Based on Acts 13:1-12
Lesson Focus:
- God calls people to share His message.
- The church helps encourage and send people to do God’s work.
- We will face challenges, but God helps us stand strong.
Opening Activity: “Follow the Leader” (Ages 4-12)
Purpose: To illustrate how we should follow God’s call.
- Choose one child to be the “leader,” and have the rest follow them as they do different actions (marching, jumping, clapping, etc.).
- After a few minutes, ask:
- Was it easy or hard to follow the leader?
- What happens when we don’t follow the leader?
- How should we follow Jesus when He calls us to do something?
Bible Story: Acts 13:1-12
📖 Tell the story in a kid-friendly way:
👉 “In a church called Antioch, people were praying and worshiping God. While they were doing this, the Holy Spirit spoke to them and said, ‘I have a special job for Barnabas and Saul!’ The church listened and prayed for them, then sent them on their way to tell people about Jesus.”
👉 “Barnabas and Saul traveled and told many people about Jesus. But one day, they met a magician named Elymas who didn’t want people to believe in Jesus. He tried to stop them! But Paul, filled with God’s power, told Elymas that he was trying to stop God’s work—and then Elymas went blind for a little while! The leader they were talking to, Sergius Paulus, saw this and believed in Jesus.”
Main Points:
- God calls people to share His message – Just like Barnabas and Saul, God has a special job for each of us.
- The church helps us grow – The people in Antioch prayed for Saul and Barnabas before they left.
- We may face challenges – Like Paul, we might have people or things that try to stop us from following Jesus.
- God’s power is greater – Even though Elymas tried to stop them, Paul stood strong, and the leader believed in Jesus!
Discussion Questions
- Who called Barnabas and Saul to go on a journey? (The Holy Spirit)
- What did the church do before sending them? (Prayed and laid hands on them)
- Who tried to stop them? (Elymas, the magician)
- What happened to Elymas? (He went blind for a while)
- What did the leader, Sergius Paulus, do after seeing this? (He believed in Jesus)
- How can we share about Jesus with others?
Memory Verse:
📖 Matthew 28:19 – “Go and make disciples of all nations.”
(Have the kids repeat this verse a few times together.)
Activity 1: “Missionary Journey Map” (Ages 6-12)
Supplies:
- A simple outline map of Paul’s first journey (Antioch, Cyprus, etc.).
- Stickers or crayons.
Instructions: - Give each child a map and have them trace the journey of Barnabas and Saul.
- Talk about how missionaries travel today to tell people about Jesus.
Activity 2: “Blindfold Challenge” (Ages 4-12)
Supplies:
- Blindfolds, simple obstacles (chairs, cones, etc.).
Instructions: - One child will be blindfolded (like Elymas), and another child will guide them through an obstacle course using only their voice.
- Talk about how when we don’t follow God, we can be “blind” to the truth, but God helps us see the right way.
Coloring Sheet Recommendations:
Closing Prayer:
🙏 “Dear God, thank You for calling people like Paul and Barnabas to share Your message. Help us to listen when You call us to do something for You. Give us strength to stand for You, even when it’s hard. Thank You for always being with us. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”