Big Idea: I can pray for people.
Bible Basis: Acts 13
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?
How do you think Paul and Barnabas felt when their friends prayed for them? Why do you think they felt that way?
LEARNING ACTIVITIES
Choose one (or more) of these activities to do with your child.
+ Play Dough People
- Supplies: Play dough
- Directions: Give each child two pieces of playdough. Tell them to make two play dough friends. When finished, ask the children what their play dough people’s names are and what they like to do together. Encourage the children to play act those things with their play dough people.
- Say: In today’s true Bible story, there are two friends named Paul and Barnabas. They like to travel together and tell people about Jesus. We’re going to hear their story from the Bible today and learn that we can pray for others.
- Question: Do you have a best friend? What’s their name? What do you like to do with them?
+ Prayer Train (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: Begin walking around the children and repeatedly chanting in a sing-song-y voice, “I can pray for others.” When you approach a child, say, “Can I pray for you?” After the child says “yes,” they can join your prayer train by holding onto your waist. Together, the two of you will walk and chant together until you approach another child and repeat the above instructions. Continue until all of the children have joined the prayer train. When finished, sit down and ask the children what they need prayer for. If they need more direction, ask if there’s anything that is making them sick, sad, or scared. After each answer, lead the group in a short prayer for that person.
+ Row the Boat (Application Activity)
- Supplies: None
- Say: In today’s true Bible story, the church friends prayed for Paul and Barnabas before they got in their boat and sailed across the sea. Let’s play a game that helps us pray for each other like the friends did.
- Directions: Lead the children in singing the song below to the tune of “Row Your Boat.” While singing, have the children rock back and forth while pretend to row. After each round of singing, have one of the children share something they need prayer for. Continue alternating between singing the song and taking prayer requests until all of the children have had a turn to share.
- Song: Row, row, row your boat,Gently ‘cross the sea. Merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily, My friends all prayed for me.
+ 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.
+ Church Friends (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 one of their friends at church. When finished, have the children show their drawing and share with the group about their friend.
- Say: In today’s Bible story, Paul and Barnabas’ church friends prayed for them. We can pray for our friends at church too. How could you pray for the friend in your drawing?
- 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 thanking Jesus for giving us friends at church. Use the children’s suggestions to pray for the friends in their drawings.
+ 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 today’s Bible story? Why did you like that part?
- Question: How do you think Paul and Barnabas felt when their friends prayed for them? Why do you think they felt that way?
(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 the church encouraging Paul and Barnabas in your child’s favorite Bible storybook.
Say this week’s Bible verse every morning with the actions (see above).
Read the account of the Church praying for Paul and Barnabas in the Bible in Acts 13 with your child.
Do more of the activities above!
QUESTIONS ABOUT THE LESSON?
Leave them in the comments below!