In this Acts 14 Sunday school lesson, children learn that God helps his people keep sharing the good news even when people are unkind to them. Sum up the lesson with one sentence a child can repeat: “God is with us when we tell others about Jesus.” This lesson suits children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes.
Big Idea
God is with his helpers, so they can keep telling people about Jesus even when it is hard. Paul and Barnabas were brave because God was with them, and God can make you brave too.
Memory Verse
Acts 14:3
Therefore they stayed there a long time, speaking boldly in the Lord, who testified to the word of his grace, granting signs and wonders to be done by their hands.
(WEB)
Teach the children to stand up tall with their arms stretched wide, like they are shouting good news across a room. Then they point to their hearts and say the verse together, moving their hands out as they speak the words.
The Story: Acts 14 for Kids
Paul and Barnabas went to a city called Iconium. They walked into the synagogue, where people gathered to worship God, and they told everyone about Jesus. Many people believed them, both Jews and Greeks. Paul and Barnabas stayed in the city for a long time and kept telling the good news.
Some people did not like what Paul and Barnabas were saying. They got angry and tried to hurt them. Paul and Barnabas heard about the plan, so they ran away to other cities, like Lystra and Derbe. Even when things were scary, they kept sharing the good news everywhere they went.
In Lystra, there was a man who could not walk. He had never walked in his whole life. He listened carefully as Paul spoke. Paul looked at him and saw that he believed God could heal him. Paul said in a loud voice, “Stand up on your feet!” The man jumped up and started walking! Everyone was amazed.
The people thought Paul and Barnabas were gods, and they wanted to offer sacrifices to them. Paul and Barnabas were upset and ran to the crowd. They said, “We are only men, like you! We are bringing you good news about the living God who made the sky, the earth, and the sea.” It was hard to stop the crowd, but they finally calmed down.
Some people who were angry came from other cities and stirred up the crowd. They threw stones at Paul and dragged him out of the city, thinking he was dead. But Paul got up, went back into the city, and the next day he went on to Derbe with Barnabas. They kept helping the new believers grow strong in their faith.
Read It Together
Acts 14:8-10
8 At Lystra a certain man sat, impotent in his feet, a cripple from his mother’s womb, who never had walked. 9 He was listening to Paul speaking, who, fastening eyes on him, and seeing that he had faith to be made whole, 10 said with a loud voice, “Stand upright on your feet!” He leaped up and walked.
(WEB)
Point out how Paul saw the man’s faith before he spoke to him. Explain that Paul trusted God to heal him and told the man to stand up, and then the man did. Ask children to notice that the healing came from God, not from Paul’s own power.
Acts 14:15
“Men, why are you doing these things? We also are men of like passions with you, and bring you good news, that you should turn from these vain things to the living God, who made the sky, the earth, the sea, and all that is in them…
(WEB)
Show the children how Paul and Barnabas said, “We are men like you.” They wanted people to know that they were not gods, but only messengers. Explain that God alone is worthy of worship, and help the children see why it matters to point to God.
Acts 14:22
Confirming the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that through many afflictions we must enter into God’s Kingdom.
(WEB)
Point out that Paul and Barnabas encouraged the believers to keep following Jesus even when life is hard. Explain that trouble does not mean God has left us. Help the children understand that God gives us strength to keep going.
Talk About It
- What did Paul and Barnabas do when people got angry at them for telling about Jesus?
- How do you think the man who could not walk felt when he got up and walked for the first time?
- Why did Paul and Barnabas tell the crowd that they were only men like everyone else?
- What is one way you could tell a friend about Jesus this week?
- When something is hard, how can remembering that God is with you help you keep going?
Activity Ideas
Good News Banner
You will need paper, crayons or markers, and tape. Have each child draw a picture of something that makes them happy about Jesus, like a sunny sky or a friend. Then tape the drawings together into a long banner and hang it where everyone can see it. Talk about how sharing good news is like sharing these pictures.
Stand Up and Walk
You will need a open space and a few soft chairs or cushions. Have one child pretend to be the man who could not walk and sit on the floor. Ask the others to say, “Stand up and walk!” and watch the child jump up with a big smile. Switch roles so every child gets a turn.
Take-Home Good News Card
You will need index cards, a pencil, and some stickers. Have each child write or draw one way they can tell someone about Jesus this week. Let them decorate the card with stickers and take it home. Encourage families to talk about the card together at dinner.
Teacher Notes
This chapter shows that the gospel spreads through ordinary people who keep speaking even under pressure. Paul and Barnabas faced opposition, violence, and misunderstanding, yet they continued to preach and strengthen the churches. Adults can take encouragement that faithfulness in hard seasons matters, and that God works through his people’s obedience.
Avoid suggesting that children will be healed or rescued from danger whenever they pray or obey. The healing in this story is a specific miracle, and God’s faithfulness does not come with guaranteed outcomes. Focus on God’s presence and his call to keep trusting him.
A Prayer to Close
Dear God, thank you that you are always with us. Help us to be brave like Paul and Barnabas and to tell our friends about Jesus. When things feel hard, remind us that you are close to us and give us strength to keep going. Amen.
