acts 9:1-9 - group digital

WEEK 10

Jesus Appears to Saul

Acts 9:1-9

POINT WE BELIEVE

IN JESUS.

Have kids line up along a wall and sit down, facing the wall. Explain that they should think about the story and not look at other kids.

Open your Bible to Acts 9:1-9.

SAY: Today you’ll hear what hap-pened to a man named Saul. Be-fore we dig into what the Bible tells us, I need to tell you about Saul. First, think of a bully at your school or from a TV show or movie—someone you really wouldn’t want to hang around with. Pause.

Got a picture of that person in your mind? Well, this guy Saul was even worse! The Bible tells us that he didn’t like anyone who believed in Jesus because he thought Jesus was a liar. Saul hurt people who followed Jesus. Saul put Christians in jail, took them away from their families, and made life hard for them. He was very lost!

ASK: What do you think about Saul?

SAY: Even though Saul was mean, God still loved him. Let’s find out what happened to Saul—we’ll hear it on the CD. To help you listen bet-ter, close your eyes.

Play “Saul’s Light” (track 13) on the CD. When the story has ended, have kids keep their eyes closed as they quietly think about these questions (pause for about 30 seconds after each question):

ASK: Think about a time someone showed you Jesus’ love when you didn’t deserve it.

How is Saul’s experience similar to or different from the way you first learned about Jesus?

Have kids open their eyes and share their answers.

SAY: God is forgiving—even to someone like Saul. We want to be close to the one who showed us God’s forgiveness—and that’s Jesus. That’s why WE BELIEVE IN

JESUS.

Hear It!Self

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Bible Buzz Card, Grades 1 & 2, Week 10 © Group Publishing, Inc.

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Acts 9:1-9

WEEK 10

POINT WE BELIEVE

IN JESUS.

Have children form pairs, and have partners stand across the room from each other. SAY: God blinded Saul. Let’s play a game so you can see what that might’ve been like.

Have partners on one side of the room turn, face the wall, and close their eyes tightly. Ask the sighted partners to quietly use their shoes or other objects to make obstacles in the middle of the floor. Explain that when you give the signal, children will have to use their voices to guide their partners (who must keep their eyes closed) across the room. Say “Go!” and begin the game. After the “blind” partners have made it across the room, have kids switch roles and play again. Then have kids discuss these questions with their partners:

ASK: How did you know which voice was your partner’s voice?

Why did you or didn’t you trust your partner’s instruc-tions?

Why do you trust God?

Ask a few children to share their responses, and then SAY: You and I have a choice whether or not to be-lieve in Jesus and follow him, just as Saul did. When WE BELIEVE

IN JESUS, we choose to follow Jesus. We can trust that Jesus will take care of us and lead us the right way.

Play It!Body

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Acts 9:1-9

WEEK 10

POINT WE BELIEVE

IN JESUS.

Take kids outside (or to a large room), and have them form a line.

SAY: Saul learned that WE

BELIEVE IN JESUS. Because we believe in Jesus, we want to follow him and to do what he asks us to do. This game will help you re-member Saul’s journey and that we want to follow Jesus.

Choose one person to be the Leader. Have the Leader lead kids around in a variety of ways, such as walking, tip-toeing, crawling, walking backward, hopping, or marching.

When everyone has had a turn to be the Leader, gather kids.

ASK: What was most fun about following the Leader?

When you follow Jesus, what things do you do?

How does believing in Jesus connect to following him?

SAY: WE BELIEVE IN JESUS, so we want to follow him as a way to thank him for loving us and taking away our sins. After Saul believed in Jesus, he followed him and helped many others believe in Jesus, too.

Explore It!Body

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Acts 9:1-9

WEEK 10

POINT WE BELIEVE

IN JESUS.

SAY: Saul probably didn’t feel like singing when God blinded him on the road to Damascus.

ASK: What do you feel like doing when you get sick?

SAY: Saul had a lot to learn about God’s forgiveness. And because God is forgiving, WE BELIEVE

IN JESUS. We choose to follow Jesus. Now follow my lead in this song.

Lead kids in singing this song to the tune of “She’ll Be Coming Round the Mountain” (not on the CD). Find new ways to make noise while you sing—stomping, clapping, snapping, or pat-ting the hands of someone nearby.

SING:We all want to follow Jesus every

day.We all want to follow Jesus every

day.We all want to follow Jesus.Yes, we want to follow Jesus.We all want to follow Jesus every

day!

Have kids call out places they can remember to follow Jesus, such as at school, at home, or with friends. Substitute kids’ suggestions for “every day,” and sing the song again.

ASK: How will you follow Jesus at each of the places we named?

How does following Jesus show that you believe in him?

SAY: When WE BELIEVE IN

JESUS, we show it by following his example everywhere we go.

Sing It!Music

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49


Acts 9:1-9

WEEK 10

POINT WE BELIEVE

IN JESUS.

Form pairs, and have partners sit back to back. Give each child a small piece of the Rainbow Clay.

Have the partner wearing the most blue go first and silently sculpt some-thing, keeping it hidden from his or her partner. Play “This Is the Day” (Psalm 118:24) (track 9) on the CD while children sculpt. After a minute, SAY: Now don’t tell your partner what you made, but tell your partner how to make it. Partners, follow the instructions, but don’t peek over your shoulder until I say so. Then you can compare your sculptures.

After a few minutes, have partners compare their sculptures. Then switch roles. When partners have compared their sculptures again, col-lect the clay.

ASK: Why did you believe that your partner’s directions would help you make the sculpture?

What do you believe Jesus can help you do?

You couldn’t see the original sculpture, and you can’t see Jesus. How did you know the original sculpture existed—and how do you know Jesus is real?

SAY: WE BELIEVE IN JESUS. Sometimes that can be hard, because we can’t see him like Saul got to. But it’s worth it because the more you believe in Jesus, the more you get to know how much he loves you.

Sculpt It!Picture

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acts 9:1-9 - group digital

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