LESSON OVERVIEW FOR ADULTS
In Acts 3:1-4:22, Peter and John are on their way into the temple to pray when a man who has never been able to walk calls out to them for money at the gate. Rather than giving him a coin, Peter tells the man to look at him, then heals him in the name of Jesus Christ. The man springs to his feet, walking and leaping and praising God in front of a crowd that has watched him beg at that same spot for years. Peter uses the moment to preach about Jesus to the amazed onlookers, and many believe.
The religious leaders are not nearly as excited. Threatened by the growing number of people following Jesus, they have Peter and John arrested and brought before the council the next day. When ordered to stop teaching in Jesus name, the two apostles refuse, saying they cannot help but speak about what they have seen and heard. With the healed man standing right there as proof, the leaders have no real argument, so they let Peter and John go. The church keeps growing anyway, showing the kids that Jesus power is real and that being told to stay quiet about Him is not a good enough reason to stop talking about Him.
PLAY ROOM 8:45–9:00
Children will be dropped off in the playroom between 8:45–9:00 a.m. Allow them to play freely as they arrive. Transition them to the classroom at 9:00 a.m.
OPENING ACTIVITY 9:00–9:15 | Praise Shaker Bottles
Items Needed:
- Empty plastic water bottles (one per child)
- Dry rice or dried beans
- Small funnels or scoops
- Paint markers and tickers for decorating
Kids scoop rice or beans into their own water bottle using a small funnel, then a leader tightens the lid. Kids decorate the outside with paint markers or stickers, then shake their bottles. Tell them in our story today we will learn about a man who was healed who jumps and praises God. We can use our shakers when we praise God during our worship music.
BIBLE STORY 9:15–9:25
Question 1: Where is this found in the Bible? (Book) Acts
Question 2: Is this in the Old Testament or New Testament? New Testament
Today we are going to hear a story about a man who could not walk.
Can you wiggle your feet like this? [Wait for response] Great wiggling!
A long time ago, there was a man who had never walked. Daily, his friends carried him to a big gate by the temple, and he sat there and asked people for money.
[Hold out your hand like you are begging] Let’s all hold out our hand like this. Two men named Peter and John walked by. They loved to tell people about Jesus!
The man asked Peter and John for money. Peter said, “Look at me. I don’t have money, but I have something better!”
What do you think happened next? [Let kids respond]
Peter said, “In the name of Jesus, walk!” [Say it with me, “In the name of Jesus, walk!”]
And guess what? [Gasp loudly!] The man’s feet got strong right away! He jumped up! [Everyone jump up!] He started walking! [March in place!] He started jumping and praising God! [Jump and clap!]
All the people who saw him were amazed because they knew he had never walked before. Peter told everyone, “This happened because of Jesus!”
Some leaders got upset and put Peter and John in jail, but even in jail, Peter and John were not afraid. The next day, the leaders told them, “Stop talking about Jesus!” Peter and John said, “We cannot stop talking about what we have seen and heard!”
They kept telling people about Jesus, just like we can! Can you tell a friend about Jesus this week? [Let kids respond]
Theological Questions:
- Who made the man’s legs strong again? (Jesus, through Peter saying His name)
- Were Peter and John scared to talk about Jesus? (No)
Life Application Questions:
- Who is someone you could tell about Jesus this week?
- What can we do when we see someone who needs help?
Prayer: Dear Jesus, thank You for being so powerful that You can make anything new, just like You made that man’s legs strong. Help us be brave like Peter and John and tell our friends about You. Amen!
WORSHIP IN SONG 9:25–9:35
PRAYER 9:35–9:45 a.m.
Transition kids to the floor for prayer time. Pray for boldness to tell friends and family about Jesus, just like Peter and John did.
BIBLE STORY GAME 9:45–9:55 | Jumping Line Game
Items Needed
- Masking Tape
Make two sets of lines on the floor using masking tape. One set should be spaced out farther apart for kids to jump between. Another set should be closer together for kids to jump line to line on. Have kids race to jump through the line, praising God for their own ability to walk.
BIBLE CRAFT 9:55–10:10 | Walking Man Finger Puppet
Items Needed
- Finger Puppet
- Crayons
Have kids color the finger puppet. Then show them how to put their fingers through to give it legs. Have them “run” their puppet around.
SNACK TIME & BIBLE STORY VIDEO 10:10–10:25
Pass out snacks and allow kids time to eat while they watch the Bible story video.
BONUS ACTIVITY | Leader-Led Balance Walk
Set up a simple taped line or low balance beam. Leaders hold kids’ hands and help them “walk” across, cheering them on the way the crowd cheered for the healed man.
SCRIPTURE REFERENCE
PARENT TAKE HOME SHEET
Today’s Key Takeaway: Jesus is Powerful
What I learned today: Today we learned about a man who had never walked, and how Jesus made him well through Peter. We learned that Peter and John were brave and told everyone about Jesus, even when leaders told them to stop. We learned that we can be brave too and tell our friends about Jesus.
Questions to ask me:
Theological:
- Who made the man’s legs strong? (Jesus)
- What did Peter say instead of giving the man money? (In the name of Jesus, walk)
- Why weren’t Peter and John afraid to talk about Jesus? (Because they knew He was powerful and real)
- What did the leaders tell Peter and John to do? (Stop talking about Jesus)
- Did Peter and John obey the leaders? (No, they kept telling people about Jesus)
Life Application:
- 6. What did the man do after he was healed? (He walked, jumped, and praised God)
- 7. Who can you tell about Jesus this week? (Any name they mention)
- 8. What can we do when we see someone who needs help? (Help them, like Peter and John did)
- 9. How can we be brave like Peter and John? (By talking about Jesus even if it feels hard)
- 10.The people in the crowd were amazed and surprised when they saw the man walking? When was a time you saw something amazing or that surprised you? (Answers will vary)