LESSON OVERVIEW FOR ADULTS
In Acts 9:26-30, we find Saul (who would later be called Paul) arriving in Jerusalem after his dramatic conversion on the road to Damascus. The disciples there were terrified of him because they remembered how he had persecuted Christians and put them in prison. They did not believe he had truly changed. Barnabas stepped forward as a true friend, taking Saul to meet the apostles and telling them how Saul had seen Jesus and was now preaching boldly in His name. Because Barnabas vouched for Saul, the disciples accepted him into their fellowship.
In Acts 11:19-26, we see the continuation of this beautiful friendship. When the church in Jerusalem heard that many people in Antioch were becoming believers, they sent Barnabas to help. Barnabas saw the great work God was doing and went to find Saul to bring him to Antioch so they could minister together. For an entire year, Barnabas and Saul taught the new believers, and it was in Antioch that followers of Jesus were first called “Christians.” Barnabas demonstrated what it means to be a godly friend by believing in someone when others would not and by partnering together to serve God.
OPENING ACTIVITY 10:15-10:30 | Heart Transfer Science
Items Needed:
- Paper towels
- Washable markers
- Cups of water
Draw colorful dots on a paper towel with washable markers. Fold the paper towel and dip one corner into a cup of water. Watch as the water travels up and spreads the colors, creating a beautiful design. Explain that kindness spreads from one friend to another, the same way the colors spread across the paper towel.
BIBLE VERSE GAME 10:30-10:40 | Friendship Heart Hunt
MEMORY VERSE: Proverbs 17:17 (ESV) “A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.”
Items Needed:
- Memory Verse Hearts
- Marker
- Tape
- Basket
Description: Cut out the Memory Verse Hearts. Hide the hearts around the room at child-friendly levels. When you say “Go find the hearts!” children search for the hearts and bring them back to the basket. Once all hearts are found, work together to put the hearts in the correct order on the floor. Say the verse together while pointing to each heart.
SONG 10:40-10:50
BIBLE STORY 10:50-11:00 a.m.
Question 1: Where is this found in the Bible? Answer: The Book of Acts
Question 2: Is this in the Old Testament or New Testament? Answer: New Testament
Items Needed:
- A toy figure or small doll
- A basket big enough to hold the figure
- A piece of rope or string
Our story today is about a man named Saul. Can you say “Saul”?
[Wait for response: “Saul!”]
And it is about another man named Barnabas. That is a big name! Can you say “Barnabas”?
[Wait for response: “Barnabas!”]
Wonderful! Now let me tell you what happened.
[Use a serious face]
Saul used to be very, very mean to people who loved Jesus. He would put the people who loved Jesus and put them in jail. [Pretend to run in place] Can you pretend to run like Saul chasing people?
[Let kids run in place for a moment]
But THEN… [hold up one finger and speak with excitement] something AMAZING happened! One day, Jesus talked to Saul! Can you cup your hands around your ears like you are listening really hard?
[Demonstrate and wait for kids to copy]
Jesus said, “Saul, why are you being mean to my friends?” And guess what? Saul’s heart CHANGED! [Put hands on heart] Put your hands on your heart like this.
[Wait for children to put hands on hearts]
Saul was sorry for being mean. He started to LOVE Jesus! Can you give yourself a big hug to show love?
[Demonstrate and let kids hug themselves]
Now Saul wanted to tell everyone about Jesus! He went to a big city called Damascus. Can you say “Damascus”?
[Wait for response: “Damascus!”]
But uh-oh… [look worried] some people did not like that Saul was telling others about Jesus. They wanted to hurt him! Can you make a scared face?
[Make scared face with children]
Do you think Saul’s new friends helped him?
[Let kids respond]
YES! They did! Watch this! [Pick up the toy figure and basket]
Saul’s friends put him in a big basket like this one. [Place toy in basket] Then they used a rope… [attach string to basket] and they lowered him DOWN, DOWN, DOWN over the big wall of the city at nighttime! Can you whisper “shhhhh” like it is nighttime?
[Whisper with children: “Shhhhh”]
[Lower the basket slowly]
Saul escaped! Let us clap quietly for Saul’s friends who helped him!
[Soft clapping]
Then Saul walked a long way to another city called Jerusalem. Can you pretend to walk with me? [March in place]
[March for a few seconds]
When Saul got to Jerusalem, he wanted to meet the disciples, Jesus’ special friends. But the disciples were scared of Saul! They remembered when he was mean. Can you make a scared face again?
[Make scared faces]
The disciples said, [speak in a worried voice] “We do not trust Saul. What if he is trying to trick us?”
Should someone help Saul?
[Let kids respond]
YES! And that is where our friend Barnabas comes in! Can you say “Barnabas” again?
[Wait for response: “Barnabas!”]
Barnabas was SO kind. He believed that Saul had really changed. Barnabas went to the disciples and said, [speak in a confident voice] “Saul is different now! Jesus changed his heart! Saul loves Jesus!”
Barnabas was being a GOOD FRIEND! Can you give a thumbs up for Barnabas?
[Show thumbs up with children]
Because Barnabas helped, the disciples decided to trust Saul. They became friends! Let us all say “YAY!” and clap our hands!
[Clap and cheer with children]
Saul stayed with the disciples and told everyone about Jesus. He was so happy to have friends!
[Smile big]
But wait, there is MORE! A few years later, the church needed help in a city called Antioch. Can you say “Antioch”?
[Wait for response: “Antioch!”]
They sent Barnabas to help the new believers there. And guess what Barnabas did? He went to find his friend Saul! Barnabas said, “I need my friend to help me!”
When you need help, do you ask a friend?
[Let kids respond]
Barnabas and Saul worked together for a whole YEAR helping people learn about Jesus. They were such good friends! Can you hold hands with someone next to you to show friendship?
[Let children briefly hold hands]
And here is something special: It was in Antioch that people who loved Jesus were first called “Christians”! Can you say “Christians”?
[Wait for response: “Christians!”]
That means “people who follow Jesus.” We are Christians too! Point to yourself and say, “I follow Jesus!”
[Point to self and let kids copy]
Barnabas showed us how to be an amazing friend. He believed in Saul when no one else did. He helped Saul. He worked together with Saul. THAT is what good friends do!
[Stand up]
Let us all stand up and show how we can be good friends! If I say “Be kind!” you pat your heart. Ready?
BE KIND! [Pat heart]
If I say “Help others!” you reach out your hands. Ready?
HELP OTHERS! [Reach out hands]
If I say “Believe in your friends!” you give two thumbs up. Ready?
BELIEVE IN YOUR FRIENDS! [Two thumbs up]
Great job! You can sit back down.
Theological Questions:
Who helped Saul when the disciples were afraid of him? (Barnabas)
- Why did Barnabas help Saul? (Because Barnabas was kind and believed Saul had changed; because God wants us to be good friends)
Life Application Questions:
- How can you be a good friend like Barnabas this week? (Be kind, help others, share, play with someone who is alone)
- What should you do if someone needs a friend? (Be nice to them, play with them, help them)
Closing Prayer
Let us pray together. Repeat after me:
“Dear God,” [pause for children to repeat]
“Thank You for friends.” [pause]
“Help me be kind like Barnabas.” [pause]
“Help me love my friends at all times.” [pause]
“In Jesus’ name,” [pause]
“Amen!”
BIBLE CRAFT 11:00-11:15 a.m. | Friendship Bracelets
Items Needed
- Friendship Bracelet Template (Cardstock)
- Markers
- Tape
- Scissors
Have kids color their friendship bracelets. Then help them cut them out and tape them together (note it’s best to tape them together if they want to wear them).
BIBLE MOVIE AND SNACK
Provide children with a snack and play the Bible story movie.
SCRIPTURE REFERENCE (KJV)
Acts 9:26-30 (KJV) “And when Saul was come to Jerusalem, he assayed to join himself to the disciples: but they were all afraid of him, and believed not that he was a disciple. But Barnabas took him, and brought him to the apostles, and declared unto them how he had seen the Lord in the way, and that he had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus. And he was with them coming in and going out at Jerusalem. And he spake boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus, and disputed against the Grecians: but they went about to slay him. Which when the brethren knew, they brought him down to Caesarea, and sent him forth to Tarsus.”
Acts 11:19-26 (KJV) “Now they which were scattered abroad upon the persecution that arose about Stephen travelled as far as Phenice, and Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to none but unto the Jews only. And some of them were men of Cyprus and Cyrene, which, when they were come to Antioch, spake unto the Grecians, preaching the Lord Jesus. And the hand of the Lord was with them: and a great number believed, and turned unto the Lord. Then tidings of these things came unto the ears of the church which was in Jerusalem: and they sent forth Barnabas, that he should go as far as Antioch. Who, when he came, and had seen the grace of God, was glad, and exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord. For he was a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost and of faith: and much people was added unto the Lord. Then departed Barnabas to Tarsus, for to seek Saul: And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.”
Proverbs 17:17 (KJV) “A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.”
COLORING PAGE
PARENT TAKE HOME SHEET
Today’s Key Takeaway: Friends Help Friends
What I Learned Today: Today I learned about Barnabas and Saul. Barnabas was a good friend who helped Saul when other people were afraid of him. I learned that God wants me to be a kind friend who helps others, believes in them, and loves them at all times.
Questions to Ask Me:
Theological Questions:
- Who helped Saul when the disciples were scared? (Barnabas)
- What book of the Bible is this story in? (Acts)
- Is the Book of Acts in the Old Testament or New Testament? (New Testament)
- What were followers of Jesus first called in Antioch? (Christians)
- Why did Barnabas help Saul? (Because he was kind and believed Saul had changed / Because God wants us to be good friends)
Life Application Questions:
- How can you be a good friend like Barnabas? (Be kind, help others, share, play with someone who is alone)
- What should you do if you see someone who needs a friend? (Be nice to them, play with them, help them)
- Who is one of your friends? (Answers will vary)
- How does it feel when a friend helps you? (Good, happy, loved)
- Can you think of a way to help a friend this week? (Answers will vary, such as share toys, say kind words, play together)
Memory Verse to Practice: “A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.” — Proverbs 17:17 (ESV)