Big Idea: Jesus is with me when I am hurt.
Bible Basis: Acts 28:1-10
Key Verse: “And you (point forward with both fingers) can be sure (two thumbs up) that I am always with you (hug yourself), to the very end (rock back and forth).” Matthew 28:20 (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?
When Paul was bitten by a venomous snake, he should have been hurt. Who do you think protected him?
LEARNING ACTIVITIES
Choose one (or more) of these activities to do with your child.
+ Play Dough Snake
- Supplies: Play dough
- Directions: Give each child a small piece of play dough and tell them to roll it into a snake. When the children are finished making their own snake, encourage them to link the snakes together to make one giant, long snake.
- Say: Whoa—this is a really long snake! But our snake is made of play dough. In today’s true Bible story, there’s a real snake that bites someone. We’ll hear the story in just a little bit and we’ll learn that Jesus is with us when we’re hurt.
- Question: Have you ever seen a snake? Tell us about it.
+ Snakes and Ladders (Application Activity)
- Supplies: Game Board and game piece (1 per group), dice (1 per group)(from the downloadedable materials)
- Preparation: Cut the Topher Game piece out from the bottom corner of the game board
- Say: Today we learned that Jesus is with us when we’re hurt. Let’s play a game that helps us remember that.
- Directions: Have the children sit in a circle and place the game board in the middle. Place the Topher the Gopher game piece at the beginning of the path. Have the children take turns rolling the dice. Before each child rolls, though, have them share about a time they got hurt. After each roll, move Topher accordingly. If Topher lands at the bottom of a ladder, he can take a shortcut to the top of the ladder. If Topher lands on the tip of the snake’s tail, he will slide down to its head. Whenever that happens, lead the children in saying, “Jesus is with me when I’m hurt.” Continue playing until Topher makes it to the end.
+ Pin the Band Aid (Application Activity)
- Supplies: Topher poster (1 per group), Band-Aids (1 per child), blindfold (1 per group)
- Preparation: Print the Topher poster on 4 sheets of paper. Tape the sheets of paper onto the wall at about eye-level for a child so it forms a picture of Topher the Gopher.
- Say: In today’s true Bible story, Paul was bitten by a snake. But Jesus was with him when he got hurt. Let’s play a game where we help Topher and remember that just like Paul, Jesus is with us when we’re hurt.
- Directions: This game plays just like “Pin the Tail on the Donkey.” One at a time, blindfold each child (or have them close their eyes), give them a Band-Aid with the paper backing removed, and face them toward the Topher poster. The child must slowly walk toward the poster and stick their Band-Aid anywhere on Topher’s body. When the Band-Aid has been applied, lead all the children in cheering and saying, “Jesus is with me when I’m hurt.” Continue playing until everyone has had a turn. When finished, sit down with the children and ask the question below.
- Question: When you get hurt, you can pray to Jesus. What would you say to Jesus when you’re hurting?
+ Hot Potato (Bible Memorization Activity)
- Supplies: Ball, music player
- Today's Bible Verse: “And you can be sure that I am always with you, to the very end.” Matthew 28:20
- 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 Parents (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 mom and/or dad. When finished, ask the children to show their picture and to talk about it.
- Say: One of the ways Jesus helps us when we’re hurt is by giving us mommies and daddies who take care of us. Let’s say a prayer and thank Jesus for giving us our mommies and daddies.
- 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 all of the children’s parents as well as your own.
+ 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: When Paul was bitten by a venomous snake, he should have been hurt. Who do you think protected him?
- Question: Paul healed the sick people with the power of Jesus. How do you think Jesus can help you when you’re feeling sick?
(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 being with me. When I get hurt, please keep me safe and help me get better. Amen.
DURING THE WEEK
Read the account of Paul bitten by a snake in your child’s favorite Bible storybook.
Say this week’s Bible verse every morning with the actions (see above).
Read the account of Paul gets bitten by a snake in Acts 28:1-10 with your child.
Do more of the activities above!
QUESTIONS ABOUT THE LESSON?
Leave them in the comments below!