Mesa Valley Church of Christ Grand Junction, Colorado
Illustration for Saul Becomes Paul

Acts — the church begins Ages 5–11 Story 22 of 25

Acts 9 · ESV memory verse below

Saul Becomes Paul

Who is this?

Saul hurt the church. Jesus stopped him on the road. Later he was called Paul.

What happened?

A light shone. Saul heard Jesus. He was baptized, and then he preached that Jesus is the Son of God.

The story

Saul was breathing threats against the disciples. He went toward Damascus to arrest followers of Jesus.

A light from heaven flashed around him. He fell and heard, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?” He asked, “Who are You, Lord?” The Lord said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.”

Saul was blind for three days. The Lord sent Ananias. Something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes. He rose and was baptized.

Then he took food and was strengthened. Immediately he proclaimed Jesus in the synagogues, saying, “He is the Son of God.”

Memory verse (ESV)

And immediately he proclaimed Jesus in the synagogues, saying, “He is the Son of God.”

Acts 9:20

Talk about it

Ages ~4–7

  1. What was Saul doing to Jesus’ disciples?
  2. Whom did the voice say Saul was really persecuting?

Ages ~8–12

  1. What did Saul ask: Lord, what do you want me to do?
  2. Who came and what did Saul do after he received his sight?
  3. What did he preach as soon as he was able?

Family activity

Turn off a light, then turn it on. Talk about how Jesus changed Saul’s path—and ours when we obey.

Parent take-home

Read Acts 9:1–22. Jesus stopped Saul; Ananias was sent; Saul was baptized and then preached that Jesus is the Son of God. Practice Acts 9:20.

Talk on the way home

  1. Whom was Saul hurting before this day?
  2. What did Saul do after he could see again?
  3. What does this show about people who once fought against Jesus?

More family reading ideas: family Bible study guides.

Print coloring and activities (PDF) All children’s stories

In the PDF: coloring page, memory verse with blanks, plus kid activities (match). Draw lines from left to right. Younger kids can point while a parent draws.

For parents and teachers

Acts 22:16 records Ananias’s words (ESV): “And now why do you wait? Rise and be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on his name.” The enemy of the church became a preacher of Christ. No one is beyond the Lord’s reach. Baptism here is for a believing adult who heard Jesus and obeyed.