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Peter and John Heal a Lame Man
Lesson Set
Summary of all workshops & material in this Rotation:
- Bible Background: Information on the story
- Art Workshop: Make scrolls, which contain the memory verse.
- Drama Workshop: “In the name of Jesus” echo drama as a warm up and Freeze drama. [Editor's note: no information is provided on the echo drama.]
- Video Workshop: View portions of the video, Jesus: A Kingdom Without Frontiers, The Acts of the Apostles.
- Cooking Workshop: Making Miracle Bar Cookies - they don't require baking. [Editor's note: they contain peanut butter - allergy warning!]
Scripture Reference:
Acts 3:1-10
Memory Verse:
"They spent their time in learning from the apostles, taking part in fellowship, and sharing in the fellowship meals and the prayers." Acts 2:42
Background Information on Peter and John
Today’s story of Peter and John is found in the Book of Acts in the New Testament. The Book of Acts tells about the many ways the apostles spread the word of God after Jesus’ death. During this time, many people in Jerusalem believed in Jesus. The leaders who crucified Christ tried to stop the apostles from preaching about Jesus. But the Apostles did preach, and like Jesus, they performed many miracles.
The many miracles of healing that Peter and the apostles performed were important because they proved that the apostles’ message about Jesus was true. They made the apostles popular and they helped protect them from the leaders who killed Jesus. The miracles helped many people to change their hearts and minds about Jesus. They turned to him as their Savior.
In this miracle, Peter and John heal a lame man. The lame man was a beggar. Being a beggar was a miserable life. There was no system at the time that provided for disabled or elderly people. They depended entirely on their family and friends and gifts from kind people.
This beggar was lying outside “The Beautiful Gate.” Most scholars think the gate was a gate to the Temple of Jerusalem leading to the part of the temple called the Court of the Women. It would have been a good place to beg since many people passed it every day.
They were questioned by a council. First of all, they couldn’t believe these fisherman could speak so well, let alone heal. The demanded the two men not preach about Jesus anymore but they would not relent. They would never stop sharing the Word of God.
What is the lesson in all of this? Certainly we are not capable of performing miracles? So what is it God asks of us? God asks that continue to be disciples by sharing his Word, by praying together and alone and by continuing to learn about His wonderful ways. At first, it seems overwhelming to us. After all, we are being asked to do something else in addition to our very busy lives? And that is where we should stop, and take stock; What is it that is getting in the way of the very thing we were put here on earth for, that Christ died for? God is not asking us to stop breathing! God is asking us to tell any and all of His good works, and about His love and His forgiving ways. We start today by sharing the story of the Healing of the Lame Man.
Peter and John could bring the gift of health and a new life in every sense of the word – both physical and spiritual. This miracle was a sign that God was interested in every part of human life.
Peter and John heal a lame man
Art Workshop
Summary of Lesson Activity:
Make scrolls, which contain the memory verse, using stamps & stamp pads, markers, & calligraphy techniques.
Workshop Objectives —
After today's lesson, the students will be able to:
- Define “miracle” and explain its importance in the years after Jesus’ death
- Understand when the story took place
- Be able to retell the story in their own words
- Be able to recite the memory verse.
Leader Preparation:
- Read Bible Background and scripture.
- Make a sample of the project ahead of time to make sure you understand the process to be able to explain it to the children. [Editor's note: However you don't want to show your sample to the students. Allow them to create without trying to make theirs look like yours.]
- Cut scroll paper to appropriate size (4” x 7” up to 5” x 9) - slightly dependent on the size of your skewers. [Optional: Allow older students to cut their own paper.]
- For the 1st Graders, you will want to attach the scroll paper to skewers with a glue gun prior to class.
- Cover the tables with newspaper for easy clean up.
- Set out craft supplies.
Materials List:
- Bibles
- The Children’s Bible in 365 Stories by Mary Batchelor
- wooden skewers
- brown craft paper
- calligraphy markers
- Sharpie markers
- stamps, stamp pads (in dark-bright colors– e.g., royal blue, red, purple, dark green. Lighter colors such as yellow or light blue do not show up well on the brown paper)
- glue guns, electrical extension cords
- ribbon, scissors
- Optional: A book of calligraphy
Presentation
Opening:
Say: Today we will be hearing a story that took place after Jesus’ death and Resurrection. Ask: Where do you think this story might appear in the Bible? (New Testament, after the Gospels).
Say: It is a story that is considered to be a miracle (event with no other explanation but the intervention of God). After our worship time, we will be making scrolls of this story’s memory verse.
Review the memory verse for this Rotation using one of the tips in your folder. [Editor's note: These tips were not shared.] Acts 2:42 "They spent their time in learning from the apostles, taking part in fellowship, and sharing in the fellowship meals and the prayers."
Do: Light a candle.
Say: We will now enter into our Worship Time. This candle that I light represents the light of Christ who is always in our midst. This is a quiet time for us to focus on the Word of God.
Opening Prayer: God of Us All, We are grateful to be here together today to learn about another wonderful story in the Bible, a story about your people. We are thankful that each of us are also your people. In Your Son’s Name we pray. AMEN.
Read the Bible Passage/Story: The Children’s Bible in 365 Stories, Story #340 (or Read Acts 3:1-10)
This same story is being covered in each Rotation. If this is the 3rd or 4th week of the rotation, keep in mind that the children have heard the story 2 or 3 times already. They should be able to retell the story in their own words. You may want to choose a different way to present the story in the last 2 weeks of the rotation. Consider using maps, God’s Story Time props, felt board characters, puppets, etc. to tell the story. If you choose to read the story from the Bible, distribute Bibles to the students and have them locate the story in the Bible and follow along as you read.
You may also wish to set up the story by reading Acts 2:42-47.
The passage that follows today’s story, Acts 3:11-16, is also very interesting. It shows how these types of events were used to convert Jews to Christians. Peter adapts his speech, using a lot of Old Testament references, to his particular audience – devote Jews attending prayer services. His words proved so effective that 3.000 people were converted on that day. Jewish leaders soon arrested both Peter and John.
Prayer: Dear Lord, as we enter into our activity time, please keep our hearts and minds open to hear you speaking to us. Amen.
Do: Extinguish the candle
Dig:
- If not done previously, cut scroll paper to appropriate size (apr 4” x 7” up to 5” x 9)
- Using stamps and stamp pads decorate the scrolls.
- When stamp images are dry, write the memory verse on the scroll using sharpie markers or calligraphy markers.
- Glue the edges of the scroll to the skewers
- Cut off excess skewer and sharp points with adult scissors
- Roll up scroll and tie with ribbon.
Reflection:
- Who are the Apostles? Are they the same as the 12 Disciples? (The Bible calls the 12 special disciples of Jesus apostles. The word disciple means “a learner”. The word Apostle means “a person sent on a mission”. The Gospels tell how the disciples of Jesus were taught by Jesus. The book of Acts tells how the apostles were sent out by Jesus to tell everyone about him. Peter an Paul were Apostles of Jesus)
- Why do you think verses 3-4 speak about “looked straight at him” and Peter told the beggar to “Look at us”? (In that time, as now, people generally didn’t look at the beggars. During the Bible times, the beggars were considered a lower class than everyone else and never looked at others. The Bible is trying to point out that Peter and John didn’t believe the beggar was any different from them, just as important in the eyes of God. It’s also surprising that Peter helped the beggar up by touching him.)
- What do you suppose you would have done if you observed this event? Would you have believed it was a miracle or thought it was a trick? Would you have told others or kept it to yourself?
- Do you suppose the lame man in the story became a believer?
Journaling:
Ask children to journal about something they found meaningful, surprising or interesting in today’s class. If you have a younger class, you should provide them with guidance regarding what they could journal about. If there is time, you could brainstorm with the class one or two important things you learned about today and write those on the board. You could choose to write the memory verse on the board (including reference) or you could write one or two partial sentences on the board for the children to finish. Remember that first graders are just learning to write sentences and you could also give them an idea of a picture to draw.
For example for younger grades (1st – 2nd):
Copy down the memory verse.
Draw a picture of today’s story.
Create an idea of your own.
For older grades (3rd – 6th):
Write about what you would have done if you witnessed this miracle. - or -
How might you apply the memory verse to your life today?
Create an idea of your own.
Peter and John heal a lame man
Drama Workshop
Summary of Lesson Activity:
This workshop focuses on Worship. The children will learn about Peter and John preaching about Jesus and working miracles. As a warm-up they will use “In the name of Jesus” echo drama.[Editor's note: No info was provided about this warm-up exercise. The editor has provided a possible activity.] Then students will present this story using "Freeze drama" creating photographs of scenes from the story. A poster of the photographs will be created for church display.
Leader Preparation:
- Read Bible Background and scripture.
- Set up Worship Center
- Get out costumes
- Set up the appropriate scenes for the photographs (outside and inside a Temple)
Materials List:
- Worship Center and Candle
- Bibles
- The Children's Illustrated Bible by Selina Hastings
- Costumes and props, background scenery
- Digital Camera, and a way to print the photographs
- Poster board, glue and markers
Lesson Plan
Opening:
The focus in "Stages of Faith" is Worship. Assemble in God’s name. The first part of the order of worship helps us move from the world, or ordinary time and place, to the holy. As we gather we need a way to get ready to be with God, to move our attention from ourselves and our world, to God.
Greet the children with the formal greeting: “The Lord be with you,” teach the children to reply, “And also with you.”
Do: Light a candle.
Say: We will now enter into our Worship Time. This candle that I light represents the light of Christ who is always in our midst. This is a quiet time for us to focus on the Word of God.
Review the Memory Verse: "They spent their time in learning from the apostles, taking part in the fellowship, and sharing in the fellowship meals and the prayers." Acts 2:42 Sing the memory verse song. [Editor's note: No info was provided about this song.]
Prayer: Dear Lord, as we enter into our activity time, please keep our hearts and minds open to hear you speaking to us. Amen.
Do: Extinguish the candle.
Dig:
Today we will do two drama activities. First, let's hear the story from the Bible (very important to read the story first.)
Bible Passage/Story: The Children’s Illustrated Bible, pages 286-287
Do: Echo drama -- follow instructions completely.
Editor's note: These instructions were not supplied. Here is a possibility... Instruct the students to repeat after you.
Leader: Peter and John were going to the Temple. (students repeat)
Leader: Meanwhile, others carried a man. (students repeat)
Leader: He could not walk, but he could beg. (students repeat)
Leader: Peter said, "Silver or gold I do not have." (students repeat)
Leader: "But I have something better." (students repeat)
Leader: "In the name of Jesus Christ, walk!" (students repeat)
Do: Freeze drama -- create a tableau (a still picture) of each portion of the story.
If time allows: Make a poster of the pictures, the children decorate the poster so we can display it for the church.
Reflection:
What was your favorite part of today’s story?
Journaling:
Ask children to journal about something they found meaningful, surprising or interesting in today’s class or pose a reflective question as a journaling topic.
Pray a closing prayer, and release the class with a benediction: "God go with you, Go in Peace.”
Peter and John heal a lame man
Video Workshop (Which we call "BLAST Theater")
Summary of Lesson Activity:
Watch the video: Jesus: A Kingdom Without Frontiers - The Acts of the Apostles. (The video is 30 minutes long.)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3CMR4tHW3Ck
Workshop Objectives — After today's lesson, the students will be able to:
- tell about the Early Church and what happened to the disciples after Jesus’ death and Resurrection.
Leader Preparation:
- Read Bible Background and scripture.
- Prepare popcorn.
- Cue movie.
Materials List:
- the Video listed above
- popcorn and other snack supplies
Lesson Plan
Opening:
Do: Welcome the children and introduce yourself. Call the children by name. Have them wear their nametags.
Say: Today we will watch a movie about the early Christian Church. First, let's review our Memory Verse.
Do: Review the memory verse for this Rotation -- "They spent their time in learning from the apostles, taking part in the fellowship, and sharing in the fellowship meals and the prayers." Acts 2: 42
Do: Light a candle.
Say: We will now enter into our Worship Time. This candle that I light represents the light of Christ who is always in our midst. This is a quiet time for us to focus on the Word of God.
Prayer: Gracious God, Thank you for our church. Help us to love and care as Jesus has taught us to do. In Jesus’ name. Amen
Read the Bible Passage/Story: Acts 3: 1-10
If this is the first week of the rotation, read the background information to the class so the children can familiarize themselves with an overview of the entire story. After covering the background information, continue on with the part of the story assigned to this Rotation.
Prayer: Dear Lord, as we enter into our activity time, please keep our hearts and minds open to hear you speaking to us. Amen.
Extinguish the candle.
Dig:
Show the Video.
Reflection:
- Who begins talking in this story and who is he talking about? Peter is talking about Jesus.
- Who comes to the door? A beggar.
- How was he treated? Well, because that is what Jesus taught.
- Why were the disciples gathered? To choose a 12th disciple.
- Who became the 12th disciple? Mathias
- What are the people to do? Repent of their sins and forgive in Jesus name.
- What did the disciples say at each baptism? “In the name of Jesus your sins are forgiven.”
- How did the disciples go out as sheep among wolves and teach about Jesus? They were inspired with new strength and power after being visited by the Holy Spirit.
- What did Peter and John give the lame man? What they had. The power to walk in the name of Jesus.
- What happened to Peter and John? They were judged and their lives were spared.
- What happened to Stephen? He was stoned to death for his preaching.
- Who was one of the men who helped the stone Stephen? Saul.
- What happened to Saul on the road to Damascus? He was struck blind and became a believer. He changed his name to Paul. He preached the word of God.
- Paul was arrested for his preaching and then what happened? He was executed for his beliefs.
- What is the Eucharist? Communion.
- Why do we have Communion? To remind us of God’s love for us, and that through Christ, our sins are forgiven.
Journaling:
Ask children to journal about something they found meaningful, surprising or interesting in today’s class or pose a reflective question (listed above) as a journaling topic.
Peter and John heal a lame man
Cooking Workshop (Which we call "Loaves & Fishes CafÉ")
Summary of Lesson Activity:
Make "Miracle Bar" Cookies.
Workshop Objectives — After today's lesson, the students will be able to:
- Tell about the miracles that happened even after the death of Jesus.
Leader Preparation:
- Read Bible Background and scripture.
- Set up Worship Center
- Set out the supplies needed for the activity.
- Determine how many children you will have and decide if you will need to double the recipe.
Materials List:
- Bibles
- Cheerios, Rice Krispies, Dry Roasted Nuts, M&M’s, Light corn syrup, Sugar, Creamy peanut butter, Vanilla extract
- Bowls, measuring cups, mixing spoons
- A saucepan
- A 10x15" baking pan
Lesson Plan
Opening:
Welcome the children and introduce yourself. Call the children by name. Have them wear their nametags.
Say: Today, we will be making “Miracle Bars.” First we will be in the kitchen and then we will move to the classroom for our lesson.
Dig:
Do: Have everyone wash their hands.
Ask: I wonder what the miracle is in our recipe?
Do: Go over the ingredients. Take any responses as to possible miracles. (The miracle is they don’t require cooking!)
Do: Assemble Miracle Bar Cookies.
Instructions for Miracle Bar Cookies
In a large bowl, combine:
4 cups Cheerios
2 cups Rice Krispies
2 cups Dry Roasted Nuts (nut allergy alert!)
2 cups M&M’s
Meanwhile, ask an adult to boil the following ingredients, stirring frequently:
1 cup light corn syrup
1 cup sugar
Remove from the heat and (depending on the ages of the children) have then stir in:
1 ½ cups creamy peanut butter
1 tsp vanilla extract
Pour this liquid mixture over the cereal/nut mixture and toss to coat evenly.
Spread into greased 15X10X1 inch baking pan.
Allow to cool while you have worship time and read/discuss the story.
When appropriate, cut into squares and serve.
Worship Time:
Do: Light a candle.
Say: We will now enter into our Worship Time. This candle that I light represents the light of Christ who is always in our midst. This is a quiet time for us to focus on the Word of God.
Prayer: Gracious and Loving God, Please help us to hear Your Word with open hearts and open ears. Amen.
Work on the Memory Verse: Acts 2:42 "They spent their time in learning from the apostles, taking part in the fellowship, and sharing in the fellowship meals and prayers."
Read the Bible Passage/Story: The Children’s Bible in 365 Stories, Story #340 (or Read Acts 3:1-10)
This same story is being covered in each rotation. If this is the 3rd or 4th week of the rotation, keep in mind that the children have heard the story 2 or 3 times already. They should be able to retell the story in their own words. You may want to choose a different way to present the story in the last 2 weeks of the rotation. Consider using maps, God’s Story Time props, felt board characters, puppets, etc. to tell the story. If you choose to read the story from the Bible, distribute Bibles to the students and have them locate the story in the Bible and follow along as you read.
If this is the first week of the rotation, read the background information to the class so the children can familiarize themselves with an overview of the entire story. After covering the background information, continue on with the part of the story assigned to this rotation. For this rotation, different workshops are hearing different parts of the story, so take time with the story. It is not repeated in the other workshops.
If you choose to read the story from the Bible, distribute Bibles to the students and have them locate the story in the Bible and follow along as you read.
Prayer: Thank you God for these gifts. May we use them to Your glory. Amen.
Reflection:
- What is the lesson God wants us to hear? (that we need to read our Bible, spend time in prayer and spread His word.)
- What does it mean to be a disciple? (It means you follow God’s Word and share Gods Word with all.)
- Does God expect us to perform miracles?
- Why did the Council question Peter? (they wanted to know who gave them the authority to heal.)
- What does God expect from us?
Journaling:
Ask children to journal about something they found meaningful, surprising or interesting in today’s class. If you have a younger class, you should provide them with guidance regarding what they could journal about.
If there is time, you could brainstorm with the class one or two important things you learned about today and write those on the board. You could choose to write the memory verse on the board (including reference) or you could write one or two partial sentences on the board for the children to finish. Remember that first graders are just learning to write sentences and you could also give them an idea of a picture to draw.
For example for younger grades (1st – 2nd):
Copy down the memory verse, - or -
Draw a picture of today’s story.
For older grades (3rd – 6th):
Write about what you would have have felt if you had seen this event, - or -
Use one of the reflective questions.
A lesson from Sunnyvale Presbyterian Church,
Sunnyvale, CA, USA
A representative of Rotation.org reformatted this post to improve readability.
