4th Grade Bible & Scripture — The Early Church — Acts of the Apostles
Students will learn how Saul, a fierce enemy of the church, was dramatically converted on the road to Damascus and became Paul, the greatest missionary of the early church.
Saul of Tarsus was a Pharisee who hated the followers of Jesus. He went from house to house, dragging Christians off to prison. He had been there when Stephen was killed and had approved of his death. Saul was determined to destroy the church.
One day, Saul was traveling to Damascus to arrest more Christians. Suddenly, a brilliant light from heaven flashed around him, and he fell to the ground. He heard a voice say, 'Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?' Saul asked, 'Who are you, Lord?' The voice answered, 'I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.'
Saul was blinded by the light and had to be led by the hand into Damascus. For three days he could not see, and he did not eat or drink. God sent a believer named Ananias to pray for Saul. When Ananias placed his hands on Saul, something like scales fell from his eyes and he could see again!
Saul was completely changed. He was baptized and began preaching that Jesus is the Son of God. The man who had once tried to destroy the church now risked his life to build it up. Saul became known as Paul and spent the rest of his life spreading the Gospel across the Roman Empire.
Draw a before-and-after comic strip showing Saul's conversion. Panel 1: Saul arresting Christians. Panel 2: The bright light on the road to Damascus. Panel 3: Saul blind in Damascus. Panel 4: Paul preaching about Jesus. Write Acts 9:4 beneath your comic.