Lesson
Engaging Introduction
Hello, little friends! Today we are going to talk about something really important—telling the truth. Have you ever played a game where everyone needs to say what really happened? Imagine you have a big, tasty cookie, but you didn’t tell your friend about it. How would that make them feel? In a story from the Bible, some friends named Ananias and Sapphira forgot how important it is to tell the truth. Let’s see what happened and why being honest is important.
Main Teaching Points
In Acts chapter 5, we learn about Ananias and Sapphira. They were part of a big, loving group of friends who all shared their stuff. Imagine if you and your friends shared all your toys so that everyone had enough to play with. Does that sound nice? Ananias and Sapphira had some extra land, like a big backyard, and they decided to sell it. They were supposed to give the money to help everyone in their group.
But something happened. Ananias and Sapphira wanted to keep some of the money for themselves. Instead of telling the truth about that, they pretended to give all of the money away to their friends. It’s like if you said you shared all your cookies, but you secretly kept one in your pocket.
When Ananias told Peter, a leader in their group, about the money, Peter realized Ananias wasn’t being honest. It was surprising to all, and Ananias felt so guilty he fell down. Later, Sapphira came, and she also wasn’t truthful. Their story teaches us that honesty is very important, especially with our friends and family.
Personal Application for Preschool Students
Now let’s talk about you! Sometimes you might make a mistake, like maybe you scribbled on the wall and didn’t tell anyone. It’s okay to make mistakes, but it’s very important to try and tell the truth about them. Your family and teachers love you, and they can help you make things better if you are honest. Remember, telling the truth is like making a rainbow in your heart. It makes everyone smile and trust each other more. The next time you think about helping or sharing, remember our story about Ananias and Sapphira and choose honesty.
Interactive Discussion Questions with explanation and teaching guidance
1. Why is telling the truth important? (Encourage children to think about trust, and how friends feel good knowing they can always believe what each other says.)
2. What should you do if you make a mistake? (Guide the discussion towards understanding repentance and apology—how little hearts can be brave by being honest.)
3. How can we show love to our friends? (Help children connect truthfulness with love by sharing and honesty in play and sharing situations.)
In teaching, encourage all answers and reassure children that honesty, even after mistakes, is something that helps everyone feel better and grow stronger together. Assure them that adults are there to support honesty, build trust, and make happy playtimes. By connecting their experiences with the story of Ananias and Sapphira, children can learn powerful lessons about integrity at their level.
Games
Game 1: Ananias and Sapphira Role Play
Objective: Teach honesty and the consequences of lying.
Number of Players: 4-6
Materials Needed:
– Simple costumes or paper name tags for Ananias and Sapphira
– Simple props to represent money (like play coins or monopoly money)
– A small table
Setup:
1. Set up the table to represent the Apostles’ area where money was brought.
2. Choose two children to play Ananias and Sapphira and give them props and costumes.
3. The rest will play the Apostles who receive the money.
Instructions:
1. Explain the story briefly to the children. “Ananias and Sapphira sold their land and pretended to give all the money to the Apostles, but they actually kept some for themselves.”
2. Act out the scene: Ananias comes first, gives money to the Apostles (children), and pretends it’s all he has. Then Sapphira comes and tries to continue the lie.
3. Explain that lying is wrong, and God values honesty.
4. Discuss why we should always tell the truth.
Lesson Reinforcement:
Children repeat the phrase, “It’s good to tell the truth,” and discuss why Jesus loves honesty.
Game 2: Sharing Circle
Objective: Encourage sharing and community spirit, like the early church.
Number of Players: Any group size
Materials Needed:
– Small items to “share” (e.g., blocks, toy food)
– Circle of chairs or sit on the floor
Setup:
1. Sit the children in a circle with a pile of shareable toys or props in the middle.
Instructions:
1. Start with one child choosing an item from the middle and saying something they could share in real life (e.g., a snack, a toy).
2. Go around the circle with each child picking an item and sharing their thought.
3. Discuss how sharing helps everyone feel cared for, like in the early church in Acts 5.
Lesson Reinforcement:
Emphasize that sharing with others makes us happy and is a way to show God’s love.
Game 3: Truth and Consequence Hop
Objective: Learn about truthfulness and consequences in a playful, active way.
Number of Players: 5-8
Materials Needed:
– Truth cards with green arrows or marks
– Lie cards with red arrows or marks
– Floor space with a start line and finish line
Setup:
1. Place a series of cards leading from the start line to the finish line.
2. Shuffle green “truth” and red “lie” cards across the path.
Instructions:
1. Children take turns hopping from card to card.
2. If they land on a “truth” card, they move forward two spaces.
3. If they land on a “lie” card, they must step back one space and say why lying is bad.
4. First to reach the finish line receives a small token that represents truth (e.g., a sticker of a cross).
Lesson Reinforcement:
Conclude by discussing how choosing truth helps us move forward without obstacles, similar to following Jesus’ teachings.
Takehome
Take-Home Assignment: Reflecting on Acts 5
Story Summary:
In the Bible, Acts 5 tells the story of Ananias and Sapphira, who tried to deceive God. They sold a piece of land but secretly kept some of the money for themselves while pretending to give it all to the apostles. God revealed their dishonesty, and it served as a powerful lesson about being truthful and honest.
Lesson:
The story teaches us the importance of honesty and being truthful, especially to God and each other.
Family Activities:
1. Story Sharing:
– Read a simple version of the story of Ananias and Sapphira with your family.
– Discuss why it’s important to always tell the truth.
2. Truth or Fib Game:
– Play a fun game where you make simple statements, and your child has to guess if each statement is true or not. For example, “The sky is green.” (That’s a fib!) or “Apples can be red.” (That’s true!).
3. Honesty Role Play:
– Act out a scenario where someone has to make a choice between telling the truth or a fib. Let your child decide and show what the best choice is.
4. Craft: Truth Buttons:
– Create “Truth Buttons” using paper and colors. Let your child wear the button as a reminder to be honest. Decorate them with phrases like “I Tell the Truth!”
Questions to Discuss:
1. Why is it important to be honest?
2. How do you feel when you tell the truth?
3. Have you ever told a fib? How did it make you feel afterward?
Reflection Exercise:
– Ask your child to draw a picture of a time when they told the truth, even when it was hard. Share the drawings and stories with each other.
This assignment will help you remember that being honest is always the best choice!
Visuals
Slide 1: Title Slide
– Visual/Illustration: A large colorful title “Acts 5: A Lesson in Honesty and Kindness”
– Caption: Welcome to our story about kindness and honesty!
Slide 2: Introduction to the Story of Ananias and Sapphira
– Visual/Illustration: Simple, friendly drawings of a man and a woman labeled “Ananias” and “Sapphira”
– Caption: Meet Ananias and Sapphira. They had something important to share.
Slide 3: The Community Sharing
– Visual/Illustration: A group of happy people gathered in a circle, sharing food, toys, and resources
– Caption: Everyone shared what they had with each other. Sharing is caring!
Slide 4: Ananias and Sapphira’s Plan
– Visual/Illustration: Ananias and Sapphira whispering to each other with a thought bubble showing some coins
– Caption: Ananias and Sapphira wanted to keep some of their money a secret.
Slide 5: Peter’s Talk with Ananias
– Visual/Illustration: A gentle depiction of Peter speaking to Ananias, with Ananias looking surprised or thoughtful
– Caption: Peter found out about their secret and talked to Ananias about being truthful.
Slide 6: The Lesson Learned
– Visual/Illustration: A big heart with symbols of sharing like a toy, bread, and a coin inside
– Caption: It’s important to be honest and share with others. How can we share today?
Slide 7: Activity Idea – Sharing Circle
– Visual/Illustration: Children sitting in a circle passing around simple items like a teddy bear or a book
– Caption: Let’s practice sharing! What can you share with a friend next to you?
Slide 8: Closing Slide
– Visual/Illustration: Smiling children of diverse backgrounds holding hands
– Caption: Remember, honesty and kindness make our hearts feel good!
Memory Verse
Key Bible Verse: Acts 5:29 – “We must obey God rather than men.”
Creative Ways to Memorize:
1. Rhyme Time:
– Turn it into a simple rhyme:
“Obey God with all your heart, with Him we’ll never part.”
– Recite the rhyme while clapping hands with a partner.
2. Song:
– Use the tune of “Mary Had a Little Lamb”:
“We must obey God, yes we must, yes we must, yes we must.
We must obey God, ‘cause He loves us so.”
3. Motions:
– Create actions for each word:
– “We” – Point to yourself and others
– “must” – Nod your head
– “obey” – Salute like a soldier
– “God” – Point upwards
– “rather” – Cross your arms
– “than” – Extend your hand
– “men” – Point around to imaginary people
4. Challenge:
– Use a simple chant with foot stomps and hand claps:
“Who do we obey? (stomp, stomp)
God every day! (clap, clap)”
– Repeat until they memorize the verse.
These activities are designed to make memorization fun and engaging for preschool students.
Group Activity
Activity 1: “Story Circle – Ananias and Sapphira”
Instructions:
1. Gather students in a circle.
2. Read or tell the story of Ananias and Sapphira from Acts 5:1-11 in a simplified, age-appropriate manner, emphasizing honesty.
3. Discuss the main idea of being honest and truthful.
Roles:
– Storyteller: The teacher or a volunteer leads the story.
– Listeners: All students, who also respond to prompts.
Discussion Prompts:
1. What happened when Ananias and Sapphira were not honest?
2. How do you feel when someone is not truthful?
3. Why is it important to tell the truth?
Participation:
– Each student gets a turn to express how they feel about honesty.
– Use a talking stick to ensure everyone has a chance.
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Activity 2: “Role-Play – Helping in the Community”
Instructions:
1. Explain the concept of community and helping, inspired by Acts 5:12-16.
2. Set up a pretend scene where students act as community helpers like sharing, giving, or healing.
Roles:
– Helpers: A few students who perform actions like sharing toys or comforting others.
– Receivers: A few students who receive help from the “helpers.”
– Observers: Remaining students who watch and give feedback.
Discussion Prompts:
1. What did you like about helping others?
2. How can we help our friends every day?
3. Why is it good to be kind and share with others?
Participation:
– Rotate roles so everyone experiences being a helper, receiver, and observer.
– Encourage each student to share their thoughts after the role-play.
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Activity 3: “Craft Time – Building a Community Mosaic”
Instructions:
1. Construct a large paper mural where each student contributes a piece to symbolize the early church’s unity and sharing, as in Acts 5:17-42.
2. Use materials like colored paper, glue, and crayons.
Roles:
– Creators: All students, each responsible for making one piece of the mosaic.
– Guides: Teacher or assistant helping students with their pieces.
Discussion Prompts:
1. What does your piece of the mosaic represent?
2. How does it feel to be part of building something together?
3. How can we support each other like the early church did?
Participation:
– Assign a specific task for each student, such as cutting, coloring, or pasting.
– Have each child explain their piece of the mosaic and what it represents about helping or being part of a community.
Download PDF for Group Activity
Journaling
Guided Journaling Prompts for Acts 5 (Preschool Students)
1. Story Understanding:
– Today we learned about a story in the Bible from Acts 5. Can you remember who the story was about?
– What was the important thing that happened in the story?
2. Thinking About the Lesson:
– The people in the story tried to be honest and tell the truth. What does it mean to tell the truth?
– Have you ever told the truth even when it was hard? How did it make you feel?
3. Personal Reflection:
– Can you think of a time when you helped someone or shared something you have?
– How do you feel when you share or help someone else?
4. Connecting to Daily Life:
– Is there a time when you can be helpful or share with a friend today?
– Who can you tell the truth to today, even if it feels a little scary?
5. Prayer Time:
– Let’s talk to God now. Thank God for helping us be honest and loving. Can you think of something you want to thank God for today?
– Ask God to help you tell the truth and share with others this week. What do you want to ask God for help with today?
Closing Thought:
Remember, God loves when we tell the truth and share with others. Let’s try to do that every day!
Quiz
Quiz on Acts 5 for Preschool Students
1. Multiple-Choice Questions
a. What is the name of the man who kept some money for himself?
– A) Peter
– B) Ananias
– C) John
b. Who talked to Ananias about his actions?
– A) An angel
– B) Peter
– C) A prophet
2. True or False Questions
a. Ananias told the truth about the money he gave.
– True
– False
b. Peter and the apostles were happy when they were put in jail.
– True
– False
3. Short-Answer Questions
a. Who helped the apostles get out of jail during the night?
b. What did Ananias and his wife decide to do with the money?
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Answer Key for Teachers
1. Multiple-Choice Answers
a. B) Ananias
b. B) Peter
2. True or False Answers
a. False
b. False
3. Short-Answer Answers
a. An angel
b. They decided to keep some of it for themselves and not be honest about it.
Teacher Tips
Teacher Notes and Tips for Teaching ‘Acts 5’ to Preschool Students
Objective:
Introduce preschoolers to the key story in Acts 5:1-11 about Ananias and Sapphira, focusing on the importance of honesty and telling the truth.
Pacing Suggestions:
– Introduction (5 minutes): Begin with a simple question to get them thinking, “Do you know why it’s important, to always tell the truth?”
– Storytelling (10 minutes): Tell the story of Ananias and Sapphira in a simplified version, focusing on honesty.
– Discussion (5 minutes): Ask questions to gauge understanding and relate the story to their experiences.
– Activity (10 minutes): Engage in a craft or role-play that emphasizes truth-telling.
– Conclusion (5 minutes): Recap the key lessons and encourage practice at home.
Explaining Difficult Concepts:
– Lying vs. Truth: Explain that lying is when you say something that isn’t true, and being truthful is saying what really happened. Use simple, everyday examples.
– Consequences: Discuss that choosing not to tell the truth can have consequences, like losing trust. Use relatable examples, such as a friend feeling sad if you don’t tell them the truth.
Managing Student Engagement:
– Interactive Storytelling: Use puppets, visuals, or simple costumes to make the story engaging.
– Repetition and Rhythm: Incorporate songs or chants with hand movements related to truth and honesty.
– Hands-on Activities: Organize a treasure hunt where students must follow clues that require them to tell the truth to find the next step, reinforcing the story’s lesson.
– Praise and Encouragement: Regularly praise honesty during class to reinforce the message positively.
Activity Ideas:
– Craft: Have students create a “Truth Teller” badge they can take home as a reminder to be honest.
– Role-Play: Set up scenarios where children can practice telling the truth in a safe and supportive environment.
– Storytime Reflection: Share personal stories about times when telling the truth was important, and invite children to share their own experiences if comfortable.
Conclusion:
Wrap up with a brief reminder of the story’s importance, encouraging children to be honest in their actions and words. Reinforce the idea that honesty builds trust and strengthens friendships. Send a note home with parents about the lesson, encouraging the continuation of the discussion about honesty at home.
Crafts
Craft Activity: “Angels Open the Doors”
Materials List:
– Large craft sticks (one per child)
– White paper or cardstock
– Glue sticks
– Safety scissors
– Crayons or markers
– Silver or gold star stickers
– Cotton balls
– Tape
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Create the Angel Wings:
– Give each child a piece of white paper or cardstock.
– Have them use crayons or markers to draw and color a pair of angel wings.
2. Cut Out the Wings:
– Assist students in safely cutting out the wings with safety scissors.
3. Assemble the Angel:
– Take a large craft stick and use a glue stick to attach the wings at the back, positioning them so they stick out like wings at the top.
4. Decorate the Angel:
– Use markers or crayons to draw a face and other details on the craft stick, turning it into the angel’s body.
– Attach cotton balls at the top for hair.
5. Add Stars:
– Provide each child with silver or gold star stickers to decorate their angel, symbolizing the divine assistance.
6. Create the Prison Scene:
– On a separate piece of cardstock, children can draw a simple scene of the prison doors (just two rectangular shapes) and use tape to stand their angel in front, as if the angel is opening the doors.
Reinforcement of Lesson:
This craft reinforces the story from Acts 5, where the apostles are freed from prison by an angel. By constructing their own angel, children engage with the concept of divine help and guidance. The activity provides a tangible reminder of the lesson that God is always watching over us, and even in difficult times, there is divine intervention and care. Engaging in this creative process helps reinforce listening skills, fine motor skills, and understanding the key elements of the biblical story, promoting both artistic expression and spiritual learning in a hands-on manner.
Music
Song Recommendation: “God’s Power and Love”
Lyrics (Paraphrased):
God’s love is big, God’s love is great,
His power is strong, and we celebrate.
In everything we do, we’ll be true,
And God will always take care of me and you.
Suggested Actions:
– Encourage children to stretch their arms wide for “big” and “great.”
– Flex their muscles for “strong.”
– Jump and clap for “celebrate.”
– Hold hands with another child for “take care of me and you.”
Connection to Lesson:
Acts 5 includes stories of the apostles and the power of God shown through them. The song helps preschoolers understand that God’s power and love are always present, and He takes care of us just like He did with the apostles.
Worship Activity: “Follow the Leader”
Instructions:
1. Choose one child to be the leader.
2. Have the leader walk around the room, acting out different ways to show God’s love (e.g., sharing, hugging, helping).
3. The other children will mimic the leader’s actions, learning to follow good examples just like the apostles followed Jesus.
Connection to Lesson:
This activity helps preschool students understand the importance of following good examples and acting in love, mirroring how the apostles followed God’s teachings and shared His love.
Scripture Background
Background Notes for Acts 5
Historical Context:
– Book of Acts: Often called “Acts of the Apostles,” it follows the early days of the Christian church after Jesus’ resurrection and ascension.
– Jerusalem: The events happen in Jerusalem, where the early Christians gathered frequently.
– Time Period: This took place in the 1st century AD, shortly after Jesus’ resurrection.
Cultural Context:
– Early Church Community: The early believers often shared their belongings, living together to support each other and spread the message of Jesus.
– Religious Leaders: The Jewish religious leaders were skeptical and sometimes hostile towards the followers of Jesus, leading to tensions.
Theological Insights:
– Holy Spirit: A major theme involves the Holy Spirit guiding and empowering the apostles, showing God’s presence with the believers.
– Importance of Honesty: The story of Ananias and Sapphira emphasizes the importance of being honest, especially within the community of believers.
– God’s Power: The apostles performed miracles and healings, demonstrating God’s power and support of their mission.
Key Themes for Preschoolers:
– Sharing and Caring: Encourage an understanding of sharing as something good, just like the early Christians did.
– Being Truthful: Highlight the lesson of being honest with friends and family.
– God’s Help: Simplify the idea that God helps us when we work together and take care of each other.
Suggestions for Teaching Preschoolers:
– Use simple language: Talk about people living together like a big family sharing their toys and taking care of one another.
– Visual aids: Use pictures or simple crafts to illustrate sharing and goodness.
– Short stories or skits: Act out stories that show helping and sharing with friends.
– Songs and prayers: Include songs and prayers that focus on love, kindness, and God’s care.
This passage helps teach young children about kindness, honesty, and relying on God’s love in a community setting.
