This lesson teaches children that God sends his people to tell others about Jesus, wherever they are and whoever they meet. It suits children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes, including the story, questions, and a short activity.
Big Idea
God sends people to tell others the good news about Jesus, and he can use anyone who is willing to share it.
Memory Verse
Acts 8:4
Therefore those who were scattered abroad went around preaching the word.
(WEB)
Teach the children to hold both hands out in front of them, palms up, as if carrying something precious. Then slowly open their arms wide, the way someone shares a gift with everyone in the room.
The Story: Acts 8 for Kids
Things were very hard for the followers of Jesus in Jerusalem. A man named Saul was working hard to hurt them. He went into houses, grabbed people, and put them in prison. Because of this, the believers had to leave their homes and go to other places. But wherever they went, they kept talking about Jesus.
One of those believers was a man named Philip. He traveled to a city called Samaria, and he told the people there about Jesus. Many people listened closely. Some who could not walk were healed, and evil spirits left people. The whole city was filled with joy, and the good news spread fast.
God also sent Philip on a long road through the desert, toward Gaza. There he met an important man from Ethiopia who was sitting in his chariot and reading the book of Isaiah. Philip asked him, “Do you understand what you are reading?” The man answered, “How can I, unless someone explains it to me?”
So Philip sat down beside him and explained the words of the prophet. He told the man all about Jesus. When they came to some water, the man said, “Look, here is water! What is stopping me from being baptized?” Philip and the man went down into the water together, and Philip baptized him.
When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord took Philip away. The man did not see him again, but he went on his way full of joy. Philip was found in another town, and he kept telling people the good news all the way to Caesarea.
Read It Together
Acts 8:5-6
5 Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and proclaimed to them the Christ. 6 The multitudes listened with one accord to the things that were spoken by Philip, when they heard and saw the signs which he did.
(WEB)
Point out that Philip went to a new city and simply told people about Jesus. Show the children that the crowds listened because they saw and heard what Philip did and said.
Acts 8:30-31
30 Philip ran to him, and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet, and said, “Do you understand what you are reading?” 31 He said, “How can I, unless someone explains it to me?” He begged Philip to come up and sit with him.
(WEB)
Notice how Philip went to the man because God told him to go. Ask the children to see that the man needed help understanding, and Philip was glad to help him.
Acts 8:38-39
38 He commanded the chariot to stand still, and they both went down into the water, both Philip and the eunuch, and he baptized him. 39 When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught Philip away, and the eunuch didn’t see him any more, for he went on his way rejoicing.
(WEB)
Highlight the water and the joy at the end of the story. Help the children see that the man went on his way rejoicing after he believed in Jesus.
Talk About It
- Why do you think the believers kept talking about Jesus even when it was dangerous?
- What did Philip do when God told him to go to the desert road?
- How did the Ethiopian man feel after he learned about Jesus?
- Who is someone in your life who might like to hear about Jesus?
- What is one way you can share the good news this week?
Activity Ideas
Good News Drawing
You will need paper, crayons or markers, and a pencil. Ask each child to draw a picture of a person telling someone good news, such as a friend, a family member, or a neighbor. Let them write one word from the lesson on the bottom of the page, like “Jesus” or “joy.” Give the drawings to the children to take home.
Chariot Race Walk
You will need a few chairs, a large open space, and a blue cloth or paper for water. Set up chairs in a line to be the chariot road and place the blue cloth at the far end as the water. Have the children walk along the road reading from a book, then stop at the water and say “Let’s go down together.” Cheer them on as they reach the water.
Good News Card
You will need index cards, a marker, and tape or a ribbon. Write “Jesus loves you” on one side of each card and let the children decorate the other side. Show them how to give the card to someone at home or at church this week. Encourage them to tell that person one thing they learned in class.
Teacher Notes
This passage shows that God’s plan to spread the good news does not depend on one special leader or one perfect place. Ordinary believers, scattered by hardship, carried the message wherever they went, and God guided one of them to a single seeker on a desert road. For adults, it is a reminder to stay ready for the moments God places in our path.
Avoid suggesting to children that God will always send a sign or an angel when they want to share their faith. Make clear that God often uses everyday conversations and simple obedience, and that being brave with words is a gift we can all practice.
A Prayer to Close
Dear Jesus, thank you that you send us to tell others about you. Help us to be brave and kind when we share your good news. Show us the people you want us to talk to this week. Amen.
