LESSON THEME: God Answers Prayers
Acts 12:1-17 recounts the persecution of the early church under King Herod Agrippa I, who executes James (John’s brother) and imprisons Peter with the intention of executing him as well. The passage demonstrates the power of prayer, as the church’s earnest intercession leads to God’s miraculous intervention when an angel rescues Peter from prison, highlighting God’s sovereignty over earthly authorities and His protection of His people.
WELCOME MUSIC: CHRISTIAN CD
Have Kid’s Christian Music playing as kids arrive.
Sunday School Songs CD (Amazon)
WELCOME STATION CRAFT: Paper Chains 6:00-6:30 p.m.
ITEMS NEEDED
Memory Verse Chains
Construction Paper Chains
Crayons
Stickers (Optional)
As children arrive they are given a set of paper chains to decorate. Once they are decorated, they should be stapled into a chain by the teacher. Children will need these later in the lesson. Staple the Bible Verse in order, construction paper, verse, construction paper, verse, construction paper, verse, etc.
Children should color the pictures on the white verse and can then add decorations to the different pieces of construction paper as they wish.
WELCOME STATION ACTIVITY: Make a Sword 6:00-6:30 p.m.
ITEMS NEEDED
Markers
Stickers
Pipe Cleaners
Swords Printed on Cardstock
Children should make their swords to use during the lesson. They should color the sword first. Then they can glue on an assortment of gems. Finally, they can wrap a pipe cleaner around the handle.
WORSHIP JESUS THRU MUSIC: 6:15-6:30 p.m.
GOD TAKES CARE OF ME SONG
Tune: “The Farmer in the Dell”
God takes care of me (point to self)
God takes care of me (point to self)
When I’m happy or when I’m sad (make happy then sad face)
God takes care of me! (point to self, then point up)
God helped Peter out (pretend to unlock chains)
God helped Peter out (pretend to unlock chains)
When he was stuck in jail one night (make sad face)
God helped Peter out! (make happy face, raise hands)
WORSHIP JESUS THRU PRAYER: 6:30-6:40 p.m.
Transition kids to the floor for prayer time.
Ask each kid to share one person they can pray for. Have them pray for that person.
Pick one kid to bless the snack we are about to eat.
BIBLE STORY 6:40-7:10 p.m.
Note: For space purpose, we will stay in the main classroom today.
ITEMS NEEDED
- Bible
- Paper chains & swords from craft activity
READING AREA SETUP
Go over the rules using physical actions:
- Bubbles for our mouth. (Demonstrate putting a bubble in the mouth)
- Open our ears. (Demonstrate opening ears)
- Clap 3 times. (Demonstrate time to return to be quiet)
OPENING ACTIVITY: “Break Free” Circle Game
Have the children stand in a circle holding hands. Choose one child to be “Peter” who stands in the middle of the circle.
Instructions: “Today we’re going to learn about how God rescued Peter from prison! Let’s play a game. Everyone except [child’s name] please stand in a circle and hold hands tightly. [Child’s name] will be Peter who is stuck in prison. When I say ‘Go!’ Peter will try to escape from the circle, and the rest of you will try to keep Peter inside by moving together. Ready? Go!”
After 20-30 seconds, say: “Now let’s let Peter out!” and have two children drop hands to create an opening.
After the Game ask all kids to demonstrate:
- “Show me how you look when you’re stuck!” (children freeze in place)
- “Now show me how you look when you’re free!” (children jump and dance)
SCRIPTURE READING AND ACTIVITIES
Teacher Instructions: Tell the story in simple language with lots of action and participation. When you say certain words, have children do actions:
- “Prison/Jail” – Children hold up their paper chains
- “Angel” – Children make wing motions
- “Pray/Prayer” – Children fold hands
- “Soldiers” – Children hold up paper swords
- “Free/Escape” – Children break their paper chains apart
Begin storytelling:
“In the Bible, there was a man named Peter who loved Jesus very much. Peter told everyone about Jesus. But some people didn’t like that. A mean king named Herod had soldiers (children hold up paper swords) take Peter and put him in prison (children hold up paper chains).
Peter was locked up with real chains on his hands and feet. There were soldiers (children hold up paper swords) guarding him day and night. But you know what? Peter’s friends were praying (children fold hands) for him. They prayed and prayed and didn’t stop!
One night, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers (children hold up paper swords) when suddenly, a bright light filled the prison (children hold up paper chains). It was an angel (children make wing motions) sent by God! The angel (children make wing motions) tapped Peter and said, ‘Quick, get up!’ And guess what happened? The chains (children hold up paper chains) fell off Peter’s hands!
The angel (children make wing motions) told Peter, ‘Put on your clothes and sandals. Follow me!’ Peter thought he was dreaming! They walked right past the soldiers (children hold up paper swords) and the big iron gate opened all by itself! Peter was free (children break paper chains)!
Peter went to his friends’ house where they were still praying (children fold hands). When they saw Peter, they were so surprised and happy! God had answered their prayers (children fold hands)! Peter was free (children break paper chains) because God sent an angel (children make wing motions) to rescue him from prison (children hold up paper chains)!”
Activity Time (10 minutes):
Breaking Free Game
- Have children sit in a circle, wearing their paper chains.
- Teacher says: “Just like Peter’s friends prayed without stopping, we’re going to pray too!”
- Go around the circle letting each child say a simple prayer: “Dear God, thank you for ___.”
- After each prayer, that child gets to break one link of their chain.
- Continue until all children have had a turn and broken their chains.
- Celebrate by saying: “God set Peter free, and He helps us too!”
The 5 Finger Prayer (10 minutes):
TRANSITION INTO THE TABLE FOR THE COLORING PRAYER HANDS ACTIVTY: Show children how to hold up one hand and explain how each finger reminds us of someone to pray for:
Have kids color each finger a different color as you talk about it.”
BIBLE CRAFT OR ACTIVITY: Prayer Hands 7:00-7:10 p.m.
ITEMS NEEDED
Prayer Hands Coloring Sheet
Crayons
Stickers (Optional)
Have each child color each finger of the hand a different color. Explain that when we pray, we should always pray for several things. Explain that just like singing, prayer is a form of worshipping God. Encourage kids to have their parents use these prayer hands with them during bed time prayer.
CLOSING GAME: Angel’s Keys Game 7:10-7:25 p.m. (OPTIONAL)
Only do this game if there is time for it and then snack.
- Have the children sit in a circle on the floor.
- Choose one child to be “Peter” who sits in the middle with paper chains loosely placed around their wrists. Choose another child to be the “Angel” who will hold the keys.
- The rest of the children close their eyes and sing a simple song together: “God sent an angel to rescue Peter, Rescue Peter, rescue Peter. God sent an angel to rescue Peter, and set him free!” (Sing to the tune of “London Bridge”)
- While the other children are singing with eyes closed, the “Angel” quietly walks around the outside of the circle.
- The “Angel” gently places the keys behind one of the seated children.
- When the song ends, all children open their eyes and look behind them.
- The child who finds the keys behind them jumps up, runs to “Peter,” and helps remove the paper chains while everyone cheers.
- For the next round, the child who found the keys becomes the new “Peter,” and the previous “Peter” becomes the “Angel.”
SNACK & Play Time TIME: 7:15-7:25 p.m.
Pass out snacks and allow kids time to eat snacks. Have coloring page on the table for kids. When kids finish, they can play with the toys. Have Kids Christian Music playing during this time.
DISMISSAL 7:25-7:30 p.m.
Prepare for dismissal.
Each parent should be handed a “Today I Learned” Handout and encouraged to discuss the lesson with their child.
