Peter and John Heal the Lame Man Sunday School Lesson for Kids

This free Peter and John heal the lame man Sunday school lesson teaches kids that Jesus' name has power. Peter had no silver or gold, but he gave what he had: "In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk" (Acts 3:6). It comes in four age levels, each a separate printable teacher lesson, plus one take-home sheet for families. Pick the one that fits your class. Everything is in the order you teach it.

Choose your age level

• Preschool (ages 3–5), 20–30 minutes, 2 pages: a short story with hand motions and repeat-after-me lines, an empty purse to show "silver and gold have I none," three simple questions, a shortened memory verse ("In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk") with a stand-up motion, and a drawing activity.
• Kindergarten to 2nd grade, 45 minutes, 3 pages: the story in simple words, five recall questions with answers, the Rise Up and Walk verse game with six cards, and a Beautiful gate question game.
• 3rd to 5th grade, 45–60 minutes, 4 pages: kids look up verses in their own Bibles during a fuller story (the hour of prayer, the man above forty years old, Solomon's porch, and Peter and John before the rulers in Acts 4), five thinking questions and three recall questions, and a Bible look-up race.
• Preteens (ages 11–12), 45–60 minutes, 4 pages: students read Acts 3:1–16 and Acts 4:7–14 out loud themselves, then discuss the power of Jesus' name, giving God the credit, and boldness. Six discussion questions, a journal page, and two memory verses (Acts 3:6 and Acts 4:12).

Lesson at a glance

• Bible passage: Acts 3:1–16, with Acts 4:1–22 for older kids
• Main point: Jesus' name has power. Peter gave what he had.
• Memory verse: Acts 3:6 (KJV), with Acts 4:12 added for preteens
• Ages: preschool to preteen, in four versions

Lesson outline (the same in every version)

1. Opening game: a short game about walking, or about gifts that cost no money.
2. Bible story: Peter and John go to the temple to pray, the man at the gate called Beautiful asks for alms, "Silver and gold have I none," and the man goes in walking, and leaping, and praising God. Every fact has its verse reference so you can check it.
3. Questions to ask: with answers, at the right level for each age.
4. Memory verse: a game or motion to help kids learn Acts 3:6.
5. What this means for us: the power of Jesus' name, the gospel (Acts 2:38), and a challenge for the week.
6. Activity: the Peter and John word search, a drawing, a gate question game, a Bible look-up race or a journal page, depending on the age.
7. Prayer.

Tips for teaching Peter and John and the lame man

• Let kids hear Acts 3:6 read straight from the Bible. It is the heart of the story: Peter gave what he had, in Jesus' name.
• Point out Acts 3:12 and 3:16: Peter gave all the credit to Jesus' name, not his own power.
• Speak kindly about the man. "Lame" is the Bible's word for someone whose feet could not walk; each lesson has a short note for classes where a child can't walk.
• Short on time? Do the story, three questions and the memory verse. That is a solid 25-minute lesson.