Rhoda and Peter in Prison Sunday School Lesson for Kids

This free Peter in prison Sunday school lesson teaches kids that God answers prayer. Herod the king put Peter in prison, "but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him" (Acts 12:5). God sent His angel, Peter's chains fell off, and the iron gate opened "of his own accord" (12:7–10). Peter knocked at the gate of the house where the church was praying, and a damsel named Rhoda knew his voice and ran in "for gladness" (12:14). It comes in four age levels, each a separate printable teacher lesson, plus one take-home sheet for families. Everything is in the order you teach it.

Choose your age level

• Preschool (ages 3–5), 20–30 minutes, 2 pages: a knock-and-listen game, a short story with hand motions and repeat-after-me lines, three simple questions, a short memory verse ("But prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him") with motions, and a drawing activity.
• Kindergarten to 2nd grade, 45 minutes, 3 pages: the Whose Voice? game, the story in simple words, five recall questions with answers, a memory verse on paper strips, and a Keep On Knocking review game.
• 3rd to 5th grade, 45–60 minutes, 3 pages: a Follow Me action game with the angel's words, kids look up verses in their own Bibles during a fuller story ("of his own accord," "she opened not the gate for gladness," "Thou art mad"), five thinking questions and three recall questions, and a Bible look-up race.
• Preteens (ages 11–12), 45–60 minutes, 3 pages: students read Acts 12:5–17 out loud themselves, then look closer at the real danger, Peter asleep, the church astonished at its own answered prayer, and Rhoda, who "constantly affirmed that it was even so." Six discussion questions, a prayer list, and two memory verses (Acts 12:5 and 1 Thessalonians 5:17).

Lesson at a glance

• Bible passage: Acts 12:1–17
• Main point: God answers prayer. Keep on praying!
• Memory verse: Acts 12:5 (KJV), with 1 Thessalonians 5:17 added for preteens
• Ages: preschool to preteen, in four versions

Lesson outline (the same in every version)

1. Opening game: a short game about knocking, listening or following.
2. Bible story: the church praying without ceasing (Acts 12:5), the angel and the chains that fell off (12:7), the iron gate (12:10), Peter knocking and Rhoda running in for gladness (12:13–14), and the church astonished (12:16). 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 12:5.
5. What this means for us: praying without ceasing, the gospel (Acts 2:38), and a challenge for the week.
6. Activity: the word search, crossword, maze, worksheet, the Peter escapes prison craft, a keep-on-knocking game, a Bible look-up race or a prayer list, depending on the age.
7. Prayer.

Tips for teaching Rhoda and Peter in prison

• Read Acts 12:5 and 12:14 straight from your Bible. The church prayed without ceasing, and the answer knocked at their gate.
• Knock on a door or table when Peter knocks in the story. Kids love it, and it helps them remember.
• The younger lessons leave out James' death (Acts 12:2) and stop at verse 17, before Herod punished the keepers (12:19).
• Short on time? Do the story, three questions and the memory verse. That is a solid 25-minute lesson.