Saul’s Friends Help Him Escape • Lesson 9 Bible …storage.cloversites.com/thechurchatrutledge/documents...Hands-On Bible Curriculum—Pre-K & K, Ages 5 & 6 127 Bible Point Saul’s

127Hands-On Bible Curriculum—Pre-K & K, Ages 5 & 6

Bible Point

Saul’s Friends Help Him Escape • Lesson 9

God calls us to help others.

Bible Verse“I am the resurrection and the life” (John 11:25a).

Growing Closer to JesusChildren will n discover how Saul’s friends helped him, n understand that they can help others, n encourage Pockets to help her friends, and n thank those who are helpful at church.

Teacher EnrichmentBible Basisn Saul’s friends help him escape.

It was probably no surprise that the Jews were out to get Saul. The Jewish leaders in Jerusalem had given him orders to go to Damascus and bring the Christians back to Jerusalem as prisoners (Acts 9:1-2), and now he was preaching in the synagogues—their own religious meeting places—that Jesus was indeed the Son of God. Saul’s turning to follow Jesus didn’t do much for their cause of stomping out all followers of Jesus. In fact, he was surprising a lot of people (Acts 9:21), and probably convincing many of the truth of his message. And his preaching didn’t make any

difference to the Jewish leaders who heard it: their minds were made up—they didn’t want to be confused with the facts!The wall over which Saul escaped was likely several stories high. Those helping Saul had to be sneaking around at

night to avoid detection and could easily have aroused suspicion. And darkness complicates everything: being lowered from such a height always holds the danger of falling to one’s death. But God was with Saul and those helping him. And their “helping hand” kept Saul alive for the years of ministry that God had planned for him!

Prayer• Read 1 Thessalonians 5:11.• What “walls” have other Christians helped you over?• Pray: Lord, thank you for all the help you’ve been to me. Help me be a helping hand to my students by…

Acts 9:23-25

Lesson 9

128 Hands-On Bible Curriculum—Pre-K & K, Ages 5 & 6

This Lesson at a GlanceWhat Children Will Do Classroom Supplies Learning Lab Supplies

Welcome Time

Welcome!—Receive name tags, and be greeted by the teacher.

“Butterfly Name Tags” (p. 26), markers, tape or safety pins

Let’s Get Started

Direct children to one or more of the optional activities until

everyone arrives.

Option 1: Helping Hands Banner—Decorate a banner for helpers at church.

Newsprint, tape, tempera paint, pie tin

Option 2: Blocks and Baskets—Build city walls, and lower baskets over them.

Blocks, plastic strawberry baskets, string or yarn

Option 3: Buddy Bracelets—String cereal on yarn to make friendship bracelets.

Yarn or ribbon, cereal

Pick Up Our Toys—Sing a song as they pick up toys, and gather for Bible Story Time.

CD player

Bible Story Time

Setting the Stage—Push each other across the room in a basket.

2 laundry baskets or sturdy boxes

Bible Song and Prayer Time—Sing a song, bring out the Bible, and pray together.

Bible, construction paper, scissors, CD player, basket or box

Hear and Tell the Bible Story—Sneak to the story area in a darkened room, and then hear of Saul’s escape in Acts 9:23-25.

CD player, block wall from Option 2, buddy bracelets from Option 3

Do the Bible Story—Sing about helping and encouraging others.

CD player

Closing Help or Hide—Explain to Pockets how important it is to help others.

Hat or scarf

Help Me to Help Others—Learn a creative sign language prayer.

Before the Lessonn Collect the necessary items for the activities you plan to use. Refer to the Classroom Supplies and Learning Lab Supplies

columns to determine what you’ll need.n Make photocopies of the “Today I Learned…” handout at the end of this lesson to send home with your children.n Pray for the children in your class and for God’s direction in teaching the lesson.

*See the end of this lesson for extra-time ideas and supplies.

Saul’s Friends Help Him Escape


It’s important to say the Bible Point just as it’s written in each activity. Repeating the Bible Point over and over throughout the lesson will help kids remember it and apply it to their lives.

Welcome Timen Welcome!SUPPLIES: “Butterfly Name Tags” handout (p. 26), markers, tape or safety pins• Bend down and make eye contact with children as they arrive.• Greet each child individually with an enthusiastic smile.• Thank each child for coming to class today.• As children arrive, ask them about last week’s “Today I Learned…” activities. Ask

questions such as “How did you obey God this week?” and “What happened when you obeyed God?”

• Say: Today we’re going to learn that God calls us to help others.• Hand out the butterfly name tags children made in the first lesson, and help them

attach the name tags to their clothing. If some of the name tags were damaged or if some of the children weren’t in class that week, have them make new name tags using the photocopiable patterns.

• Direct children to the Let’s Get Started activities you’ve set up.

Let’s Get StartedSet up one or more of the following activities for children to do as they arrive. After

you greet each child, invite him or her to choose an activity.Circulate among the children to offer help as needed and direct children’s

conversation toward today’s lesson. Ask questions such as “When do you need a helper?” or “Tell me about a time when you helped a friend.”

n Option 1: Helping Hands BannerSUPPLIES: newsprint, tape, tempera paint, pie tin

Tape together several sheets of newsprint to make a long banner. Write “Thank you for your helping hands” across the middle. Let children dip their hands in a pie tin of tempera paint and make handprints on the banner.

Have children tell you who helps them learn about Jesus. Write their responses on the banner. Post the banner where others in the church can see it and be encouraged. Explain that today’s story is about how Saul’s friends helped him.

n Option 2: Blocks and BasketsSUPPLIES: blocks, plastic strawberry baskets, string or yarn

Before class, attach 5-foot lengths of yarn to one or two plastic strawberry baskets. Have the children make a city wall out of blocks, and then let them lower the strawberry baskets over the edge of the wall. Explain that today’s story is about an exciting escape when Saul’s friends lowered him over a wall.

Leave the block wall standing until the “Hear and Tell the Bible Story” activity.

If your room doesn’t have a sink for easy paint cleanup, have children trace around their hands and color in the outlines with markers.

If you don’t have strawberry baskets, use any small basket or cut one-half gallon milk containers in half, and use the bottom portion as a basket.

Lesson 9


n Option 3: Buddy BraceletsSUPPLIES: yarn or ribbon, cereal

Set out bowls of dry fruit-ring cereal (such as Froot Loops) and 6-inch lengths of yarn or ribbon. Have children work in pairs, stringing cereal on yarn to make edible friendship bracelets. Explain that today’s story is about Saul’s friends and how they helped him escape danger. Tell kids that today they’ll learn that God calls us to help others, just as Saul’s friends helped him.

Make enough bracelets for each child to have one. Tie the ends of the yarn together, and set the bracelets aside until the “Hear and Tell the Bible Story” activity.

When everyone has arrived and you’re ready to move on to the Bible Story Time, encourage the children to finish what they’re doing and get ready to clean up.

n Pick Up Our ToysSUPPLIES: CD player

Lead children in singing “Pick Up Our Toys” (track 2) with the CD to the tune of “Skip to My Lou.” Encourage the children to sing along as they help clean up the room.

If you want to include the names of all the children in your class, sing the song without the CD and repeat the naming section. If you choose to use the CD, vary the names you use each week.

We will pick up our toys.We will pick up our toys.We will pick up our toysAnd put them all away.

There’s [name] picking up toys.There’s [name] picking up toys.There’s [name] picking up toys,Putting them all away.

(Repeat.)

Bible Story Timen Setting the StageSUPPLIES: 2 laundry baskets or sturdy boxes

Tell the children you’ll clap your hands to get their attention. Explain that when you clap, the children are to stop what they’re doing, raise their hands, and focus on you. Encourage children to respond quickly so you’ll have time for all the fun activities you’ve planned.

Form two groups and have both groups line up at the same end of the room. Give each group a sturdy packing box or laundry basket.

track 2

See page 5.



Say: Choose someone from your group to sit in the basket. Pause while children follow your instructions. When I say “Go,” your group will gently push the basket across the room, help your group member out of the basket, and then work together to carry the empty basket back to your line. Then someone else will have a turn in the basket. We’ll continue until every person in your group has had a turn. Remember, this isn’t a race! We just want to help each other. Ready? Go!

When the game ends, form a circle and affirm children for their cooperative and helpful efforts.

Ask: • What was it like to be in the basket? (Fun; kind of scary; neat.)• What was it like to help push the basket? (Hard work; fun.)Say: When we help others, everyone wins! Today we’ll hear a story about

Saul’s friends and how they helped him. Saul’s friends are a good example of why God calls us to help others. Let’s push these baskets out of sight and get ready to hear our story!

n Bible Song and Prayer TimeSUPPLIES: Bible, construction paper, scissors, basket or box, CD player

Before class, make surprise cards for this activity by cutting construction paper into 2x6-inch slips. Prepare a surprise card for each child plus a few extras for visitors. Fold the cards in half, and then stamp the footprint stamp inside one of the surprise cards. Bookmark Acts 9:23-25 in the Bible you’ll be using.

Have children sit in a circle. Say: Now it’s time to choose a Bible person to bring me the Bible marked with today’s

Bible story. As we sing our Bible song, I’ll pass out the surprise cards. Don’t look inside your surprise card until the song is over.

Lead the children in singing “Read God’s Book” (track 3) with the CD to the tune of “The Muffin Man.” As you sing, pass out the folded surprise cards.

Now it’s time to read God’s book,Read God’s book, read God’s book.Now it’s time to read God’s book.Let’s hear a Bible story.

Now it’s time to read God’s book,Read God’s book, read God’s book.Now it’s time to read God’s book.Let’s hear a Bible story.

(Repeat.)

After the song, say: You may look inside your surprise cards. The person who has the footprints stamped inside his or her card will be our Bible person for today.

Identify the Bible person, and then have the rest of the children clap for him or her. Ask the Bible person to bring you the Bible. Help the Bible person open the Bible to the marked place and show children where your story comes from. Then have the Bible person sit down.

If your room is large, have children push the basket to a chair you’ve placed in the middle of the room.

track 3

Lesson 9


Say: [Name] was our special Bible person today. Each week, we’ll have only one special Bible person, but each one of you is a special part of our class! Today we’re all learning that God calls us to help others.

Let’s say a special prayer now and ask God to teach us about his call to help others. I’ll pass around this basket. When the basket comes to you, put your surprise card in it and say, “God, teach me to help others.”

Pass around the basket or box. When you’ve collected everyone’s surprise card, set the basket aside and pick up the Bible. Lead children in this prayer: God, thank you for the Bible and all the stories in it. Teach us today to help others. In Jesus’ name, amen.

n Hear and Tell the Bible StorySUPPLIES: CD player, block wall from Option 2, buddy bracelets from Option 3

Set the Bible Big Book: Saul’s Surprise near the block wall children made in Option 2. If you didn’t choose Option 2, just place the Bible Big Book in a corner away from the children. Darken the room a bit, but allow enough light for children to see where they’re going.

Whisper: Shh. We have to be very quiet now. Our story today is about a time when Saul was in trouble. Lots of bad people were trying to find him, so let’s sneak to our story area to hear what happened. Have the children follow you, tiptoeing to the block wall. Have them sit in a circle, and then whisper: Our Bible story comes from the book of

Acts in the Bible. Our Bible Big Book shows us pictures of our Bible story. Let’s see what you can remember about Saul. I’ll hand the rainbow glasses to anyone who can tell us what’s been happening to Saul. Ask the following questions, and let children wear the rainbow glasses when they respond.

• What did Saul think about people who followed Jesus? (He didn’t like them; he was mean to them; he thought they were lying.)

• What happened to Saul on the way to Damascus? (Jesus talked to him; he became blind.)

• Who helped Saul see again? (Ananias.)Collect the rainbow glasses and say: You’ve been listening very carefully to the

adventures of Saul! Today we’re going to learn how Saul’s friends helped him. I’ll give each of you a buddy bracelet to wear during the story. As we listen to the story, each time you hear the word friend, eat one of the treats from your bracelet. Distribute the bracelets. If you didn’t make bracelets, give each child a handful of colorful fruit-ring cereal.

Open the Bible Big Book to pages 6 and 7, and then play “Exciting Escape” (track 16) on the CD.

Turn on the lights and ask:• Why was Saul in danger? (Because he became a follower of Jesus; because bad

men wanted to kill him.)• How did Saul’s friends help him? (They helped him escape; they lowered the

basket; they thought of a way to get him out.)

track 16

See page 5.



Say: When Saul was in trouble, his friends were good helpers. They were willing to risk their lives to help Saul escape. Do you remember what we learned about Jesus? Jesus was willing to die, too, for our sins, so that we could escape God’s punishment for our sins. But after Jesus died, he rose again! Today’s Bible verse, which comes from John 11:25a, tells us exactly what Jesus said about that: “I am the resurrection

and the life.” That means Jesus is alive! He is our forever friend who is always there to help us. And God calls us to help others, too. Let’s learn a song to remind us that helping others is important.

n Do the Bible StorySUPPLIES: CD player

Say: God calls us to help others. As we sing this song, think of all the people you can help.

Sing “Let’s Give” (track 17) with the CD to the tune of “The Farmer in the Dell.”

Let’s give a helping hand (wiggle hands)To anyone we can. (Point around the room.)Here’s my right hand (raise right hand),Here’s my left (raise left hand);Let’s give a helping hand. (Wiggle hands.)

Let’s give a kind word, too (move hands like a puppet mouth),When our friends feel blue. (Make a sad face.)A kind word always shows we care (hug self );Let’s give a kind word, too. (Move hands like a puppet mouth.)

Let’s give with hearts of love (make a heart shape on chest with pointer fingers),Good news from God above. (Point to heaven.)Jesus came to save us all (put arms around each other);Let’s give with hearts of love. (Make a heart shape on chest with pointer fingers.)

(Repeat.)

Say: You are super singers! Turn to a friend and tell him or her one person you’d like to help this week. Pause while children are sharing. We’ve been learning a lot about helping others, so why don’t we help Pockets by teaching her, too! Pockets! Pockets!

track 17

Lesson 9


Closingn Help or HideSUPPLIES: hat or scarf

Before this activity, put the rainbow glasses on Pockets along with some other disguise, such as a hat, a scarf, or a fake mustache.

Bring out Pockets the Kangaroo, and go through the following puppet script. When you finish the script, put Pockets away and out of sight.

(Pockets comes out with her disguise on.)

Teacher: Excuse me, stranger. Have you seen Pockets the Kangaroo?

Pockets: Shh! Someone might hear you!

Teacher: Wh-what? Pockets, is that you under there? What are you doing?

Pockets: I’m trying to hide with this disguise, but you’re ruining everything!

Teacher: (Whispering) What are you hiding from?

Pockets: I’m hiding from my friends. We made a mess when we were playing in Sarah’s room, and now we’re all supposed to help clean up. But I don’t want to help.

Teacher: Pockets, did you know that God calls us to help others?

Pockets: Oh (pause), I didn’t know that.

Teacher: (Taking off Pockets’ disguise) It’s true. In fact that’s what we learned about today. Children can you tell Pockets what Saul’s friends did for him?

(Allow children to share how Saul’s friends helped him escape from Damascus.)

Pockets: Wow! They even risked their lives to help Saul.

Teacher: That’s right; they did. They wanted their friend to escape so he could continue telling more and more people about Jesus.

Pockets: If they went through all that to help their friend Saul, I guess I can help Sarah clean up her toys. I’d better go help her right now! See you all next week.

Permission to photocopy this script from Group’s Hands-On Bible Curriculum®, Pre-K & K, granted for local church use. Copyright © Group Publishing, Inc., 1515 Casade Ave., Loveland, CO 80538. HandsOnBible.com



n Help Me to Help OthersSUPPLIES: none

Stand in a circle and say: It’s not always easy to help others. That’s why we need to ask God to teach us how to help the people around us. Let’s take a minute to pray, asking God to show us how to help others. I’ll show you how to say a word in sign language. Then we’ll do the sign together, and I’ll pray out loud. As we’re praying, be thinking of people you can help this week.

This is the sign for family. Put the tips of your index finger and thumb together on both hands. Then move your hands out and around so your pinkies touch. Lead children in doing the sign again and pray: Dear God, show us how to help our families.

This is the sign for friends. Hook your right index finger over your left one, release them, and then hook your left index finger over your right one. Lead children in doing the sign again and pray: Dear God, show us how to help our friends.

This is the sign for teacher. Put the tips of all your fingers together, and hold both hands just above your shoulders. Move your hands out, and then open your hands. Then straighten both hands and hold them parallel at your rib cage. Move them down to your waist. Lead children in doing the sign again and pray: Dear God, show us how to help our teachers. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.

This week, practice the signs you’ve learned to remind you that God calls us to help others.

Conclude by encouraging children to hug the person standing next to him or her.

Sign for family

Sign for friends

Sign for teacher

Growing closer to Jesus extends beyond the classroom.Photocopy the “Today I Learned…’’ handout (at the end of this lesson) for this week, and send it home with your children. Encourage parents to use the handout to plan meaningful family activities to reinforce this week’s topic.

Lesson 9


n Lively Learning: Handstand HelpersLay down a strip of masking tape to divide the room in half. Have three-quarters of the children sit on

one side of the tape. Call it the danger side. The rest of the students will stand on the safe side. When you say “Go,” have the children on the safe side hop to the danger side, help one person stand up, link arms, and skip to the safe side. Have children continue until everyone is on the safe side. Play again and have different children on the danger side. Remind children that Saul’s friends helped him to safety and that God calls us to help others.

n Make to Take: Helpful WeavingsSet out 9x12-inch sheets of construction paper and several 1x12-inch strips

of paper in a variety of colors. Show children how to fold the paper in half lengthwise and then cut four or five slits that begin at the fold and stop two inches from the edge of the paper. Have children open their papers and lay them on the table. Demonstrate how to weave the strips of paper into the slits. Encourage children to use lots of bright colors in their weavings. Let the children use the footprint stamp and ink pad to decorate their woven place mats. Talk about how important a strong woven basket was to Saul in today’s Bible story.

n Treat to Eat: Bread BasketsCut several pieces of pita bread in half. Let the children fill their “bread baskets” with

your choice of foods, such as cream cheese, honey, raisins, chopped dates, or cheese slices. Remind children that Saul’s friends put him in a basket so he could escape through a hole in the city wall.

n Story Picture: Saul’s EscapeGive each child a photocopy of the “Today I Learned…” handout. Place yarn, crayons, glue, and burlap

squares on the table. Let children color their pictures. Then have them glue yarn to the ropes of the basket and burlap squares to the basket. Remind children how Saul’s friends helped him escape from his enemies.

For Extra Time If you have a long class time or want to add additional elements to your lesson, try one of the following activities.

See page 5.

137

Verse to Learn“I am the resurrection and the life” (John 11:25a).

Ask Me...l How did Saul’s friends help him?

l Whom can you help this week?

l When has our family helped others?

Family Funl Call the church secretary to find out if someone in your

church needs help grocery shopping, weeding the yard, fixing a meal, or washing the windows. Then gather your family, and give a helping hand. Even the smallest effort can express tremendous kindness.

Today your child learned that God calls us to help others. Children learned that Saul’s friends helped him escape when wicked men were plotting to kill him. Children thought of ways they could help others.

Lesson 9

Saul’s Escape (Acts 9:23-25)

God calls us to help others.

Permission to photocopy this handout from Group’s Hands-On Bible Curriculum®, Pre-K & K, granted for local church use. Copyright © Group Publishing, Inc., 1515 Cascade Avenue, Loveland, CO 80538. HandsOnBible.com

Documents

Saul’s Friends Help Him Escape • Lesson 9 Bible …storage.cloversites.com/thechurchatrutledge/documents...Hands-On Bible Curriculum—Pre-K & K, Ages 5 & 6 127 Bible Point Saul’s