Paul Met Jesus
Bible Passage: Acts 8-9
Kids Church: February 14, 2021
Volume 10: The Mission Begins. Unit 30: The Church Grew. Session 2 of 4
See What's New at Pastor John's Blog. Or to Submit --->
Volume 10: The Mission Begins. Unit 30: The Church Grew. Session 2 of 4
Paul Met Jesus
Saul was no stranger to religion. He grew up in a religious household. He was a devout Jew who was born in Tarsus (Phil. 3:5) and inherited his Roman citizenship from his father. So when people began talking about this man named Jesus and claiming that He was the promised Messiah, Saul was defensive.
Saul believed strongly in the Jewish faith of his ancestors. He violently persecuted God’s church and tried to destroy it. (Gal. 1:13-14) He dragged believers from their houses and put them in prison. He approved of the stoning of Stephen, the first Christian martyr. Saul thought he was doing the right thing by defending Judaism, but God’s purposes could not be stopped. As Saul was on his way to arrest believers in Damascus, the Lord stopped him in his tracks.
Jesus revealed Himself to Saul, and Saul was never the same. He was struck blind and led into Damascus, where a believer named Ananias placed his hands on Saul. Suddenly, Saul could see again. Saul was convinced that Jesus is Lord. Saul later described the experience as being like dying and receiving a new life. (Gal. 2:20; 2 Cor. 5:17)
God had a purpose and a plan for Saul. He had set Saul apart before Saul was even born. (Gal. 1:15) God said, “This man is my chosen instrument to take my name to Gentiles, kings, and Israelites” (Acts 9:15).
Jesus changed Saul’s life. As you teach kids, clarify that conversion happens when a person recognizes his sin, repents, believes in Jesus, and confesses Jesus as Savior and Lord. Jesus changes a person’s heart, and as a result, his life is changed too.
Jesus appeared to Saul and changed him inside and out. Jesus called Saul, who was once an enemy of Christians, to spend the rest of his life telling people the gospel and leading them to trust Jesus as Lord and Savior.
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.
Leader: The end of this passage talks about giving Jesus first place in everything. If Jesus is your first priority, you will never have a “vision” problem. He will always show you where He wants you to go. Let's all sing “First Place in Everything" (Colossians 1:18).”
Leader: God promises that we will find Him when we seek Him. Let’s spend some time worshiping Him now and seeking His plan and purpose for our lives. Let’s sing together “This is Where the Mission Begins.”
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 will raise many good Christian men and women to serve in public offices, so that the ones who govern over us would fear the Lord, walk humbly, and act justly.
Jesus, thank You for Your amazing love for us. Thank You that You allow us to be part of Your plan to share Your love with other people. Help us to be obedient like Philip, trusting You with each next step as You reveal them to us. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Christ Connection: Jesus has a plan and purpose for each of our lives, and He wants us to live out that plan. So Jesus appeared to Saul and changed him inside and out. Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners. Jesus called Paul, who was once an enemy to Christians, to spend the rest of his life telling people the gospel and leading them to trust in Jesus.
Guide kids to open their Bibles to Acts 8.
Choose a volunteer to read aloud Acts 8:1.
LEADER SAY • Because Christians were being persecuted and attacked in Jerusalem, many of them went north. This is how Christians ended up in Damascus and why Saul was traveling there. Point out the location of Damascus on the Israel in the Time of Jesus Map. Show how it is north of Jerusalem. Explain that Damascus was a very old city. During the time of King David, it was part of the land of Israel, but it belonged to Syria in Paul’s day.
(Take your time to ask, let the kids to ponder and answer the following questions)
Help kids recognize Ananias knew what Saul had done in Jerusalem and why he had come to Damascus.
(Option: Choose a volunteer to read Acts 9:13-14.)
Help kids recognize that Saul received his sight, but he also received Jesus as his Savior. Saul followed in baptism and learned from the Christians in Damascus.
(Option: Choose a volunteer to read Acts 9:18-19.)
Help kids recognize that nothing is impossible with God, so we can trust Him when He tells us to do something.
(Option: Choose a volunteer to read Mark 10:27)
Leader Say: Jesus saved Paul and chose him to spread the gospel. Jesus has a plan for your life too! He wants to save you and use you to glorify God by worshiping Him, showing His love, and telling others about Jesus.
Leader: The Holy Spirit tells people today to go and tell people about Jesus, like He told Philip to tell the Ethiopian man about Jesus. When Christians work together to share the gospel, we can reach more people all over the world.
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.