In this lesson, children learn that God sees everything, that lying to Him is serious, and that the believers were brave and honest even when the leaders told them to stop. It suits children about 5 to 11 and takes 20 to 30 minutes, so it works well for a Sunday school class or a family devotion.
Big Idea
God knows the truth about everything we do, so we should always be honest with Him and brave enough to keep telling people about Jesus.
Memory Verse
Acts 5:29
But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men.
(WEB)
Put both hands on your heart, then point up to the ceiling as you say the words slowly. Pointing up reminds children that God is above us, and the hand on the heart reminds them that obeying Him starts inside.
The Story: Acts 5 for Kids
A man named Ananias and his wife, Sapphira, sold a piece of land. They wanted to look generous, so they kept some of the money for themselves. But they pretended they had given every bit of it to the apostles. Ananias walked in and laid the money down, as if it were the whole price.
Peter knew the truth. He asked Ananias why he had let Satan fill his heart with a lie. Peter reminded him that the land had been his to keep or sell, and that he had lied to God, not just to people. When Ananias heard these words, he fell down and died. Everyone who heard about it was filled with fear.
Later, Sapphira came in, not knowing what had happened. Peter asked her the same question about the money. She told the same lie. Peter told her that the people who had buried her husband were now at the door. She also fell down and died. The whole church was very afraid after that.
The apostles kept doing the work God gave them. People brought their sick friends into the streets, and many were healed. More and more men and women believed in Jesus. The high priest was jealous, so he had the apostles thrown into prison. But that night an angel of the Lord opened the doors and told them to go back to the temple and keep speaking about Jesus.
When the leaders sent for them, the apostles were teaching in the temple just as the angel had said. The leaders asked them why they had not stopped. Peter gave a clear answer: “We must obey God rather than men.” He told them that Jesus was the Savior, and that they were His witnesses.
The leaders wanted to kill the apostles, but a wise teacher named Gamaliel told them to wait and see. The council agreed, beat the apostles, and let them go. The apostles left happy, because they had been counted worthy to suffer for Jesus. Every day they kept teaching and preaching about Him.
Read It Together
Acts 5:3-4
3 But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit, and to keep back part of the price of the land? 4 While you kept it, didn’t it remain your own? After it was sold, wasn’t it in your power? How is it that you have conceived this thing in your heart? You haven’t lied to men, but to God.”
(WEB)
Point out that Peter says Ananias lied to God, and that the land and the money were his to choose about. Help children see that God cares about our hearts, not just what we say or give.
Acts 5:12-13
12 By the hands of the apostles many signs and wonders were done among the people. They were all with one accord in Solomon’s porch. 13 None of the rest dared to join them, however the people honored them.
(WEB)
Show children that the believers gathered together and did God’s work in the open. Explain that the people honored them, even though not everyone dared to join them.
Acts 5:41-42
41 They therefore departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for Jesus’ name. 42 Every day, in the temple and at home, they never stopped teaching and preaching Jesus, the Christ.
(WEB)
Point out that the apostles were glad to suffer for Jesus. Ask children to notice that they did not stop teaching, even after being beaten.
Talk About It
- Why do you think God wants us to tell Him the truth even when we would rather hide something?
- What did Ananias and Sapphira do that was wrong, and how could they have done better?
- Why did the apostles say they must obey God instead of people?
- How can we be brave like the apostles when our friends or teachers want us to stop doing what is right?
- What is one way you can tell someone about Jesus this week?
Activity Ideas
Honest Heart Drawing
You will need paper, crayons, and a pencil. Ask each child to draw a large heart on the paper and write or draw one true thing they did this week inside it. Talk together about how God sees everything in our hearts and loves us when we are honest with Him.
Obey God Freeze Game
You will need an open space and a clear voice. Call out simple instructions like “hop” or “clap” and have children do them. Then call out a silly instruction the class should ignore, and freeze when you say “Stop, but God says go.” Explain that we listen to God first, just as the apostles did.
Take-Home Truth Card
You will need index cards, markers, and a hole punch with string. Have each child write “Obey God first” on one side and draw a small picture of a bold friend on the other. Punch a hole in the corner and tie on a string so they can hang it on their bedroom door or backpack as a reminder to be honest and brave.
Teacher Notes
For adults, this chapter shows that God takes truthfulness seriously, because He knows what is in our hearts. It also shows that the early church grew through bold, honest witness even when leaders opposed it. The apostles’ response, that we must obey God rather than men, remains a clear principle for faithful living.
Be careful not to frighten children with the deaths in this story or suggest that God strikes down everyone who makes a mistake. Focus on honesty, courage, and God’s care for His people, and gently explain that this passage describes a special moment in the early church.
A Prayer to Close
Dear God, thank You for seeing our hearts and loving us. Help us always tell You the truth, and help us be brave when we want to share about Jesus. Make us ready to obey You first, just like Peter and the apostles. Amen.
