Peter and John Heal a Lame Beggar

In Acts 3, we read about a meeting between Peter, John, and a disabled beggar. When the beggar asked them for money, Peter said, “I don’t have any silver or gold for you. But I will give you what I have.” Then Peter healed the man in Jesus’ name.

Key Points

• We should look for opportunities to help others
• God gives what is best
• We should never stop speaking about Jesus

Lesson Guide – Peter and John Heal a Lame Beggar

Talk to the child about what it means to be dependent. Ask them about things they can do by themselves and things they need someone else to do for them. You may choose to make cards for the child to sort.

Repeat this activity allowing the child to imagine they are someone else. For example, how would the list change if they were a baby or adult?

Tell the child that in Bible times, people with disabilities didn’t have the opportunities they have today. They were dependent on others for everything. The man in the Bible passage couldn’t walk, so he needed people to carry him to the temple gate to beg for money and food.

Remind the child of what happened at Pentecost and the start of the church. Share after Peter preached, 3000 people were baptised and joined the church. Say that the people would meet in the temple to pray (A bit like when we go to church).

Take a short walk with the child. Ask them to pay attention and look for things along the walk. You could play eye-spy, look for something in a specific colour or look for letters to spell a word. When you get home, ask the child if anything they saw was a surprise.

Say that Peter and John didn’t expect to meet the man at the temple, but God had planned it. When they saw the man, they saw an opportunity to help him and bring glory to God. We should also look for chances to help others and serve God. Talk about ways we can do that.

The man asked Peter and John for money, but they gave him something better. Ask the child to choose between options of good and better. Add some silly and serious choices. Such as, “What is better rotten tomatoes or fresh Pizza?” or “What is better to read a good book or read the Bible?”

Peter didn’t have silver or gold, but he could pray for the man and tell him about Jesus. It is good to help people practically, but even if we don’t have things, we can always pray for them and tell them the good news about Jesus. When the man was healed, he leapt, jumped and praised God.

Think of ways we can thank God for working in our lives. Take some time to pray and thank God for all He has done.

Share that after the miracle, Peter preached, and many more people believed in Jesus. But this made some of the religious leaders angry, so they put Peter and John in prison and ordered them to stop talking about Jesus. Peter said, “We cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.” Say that it is good when we tell others about Jesus.

Peter and John Heal a Lame Beggar – Bible story for kids

Games and activities

Jumping games

The man jumped to his feet and began to walk. He went with Peter and John into the temple courtyards. He walked and jumped and praised God. Acts 3:8

There are many jumping games for kids that can be enjoyed indoors or outdoors.

For example:

Skipping (jump rope), Hopscotch., Long jump, leapfrog and more.

Mat Carry

Use a blanket, towel or a mat to carry a soft toy around the room. Be careful not to drop the soft toy.

To make it more challenge add a route they must follow.

If in a group, you could also turn it into a race.

Speak about how the man was carried to the temple gate each day to beg.

Block play

Using some toy blocks to create the temple gate.

Give the child some free play time to make the temple and gate. Use some toy people to re-enact the Bible passage of Peter, John, and a lame beggar.

Worksheets

Free Bible Coloring Pages – Peter and John Heal a Lame Beggar

Bible crafts – Peter and John

Leaping and praising God craft

What you need:

• Template page (on card for best results),
• Colouring equipment,
• Scissors,
• Craft knife,
• Glue.

What to do:

1. Colour the template pages.
2. Cut out wave line on the temple.  
3. Cut out the parts.
4. Fold and glue tab to make a handle.     
5. Glue onto man and insert through wave cut.

Helping hands craft

What you need:

• Template page (on card for best results),
• Colouring pencils,
• Scissors,
• Glue.

What to do:

1. Draw around hand or use template.     
2. Fold paper before drawing to save on cutting.
3. Write ways to help others on each hand, colour and cut out.
4. Glue hands around the outside of the Bible verse.

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Translations