FAMILY CONVERSATION: PRE-K

1. What’s the name of the guy in today’s story? (Paul)
2. What was Paul like before he met Jesus? (mean, a bully)
3. How did Paul meet Jesus? What happened? (God called to him and shined a bright light that blinded Paul for three days)
4. After Paul met Jesus, what did he do? (He started following Jesus!)
5. What are some ways Paul followed Jesus? (He told people about Jesus and learned about Jesus. He spent time listening to God and talking to him)
6. What are some other ways we can follow Jesus? (If you have time, brainstorm with the kids. Talk about things like sharing your toys, being kind to others, obeying your parents, obeying your leaders, giving hugs, etc.)

FAMILY CONVERSATION: K-6TH

1. What was Paul like before he met Jesus? (mean, a bully, targeted people who followed Jesus)
2. When Paul was traveling, he met Jesus. Do you remember how that happened? (God called to him and shined a bright light that blinded Paul for three days)
3. After Paul met Jesus, what did he do? (He started following Jesus and telling others about Jesus!)
4. Do you know anybody who was mean but totally changed when they met Jesus? (let kids share; they might not all know somebody, so no need to linger on this)
5. What surprises you about the way Paul met Jesus? (let kids share; emphasize how God called to Paul, even when Paul had done horrible things)
6. Have you ever felt like you should help somebody who isn’t very nice to you? If so, what happened? (let kids respond in case they can relate to Ananias

YOUNGER KIDS:

Read: I Corinthians 9:24-25: You know that many runners enter a
race, and only one of them wins the prize. So run to win! Athletes work hard to win a crown that cannot last, but we do it for a crown that will last forever.

Remember, when Paul followed Jesus, he viewed it like training for a big race. He wanted to practice following ALL the time by learning about Jesus and telling everyone he met about Jesus’ Rescue! Now, Let’s pretend I’m your coach. If we were a basketball, soccer, or dance team, we wouldn’t just do games, we’d have to practice! (Lead—or instruct—kids through some exercises; add whatever you want). We might:
- Sprint in place so we can get faster
- Jump so we can jump higher
- Touch our toes so we can stretch out and be flexible
- Do some pushups so our arms get stronger
- Maybe even stand on one leg in some yoga poses so we get good balance

Because Paul followed Jesus, he was a part of God’s Story! And guess what? God wants you to be a part of his story, too! So we can practice following Jesus every single day, just like Paul did!

Let’s look at ways we can practice following Jesus, like Paul.

When you think of one way you can learn more about Jesus or follow him, I want you to get down like you’re ready to start a race (show them by pretending you’re about to take off running—nothing fancy or official necessary.

When kids are ready, allow them to share their idea. You start to get them going. Ideas like and unlike Paul are: read the Bible, pray, sing, listen to God, help a friend, obey your parents, be kind to somebody, share with somebody in need, tell people about Jesus’ Rescue, write a nice note to brighten somebody’s day, etc.)

Pray with the kids, asking God to help you and each of them learn how to follow Jesus, just like Paul

OLDER KIDS:

Supplies: Piece of paper and pen/marker for kids

Read: I Corinthians 9:24-25: You know that many runners enter a race, and only one of them wins the prize. So run to win! Athletes work hard to win a crown that cannot last, but we do it for a crown that will last forever.

Because Paul followed Jesus—even when it was hard—he got to be a part of God’s Story! And guess what? God wants you to be a part of his story, too! We can practice following Jesus, just like Paul did!

1. Let’s brain storm ways we can practice following Jesus, like Paul. Give child a piece of paper and marker or pen. Let kids write ideas as they share them.
   Ideas to get you started: read the Bible, pray, sing, listen to God, help a friend, obey your parents, be kind to somebody, share with somebody in need, tell people about Jesus’ Rescue, write a nice note to brighten somebody’s day, etc.)

2. Have kids reread 1 Corinthians 9:24-25.  I Corinthians 9:24-25: You know that many runners enter a race, and only one of them wins the prize. So run to win! Athletes work hard to win a crown that cannot last, but we do it for a crown that will last forever.
    Have them look at all the ideas on their paper. On the back of paper, they can write down one way they want to start “training” this week.

Pray with the kids, asking God to help you and each of them learn how to follow Jesus, just like Paul