Big Idea: I can tell everyone about Jesus.
Bible Basis: Acts 8:26-40
Key Verse: “Go (march in place) into all the world (draw a big circle with your hands). Preach the good news (cup hands to mouth) to everyone (spread hands out in front of you).” Mark 16:15 (extend hands like you’re holding a book).
OPENING PRAYER
Lord, open now my heart to hear, And through your Word to me draw near. Let me your Word ever pure retain; Let me your child and heir remain. All this I ask in Jesus’ name. Amen.
BIBLE LESSON VIDEO
ASK THESE QUESTIONS:
What is your favorite part of this Bible lesson?
If you could tell someone about Jesus, what would you tell them?
LEARNING ACTIVITIES
Choose one (or more) of these activities to do with your child.
+ Cup and String
- Supplies: Paper cups (2), string
- Preparations: In order to make the “telephone,” poke a small hole in the bottom of each cup. Feed one end of the string through the hole and tie a knot to keep the string from slipping back through. The knot should be on the inside of the cup or tin can. Do the same with the other end of the string and the other cup or tin can.
- Directions: Invite children to take turns listening on one end of the “telephone” by placing their ear in the cup as you speak into the cup on the other end. In order to work, the string must be pulled taut. After hearing what you say, have the children repeat it back to you through the telephone. Use the list below for ideas on what to say.
- Phrases:
- I have good news!
- Jesus died and now He is alive.
- Jesus loves you so much.
- Jesus wants you to follow Him.
- You can live with Jesus in Heaven.
- You can tell others about Jesus.
- Question: Do you have someone you like to talk to on the phone? What do you talk about?
+ Calling All Nations (Application Activity)
- Supplies: Cell phone printout cards
- Say: IIn today’s true Bible story, Philip told a man from another country about Jesus. Let’s play a game where we tell people from around the world that Jesus loves them.
- Directions: Give each child a Cellphone Printout card. Tell the children, “Let’s pretend to call someone in another country and say, ‘Hello. Jesus loves you.’” Teach the children how to say “Hello” in one of the languages listed below. Then, along with the children, pretend to dial the phone while making “beep” and “boop” sounds. Hold the phone to your ear and prompt the children to say (for example), “Hola! Jesus loves you!” Hang up, then repeat for another country. Continue until you have dialed all of the countries below.
- "Hello" in other countries:
- Ethiopia: Salam (pronounced: sah-lahm)
- Mexico: Hola (pronounced: oh-la)
- China: Ni Hao (pronounced: knee-how)
- Philippines: Kamusta (pronounced: ka-moos-ta)
- Kenya: Habari (pronounced: ha-bar-ree)
- Japan: Kon’nichiwa (pronounced: kone-eechie-wah)
- Russia: Privet (pronounced: pre-vyet)
- India: Namaste (na-ma-stay)
- Question: What else would you want to say to someone in a different country?
+ Jesus Hearts U (Application Activity)
- Supplies: Invitation template (1 per child), crayons and markers
- Say: Today we learned that we can tell everyone about Jesus. One way we can do that is by inviting our friends and family to church so they can hear about Jesus. Let’s make an invitation to give to someone who needs to hear about Jesus.
- Directions: Give each child an invitation to color. The invitation has a picture of Jesus, a heart, and the letter “U.” Show the children that, when read together, it reads, “Jesus loves you.” While they’re coloring, ask them who they would like to give the invitation to. Encourage the children to give the invitation to a friend or family member and ask them to come to church with them.
- Question: Who are you going to invite to church? Why did you choose that person?
+ Kangaroo Bible Club (Bible Memorization Activity)
- Supplies: Masking or painters tape (1 roll)
- Today's Bible Verse: “Go (march in place) into all the world (draw a big circle with your hands). Preach the good news (cup hands to mouth) to everyone (spread hands out in front of you).” Mark 16:15 (extend hands like you’re holding a book).
- Directions: Practice the Bible verse together until the children can remember it. When ready, have the children line up along the tape line. Tell them they’re going to see if they can jump as far as Kenzie the Kangaroo. When ready, the children must say the verse together, then jump like a kangaroo as far as they can. Congratulate the children on how far they jumped, then have them line up and do it again. This time, challenge the children to jump even farther. Continue saying the verse and jumping for as long as time and energy allow.
+ Objects of the Lesson (Bible Story Review Activity)
- Supplies: Story objects from Bible story: Kleenex tissues, paper chain, pillow, sword, cross
- Directions: One at a time, show the children each object from the Bible story in order, then have them recount what happened in that part of the story. Use the list below to help them remember when needed.
- Story Objects:
- Walking stick: Philip was walking down the road when he met a man from Ethiopia.
- Bible: The man was reading the Book of Isaiah. That’s in the Bible.
- Running shoes: God’s Spirit said, “Go stand by the chariot.” Philip ran to the chariot.
- Chair: The man needed help understanding the Bible. Philip sat next to the man in the chariot.
- Cross: Philip told the man from Ethiopia the good news of Jesus, then the man believed.
+ Jesus is the Best (Response to God Activity)
- Supplies: GO! Home Guide (1 per child), markers or crayons
- Directions: Give each child a GO! Home Guide and some crayons or markers. The sheet will have a space for children to draw. Tell the children to draw a picture of Jesus with a big heart around him. While the children are drawing, ask them what they love most about Jesus.
- Say: I love Jesus so much—He’s the best! Let’s say a prayer and tell Jesus why we think He’s the best. We can tell Him all of those things we love most about Him.
- Prayer: Begin by asking if any of the children would like to pray. Allow any children who want to pray the opportunity to do so. When they’re finished, close the prayer by telling Jesus what you love most about Him.
+ Coloring Sheet (GO! Deeper Activity)
- Supplies: Bible story coloring sheet, markers or crayons
- Directions: Give each child a Bible story coloring sheet and some crayons or markers. While the children are coloring, give them a snack to eat and ask the following questions to help them go deeper into the story.
- Question: What was your favorite part of the story? Why did you like that part?
- Question: If you could tell someone about Jesus, what would you tell them?
(Due to copyright restrictions, the printable materials described in the activities above are only available to those who have registered for Our Savior’s Kids. To register your child(ren), click the button below)
CLOSING PRAYER
Dear Jesus, I believe that you are alive. And that you love us very much. Please help me share that good news with everyone I know. Amen.
DURING THE WEEK
Read the account of Philip and the Ethiopian in your child’s favorite Bible storybook.
Say this week’s Bible verse every morning with the actions (see above).
Read the account of God freeing the disciples from jail in the Bible in Acts 8:26-40 with your child.
Do more of the activities above!
QUESTIONS ABOUT THE LESSON?
Leave them in the comments below!