In Acts 10, God teaches Peter and the early church that His love reaches every kind of person, and that a child can trust Him to lead us to people we might not expect. This lesson is for children about five to eleven years old and takes about 20 to 30 minutes to teach.
Big Idea
God loves everyone, and He wants us to share His good news with everyone, no matter where they come from or what they look like.
Memory Verse
Acts 10:34
Peter opened his mouth and said, “Truly I perceive that God doesn’t show favoritism…
(WEB)
Put your hands on your heart, then spread your arms wide like a big hug. Say the words slowly while you move, so children feel that God’s love is wide enough for everyone.
The Story: Acts 10 for Kids
A man named Cornelius lived in the city of Caesarea. He was a Roman soldier, but he loved God very much. He prayed often, gave money to people who needed help, and his whole family respected God too. One afternoon, while he was praying, an angel appeared to him in a vision and called his name.
The angel told Cornelius to send men to the city of Joppa to find a man named Simon, who was also called Peter. So Cornelius called two of his servants and a soldier who was loyal to him, explained everything, and sent them on their way. Cornelius trusted God, even though the trip was long.
While the men were traveling, Peter went up on a roof to pray. He became hungry, and while the meal was being made, he fell into a trance. In the vision, he saw a large sheet coming down from heaven. It was full of animals that Jewish people were not allowed to eat. A voice said, “Rise, Peter, kill and eat!” Peter said, “No, Lord, I have never eaten anything unclean.” The voice answered, “Do not call unclean what God has made clean.” This happened three times.
Just as Peter was wondering what the vision meant, the men from Cornelius arrived at the gate. The Holy Spirit told Peter to go with them without worrying. Peter invited them in for the night, and the next day he went with them to Caesarea. When Peter walked into Cornelius’s house, Cornelius fell at his feet, but Peter lifted him up and said, “Stand up! I am only a man too.”
Peter told everyone there about Jesus, who healed people and was raised from the dead. While he was still speaking, the Holy Spirit came upon everyone who was listening. They began praising God in new languages, and Peter said, “Can anyone stop these people from being baptized?” So they were baptized in Jesus’ name, and the new believers asked Peter to stay with them for a few days.
Read It Together
Acts 10:1-4
1 Now there was a certain man in Caesarea, Cornelius by name, a centurion of what was called the Italian Regiment, 2 a devout man, and one who feared God with all his house, who gave gifts for the needy generously to the people, and always prayed to God. 3 At about the ninth hour of the day, he clearly saw in a vision an angel of God coming to him, and saying to him, “Cornelius!” 4 He, fastening his eyes on him, and being frightened, said, “What is it, Lord?” He said to him, “Your prayers and your gifts to the needy have gone up for a memorial before God.
(WEB)
Point out that Cornelius was a good man who prayed and gave to others, and that God saw his prayers. Ask children what kind of things God notices when we pray and help others.
Acts 10:9-16
9 Now on the next day as they were on their journey, and got close to the city, Peter went up on the housetop to pray at about noon. 10 He became hungry and desired to eat, but while they were preparing, he fell into a trance. 11 He saw heaven opened and a certain container descending to him, like a great sheet let down by four corners on the earth, 12 in which were all kinds of four-footed animals of the earth, wild animals, reptiles, and birds of the sky. 13 A voice came to him, “Rise, Peter, kill and eat!” 14 But Peter said, “Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten anything that is common or unclean.” 15 A voice came to him again the second time, “What God has cleansed, you must not call unclean.” 16 This was done three times, and immediately the vessel was received up into heaven.
(WEB)
Show how God used a strange dream to teach Peter an important lesson about who God welcomes. Help children see that God can change our thinking when we listen to Him.
Acts 10:44-48
44 While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell on all those who heard the word. 45 They of the circumcision who believed were amazed, as many as came with Peter, because the gift of the Holy Spirit was also poured out on the Gentiles. 46 For they heard them speaking in other languages and magnifying God. Then Peter answered, 47 “Can anyone forbid these people from being baptized with water? They have received the Holy Spirit just like us.” 48 He commanded them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to stay some days.
(WEB)
Point out that the Holy Spirit came on everyone who heard the message, and that they were baptized as believers. Explain that God invites all people into His family.
Talk About It
- What did Cornelius do that pleased God, and how can you pray and help others this week?
- Why do you think Peter was surprised when God showed him the sheet full of animals?
- Who is someone you might think is different from you, and how could you show them God’s love?
- What did God tell Peter when He said, “Do not call unclean what God has made clean”?
- How do you feel knowing that God welcomes everyone who trusts Him?
Activity Ideas
Paper Plate Sheet Drawing
You will need paper plates, crayons or markers, and glue. Have each child draw animals they like on a paper plate and glue several plates together to make a big picture. Talk about how God made all kinds of creatures, and how He loves all of them.
Hands-Up Welcome Game
Ask children to stand in a circle. Call out a kind of person, such as “someone who is new” or “someone who looks different,” and have everyone raise their hands and say, “God loves you too!” Repeat a few times, then end by hugging the child next to them.
Take-Home Welcome Card
You will need index cards, pencils, and stickers. Ask each child to write or draw one person they can welcome this week, then decorate the card. Encourage them to take it home and place it where they will see it each day as a reminder to share God’s love.
Teacher Notes
For adults, this chapter shows that God’s grace is not limited by ethnic background, social status, or religious tradition. Peter had to learn that the gospel is for everyone, and the Holy Spirit confirmed this by coming upon the Gentiles just as He had on the Jewish believers. It is a turning point in the book of Acts.
With children, avoid turning the story into a lesson about specific foods or rules, since the main point is God’s welcome of all people. Keep the focus on God’s love and our invitation to share it.
A Prayer to Close
Dear God, thank You that You love every person in the whole world. Help us to pray like Cornelius, to give like Cornelius, and to welcome others the way You welcomed us. Show us who we can share Your love with this week. Amen.
