This lesson teaches children that God sees everything we do and say, so we should always be honest with Him. It is best for ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes, including a short story, a few questions, and a simple activity.
Big Idea
God knows the truth about everything, so we always tell the truth, and we can trust Him when we are brave enough to be honest.
Memory Verse
Acts 5:29
But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men.
(WEB)
Stand tall with your feet apart, put one hand on your heart, and say the verse out loud together. Then pretend to hold a big sign with both hands over your head, showing that we always choose to obey God first.
The Story: Acts 5 for Kids
Long ago, the early Christians shared everything they had so no one went without. A man named Ananias and his wife, Sapphira, sold a piece of land. They decided to keep some of the money for themselves, but they wanted everyone to think they had given all of it away. Sapphira knew about the plan, and they both agreed to hide the truth.
Ananias came to the apostles and laid the money at their feet. Peter looked at him and asked a hard question. He said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit?” Peter told him that the land had been his to keep or sell, so he did not need to lie. Ananias had lied to God, not just to people.
When Ananias heard these words, he fell down and died. Everyone who heard about it was filled with fear. Some young men wrapped his body and carried him out to bury him.
About three hours later, Sapphira came in, not knowing what had happened. Peter asked her a question. “Tell me, did you sell the land for this much?” She said yes, and she told the same lie her husband had told. Peter said, “How could you agree together to test the Spirit of the Lord?” Then she fell down and died too.
The people were very afraid, but many more people began to believe in Jesus. Sick people were brought into the streets, and many were healed. The leaders were angry about this, and they put the apostles in prison. That night, an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors and told them to go teach in the temple. The apostles obeyed God and kept sharing the good news about Jesus.
Read It Together
Acts 5:3-4
3 But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit, and to keep back part of the price of the land? 4 While you kept it, didn’t it remain your own? After it was sold, wasn’t it in your power? How is it that you have conceived this thing in your heart? You haven’t lied to men, but to God.”
(WEB)
Point out that Peter said Ananias had lied to God, not only to people. Ask the children why it matters that God always knows what is in our hearts, and let them share their ideas.
Acts 5:11
Great fear came on the whole assembly, and on all who heard these things.
(WEB)
Show how the whole church was filled with a sense of awe. Explain that God’s holiness is serious and good, and that people can learn to trust Him more because He is truthful.
Acts 5:41
They therefore departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for Jesus’ name.
(WEB)
Point to the apostles leaving the council full of joy. Explain that they were happy to suffer for doing the right thing, and ask children what they think makes someone brave enough to do that.
Talk About It
- What did Ananias and Sapphira want other people to think about them, and why was that not the truth?
- How do you feel when you know God sees everything, even the things nobody else sees?
- Why do you think Peter and the apostles chose to obey God instead of the leaders?
- What is one time this week when it might be hard to tell the truth, and how could you be brave?
- How did the apostles keep sharing about Jesus even after they were put in prison?
Activity Ideas
Honest Heart Drawing
You will need paper, crayons or markers, and a pencil. Ask each child to draw a big heart on the paper and write or draw one true thing about themselves inside it. Talk about how God knows our hearts completely, and let the children show their drawings to the class if they want to.
Obey God Freeze Game
You will need an open space and a timer or a clock. Call out simple instructions like “hop on one foot” or “touch your nose,” and have the children freeze when you say “Stop, we must obey God!” Explain that obeying God is always the right choice, just like the apostles chose. Keep the game short and fun.
Truth Jar at Home
You will need a clear jar or container and some small paper slips. Each day for a week, ask your child to write or draw one time they told the truth even though it was hard, then drop the slip into the jar. At the end of the week, read the slips together and thank God for helping them be honest.
Teacher Notes
For adults, this chapter shows that God is holy and cannot be fooled. Ananias and Sapphira were not punished for simply keeping some money, since Peter said the land and its price were theirs to use. Their sin was pretending and lying to God and to His people, which showed a heart that was not sincere before Him.
Avoid suggesting to children that God will strike down anyone who makes a mistake, since this can make them afraid to come to Him. Instead, emphasize that God always wants us to be honest, and that He welcomes us when we confess and turn back to Him.
A Prayer to Close
Dear God, thank You that You always know what is in our hearts. Help us to tell the truth every day, even when it is hard. Give us courage to obey You first, just like the apostles did. Thank You for loving us and walking with us. Amen.
