Saul Meets Jesus on the Road to Damascus: Sunday School Lesson for Ages 6-10
Ages 6-10 · 45 minutes · free lesson plan · Acts 9:1-19
Elementary children hear how Jesus met Saul on the road to Damascus, how Ananias obeyed, and how Jesus changed Saul's life. They play a listening game, make an open-eyes card, and learn Acts 9:6.
Memory verse
And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do. (Acts 9:6, KJV)
Lesson objectives
- Retell in order how Jesus met Saul on the road, how Saul lost his sight, and how Ananias helped him.
- Explain that Jesus is alive and can change a person's heart.
- Practice listening to Jesus and obeying him, as Saul and Ananias did.
The full lesson plan
Welcome: Light and Listen (4 min)
Setup: Dim the lights if you can. Hold the flashlight.
Say: Good morning! Today's story has a bright light and a big surprise.
Turn the flashlight on and off. Ask: "Have you ever had a big surprise that changed your day?" Let 2 or 3 children answer.
Say: Someone in our story had the biggest surprise of his life. His name was Saul.
Say: Our Bible says Saul was angry at people who followed Jesus. Then Jesus spoke to him.
Say: Now let's listen to what happened on the road.
Bible Story: Saul on the Road (8 min)
Read or tell Acts 9:1-19 in order. Use these actions with the children:
1. Saul wanted to arrest followers of Jesus in Damascus (vv. 1-2). Children cross their arms and frown.
2. A light from heaven shone around him and he fell to the earth (v. 3-4). Flash the light. Children crouch down.
3. Jesus said, "Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?" Saul asked, "Who art thou, Lord?" The answer: "I am Jesus" (vv. 4-5). Children cup hands to ears.
4. Saul got up, but could see nothing. His men led him by the hand into Damascus. For three days he could not see, and he did not eat or drink (vv. 8-9). Children cover eyes.
5. The Lord told Ananias to go to Saul. Ananias was afraid, but the Lord said Saul was chosen for him. Ananias went (vv. 10-17). Children walk fingers.
6. Ananias called him "Brother Saul" and put his hands on him. Something like scales fell from Saul's eyes and he could see (vv. 17-18). Children uncover eyes.
7. Saul was baptized, ate, and was strengthened (vv. 18-19). Children cheer quietly.
Say: Now let's talk about what this story shows us.
Teaching: Jesus Changes Hearts (6 min)
Say: Saul was set against Jesus's followers, but Jesus did not give up on him.
Say: Jesus said, "Why persecutest thou me?" Jesus cares so much about his people that he feels it when they are hurt.
Say: Jesus is alive, and he spoke to Saul. He still changes hearts today.
Say: Ananias was afraid, but he obeyed the Lord. Then he welcomed Saul with "Brother Saul." Obeying can be brave.
Ask: "Who changed in this story? Who obeyed?" (Saul changed; Ananias obeyed.)
Background: Saul is later also called Paul (Acts 13:9). He became a great teacher of Jesus.
Say: Now let's play a game about listening.
Game: Follow the Voice (7 min)
Setup: Push chairs aside. Use masking tape to make a wide, clear path about 4 meters long. Keep the room free of hazards.
Steps (about 7 minutes):
1. Make pairs. One child is the Walker and the other is the Guide. Offer a choice: Walkers can close their eyes or just look at the floor.
2. Guides stand beside the path and give spoken directions only, such as "slow steps forward" or "stop." No touching.
3. Walkers walk slowly along the tape to the end. A leader stays near the path.
4. Switch roles. Any child may choose to just be a Guide.
5. Gather and ask: "Was it easy or hard to trust a voice?" (Hard, but good when it's a helper.)
Say: Saul listened to Jesus's voice and then followed directions. Walking slowly is the rule. Now let's talk about the story.
Talk Time (6 min)
Ask these questions. Sample answers are in parentheses.
1. What was Saul doing before he met Jesus? (He was trying to arrest followers of Jesus.)
2. What did Jesus say to Saul on the road? ("Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?")
3. Why do you think Ananias was afraid to go? (He had heard bad things about Saul.)
4. What did Ananias do anyway? (He obeyed and called him "Brother.")
5. How can we obey Jesus when we feel scared? (Pray, ask for help, and remember Jesus is with us.)
Say: Jesus can help us, too. Now let's make something to remember the story.
Craft: Open-Eyes Card (8 min)
Safety: Scissors and glue are used. Supervise closely and check for allergies to materials.
Setup: Fold a sheet of cardstock in half for each child. Cut verse strips if you are using them.
Steps (about 8 minutes):
1. On the front of the card, draw a face with closed eyes. Write "Saul" above it.
2. Cut two small flaps over the eyes so they open like windows, or draw a second face inside with open eyes.
3. Inside the card, glue the verse strip or write "Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?" (Acts 9:6).
4. Decorate the front with a sun or light.
5. Practice the verse by saying it in two parts with a partner.
Say: Take this card home and tell your family how Jesus changed Saul.
Closing and Prayer (6 min)
Say: Jesus met Saul, and he can meet us. Let's say our verse together, Acts 9:6, in two parts.
Prayer points (say a line, children repeat):
- Thank you, Jesus, that you are alive.
- Thank you for changing hearts.
- Help us to listen to you.
- Help us to obey, even when we are afraid.
- Help us to be kind and say "brother" and "sister" to others.
Say: Amen! Take your card home and show someone.
Materials
- Bible (KJV)
- Flashlight
- Masking tape (for a path on the floor)
- Cardstock or heavy paper, one sheet per child
- Crayons or markers
- Child-safe scissors
- Glue sticks
- Memory verse printed on strips of paper
Teacher notes
- Safety: Scissors and glue are used in the craft. Supervise closely and check for allergies to materials. In the game, walk slowly and do not touch.
- Adaptation: For children with visual or mobility needs, let them be Guides or sit with a buddy. Show pictures or point to the verse strip while saying it.
- Keep to the text: the Bible does not say Saul rode a horse. Avoid adding details like that.
- Teach the verse in short chunks with hand motions. Younger children can say the first part, and older ones the rest.
Send it home with parents
Today we studied Acts 9:1-19. Saul was against Jesus's followers, but Jesus met him on the road, and Saul lost his sight for a time. Jesus sent Ananias to him. Ananias obeyed, and Saul received his sight and was baptized. Jesus is alive and can change any heart.
- Why do you think Jesus talked to Saul?
- When is it hard to obey? What can we do when we feel scared?
Read Acts 9:1-19 together. Take turns acting out the story with simple motions. Then say Acts 9:6 together.
Each day this week, pray 'Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?' and do one kind thing.
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