This lesson teaches children that God’s power and the name of Jesus are stronger than anything that tries to scare us or lead us away from God. Children aged 5 to 11 can enjoy it, and it takes about 20 to 30 minutes to teach, including the activity.
Big Idea
God is stronger than anything that tries to hurt us or pull us away from him. When we trust Jesus, we don’t have to be afraid.
Memory Verse
Acts 19:20
So the word of the Lord was growing and becoming mighty.
(WEB)
Hold both hands out in front of you, palms up, then slowly lift them higher as you say the verse together. The motion shows the word growing and getting stronger, just like the story says.
The Story: Acts 19 for Kids
Paul traveled to a big city called Ephesus. There he met some people who loved God but didn’t yet know about the Holy Spirit. Paul told them about Jesus, and they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. When Paul prayed for them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they began to speak in other languages and to share God’s message.
For three months, Paul went to the synagogue and talked boldly about God’s kingdom. Some people refused to listen, so Paul took the believers and taught them every day in a lecture hall owned by a man named Tyrannus. This went on for two whole years, and people from all over the region heard about Jesus.
God did amazing things through Paul. Even cloths that had touched Paul’s body were carried to sick people, and they were healed. Some men who were not followers of Jesus tried to copy Paul. They said, “We command you in the name of Jesus, whom Paul preaches!” But one evil spirit answered them, “I know Jesus, and I know Paul, but who are you?” Then the man with the evil spirit attacked those seven men, and they ran out of the house hurt and without their clothes.
When people heard what happened, they were amazed, and they honored the name of the Lord Jesus. Many who had practiced magic brought their scrolls and burned them in front of everyone. The scrolls were worth a huge amount of money, but they chose to get rid of them to follow Jesus. God’s message kept spreading and growing stronger.
Later, some silversmiths in Ephesus got angry because people were no longer buying their little statues of the goddess Artemis. They shouted, “Great is Artemis!” and the whole city became confused. The town clerk calmed everyone down and reminded them to handle problems in a calm and orderly way.
Read It Together
Acts 19:2-6
2 He said to them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” They said to him, “No, we haven’t even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.” 3 He said, “Into what then were you baptized?” They said, “Into John’s baptism.” 4 Paul said, “John indeed baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying to the people that they should believe in the one who would come after him, that is, in Jesus.” 5 When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 6 When Paul had laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke with other languages and prophesied.
(WEB)
Point out that these people learned about the Holy Spirit and were baptized in Jesus’ name. Explain that God gave them his Spirit when they trusted him, and that the Spirit helped them share God’s good news.
Acts 19:11-12
11 God worked special miracles by the hands of Paul, 12 so that even handkerchiefs or aprons were carried away from his body to the sick, and the diseases departed from them, and the evil spirits went out.
(WEB)
Remind children that God did these miracles through Paul, not because of Paul’s own power. Help them see that God can work in surprising ways, and that he is the one who heals and helps.
Acts 19:17-20
17 This became known to all, both Jews and Greeks, who lived at Ephesus. Fear fell on them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified. 18 Many also of those who had believed came, confessing, and declaring their deeds. 19 Many of those who practiced magical arts brought their books together and burned them in the sight of all. They counted their price, and found it to be fifty thousand pieces of silver. 20 So the word of the Lord was growing and becoming mighty.
(WEB)
Show how the people who were scared of the evil spirit were filled with respect for Jesus, and how they chose to give up things that were keeping them from God. Talk about how God’s word grew stronger when people turned to him.
Talk About It
- What do you think the people in Ephesus felt when they saw the evil spirit overpower those men?
- Why did the believers choose to burn their magic books, even though they were expensive?
- How did God use Paul to help sick people in this story?
- What is one thing that sometimes makes you feel afraid, and how can knowing Jesus help?
- How can you tell other people about Jesus the way Paul did?
Activity Ideas
Growing Word Drawing
You will need paper, crayons or markers, and a pencil. Have each child write the word “Jesus” in small letters on the paper, then draw a plant or tree growing around it, with more leaves and branches each time they add to it. Explain that just as the word of the Lord grew stronger in Ephesus, God’s love can grow in our hearts too.
Strong Name Shout
You will need an open space and a bell or clapping hands. Have children stand in a circle. When you clap once, they walk slowly. When you clap twice, they stomp their feet and shout “Jesus is stronger!” Keep the game short and cheerful, and talk about how we can trust Jesus when we feel scared.
Take-Home Fear Jar
You will need a clean jar, paper slips, and a pen. Ask each child to write one thing that makes them feel worried on a slip of paper and drop it into the jar. At home, they can pray and give that worry to God each evening, reminding them that his name is stronger than anything that scares them.
Teacher Notes
Acts 19 shows that God’s Spirit and the name of Jesus carry real power, and that the gospel spreads through faithful people who speak boldly and live differently. For adults, the chapter also reveals how fear of losing money or status can resist the truth, and how God’s word keeps growing despite that opposition.
Avoid suggesting that God’s power works like a magic formula or that children can command evil spirits. The chapter teaches that trust in Jesus is what matters, not repeating his name as a charm, so keep the focus on relationship with God rather than on spiritual tricks.
A Prayer to Close
Dear Jesus, thank you that your name is stronger than anything that scares us. Help us trust you, share your love with others, and grow in faith every day. Thank you that your Holy Spirit is with us. Amen.
