This lesson teaches children that God welcomes everyone who trusts Jesus, not only people who follow certain rules. It is a good fit for children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes to teach.
Big Idea
God loves everyone who believes in Jesus, and he does not ask them to become like someone else first. Jesus makes us part of God’s family.
Memory Verse
Acts 15:11
But we believe that we are saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, just as they are.”
(WEB)
Put one hand on your heart and then hold both hands out wide, like you are opening a door. Say the words slowly as you do the motion, so children remember that God’s gift is open to everyone.
The Story: Acts 15 for Kids
Some early Christians came to the city of Antioch with an idea. They said that people who wanted to follow Jesus had to first obey all the Jewish rules, including the rule about being circumcised. Paul and Barnabas strongly disagreed. They knew that the people who were not Jewish had come to trust Jesus, and they had seen God do amazing things among them.
So Paul, Barnabas, and some others traveled to Jerusalem to talk with the apostles and church leaders. Along the way they told everyone how many new people were becoming Christians, and the believers were very happy to hear it. When they arrived in Jerusalem, they shared all the things God had done.
Then Peter stood up and reminded everyone of something important. He said, “God gave the Holy Spirit to them, just like he gave the Spirit to us.” Peter explained that God made no difference between them and the new believers. Everyone is saved by the grace of the Lord Jesus.
After listening, James agreed with Peter. The leaders wrote a letter and sent it to the new believers. The letter said they did not have to follow every old rule, but they should keep away from a few things that would hurt their friendships with others. The letter brought great joy and encouragement to the people who read it.
Paul and Barnabas later wanted to visit the churches they had started. Barnabas wanted to take a young man named John Mark, but Paul did not think that was a good idea. They disagreed so strongly that they went separate ways. Paul chose Silas, and they went out to strengthen the churches.
Read It Together
Acts 15:7-9
7 When there had been much discussion, Peter rose up and said to them, “Brothers, you know that a good while ago God made a choice among you, that by my mouth the nations should hear the word of the Good News, and believe. 8 God, who knows the heart, testified about them, giving them the Holy Spirit, just like he did to us. 9 He made no distinction between us and them, cleansing their hearts by faith.
(WEB)
Point out that Peter remembers how God chose him to share the good news with people from many nations. Show children that God looks at the heart, not at whether someone fits a certain pattern.
Acts 15:28-29
28 For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit, and to us, to lay no greater burden on you than these necessary things: 29 that you abstain from things sacrificed to idols, from blood, from things strangled, and from sexual immorality, from which if you keep yourselves, it will be well with you. Farewell.”
(WEB)
Show children that the leaders wrote to encourage the new believers and asked them to keep caring for one another. Point out that the Holy Spirit guided this decision, and that God’s people can work together to make choices that help everyone.
Talk About It
- Why do you think some people wanted everyone to follow the same old rules?
- How did Peter remind everyone about what God had already done?
- What does it mean that God made no difference between the people who were different?
- How did the believers feel when they heard that new people were coming to Jesus?
- What is one way you can show someone that Jesus welcomes them?
Activity Ideas
Open Door Drawing
Give each child a sheet of paper, crayons, and a pencil. Ask them to draw a big door with a welcome mat in front of it and people from many places standing outside, such as a child in a wheelchair, a grandpa, a baby, and a friend from another country. Let them color everyone and write the word “Welcome” on the mat. Talk about how God’s door is open to everyone.
Passing the Good News Game
Gather the children in a circle and have them stand in a line or a circle. Pass a soft ball or a folded paper heart from person to person while you say, “God welcomes everyone.” When you say “Stop,” the child holding the object shares one kind thing they can do for a friend. Keep the game moving so every child gets a turn to think and speak.
Welcome Card for Home
Provide cardstock, markers, stickers, and envelopes. Ask each child to write or draw a short card for someone at home, saying that they are loved and welcome. Encourage them to deliver it as a surprise this week. Explain that when we share God’s love with people, we help them feel part of God’s family.
Teacher Notes
For adults, Acts 15 shows that the early church faced a serious question about who could belong to God’s family, and the leaders settled it by looking to the Holy Spirit and the grace of Jesus. The chapter reminds us that God’s welcome comes first, and that our obedience grows out of gratitude for that welcome. It also shows that disagreements among believers can be real, and that the church can work through them with humility and prayer.
Avoid overstating the details of the decision to young children. Do not spend time on circumcision or the specific food and sexual rules in the letter, because these topics can confuse or distract them. Keep the focus on God’s welcome and the joy of sharing the good news.
A Prayer to Close
Dear Jesus, thank you that your love is open to everyone. Help us to welcome our friends, our family, and people we do not know yet. Help us to share your good news with joy. Thank you for making us part of your family. Amen.
