Saul Learns About Jesus

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.

Saul couldn’t see. He sat and waited in the city. He didn’t eat or drink. He just waited. 


Then God talked to a good man named Ananias.


“Ananias,” God said, “go see Saul. I have a new job for him.”


Ananias was afraid. “But Saul has been mean to people who love Jesus!”


God said, “I’m helping Saul become one of My helpers.”


So Ananias went to find Saul. He gently put his hands on Saul and said, “Brother Saul, Jesus sent me to help you.”


Right away, Saul could see again! He got up and was baptized. Then he ate some food and got stronger.


He stayed with Jesus’ friends and learned more.


Before long, Saul started telling people, “Jesus is God’s Son!” 


Some people were surprised. Some were angry. Saul had to hide, and his friends helped him escape by lowering him in a basket.


Then Saul went to a new city. But the people there were afraid too. They remembered what Saul used to be like. 


A kind man named Barnabas said, “Let me help you.” Barnabas told the others, “God has changed Saul.”


And Saul kept telling more and more people about Jesus.


God can change hearts! Saul used to be mean, but Jesus helped him become kind and brave. Ananias and Barnabas listened to God and helped Saul. We can listen to God, help others, and tell people about Jesus too.


Dear God,

Thank You for loving us and changing our hearts. Thank You for helping Ananias be brave and kind. Thank You for helping Saul learn about Jesus. Please help us be kind and help others, just like Ananias and Barnabas. We love You, God. 

In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.



Bible Verse: But God proves His love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. — Romans 5:8, BSB

Paraphrase: God shows His love for us.



Activities

These activities help preschoolers engage with the story through movement, crafts, music, and storytelling, making the lesson fun and memorable.


1. “Brother Saul” Greeting Game

Objective: Reinforce how Ananias greeted Saul with kindness.

Materials: None.

Activity:

Have the children stand in a circle. One child walks around and gently taps another, saying, “Brother [or Sister] ____,” using the child's name. The tapped child then joins the walk. Continue until everyone is included.

Say: “Ananias called Saul ‘Brother Saul’ to show kindness. We can be kind too!”


2. Basket Escape Role Play

Objective: Help children act out how friends helped Saul escape.

Materials: Laundry basket or sturdy box, rope (optional), blanket.

Activity:

Pretend a basket is being used to help “Saul” escape. One child sits in the basket while others gently pretend to lower it. (Do not actually lift.) Let children take turns being Saul and his helpers.

Say: “Saul’s friends helped keep him safe. We can help others, too!”


3. Helping Hands Art

Objective: Celebrate the helpers in the story and in the children's lives.

Materials: Paper, crayons, washable ink pads or paint (optional).

Activity:

Trace each child’s hand on a sheet of paper. Let them decorate it and write “I can help” or “Thank You, God, for helpers.” They can also add stickers or drawings of people who help them.
Say: “Ananias and Barnabas helped Saul. God helps us be helpers, too!”


4. Kind and Brave Song (Music Activity)

Objective: Help children sing about being kind and brave like Ananias and Barnabas.

Materials: Rhythm instruments (or clapping hands).

Activity:

Sing to the tune of “If You’re Happy and You Know It” or a simple melody:

        “I can help just like Ananias did!
        I can help just like Ananias did!
        I can show God’s love each day,
        Help my friends in every way,
        I can help just like Ananias did!”

Say: “We can be brave and kind, just like Ananias and Barnabas!”

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Story illustrations are the copyright of Sweet Publishing, Artist: Jim Padgett. Images are licensed to FreeBibleimages for free distribution under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International license (http://freebibleimages.org).
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