Ananias Helps Paul

Acts 9:10-31

Our true story comes from a part of the Bible called Acts. That name is short for “the Acts of the Apostles.” An apostle is someone who is sent to teach others about Jesus.

Our true story is about a man named Paul. Paul was not a friend of Jesus or any of Jesus’ friends.


But that all changed one day when Paul saw a really bright light and heard Jesus talk to him!


Jesus told Paul to go to the city of Damascus and wait for someone to tell him what to do.


So, Paul did exactly what Jesus said. There was just one problem. When Paul opened his eyes, he couldn’t see! 


So, the people who were with Paul had to help him get to the city. And all he could do was wait for someone to tell him what to do. So Paul waited. And waited. And waited . . . and waited!


While Paul was waiting, Jesus told a friend named Ananias to go help Paul. But Ananias was afraid!


Ananias was afraid because he knew Paul was not a friend of Jesus or any of Jesus’ friends.


But Jesus told Ananias it was safe to help Paul because Paul had changed. Jesus was going to use Paul to help a lot of people become friends with Jesus. So, Ananias did what Jesus said, and he went to help Paul.


When Ananias saw Paul, Ananias called Paul a friend and helped his eyes.


When Paul opened his eyes, he could see again!


Wow! Paul knew that Jesus wants to be his friend forever.


So right away, Paul went to tell others that Jesus wants to be their friend forever, too. Jesus sent Ananias to help Paul, then Paul helped people here, there, and EVERYWHERE know that Jesus is God’s Son and wants to be their friend forever.






Bible Verse: Jesus said, “Come follow me.”  Matthew 4:19, NCV

Text Truth: Jesus gives me people to help me.



Family Devotional

Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord—Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here—has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized, and after taking some food, he regained his strength.

Saul spent several days with the disciples in Damascus. At once he began to preach in the synagogues that Jesus is the Son of God.
 — Acts 9:17-20

In our Bible story, Ananias did what Jesus told him to do and he helped Paul. Then, after Ananias helped Paul, Paul followed Jesus and helped A LOT of people know that Jesus wanted to be their friend forever! If Paul were here, he would tell YOU that Jesus wants to be your friend forever, too. It’s true! Jesus wants to be your friend forever! And the Bible verse we’re learning will help us remember to follow Jesus like Ananias and Paul did.

Jesus said, “Come follow me.”  —Matthew 4:19, NCV

Jesus gives us people to help us, just like Jesus gave Ananias to Paul to help him. And Jesus gave Paul to A LOT of people to help them. So, with your family, take a piece of paper and make a list of some of the people who help you. Have each member of your family write down the name of one person who helps them. And be sure to write the family member’s name next to the person they say.

Pray with your family. Allow any family members to pray if they wish. In your own words, say, “Dear God, Thank You for giving us people to help us, like (Name the people your family listed.). And thank You for giving us Jesus to be our friend forever. We love You, God. In Jesus’ name, amen.”

Knowing Jesus changes us, because we start loving people like Jesus loves people. Make a list of things we do when we love people. It can be giving a hug, sharing your food, helping a sick person, or telling people about Jesus. Pray and ask God to help you do them.

-
Story illustrations are the copyright of Sweet Publishing and licensed by FreeBibleimages (http://freebibleimages.org) for free download under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Share-alike 3.0 unported licence.
-

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

The Early Christians Shared Everything

Abraham and His Family Moved to a New Land

Isaac Did Not Fight