Students will more fully appreciate the status and power of Jesus.

 

How Many Names Do YOU Have? – Have your students pair up. Hand out the Student Guides, and have the kids cross out any of the names on the list that don’t apply to Jesus. Play Christafari’s version of the powerful “What a Beautiful Name It Is” song while the pairs work.

 

Go through the list and find out which names your students didn’t think were used of Jesus. Then, drop the bombshell – ALL of the names on the list apply to Jesus! Really! You can go to bibleresources.org/names-of-jesus to see the Scripture verses for each name!

 

Explain that in our time, a name doesn’t really have all that much “meaning” to it – even though most names do have a meaning. In Jesus’ time, a name was more like a “title” – it not only designated who you were, it gave a sense of your position in life, your power (or lack of it), your skills, and so on. Have your students pay close attention to the lyrics as they listen to Christafari’s version of “What a Beautiful Name It Is.”

 

Point out some of the lyrics that describe Jesus’ “name” – such as You were the Word at the beginning, One with God the Lord Most High • You have no rival, You have no equal; Now and forever, Our God reigns; Yours is the Kingdom, Yours is the glory, Yours is the Name above all names. 

 

Help the students catch the idea that the “name” of Jesus means far more than just an identifier – it represents His power, love, position, etc.

 

An excellent example of this is Peter’s answer to some powerful theocrats about in whose power or name he had healed a crippled man. Read Acts 4:8-12 aloud to your group, and then use this outline to bring home the point that Jesus is the only “Name” that counts.

 

When you’re about to talk with someone about Jesus, the Holy Spirit will help you. (v.8) Yep, this was the same guy who cowered and lied about his relationship with Jesus on the night of Jesus’ court trials. But, here he is, standing up to the same people who put Jesus to death. What a transformation! We, too, are often too afraid to speak about Jesus – but when we do, we can be confident that the Holy Spirit will give us the courage and the words.

 

The authority of Jesus can help people. (v.9-10) Peter pointed out that what he had done was an “act of kindness” made possible because of the authority (“the name”) of Jesus Christ of Nazareth. (That title probably really bugged his inquisitors. Saying that this guy from the country-hick town of Nazareth was the Messiah undoubtedly got their blood boiling!) Like Peter, we too can operate with the authority of Jesus to help those who are in need.

 

There is no other authority that can both restore people now and for eternity. (v.11-12) To make his point, Peter quoted Psalm 118:22 – showing that even though these powerful men had rejected Jesus, He was indeed the Messiah. Peter then used “salvation” twice in verse 12. The first one meant restoration to health now (healing the cripple), and the second one meant preservation from eternal death (salvation of humankind.) Only Jesus can do both.

 

Ask your group to prayerfully contemplate how they can respond to the power and authority of Jesus’ Name. Maybe there is someone they need to talk with about Him. Perhaps there is a needy person that they can help through the authority of Jesus. Maybe they have an issue that needs healing. Possibly they may need to be “saved” for eternity. Play the song again as they think and pray. When the song is finished, let your students know that you are available to help them in any way with their response. Close in prayer.