Philip and the Ethiopian Sunday School Lesson for Kids

This free Philip and the Ethiopian Sunday school lesson teaches kids to believe on Jesus and be baptized. A man of Ethiopia sat in his chariot reading Isaiah, and Philip "began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus" (Acts 8:35). The man believed, was baptized, and went on his way rejoicing. 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, a two-chair chariot and a blue towel for the water, three simple questions, a shortened memory verse ("and preached unto him Jesus") with a motion, and a drawing activity.
• Kindergarten to 2nd grade, 45 minutes, 3 pages: a Guide Me opening game, the story in simple words, five recall questions with answers, the Open and Point verse game with five cards, and a Chariot Ride question game.
• 3rd to 5th grade, 45–60 minutes, 4 pages: kids look up verses in their own Bibles during a fuller story (who Philip was, Candace's treasurer, the lamb scripture from Isaiah 53, "See, here is water"), 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 8:26–40 out loud themselves, compare it with Isaiah 53, and discuss asking questions about the Bible, telling others about Jesus and obeying without waiting. Six discussion questions, a journal page, and two memory verses (Acts 8:35 and Acts 8:37).

Lesson at a glance

• Bible passage: Acts 8:26–40
• Main point: Believe on Jesus and be baptized. The scripture points to Jesus.
• Memory verse: Acts 8:35 (KJV), with Acts 8:37 added for preteens
• Ages: preschool to preteen, in four versions

Lesson outline (the same in every version)

1. Opening game: a short game about being guided, riding a chariot, or explaining hard words.
2. Bible story: God sends Philip to the desert road, the man of Ethiopia reads Isaiah in his chariot, Philip preaches Jesus to him, "See, here is water," they go down both into the water, and he goes on his way rejoicing. 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 8:35.
5. What this means for us: believing on Jesus with all your heart, baptism in Jesus' name (Acts 2:38; 8:16), and a challenge for the week.
6. Activity: the Philip and the Ethiopian word search, a drawing, a Chariot Ride game, a Bible look-up race or a journal page, depending on the age.
7. Prayer.

Tips for teaching Philip and the Ethiopian

• Let kids hear Acts 8:35 read straight from the Bible. It is the heart of the story: Philip started where the man was reading and preached Jesus.
• Show baptism the way the Bible tells it: "they went down both into the water" and came "up out of the water" (Acts 8:38–39).
• The KJV calls the man "an eunuch" (Acts 8:27). The lessons call him the man from Ethiopia; the older levels have a one-line note if a child asks.
• Short on time? Do the story, three questions and the memory verse. That is a solid 25-minute lesson.