In this lesson, children learn that God sends His people to tell others about Jesus, and that He can use anyone who is willing. It suits children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes to teach, with time for the story, a short Bible reading, discussion and one activity.
Big Idea
God uses ordinary people who love Him to share the good news about Jesus, wherever they are and whoever they meet.
Memory Verse
Acts 8:4
Therefore those who were scattered abroad went around preaching the word.
(WEB)
Have children stand up and pretend to walk slowly in a circle as they say the verse together. Each time they say the word “went,” they take a big step forward, like a traveler on a trip.
The Story: Acts 8 for Kids
Things were very hard for the followers of Jesus in the city of Jerusalem. A man named Saul was making trouble for them. He went into homes and took people away to prison, and many believers ran away to other places to be safe. Some good men buried a believer named Stephen, and they were very sad about it.
The believers who ran away did not stop talking about Jesus. Wherever they went, they told people the good news. One of them, a man named Philip, went to a city called Samaria. He told the people about Jesus, and God helped him do good things. Evil spirits left people, and people who could not walk were healed. The whole city was full of joy!
Then an angel of the Lord spoke to Philip and said, “Go south on the road to Gaza.” Philip obeyed right away. On that road he saw a man from Ethiopia sitting in his chariot. The man was an important officer who had traveled all the way to Jerusalem to worship God. Now he was reading a scroll from the prophet Isaiah.
The Holy Spirit told Philip, “Go to that chariot and walk beside it.” Philip ran up and asked the man, “Do you understand what you are reading?” The man said, “How can I, unless someone explains it to me?” He invited Philip to sit down beside him.
Philip explained that the prophet was talking about Jesus. When they came to some water, the man said, “Look, here is water! What is stopping me from being baptized?” They both went down into the water, and Philip baptized him. Then the Holy Spirit took Philip away, and the man went on his way full of joy. Philip kept traveling and telling people about Jesus.
Read It Together
Acts 8:26
But an angel of the Lord spoke to Philip, saying, “Arise, and go toward the south to the way that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza. This is a desert.”
(WEB)
Show children that God spoke to Philip and gave him a clear direction. Explain that God still guides His people, often through prayer and through the Bible.
Acts 8:35
Philip opened his mouth, and beginning from this Scripture, preached to him about Jesus.
(WEB)
Point out that Philip started with what the man was already reading and then told him about Jesus. Explain that we can also begin with something a friend already knows and help them see Jesus in it.
Talk About It
- What did the believers do when they had to leave Jerusalem?
- How do you think Philip felt when the angel told him where to go?
- Why did the man from Ethiopia need someone to explain the Bible to him?
- What did the man want to do after he learned about Jesus, and why?
- Who is one person you could tell about Jesus this week?
Activity Ideas
Chariot Picture Craft
You will need paper, crayons or markers, and glue sticks. Ask each child to draw a chariot with a man inside holding a scroll, then add a small speech bubble with the words “Jesus is good news!” Let children color their picture and glue it to a piece of construction paper. Talk together about who they would want to share Jesus with.
Good News Relay
You will need two chairs and a small object such as a paper scroll or a toy. Set up two chairs at one end of the room and have children line up at the other end. Each child runs to the chairs, passes the scroll to a partner, and says, “Jesus loves you.” Repeat until everyone has had a turn, then remind children that the good news is for everyone.
Share the Good News at Home
You will need a small card or sticky note for each child. Ask children to write or draw one way they can show Jesus’ love this week, such as helping a sibling or greeting a neighbor. Send the card home and encourage families to talk about it at dinner or bedtime.
Teacher Notes
This chapter shows that the gospel spreads through ordinary people who are obedient, even when it is hard. God directs Philip through His Spirit and an angel, and He brings a seeking man to the Scripture at exactly the right moment. For adults, the passage also reminds us that the church grows through persecution, personal conversations and faithful witness, and that God works through the willingness of His people.
Avoid suggesting that God will always send a special message or miracle when we share our faith. Children may come to expect dramatic signs, so emphasize that God is faithful to guide us and that we can pray and trust Him in simple, everyday moments.
A Prayer to Close
Dear God, thank You for sending Your Son Jesus to save us. Help us to be brave like Philip and to tell others about You. Show us who needs to hear the good news, and help us love them the way You love us. Amen.
