Big Idea: I can pray for people.
Bible Basis: Acts 12:1-19
Key Verse: “Pray (fold hands) for one another (point toward children) so that you might be healed (hug yourself and rock back and forth).” James 5:16 (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 were one of Peter’s church friends, would you have been surprised when Peter knocked on the door? Why or why not?
LEARNING ACTIVITIES
Choose one (or more) of these activities to do with your child.
+ Breaking Chains
- Supplies: Strips of paper, tape
- Directions: Cut a piece of paper into long strips. Help the children loop the strips together into a chain. Each chain should have at least 5 links. When finished, have the children put their hands through the links on either end of the chain. Count to 3, then have the children break their chain apart.
- Say: In today’s true Bible story, there’s a man who breaks out of his prison chains, but he didn’t do it with his own strength—there was an angel who helped him. In just a little bit, we’re going to hear that story and learn that we can pray for others.
- Question: Do you think you could break a real chain?
+ Prayer Spies (Application Activity)
- Supplies: None
- Say: Today we learned that we can pray for others. Let’s play a fun game that helps us pray for each other in this group.
- Directions: Have the children sit in a circle. Begin by saying (for example), “I spy with my little eye, someone with brown hair.” Allow the children to guess which child you’re spying. After the children guess, say “I spy” again, then give another clue. Each clue should get progressively easier until all of the children can guess who it is. Once guessed, lead the group in saying the short prayer below for that child. Continue until all of the children have been selected and prayed for.
- Prayer: “Dear Jesus, please help __ love and follow you. Amen.”
+ Sleeping Guards (Application Activity)
- Supplies: None
- Say: In today’s true Bible story, Jesus answered the people’s prayer by sending an angel to rescue Peter from jail. Let’s play a game that helps us remember that we can pray for other people too.
- Directions: Tell the children that they are the guards from the Bible story and you are the angel. Have the children lay on the floor and pretend to be sleeping. They must keep their eyes closed tightly. If the angel taps them, they get to be Peter. (Tell them you will only tap them if their eyes are completely closed.) Peter must stand up very quietly and sneak away with the angel. Direct Peter to stand behind you or something in the room so they are out of sight of the guards, then say, “Wake up, guards!” The guards must then sit up and guess which child is Peter by looking to see who is missing. Once the children guess correctly, have everyone say, “I can pray for others,” before going back to sleep. Continue playing rounds until all of the children have been Peter. When finished, ask the question below.
- Question: Do you know someone who is sick, sad, or hurt? Let’s say a prayer for them. (After each answer, say a very short prayer for that person.)
+ Hot Potato (Bible Memorization Activity)
- Supplies: Ball, music player
- Today's Bible Verse: “Pray for one another so that you might be healed.” James 5:16
- Directions: Sit in a circle and practice the Bible verse together until the children can remember it. When ready, begin passing the ball around the circle while playing music. When you stop the music, the children must stop passing the ball. If the child holding the ball is a girl, lead all the girls in saying the Bible verse together. If the child holding the ball is a boy, lead all the boys in saying the Bible verse together. Continue playing for as long as time and interest allow.
+ Paper People Party (Bible Story Review Activity)
- Supplies: Story Character Cards
- Directions: Give each child a set of Story Cutout Characters. There will be a cutout for each of the main characters from the story. Ask the children what happened first in today’s Bible story. After sharing, ask them what happened next. As the children retell the story, encourage them to move the cutout characters as if they were reenacting the story with play people. Continue until the children have retold the entire Bible story.
+ My Family (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 their family. When finished, ask the children to show their picture and to share about their family.
- Say: Today we learned that we can pray for others. We can pray for our families. Let’s say a prayer right now. We can tell God about our family and ask Him to help them.
- 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 asking God to help your family as well as the families of the children.
+ 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: If you were one of Peter’s church friends, would you have been surprised when Peter knocked on the door? Why or why not?
- Question: Peter’s church friends prayed for him. Who are your friends at church? How could you pray for 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, Thank you for hearing my prayers. I’m so glad I can talk to You. Please help my friends who are sick, sad, or hurting. Amen.
DURING THE WEEK
Read the account of God freeing Peter from Jail 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 Peter from jail in the Bible in Acts 12:1-19 with your child.
Do more of the activities above!
QUESTIONS ABOUT THE LESSON?
Leave them in the comments below!