July 31–August 6

Acts 22–28

“A Minister and a Witness”

As you read accounts from the ministry of Paul the Apostle in Acts 22–28, look for principles that will be meaningful to the children you teach.

Invite Sharing

Display pictures that might remind the children of stories from Acts 22–28, such as a jail cell, a boat, and a snake. Invite the children to share any stories they know about Paul that have to do with these pictures.

Teach the Doctrine: Younger Children

Acts 23:10–11

Heavenly Father and Jesus care about me and will help me during hard times.

Learning about how the Savior helped Paul can build the children’s faith that Heavenly Father and Jesus care about them.

Possible Activities

• Share the story in Acts 23:10–11 of the Savior visiting Paul in prison. Or show the video “Be of Good Cheer” (ChurchofJesusChrist.org), which portrays this story. Share a time when you had a trial and received guidance and comfort from God. Ask the children to share times when they felt comforted by God.

• Help the children memorize what Jesus said to Paul: “Be of good cheer.” Ask the children to think of someone they can invite to be of good cheer—perhaps someone who is sad or worried.

• Sing a song with the children about being happy, such as “Smiles” (Children’s Songbook, 267).

Like Paul, we can choose to bear our testimonies of the Savior.

Acts 26:1–29

I can share my testimony with others.

Reviewing Paul’s testimony before King Agrippa can help the children learn how to share what they know is true.

Possible Activities

• Bring a paper crown to class and let a child wear it and pretend to be King Agrippa. Invite another child to stand before the king to represent Paul as you summarize Paul’s testimony and the reaction of King Agrippa, found in Acts 26:1–29 (see “Chapter 63: Paul Finishes His Mission,” in New Testament Stories, 162–66, or the corresponding video on ChurchofJesusChrist.org). Explain that we can share our testimonies with others, as Paul did.

• Ask the children to listen while you sing or read a song about testimony, such as “I Know My Father Lives” (Children’s Songbook, 5). Invite the children to raise their hands when they hear something they know is true. You may want to sing the song several times; invite the children to join you once they’re familiar with the words. Help them practice sharing their testimonies of things they know are true.

• Use this week’s activity page to help the children think about something they could say when they share their testimonies (see the Articles of Faith for more ideas). Invite them to share their testimonies with someone in their family.

Acts 27

Prophets warn me of danger.

Consider how the account of Paul’s shipwreck can teach the children that prophets see physical and spiritual danger that we can’t see.

Possible Activities

• Invite the children to pretend they are on a ship that is being wrecked in a storm. Read Paul’s warning to the people, found in Acts 27:9–10, and share the story of the shipwreck that happened because they didn’t listen to his warning (see Acts 27:11, 39–44). Show a picture of the President of the Church, and bear your testimony that he can warn us of spiritual dangers.

• Place several pictures or objects around the room that represent things prophets have taught us to do to be more like Jesus, such as loving others or being baptized. As a class, walk around the room, stopping at each picture or object to talk about how following the prophet’s teachings helps to keep us safe.

Teach the Doctrine: Older Children

Acts 23:10–11; 27:18–25; 28:1–6

When I face adversity, God does not forsake me.

Throughout the trials Paul experienced, the Lord was with him. How can you help the children liken Paul’s experiences to their own lives?

Possible Activities

• Using Acts 23:10, explain that Paul was put in prison because he taught the people about Jesus. Then read Acts 23:11 with the children. Or show the video “Be of Good Cheer” (ChurchofJesusChrist.org), which portrays this story. Why could Paul “be of good cheer” even though he was in prison?

• Write on the board Acts 23:10–11; Acts 27:18–25; and Acts 28:1–6. Show pictures of a jail, a ship, and a snake, and invite the children to review these verses and match them with the pictures. In each of these accounts, how did the Lord show Paul that He was with him? Share an experience when the Lord was with you during a difficult time and how it strengthened your testimony of Him. Encourage the children to also share experiences.

Acts 26

I can boldly share my testimony of Jesus Christ.

Paul’s courage in sharing his testimony can help the children be bold when sharing their testimonies.

Possible Activities

• Select verses from Acts 26 to read with the children to help them understand what Paul told King Agrippa about his experiences (such as verses 9–16) and what he taught about Jesus Christ (such as verses 18, 23). You might also show a portion of the video “Paul: A Chosen Vessel” (ChurchofJesusChrist.org). Why might it have been scary for Paul to share these things before the king? Invite the children to list some gospel principles they know to be true. Ask them to think of someone they know who needs to hear their testimony of these truths.

• Invite the children to use this week’s activity page to write something they might say when they share their testimonies.

Acts 27

Prophets warn me of danger.

Children can listen to the messages of living prophets and recognize their warnings. How can you help the children learn how to heed those warnings?

Possible Activities

• Cut a piece of paper shaped like a ship into puzzle pieces. Invite the children to write Paul’s warnings in Acts 27:9–11 on the pieces and put the puzzle together. Why didn’t the people listen to Paul? (see verse 11). Invite the children to read verses 18–20 and 40–44 to find out what happened as a result. (Explain that because the people followed Paul’s later counsel to stay on the ship, no one died in the shipwreck; see verses 30–32.) What can we learn from this experience about following the prophet?

• Bring a recent conference message by the President of the Church and share with the children any warnings or counsel he gave. Invite the children to think of ways they can follow the prophet.

• Show the video “Blessed and Happy Are Those Who Keep the Commandments of God” (ChurchofJesusChrist.org). How are prophets like the man with the binoculars?

Encourage Learning at Home

Ask the children to use what they learned about Paul to encourage their families to study the prophet’s most recent messages and discuss how they can follow his counsel.

Improving Our Teaching

Involve the senses. “Most children (and adults) learn best when multiple senses are involved. Find ways to help the children use their senses of sight, hearing, and touch as they learn. In some situations, you may even find ways to include their senses of smell and taste!” (Teaching in the Savior’s Way, 25).