Here are some ideas that you could do with your children at home, that link the children’s everyday experiences to the Bible. As you play or create, you can talk about what happened to Saul and how Jesus made him a new man.

TEACHING POINT

Jesus can change our hearts.

PROGRAMME

Let’s Pretend

Light and dark- tent with torches in and other light sources. Could use shiny card, paper, shiny material that reflects light, silver foil etc. Have you got a telescope or binoculars? Go on a walk- What can you see through them?

Book corner

Couple of beanbags in the corner – cosy up and read a story together, maybe you have one about sickness or healing, how people or tings change, otherwise you could look share a story about Jesus.

Construction

Saul was travelling along a road, have you got a road mat? Or you could make your own using masking tape on the floor and draw black lines through the middle of the tape to create two lanes. Lots of things travel along a road… cars, buses, trucks, bikes. Discuss with your children how in Biblical times they travelled by foot, camels, boats.

Messy Prayer

Jesus forgives us and washes us clean of our sin - we can be changed like Saul.

Shadow Drawing

On a sunny day, find some objects to draw around. Put them on a piece of paper and find their shadow. Draw around the shadows and create your own collage.

Game - Blindfold

blindfold one person and give them instructions on how to move from one room to another in the house/ through the garden/ over an obstacle house - make it harder by adding in extra obstacles.

Game - Lightshow

Use toilet rolls and clingfilm to create your own light show. Draw on the clingfilm, before putting it upside down on the toilet roll. Then shine a torch through the toilet roll to project your picture onto the wall. Or write small notes to those in your house to encourage them 😊

Craft

Make blindglassess…

Or you could make a collage picture of the bright light using cut up strips of paper or paint…

STORY TIME

Find your Bible at home and read the story of ‘A changed man’ where Saul has his first encounter with Jesus.

You could read this story from the Beginners Bible page 488-493 (or in your Bible Acts 9:1-19) sharing the book with your child or even act it out.

A Changed Man

Saul did not like Jesus’ followers. He was on his way to put some of them in jail.

Suddenly, a bright light flashed around him. Saul fell to the ground. A loud voice asked, “Saul, why are you against me?” Saul was afraid. He cried out, “Who are you?” The voice replied, “I am Jesus, the one you are against”.

“Go to Damascus and you will be told what to do.” When Saul got up, he could not see.

Some men who were travelling with Saul led him to the city. Jesus had also appeared to a man named Ananias to Saul.

Ananias laid his hands on Saul and said, “Jesus sent me to you. You may see again. Be filled with the Holy Spirit”. Immediately Saul could see! Then Ananias baptised him.

After this, God changed Saul’s name to Paul. He was a new man! Instead of hating Jesus’ followers, he loved them. And he became a follower too.

MESSAGE AND PRAYER TIME

Up to 3 years old (Fruitshoots)

Thank you Jesus that you love us so much! Thank you that no matter what we do or say, you will always love us. Help us to say kind things this week and help other people to show them that Jesus loves them.

From 3 years to Reception age (Acorns)

Thank you Jesus that you love us so much! Thank you that no matter what we do or say, you will always love us. Help us to say kind things this week and help other people to show them that Jesus loves them. Holy Spirit, we ask that when we say something that makes someone else sad, that you will help us to say sorry. We love you and you are so special to us.

School years 1-6 (Hive)

A question: Jesus forgives us and washes us clean of our sin - we can be changed like Saul. Have you had an experience of Jesus and the Holy Spirit? Have you felt the Holy Spirit? If not ask the Holy Spirit to talk to you. He is an encourager, so what does he want to say to you that encourages you?

Pray together… Jesus thank you that you are kind, you are encouraging and that you are love! Thank you that no matter what we do or say, no matter how we are feeling, you will always love us. We pray that you encourage us this week, speak to us and help us hear you. If there is a time where we say or do something to upset someone else, we pray that you help us to say sorry. In Jesus, powerful name we pray, Amen!