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Scripture: Acts 4:1–22
Mission Focus: John Wesley (England → The World)
Key Verses: Acts 4:12 and Acts 4:20
Series: Missions: Big World, Bigger God
Lesson Overview
What gives us the courage to speak about Jesus?
In this session, children discover how Peter and John boldly spoke about Jesus when powerful leaders ordered them to stop. They then meet John Wesley, who travelled thousands of miles and preached wherever people would listen.
Together, these stories teach children that salvation is found in Jesus alone and that God can give ordinary people the courage to share His good news clearly, kindly, and boldly.
What Children Will Learn
- Salvation is found in Jesus alone.
- God can give ordinary people courage.
- Boldness is not being rude, loud, or unkind.
- We can speak truthfully and respectfully about Jesus.
- Failure does not prevent God from continuing His work in our lives.
- The good news is for people everywhere.
- We can trust God with how others respond.
📖 Bible Focus: Peter and John Before the Council
This session begins after Peter and John helped a man who had never been able to walk.
When they taught the crowd that Jesus had risen from the dead, the religious leaders arrested them and demanded an explanation.
Children discover how:
- Peter spoke through the power of the Holy Spirit
- he explained that the man had been healed in the name of Jesus
- Peter clearly taught that salvation is found in no one else
- the leaders were amazed by the courage of these ordinary, unschooled men
- they recognised that Peter and John had been with Jesus
- Peter and John refused to stop speaking about what they had seen and heard
Children learn that Christian boldness does not mean shouting or treating others disrespectfully. It means choosing to tell the truth about Jesus with courage, kindness, and respect.
🌍 Mission Story: John Wesley
Children are then introduced to John Wesley, an English minister who believed the good news of Jesus should be shared wherever people could hear it.
His journey included disappointment, questions, and a deeper discovery of God’s grace.
They’ll discover how:
- John travelled to Georgia in America as a missionary but returned home discouraged
- during a frightening storm at sea, he noticed other Christians singing calmly and trusting God
- at a meeting in Aldersgate Street, John understood more deeply that he could trust Christ alone to forgive and save him
- when church buildings would not welcome him, he began preaching outdoors
- he spoke to miners, workers, and crowds in fields, streets, and towns
- he travelled thousands of miles on horseback
- he trained other preachers and organised small groups where people could grow in faith and care for one another
- the Methodist movement spread throughout Britain, America, and beyond
John’s words become the heart of the missionary story:
“I look upon all the world as my parish.”
This session helps children see that wherever we go, we can serve God and share the good news about Jesus.
🎥 Watch the Story Videos
Peter and John Before the Council – Bible Story
John Wesley – Short Biography
John Wesley – Full Story
Lesson Resources
Everything you need to teach this session in one printable pack:
- Step-by-step teaching guide
- Illustrated Bible and missionary stories
- Colour and black-and-white story pages
- Group games and discussion questions
- Acts 4:20 memory verse activities
- Good News Speech Bubbles activity
- Missionary focus cards
- John Wesley maze
- My World – My Parish activity
- Crossword puzzle
- Spot the Difference activity
- John Wesley on Horseback craft
- Mission Saddle Bag craft
- My World – My Parish spinner
- Colouring pages
- Can’t-Keep-Quiet take-home challenge
- Printable reward badges
- Answer page
Printable Story Booklets (Optional)
Includes fully illustrated story booklets about John Wesley. Ideal for take-home use, lesson review, and helping children retell the missionary story.
FREE DOWNLOAD
