See What's New at Pastor John's Blog. Or to Submit --->

Ananias and Sapphira

Bible Passage: Acts 4-5

Kids Church: January 10, 2021

Volume 10: The Mission Begins. Unit 29: The Early Church. Session 1 of 4

Leading Parent, please read below for an overview of today's lesson (drop down) ----->>

Ananias and Sapphira

Something amazing was happening among believers in the early church. Not only was the Holy Spirit changing people’s hearts to believe in Jesus, He was empowering them to live differently. We see the evidence of God’s grace among the believers in Acts 4:32-35. The believers shared everything they had. If one person had a need, someone else gladly gave what he had to meet that need. As a result, “there was not a needy person among them” (Acts 4:34).

Joseph (also known as Barnabas) was one of the disciples living in this way. He sold a field and gave the money to the apostles. But trouble arose when Ananias and his wife, Sapphira, sold some land. Perhaps they wanted to appear as generous as Barnabas without feeling the full cost of such generosity. They secretly kept back some of the money, and Ananias brought the rest to Peter.

When Peter confronted Ananias, he didn’t tell him he was wrong to only bring part of the money. In fact, Peter said Ananias could have been honest about how the money was divided. Ananias and Sapphira’s sin was in pretending to be generous when they were actually greedy. They had tried to deceive the apostles, but Peter pointed out that they were guilty of trying to deceive God. Ananias dropped dead, and a few hours later his wife did too.

As you teach this story to kids, avoid using Ananias and Sapphira as a warning to be generous or die. As sinners, we struggle with the temptation of greed. Point kids to Jesus, who forgives our greed and changes us through the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit changes our hearts to want to share with those in need because Jesus generously gave all He had so we can share in His riches and have forgiveness and eternal life.

Opening Prayer for Kids Church Worship

Dad (or Mom) lead your family

Praise God for His attributes: holiness, greatness, grace, love, mercy, etc.
Thank God for sending His Son Jesus to save us from our sins.
Thank God for His goodness, provision, forgiveness, etc.
Thank God for carrying us through 2020.
Ask God for His Holy Spirit to prepare our hearts, minds, and spirits to worship God and learn the lesson He has for us today.
God, we are here to worship, adore, and exalt You. Speak and teach us through Your Word. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

You may ask all the kids to take turn to pray as well.

Pledges - recite out loud together

Right hand to your heart

Bible raised high in the air

Praise & Worship singing to God together

Leader - Ask the Big Picture Question

Everyone reply with the Big Picture Answer

Everyone memorize the Scripture verses CSB version

NIV

Leader: The church is sometimes called “the body of Christ.” Remember, the church is all Christians everywhere, who gather together in their communities to worship and serve God. Many believers make up the church, but they work together like one body. All the parts of the body are important to do God’s work. Let’s sing our key passage song to help us remember these words. Let's all sing “We Who are Many" (Romans 12:5).”

Everyone sing the Scripture song CSB version

Everyone open your Bible and read aloud Romans 12:16

Leader: God calls believers to get along with one another. We can ask the Holy Spirit to change our selfish attitudes about giving and sharing. Treasures on earth will not last forever. We have Jesus—our greatest treasure, who is with us always. Let’s sing together “One Foundation.”

Praise & Prayer Time

Share praises from this past week of what you see God's been doing in your lives.
Confess and repent of our sins. Pray to God for His holiness and purity in our lives.
Ask God to forgive us, and ask the Holy Spirit to help us in self-control.
Share prayer requests with each other. Pray for each other.
Ask God to give wisdom for parents, school teachers and kids for virtual learning to manage time, technology, and meals for this semester.
Let's pray that God's justice will prevail for the office of the presidency in the Congress on January 6, 2021, as they solidify or reject the Electoral Votes.
Father God, You are the giver of all good gifts. Everything we have comes from You. Lord, we confess that we are greedy. We think of our own desires before the needs of others. Change our hearts to be generous like Jesus. Give us joy in giving to others. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Bible Lesson Time

Leader - Read the main story point below

** OPTIONAL **

Leader: The Holy Spirit was at work in the early church. What were the believers doing that showed God had changed their hearts? Look at Acts 4:32. [Allow kids to read the verse and respond.] They shared everything they had. Isn’t that amazing? The Bible says that because the believers gave so generously, no one among them needed anything. [See Acts 4:34.] People like Barnabas sold their land and gave the money to the apostles so they could use it to help others.

Ananias and Sapphira sold some land too. They kept some of the money for themselves, but they pretended that the money they gave to the apostles was all of it. Ananias and Sapphira lied about their gift to the church. No one told them they had to give all the money. Peter said Ananias could have just been honest about how much he gave.

Why do you think Ananias and Sapphira pretended to give all the money? Look at Acts 5:3-4. [Allow kids to read the verses and respond.] Ananias and Sapphira wanted people to think they were generous. They cared about receiving praise from people more than they cared about doing what is right before God.

Ananias and Sapphira both died. You see, God is serious about sin. He cares about His church [see Matt. 16:18] and did not let the greed of two people hurt it. Everyone who heard about Ananias and Sapphira feared God and did not want to sin against Him. As a result, the church was stronger.

Watch the Bible Story video

Christ Connection: Ananias and Sapphira wanted to look generous, but they were greedy. The Holy Spirit changes our hearts to want to share with those in need because Jesus generously gave all He had so we can share in His riches and have forgiveness and eternal life.

Apply the Bible Lesson

Guide kids to open their Bibles to Acts 5. Challenge kids to recall who wrote the Book of Acts. (Luke) Explain that as the church grew, the believers in Jerusalem lived generously—sharing what they had as anyone had a need. Choose a volunteer to read aloud Acts 5:1-2.

LEADER SAY • Ananias and Sapphira sold their property so they would look generous like everyone else, but they kept some of the money for themselves. Ananias and Sapphira lied about their gift to the church.

Ask the following questions. Lead your family to discuss:

(Take your time to ask, let the kids to ponder and answer the following questions)

1. What does it mean to fear God? (drop down for answer) ----->>

Prompt kids to recall that when people heard about what happened to Ananias and Sapphira, they were filled with fear. Fearing God does not mean being afraid of Him; it means respecting Him and showing Him honor because of how great He is.

(Option: Choose a volunteer to read Ex. 20:20.)

2. Have you ever done a good thing for a bad reason? Do you think our motives matter to God? Why? (drop down for answer) ----->>

Invite kids to share their experiences. Emphasize that why we do things is just as important as what we do. God is not honored when we do what is right just to impress others or earn their approval. God is pleased when we do what is right—as long as we are motivated by our love for Him.

(Option: Choose a volunteer to read Gal. 1:10.)

3. Why can we joyfully give to God? (drop down for answer) ----->>

Lead kids to recognize that everything we have is a gift from God. Jesus gave up everything to come to earth and save us from our sins. Jesus even gave up His own life, dying on the cross in our place. When we know and love Jesus, we can serve Him as the Lord of our life and offer Him everything we have.

(Option: Choose a volunteer to read Acts 20:35.)

Sing the Response Song below

A Missionary Moment

Leader: The first churches had a lot to learn about how to honor Jesus and do right by others. Ananias and Sapphira lied about their gift to the church. They needed the Holy Spirit to change their hearts so that they would do what is right. For the next few sessions, we’re going to learn about two cities in the U.S. that need more churches and Christians who will help the people living there know Jesus.

Closing Prayer - Leader

Praise and thanksgiving to God that the Holy Spirit helps us to listen and obey God.
Protection from the COVID-19.
Productive at home this week.
For others who are sick or lost of job.
For the United States to turn back to honor and follow God.

2020 KCCC Christmas Shoeboxes

Dear church family, thank you all for your support and generous giving the Lord's Kingdom outreach especially during the pandemic! We have exceeded our goal of 75 shoesboxes with blessing 98 kids somewhere in the world with Christmas gifts and the ultimate Christmas Gift, that is Jesus Christ. God bless you.

Pastor John Chen on behalf of the pastoral staff

Brand New preview before publication!

Enter your email address to enjoy the full preview video!

The bold Scottish missionary Mary Slessor has gone deeper into the Nigerian jungle than any other, bringing with her medicine, education, and the life-changing message of the Gospel. When a young mother arrives on her doorstep in the dead of night with newborn twins, Mary receives an even more challenging call from God: go bring peace and Good News to the Okoyong people, where a powerful witch doctor is terrorizing the most vulnerable to appease a vindictive god. In spite of strong warnings from Brits and Nigerians alike, Mary follows Christ even farther into the jungle. With the Okoyong people’s chief near death and the lives of more innocent people on the line, can Mary’s Savior save them all? Discover the story of this courageous peacemaker in the latest episode of the Torchlighters!

Page updated

Report abuse