In Acts 15, the early church learns that Jesus welcomes everyone who believes in him, not only people who follow the old Jewish customs. Children aged about 5 to 11 can follow this lesson in 20 to 30 minutes, using the story, a few questions, and one simple activity.
Big Idea
Jesus loves everyone who trusts him, and nobody has to earn his love by following special rules first.
Memory Verse
Acts 15:11
But we believe that we are saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, just as they are.”
(WEB)
Put one hand on your heart and then open both hands wide, like a gift being given away. Say the verse together as you open your hands, so children remember that God’s grace is a gift.
The Story: Acts 15 for Kids
Some men came to the town of Antioch from Judea, and they told the new believers something worried them. They said that people had to be circumcised, which was a Jewish custom, before they could be saved. Paul and Barnabas disagreed with them, and there was a lot of arguing about it.
So the church sent Paul, Barnabas, and some others to Jerusalem to talk with the apostles and elders. On the way they told the believers in Phoenicia and Samaria how many people outside Judea were turning to God, and everyone was very happy. When they reached Jerusalem, they shared all the wonderful things God had done.
Some of the Pharisees who believed said that Gentiles should be circumcised and keep the law of Moses. The leaders gathered together to think about it carefully. After a lot of talking, Peter stood up and reminded everyone that God had sent him to preach to the Gentiles, and God gave them the Holy Spirit just as he gave the Spirit to the first disciples. Peter asked why they would put a heavy load on people that nobody had been able to carry.
Then James spoke. He said that God had chosen people from all the nations, and that this agreed with what the prophets had written. The leaders decided to send a letter to the new believers, asking them to avoid a few things that would hurt their friendship with other believers. Judas and Silas carried the letter to Antioch, and the people there were glad and strengthened.
Later, Paul wanted to visit the churches again, but Barnabas wanted to bring John Mark. Paul did not think that was wise, so the two friends went different ways. Paul chose Silas and traveled on, strengthening the churches as he went.
Read It Together
Acts 15:7-9
7 When there had been much discussion, Peter rose up and said to them, “Brothers, you know that a good while ago God made a choice among you, that by my mouth the nations should hear the word of the Good News, and believe. 8 God, who knows the heart, testified about them, giving them the Holy Spirit, just like he did to us. 9 He made no distinction between us and them, cleansing their hearts by faith.
(WEB)
Point out that Peter reminds everyone that God chose him to share the good news with the nations. Show children that God knows people’s hearts, and he made no difference between people when he gave them his Spirit.
Acts 15:10-11
10 Now therefore why do you tempt God, that you should put a yoke on the neck of the disciples which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear? 11 But we believe that we are saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, just as they are.”
(WEB)
Ask the children what kind of heavy load Peter is talking about. Explain that Jesus saves us by his grace, a free gift, so nobody has to carry an impossible burden to be loved by God.
Acts 15:28-29
28 For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit, and to us, to lay no greater burden on you than these necessary things: 29 that you abstain from things sacrificed to idols, from blood, from things strangled, and from sexual immorality, from which if you keep yourselves, it will be well with you. Farewell.”
(WEB)
Show that the leaders wrote to the believers as friends who wanted to keep everyone close. Point out that the Holy Spirit guided their decision, which shows that God cares about how his people treat one another.
Talk About It
- What did the men from Judea think people had to do to be saved?
- How did Peter describe the Holy Spirit coming to the Gentiles?
- Why do you think God wants everyone to be part of his family?
- What heavy load did Peter say no one could carry?
- How can we show kindness to someone who is different from us?
Activity Ideas
Map of the Good News
You will need a large sheet of paper, crayons or markers, and some stickers if you have them. Draw a simple map with Jerusalem in the middle, then add Antioch, Phoenicia, Samaria, and Cyprus. Have the children draw a small heart or a star at each place to show where the good news spread. Talk about how far the message travelled.
Carry the Load
You will need a few heavy books or a bag of dry beans. Have a child try to hold the books out in front of them for thirty seconds while everyone counts. Then say that Peter called the old rules a heavy load nobody could carry. Explain that Jesus takes that load away, and let children feel how much lighter it is to put the books down.
Send a Friendly Letter
You will need paper, pencils, and envelopes. Ask each child to write or draw a short note to a friend, a family member, or someone at church, saying that Jesus loves them. Help younger children with the words. Let them take the letters home to deliver, just as Judas and Silas carried the letter from the church in Jerusalem.
Teacher Notes
For adults, Acts 15 shows the early church working through a hard question about how Gentile believers should relate to Jewish law. The leaders listened to each other, relied on the testimony of what God had already done, and reached a decision they could share as a community. The chapter teaches that God’s grace reaches all peoples, and that the church makes decisions together under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
When teaching children, avoid overstating the details of the circumcision debate or the four requests in the letter. Children may become confused or anxious about specific rules. Keep the focus on the big truth that Jesus welcomes everyone, and let the historical details stay in the background.
A Prayer to Close
Dear Jesus, thank you that you love everyone who trusts you, and that you do not ask us to carry heavy loads to earn your love. Help us share your good news with our friends and family, and help us be kind to people who are different from us. Thank you for your Holy Spirit who guides us. Amen.
