Free Bible lesson for kids · The Church Begins
The Church Shares Everything
The believers met together, learned from the apostles, prayed, ate together with glad hearts and shared what they had so that no one was in need.
- Bible passage
- Acts 2:42–47 · Acts 4:32–37
- Big idea
- God’s family loves and shares.
- Memory verse
And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.
Acts 2:42 (KJV)- Ages
- Preschool to preteen (3 to 12), with tips for each age
- Time
- About 45 minutes
- Included, free
- Animated story film, coloring page, class sheet, teacher guide, questions and answers, a game
The story
The believers “continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers” (Acts 2:42). Many wonders and signs were done by the apostles (Acts 2:43). They shared what they had, selling things to help anyone in need (Acts 2:44–45). Every day they met in the temple and ate in one another’s homes with glad hearts (Acts 2:46).
They praised God, and “the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved” (Acts 2:47). Later the believers were still “of one heart and of one soul” (Acts 4:32). The apostles told with great power that Jesus had risen (Acts 4:33). No one lacked anything, because those who had land or houses sold them and shared the money (Acts 4:34–35). Joses, whom the apostles called Barnabas, sold his land and laid the money at the apostles’ feet (Acts 4:36–37).
Read it in the Bible: Acts 2:42–47 (KJV)
42And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. 43And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles. 44And all that believed were together, and had all things common; 45And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need. 46And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, 47Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.
Read it in the Bible: Acts 4:32–37 (KJV)
32And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common. 33And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all. 34Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold, 35And laid them down at the apostles’ feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need. 36And Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas, (which is, being interpreted, The son of consolation,) a Levite, and of the country of Cyprus, 37Having land, sold it, and brought the money, and laid it at the apostles’ feet.
Questions to ask
Name the four things the church continued in.
The apostles’ doctrine, fellowship, breaking of bread, and prayers.
How did they treat their belongings?
They had all things common and shared with anyone in need.
Who sold land and gave the money?
Barnabas (Acts 4:36–37).
What this story teaches
- Christians grow by learning God’s Word and praying together (Acts 2:42).
- God’s family shares so that no one goes without (Acts 4:34–35).
- Worshipping God together fills our hearts with gladness (Acts 2:46–47).
- The Lord is the One who adds people to His church (Acts 2:47).
- God’s people can be one in heart and soul (Acts 4:32).
Jesus Shows Us Love
Jesus laid down His life for us. So we should love God’s family and share with those in need.
1 John 3:16–17
A 45-minute lesson plan
| 5 min | Welcome and pray. Greet each child by name and pray: Ask God to help us share with others. |
|---|---|
| 10 min | The story. Play the story film: each verse appears on screen in the King James Version while the scene plays. Pause to ask what happens next. |
| 10 min | Talk about it. Ask the three questions below. Then ask: “God’s family loves and shares.” What does that mean for us? |
| 5 min | Memory verse. Say Acts 2:42 together, covering one word at a time until the children can say it alone. |
| 10 min | Activity. Younger children color the coloring page while you retell the story; older children do the class sheet (memory-verse fill-in, word search and questions). |
| 5 min | Pray and send home. Pray together and send the sheet home so families can talk about the first question this week. |
- Preschool: keep it short and physical. Act out the story, use a simple prop, and repeat the big idea in one sentence.
- Elementary: let children find the passage in their own Bibles. Ask “who, what, where” questions first, then “why.”
- Preteens: read the verses before and after the passage, and ask how this story fits the whole story of the Bible.
Game time
For kids · game · indoors · about 10 minutes
Share the Rainbow
You need: Craft pom-poms or paper squares in five colors; give each child five of one color
- Every child starts with five pieces of the same color.
- The goal: everyone ends with one of every color, but you can only get colors by giving yours away.
- When everyone has a rainbow, celebrate together.
The first believers shared what they had, so no one was in need.
For youth group · activity · indoors · about 45 minutes
Potluck and Praise
You need: Everyone brings a dish to share
- Plan a potluck where everyone brings something.
- Eat together, then share one thing God has done for you lately.
- Take up a love offering of supplies for someone in need.
They ate “with gladness and singleness of heart, praising God.” Church is a family that shares.
Pray
Ask God to help us share with others.