LESSON OVERVIEW FOR ADULTS
In Mark 10:21, Luke 8:3, and Acts 2:44-45, we discover the beautiful picture of early Christian community and the heart of generosity that God desires from His people. Jesus taught a rich young man that following Him meant letting go of possessions and giving to those in need. We also see women like Mary Magdalene, Joanna, and Susanna who used their own resources to support Jesus and His disciples during His earthly ministry. These examples show us that sharing is a vital part of loving God and loving others.
In the book of Acts, we read about the very first church in Jerusalem. As people believed in Jesus and were baptized, they became part of a caring community. The believers shared everything they had with one another. Those who owned land or houses would sell them and bring the money to the apostles, who distributed it to anyone who had a need. Nobody was forced to share; they did it because they loved each other and wanted everyone to have what they needed. This teaches children that when we share with others, we are showing God’s love and being part of His family.
OPENING ACTIVITY 10:15-10:30 | Cups of Sharing
Items Needed:
- Small cups
- Water
- Food coloring
- Empty container
Fill one cup with colored water (representing “things we have”). Have children take turns pouring a little of their water into the empty container in the middle (representing “sharing with others”). Watch as the container fills up! Explain that when everyone shares a little, it becomes a LOT that can help many people. Let children see how the combined water is more than any one cup had alone.
BIBLE VERSE GAME 10:30-10:40 | Balloon Pop Memory Verse
Memory Verse: “As we have opportunity, let us do good to all people.” — Galatians 6:10 (ESV)
Game 1:
Items Needed:
- Balloons
- Memory Verse Segments
Description: Place the memory verse segment paper strips one in each balloon before inflating. Let children take turns popping balloons (by sitting on them or stomping). After all balloons are popped, work together to put the words in the correct order. Say the verse together!
SONG 10:40-10:50
BIBLE STORY 10:50-11:00 a.m.
Question 1: Where is this found in the Bible? Answer: Acts (and Mark and Luke)
Question 2: Is this in the Old Testament or New Testament? Answer: New Testament
Items Needed: A
- A bag of goldfish crackers (or small snacks)
- Empty cups
- One cup overflowing with crackers
Before the story, set up: one cup FULL of crackers and several empty cups where children can see them.
The Story:
Question 1: Where is this found in the Bible? Answer: Acts
Question 2: Is this in the Old Testament or New Testament? Answer: New Testament
Items Needed:
- A large blanket
- A basket with snacks (goldfish crackers or small cookies)
- Some plastic plates (have MORE snacks on some plates and NO snacks on other plates)
Before the story, set up the blanket like a picnic area. Place the plates around the blanket—some plates piled high with snacks, some completely empty.
In our story today, we’re going to learn about a FAMILY. But not just ANY family, a really, REALLY big family! Every time I say the word “FAMILY” I want you to wrap your arms around yourself in a big hug, like this!
[Demonstrate hugging yourself]
Let’s practice! FAMILY!
[Wait for kids to hug themselves]
Perfect! And every time I say “SHARE” or “SHARED,” I want you to hold out your hands like you’re giving something away!
[Demonstrate hands out, palms up]
Let’s try it! SHARE!
[Wait for kids to hold out hands]
WONDERFUL! One day, a man named Peter stood up and told LOTS and LOTS of people all about Jesus. Peter told them that Jesus loved them and that Jesus died on the cross for their sins.
And do you know what happened? The people’s hearts were SO happy! They said, “We believe in Jesus! We want to follow Him!”
Let’s all say together: “We believe in Jesus!”
[Wait for kids to repeat]
All these people who loved Jesus became like a great big FAMILY!
[Wait for kids to hug themselves]
They were a CHURCH family! Can you say “church family”?
[Wait for response]
This was the very FIRST church!
Now, this church family did lots of things together. Let’s act them out!
First, they LEARNED together. The helpers called apostles would teach them all about Jesus. Let’s pretend to read the Bible together!
[Pretend to hold open book]
Then, they ATE together! They had meals in each other’s houses—like a big picnic with your friends every single day!
[Pretend to eat]
Can you pretend to eat yummy food?
[Let kids pretend to eat]
MMMM! And they PRAYED together! Let’s fold our hands like we’re praying!
[Fold hands]
[Wait for kids to fold hands]
And they SANG together! They praised God with happy songs! Can you wiggle and praise like you’re singing a happy song?
[Wiggle joyfully]
[Let kids wiggle]
This church family did EVERYTHING together! Wasn’t that wonderful?
But wait—I need to tell you about something VERY important.
[Lower voice a little, like sharing a secret]
Lean in close!
[Motion for kids to lean in]
In this church family, some people had LOTS of things.
[Point to the plates with lots of snacks]
Look at these plates—SO much food! Yummy!
But OTHER people had…
[Point to empty plates]
…nothing. Their plates are empty.
[Make sad face]
[Let kids make sad faces]
Oh no! Some people had so much, and some people had nothing at all! What should they do? Should the people with lots of food eat it ALL by themselves?
[Wait for response]
NO! And guess what? The church family didn’t even have to be TOLD what to do! Nobody said, “You HAVE to share!”
Do you know what the people in the church family did ALL by themselves? They looked at their friends who had nothing, and they said, “I LOVE you! I want to SHARE with you!”
[Move some snacks from full plates to empty plates as you talk]
The people who had lots of food SHARED their food! Now look—everyone has some!
The people who had lots of clothes SHARED their clothes!
The people who had lots of money SHARED their money!
They shared EVERYTHING! Can you spread your arms wide like EVERYTHING?
[Let kids spread arms]
And do you know WHY they shared? Let’s whisper it together. Ready?
[Whisper]
Because they were a FAMILY!
[Wait for kids to hug themselves]
Good job! When you’re a family, you take CARE of each other. Nobody gets left out!
Let’s say that together in a loud voice: “Nobody gets left out!”
[Wait for kids to repeat]
Let’s pretend to be the first church family!
First, let’s learn together!
[Pretend to read Bible]
Now let’s eat together!
[Pretend to eat]
Now let’s pray together!
[Fold hands]
Now let’s sing and praise God together!
[Wiggle happily and raise hands]
And now—let’s SHARE!
[Hold out sharing hands]
The Bible tells us that this church family was SO happy!
They had JOY in their hearts! And every single day, MORE and MORE people wanted to join their family! Because when people saw how much they loved each other and how they shared everything, people said, “WOW! I want to be part of THAT family!”
Guess what, boys and girls? WE are a church family too! Look around. All of your friends here, your teachers. We are a FAMILY!
And just like the first church, we can SHARE with each other!
[Wait for kids to hold out hands]
We can share our toys. We can share our snacks.
When we share, we show love. And when we show love, we are being JUST LIKE the very first church family!
Theological Questions:
- Who was the very first church family? (The people who believed in Jesus after Peter preached to them)
- Did anyone MAKE the church family share, or did they WANT to share? (They WANTED to share because they loved each other!)
Life Application Questions:
- We are a church family too! What is something YOU can share with your church family? (Toys, snacks, smiles, hugs, crayons, kind words)
- How do you feel when someone shares with you? (Happy, loved, special, thankful)
Closing Prayer:
“Dear God, Thank You for our church family! Help us share like the first church did. Help us love others and never leave anyone out. We love You, God! In Jesus’ name, Amen!”
BIBLE CRAFT 11:00-11:15 a.m. | Jesus Loves You Cards
Items Needed:
- Pre-printed card template (half sheet folded)
- Crayons
- Stickers (hearts, smiley faces, crosses)
- Dot markers (optional)
Create a simple template ahead of time with the words “Jesus Loves You!” on the front in outline letters that children can color. Include a large heart outline for them to decorate. Children color the front, add stickers, and decorate as they wish. Children should be encouraged to give their cards to others and share their love of Jesus with others.
BIBLE MOVIE AND SNACK
Hand out snacks and play the Bible story video.
SCRIPTURE REFERENCE (ESV)
42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. 43 And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. 44 And all who believed were together and had all things in common. 45 And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. 46 And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.
COLORING PAGE PROMPT
PARENT TAKE HOME SHEET
Today’s Key Takeaway:
Share with Love
What I Learned Today:
Today we learned about the very first church in the Bible. After Peter told people about Jesus, everyone who believed became like a big family! They ate together, prayed together, learned together, and shared everything they had. Nobody was left out because they loved each other so much.
Questions to Ask Me:
Theological Questions:
- What is the name of the Bible book where we learn about the first church? (Acts)
- Is the book of Acts in the Old Testament or New Testament? (New Testament)
- Who told the people all about Jesus? (Peter)
- Did anyone force the first church to share? (No, they wanted to share because they loved each other)
- Why did the first church family share everything? (Because they loved each other and were a family)
Life Application Questions:
- What are some things the first church did together? (Learned, ate, prayed, sang, and shared)
- What happened when the people with lots of food shared? (Everyone had enough and nobody was left out)
- We are a church family too! What can you share with your church family? (Toys, snacks, smiles, crayons, kind words)
- How do you feel when someone shares with you? (Happy, loved, special, thankful)
- How can you make sure nobody feels left out? (Share with them, play with them, be their friend, sit with them)
Memory Verse: “As we have opportunity, let us do good to all people.” — Galatians 6:10 (ESV)