail because he preached the gospel. He really didnt do anything wrong in Gods eyes but there was a law against preaching in the name of Jesus. Peter believed that he should obey God rather than man. So, he was thrown in jail. While there, an Angel of the Lord came into his cell and woke him up. The angel told Peter to get up, get dressed and follow him. As they walked the chains fell off of Peters hands and feet. The prison doors swung open and Peter walked out free. The angel led Peter through the streets of the city until he came to the house of Mary, John Marks mother. The disciples were there praying for Peter. Peter knocked on the door. A young servant girl named Rhoda went to answer the door. When she saw Peter she was so surprised that she ran to tell everyone who it was without opening the door to let him in. Peter continued to knock. The disciples all ran to the door to see if what Rhoda said was true. When they saw that it was Peter, they all rejoiced and were full of joy because prison doors had been opened and Peter had broken free! God wants to set all of us free from the guilt of our sins. If you know that you have sinned and are separated from God he can set you free from those sins right now. He wants to come into your heart and life this week and help you to break free from your old life to live for Him. Quiz Questions: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. What was the name of the man who was in prison? Peter. Why was Peter in prison? For preaching in the name of Jesus. Who appeared to Peter in prison? An angel. What happened when the angel told Peter to get up and they began to walk? His chains fell off and the prison doors opened. To whose home did the angel bring Peter? Mary, John Marks mother. Who came to answer the door? A servant girl named Rhoda. What were the disciples doing at Marys house when Peter arrived? Praying for Peter. What did Rhoda do when she saw Peter? Ran to tell the others.

Pirate Petes Extra Credit Verse: [] for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Romans 3:23 (NIV)

Breaking Free

Devotions 2
Background Scripture: Acts 16:16-40 Memory Verse: You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. John 8:32 (CEV)

Intro: There are sins that we commit that take away our freedom. Some sins can bring addictions. What is an
addiction? An addiction is a habit or vice that controls us and that we cant control. What are some things that people can be addicted to? Sometimes we put on an act so that people will think we are something that we are

not. Like a poseur. We want people to think we are a certain type of person or our friends want us to act a certain way and we become someone we arent on the inside. Sometimes because of that lie about who we are, we do things we know are wrong even when we dont want to because our friends want us to. Sometimes we join a gang that makes us do things that are wrong or they will punish us. We are not free to do what we want. We have to live up to the expectations of others.

The girl in our story was kind of like that. She was sort of a psychic. She pretended she could tell the future and sometimes she really did. She was a slave. Her masters made big money from her abilities. She was not free to act on her own. She had to do what they said and had to give herself to the demons that helped her predict the future. Two men of God came to her town. They were followers of Jesus. Their names were Paul and Silas. One day, when they were walking in the market, the girl began to follow them and shout at them: These men are servants of the Most High God, who show us the way to salvation! Maybe she did this because she knew she needed salvation and that the God of Paul and Silas could set her free. She followed them for many days until; finally, Paul turned to her and said to the unclean spirit, I command you in the name of Jesus to come out of her. Immediately, the unclean spirit left her. The girls masters were so mad because they were going to lose a lot of money that they had been making on her. They had Paul and Silas thrown in prison. The prison guards beat them up, tore their clothes, and threw them in their cell. While they were incarcerated, at around midnight, Paul and Silas began to sign and to pray and to praise God! Suddenly, there was a great earthquake and the ground began to shake. The doors fell open and the chains of the prisoners fell off. But the prisoners did not run away. The corrections officer came in and saw that all the doors were off and knew that he would lose his job and be punished severely for the prison break. He was so depressed, he was about to kill himself, but then Paul said, Dont do it. Were still here. The CO asked, What do I need to do to be saved? Paul answered, Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved, along with everyone in your household. The man believed and was saved. He took Paul and Silas home and cleaned their wounds. While there, they preached the gospel of Jesus and the jailer and his whole family believed and they were baptized.
Discussion Questions: What would you have done when the prison doors opened? Would you have stayed there? If you were in jail do you think you would pray? Sing and praise God? Why do you think Paul and Silas were praising God? Because, even in jail, they were FREE.

Quiz Questions: 1. What were the names of the two men who preaching? Paul and Silas. 2. What was the girl doing for a job? She was a fortune teller/psychic. 3. What did Paul say to the unclean spirit? I command you in the name of Jesus to come out of her. 4. What happened to Paul and Silas when the girls masters found out that she had been set free? They were thrown in jail. 5. What were Paul and Silas doing in prison around midnight? Singing and praying and praising God. 6. What happened as Paul and Silas were singing and praising God in prison? The ground shook, the doors to the prison fell open and their chains fell off. 7. Who wanted to kill himself when he saw the prisoners had been set free? The jailer (CO). 8. What did the jailer say when he saw that the prisoners were still there? How can I be saved? 9. What did Paul say when the jailer asked how he could be saved? Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved, along with everyone in your household.
Petes Extra Credit Verse: Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved, along with everyone in y our household. Acts 16:31 (NLT)

Breaking Free

Devotions 3 Scripture Background: Mark 15:15-38 Memory Verse: God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. 2 Corinthians 5:21 (NIV) Introduction: Sometimes people are falsely accused. Sometimes people are framed and go to jail for crimes they didnt commit. But rarely does someone willingly go to jail or voluntarily suffer punishment for something someone else has done. What is the penalty for murder? Life imprisonment, and, in some states, death. The bible tells us that the punishment for sin is death. Romans 6:23 says For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life. Sin separates us from God and His law says the blood sacrifice is the only penalty for sin. A pure and spotless sacrifice must be offered in order to pay for our sins. We have already learned that all of us have sinned and are deserving punishment of Gods law which is death. It is rare to find someone who is innocent who is willing to pay the price for someone elses crimes, especially when the penalty is death. But thats what Jesus did for us. He was innocent in the sight of God; the only truly sinless man. He knew no sin yet he freely offered himself to death, even death on a cross. The justice of God was satisfied and the penalty for our crimes was paid, that we might go free. Who has sinned? I have. You have. We have. All have sinned. If you have sinned, you are separated from God and his love. Its like you are in prison. The bible says we are slaves to sin. We have to obey its demands and rules. But Jesus came to set you free. He has already paid to price for your sins. He died in your place. He, who knew no sin, became sin for us. If you know that you are a sinner and are separated from God; imprisoned by the guilt and darkness of sin, you need only to open your heart today and receive his salvation in your life. His blood was shed for you and his life was laid down in your place. Ask him into your heart to be your Lord and Savior. Ask him to forgive your sins and fill you with his spirit and you will be set free today! (Counselor Directions: Ask if there is anyone who wants to pray for Jesus to come into their heart. Lead any takers in a prayer of salvation. See below for a sample prayer if unsure.)
Prayer of Salvation example: Heavenly Father, I come to you in prayer asking for the forgiveness of my sins. I confess with my mouth and believe with my heart that Jesus is your Son, and that he died on the cross at Calvary that I might be forgiven and have Eternal Life in the Kingdom of Heaven. Father, I believe that Jesus rose from the dead and I ask you right now to come in to my life and be my personal Lord and Savior. I repent of my sins and will worship you all the days of my life! Because your word is truth, I confess with my mouth that I am born again and cleansed by the blood of Jesus! In Jesus name, Amen.

Petes Extra Credit Verse: For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life. Romans 6:23 (NIV)

Breaking Free