This lesson teaches children that God can change any heart, even the heart of someone who once worked against Jesus, and that God can use that changed person to tell others about him. It is written for children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes to teach, with time for questions and an activity.
Big Idea
God can change anyone, and when he does, that person can tell others about Jesus. Even a person who once hurt Christians can become a friend of Jesus and a helper in his work.
Memory Verse
Acts 22:16
Now why do you wait? Arise, be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord.’
(WEB)
Teach the children to hold both hands up in front of their chest, then slowly open them wide, as if letting go of something heavy. Say the verse together while you do the motion. Repeat it three times, faster each time, until the children can say it with the movement.
The Story: Acts 22 for Kids
A man named Saul grew up learning about God from his teachers in the city of Jerusalem. Saul was very serious about his religion, and he did not like the followers of Jesus. He believed they were wrong, so he went after them and put many of them in prison.
One day Saul was walking on the road to a city called Damascus, where he planned to find more followers of Jesus and bring them back to Jerusalem. Suddenly a bright light flashed from the sky all around him. Saul fell to the ground, and he heard a voice speaking to him. The voice said, “Saul, Saul, why are you hurting me?”
Saul asked, “Who are you, Lord?” The voice answered, “I am Jesus, the one you are hurting.” Saul was blind for a while after that, so the men traveling with him had to lead him by the hand into the city.
In Damascus, a kind believer named Ananias came to Saul. Ananias said, “Brother Saul, receive your sight!” Right away Saul could see again. Jesus had chosen Saul to tell people all over the world about what he had seen and heard.
Later Saul stood in front of a crowd in Jerusalem and told them his story. He explained how Jesus had changed his life. The people listened until he talked about being sent to other nations, and then they became very angry and started shouting.
The Roman officer in charge learned that Saul was a Roman citizen, so the soldiers stopped and did not hurt him. The officer then brought Saul before the leaders so the truth could be heard. God was still working through Saul, even in a hard place.
Read It Together
Acts 22:6-8
6 As I made my journey, and came close to Damascus, about noon, suddenly a great light shone around me from the sky. 7 I fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to me, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?’ 8 I answered, ‘Who are you, Lord?’ He said to me, ‘I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom you persecute.’
(WEB)
Point out that Saul was walking along and then suddenly saw a light from heaven. Ask the children to notice that Jesus spoke to Saul personally, calling his name twice. Explain that Jesus knew exactly who Saul was and cared about him.
Acts 22:14-15
14 He said, ‘The God of our fathers has appointed you to know his will, and to see the Righteous One, and to hear a voice from his mouth. 15 For you will be a witness for him to all men of what you have seen and heard.
(WEB)
Show the children that God chose Saul for a special job, to be a witness. Explain that a witness is someone who tells what they have seen and heard. Ask them what they have seen and heard about Jesus that they could share with a friend.
Acts 22:19-21
19 I said, ‘Lord, they themselves know that I imprisoned and beat in every synagogue those who believed in you. 20 When the blood of Stephen, your witness, was shed, I also was standing by, and consenting to his death, and guarding the cloaks of those who killed him.’ 21 “He said to me, ‘Depart, for I will send you out far from here to the Gentiles.’”
(WEB)
Help the children see that Saul was honest about the wrong things he had done. Point out that God still sent him out to tell others. Remind them that God can forgive us and still use us to help other people.
Talk About It
- What do you think Saul felt when the bright light shined around him?
- Why do you think Jesus asked Saul, “Why are you hurting me?”
- How did Ananias help Saul after he could not see?
- What is one thing you could tell a friend about Jesus?
- How can God change someone who did a lot of wrong things?
Activity Ideas
Light Shining Picture
You will need dark paper or construction paper, white crayons or chalk, and a flashlight. Have each child draw a picture of Saul on the road with a white crayon, pressing firmly so the lines show. Then paint over the whole page with watercolor or thin black paint, and the drawing will appear as if the light has shone through. Talk about how Jesus’s light shined on Saul and changed him.
Road to Damascus Walk
Set up a path in the room or hallway with chairs or pillows. Blindfold one child using a scarf, and have another child guide them by the hand along the path, taking turns. After each turn, ask the children how it felt to be led and to trust someone else. Connect this to how Ananias helped Saul.
Tell a Friend Card
You will need index cards, markers, and a pencil. Ask each child to write or draw one thing they know about Jesus on the card. Then have them give the card to a family member or friend this week and explain what it means. Encourage the children to share the message just as Saul shared his story.
Teacher Notes
For adults, this chapter shows that God’s grace can reach even the most determined opponent of the gospel. Saul’s testimony is recorded in his own words to a hostile crowd, and his conversion shaped the mission of the early church. Notice that Saul’s changed life is marked by obedience to Jesus and a clear calling to bear witness to him.
With children, avoid suggesting that God will always change people instantly or in dramatic ways. Keep the focus on the truth that Jesus can change anyone and that he invites us to share what we know of him. Do not frame the lesson around fear of punishment or of the crowd’s anger.
A Prayer to Close
Dear Jesus, thank you that you can change anyone who turns to you. Help us to share what we know about you with our friends and family. Give us brave hearts like Saul and Ananias, and help us love others the way you love us. Amen.
