Lesson Continued...

Warm Up 

Have you ever had an injury? What did your parents or your doctor do to heal you?

Today, we're going to learn about a time when some of the disciples healed a man who was crippled - which means he couldn't walk.

Teach the Story 

Acts 3:1-26 

The story of Peter and John healing the crippled beggar is a relatively straightforward story that is best just read directly from the Scripture. Here are some highlights and context:

• We learned in the previous story that the disciples began meeting in the temple courts and in their homes daily. Peter and John were apparently heading to the temple courts to pray when this occurred.

• Peter and John were able to perform this miracle through the power of Jesus, a further indication that the church was an extension of Jesus' ministry on the earth.

• After the man began to cause a huge stir when he began running and leaping all around the temple, Peter and John took the opportunity to once again establish to the Jews in the temple that Jesus was the fulfillment of prophecy in the Old Testament.

Comprehension Questions 

First, ask the children if they have any questions about the story.  

• Where were Peter and John going when this miracle happened?

To the temple, to pray

• Who did Peter and John meet along the way?

A man who was crippled from birth

• What did the man ask from Peter and John?

Money, because he spent all his time outside the temple begging for money

• What did Peter and John say to him?

"I don’t have any silver or gold. But I’ll give you what I have. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, get up and walk."

• What happened next?

The man jumped to his feet and began to walk, and he walked and jumped around the temple praising God

• In this story, Peter and John performed a miracle in the name of Jesus. What miracle do you need to pray for in your life?

Memory Verse 

When I'm afraid, I will trust in you. Psalm 56:3

Directions

1.  Give the kids a piece of construction paper and have them trace an outline of their feet (or shoe if they don't want to take their shoes off). 

2. Let them decorate their feet as shown in the picture above. Talk about how we can be thankful for our feet, but also for other things. These can be physical things on our bodies, tangible things in our lives, people in our lives, or even the way we feel. We can always find something to thank God for. 

Scripture A man unable to walk was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful. He had been that way since he was born. Every day someone put him near the gate. There he would beg from people going into the temple courtyards. Acts 3:2 

Directions

1. Ask students to perform activities without their full abilities.

2. Write on a piece of paper without their hands.

3. Move around the room without their legs.

4. Speak to someone without their mouth.

5. Keep a balloon in the air while sitting.

Scripture Peter said, "I don't have any silver or gold. But I'll give you what I have. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, get up and walk." Acts 3:6 

Directions

1. One person is chosen to be Peter.

2. Another student is chosen to be the tagger.

3. The students will run and try not to be tagged by the tagger.

4. If you are tagged, you must sit down.

5. Peter must tag you and say "In Jesus' name, get up and walk" before you can get up.