Acts CHAPTER 1 Jesus ministers for forty days after His resurrection—The kingdom is to be restored to Israel at a later time—The Twelve are to bear witness in Jerusalem, Judæa, Samaria, and the uttermost parts of the earth—Jesus ascends into heaven—Matthias is chosen to fill the vacancy in the Twelve.

Acts CHAPTER 2 The Spirit is poured out on the day of Pentecost—Peter testifies of Jesus’ resurrection—He tells how to gain salvation and speaks of the gift of the Holy Ghost—Many believe and are baptized.

Acts CHAPTER 3 Peter and John heal a man lame since birth—Peter preaches repentance—He also speaks of the age of restoration preceding the Second Coming—He identifies Christ as the prophet of whom Moses spoke.

Acts CHAPTER 4 Peter and John are arrested and brought before the council—Peter testifies that salvation comes because of Christ—The Sadducees strive to silence Peter and John—The Saints glory in the testimony of Jesus—They have all things in common.

Acts CHAPTER 5 Ananias and Sapphira lie to the Lord and lose their lives—The Apostles continue the miracles of Jesus—Peter and John are arrested, an angel delivers them from prison, and they testify of Christ—Gamaliel counsels moderation.

Jesus Christ leads His Church through prophets and apostles.

Acts 1:1–11

Come, Follow Me—For Primary: New Testament 2023 “Acts 1-5” Learning about how the Savior led His ancient Church through apostles can help the children gain testimonies of prophets and apostles in our day.

Show the full-page picture from this week’s outline in Come, Follow Me—For Individuals and Families. Ask the children why they think the people are looking at the sky.

Summarize the account from Acts 1:1–11. (See also “Chapter 55: The Apostles Lead the Church,” in New Testament Stories, 145–47, or the corresponding video on ChurchofJesusChrist.org.)

Friend July 2019 “Jesus Said to Share the Gospel”

Friend July 2023 “The Prophet Peter”

• Friend July 2023 “Come, Follow Me Activities: Follow the Leader”

• Story: After Jesus died, Peter was called to be the leader of the Lord’s Church. You can read this story on page 46 or in Acts 2–3.
• Song: “Stand for the Right” (Children’s Songbook, 159)
• Activity: Pick a person to be the leader. Have the leader do an action (like hopping on one foot or spinning). The others copy them. When the leader changes the action, the others copy the new action. Take turns being the leader until each person has had a turn.

Invite a child to hold up a picture of the current Apostles. Who helps Jesus Christ lead the Church when He is not on the earth?

Play a matching game with two sets of pictures of the living First Presidency and Twelve Apostles. When a match is made, share the Apostle or President’s name and something about him.

Friend May 2018 “Our Prophets and Apostles Today”

Friend 2020

On the back of a picture of the President of the Church, tape small pictures of things he teaches about, like the Savior, baptism, or a temple. Let each child take a turn looking at one of the pictures and telling the rest of the class, “The prophet teaches us about [the topic of the picture].” Testify that prophets and apostles teach us what Jesus wants us to know and do.

Jesus Christ leads His Church through prophets and apostles.

Acts 1:8, 22–26

Come, Follow Me—For Primary: New Testament 2023 “Acts 1-5” How will you help the children understand that the Savior’s Church today is led by prophets and apostles, just as it was in ancient times?

Write on the board How does Jesus Christ lead the Church when He is not on the earth? Invite the children to listen for answers to the question as you read the Savior’s words to the Apostles in Acts 1:8. Help the children understand that Jesus has chosen prophets and apostles to lead the Church today, just as He did anciently.

Read together Acts 1:22–26. As a class, identify how the Apostles called a new Apostle.

• Much the same process is still used today. The Church topic page on apostles shares that “Apostles are chosen through inspiration by the President of the Church, sustained by the general membership of the Church, and ordained by the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles by the laying on of hands.”

Ahead of time, ask a child and his or her parent to learn about a recently called Apostle (they can find information about the Apostles at “Quorum of the Twelve Apostles,” ChurchofJesusChrist.org). Invite the child to share what he or she learned with the class and, if possible, what the Apostle said about his call in his first general conference message.

• Ulisses Soares biography

• Ulisses Soares was sustained as a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on March 31, 2018. Below is his first conference address after his call.

The Holy Ghost bears witness to my heart of gospel truths.

Acts 2:36–47 also Acts 2:1–24

Come, Follow Me—For Primary: New Testament 2023 “Acts 1-5” When children learn to recognize how the Holy Ghost speaks to them, they will be inspired to listen and act on the inspiration they receive.

“Lesson 36: The Day of Pentecost,” Primary 7: New Testament

Teach the children that when Jesus was with his Apostles he taught them many things. He knew he would not always be with them, so he promised to send a special gift to help them.

Read the following clues. Have the children stand when they think they know what the gift is and whisper the answer in your ear. If they correctly identify the Holy Ghost, have them remain standing.

• I teach the truth.
• I am a guide.
• I give comfort.
• I testify of Jesus Christ.
• I usually speak to your mind or heart.
• I am a member of the Godhead.
• I am a spirit person but do not have a physical body.

Write Pentecost on the chalkboard. Explain that Pentecost comes from a Greek word meaning fiftieth. Pentecost was a Jewish celebration held every year fifty days after the Passover. Jesus gave the sacrament to his Apostles at the Last Supper, which happened at the time of the Passover. It was fifty days after the Last Supper that his disciples received the gift of the Holy Ghost. Write Gift of the Holy Ghost on the chalkboard.

• On the day of Pentecost, how did the Holy Ghost come to Jesus’ Apostles? (Acts 2:1–4.)
• What gave the disciples the ability to speak in tongues and be understood by people who spoke other languages? (Acts 2:4.) How does this spiritual gift of the Holy Ghost help the Church’s missionary effort today? (By helping many of the missionaries learn foreign languages. The gift of tongues can also help contacts understand the gospel message even when a missionary does not speak the language well.)
• What caused the hearts of the people to be pricked after Peter had testified of Christ’s crucifixion and resurrection? (Acts 2:33, 36–37. The Holy Ghost.) What does it mean to have a pricked heart? (To have a sharp feeling of regret or sorrow.) How can the Holy Ghost help us feel sorry for things we have done?
• What did Peter tell the people they needed to do to receive the gift of the Holy Ghost? (Acts 2:38.) What do we need to do to receive the gift of the Holy Ghost?
• After the 3,000 souls were baptized, what were some of the things they did so the Holy Ghost would continue to guide them? (Acts 2:42–47.) (You could have the children find the answers in the scriptures and list them on the chalkboard.)

Read together Acts 2:36–37. What does it feel like when the Holy Ghost tells us something in our hearts?

• Friend March 2020 “How Does Heavenly Father Speak to Us?”

As a class, make a poster with the words What shall we do? at the top. Display the poster each week, and add ways the children can act on what they learn in each week’s lesson.

Invite the children to read Acts 2:41–47 and find the good things the people did after they were baptized. What good things can we do to show we are thankful for the gift of the Holy Ghost we received when we were baptized?

Friend February 2018 “Funstuff: The Holy Ghost”

• Friend October 2017 “Guided by the Holy Ghost” Elder Robert D. Hales learned to follow the Holy Ghost to help others.

Heavenly Father can bless others through me.

Acts 3:1–10

Come, Follow Me—For Primary: New Testament 2023 “Acts 1-5” What can you do to help children recognize ways they can bless those around them? Help them learn from the example of Peter and John healing the lame man.

Invite the children to do actions that go along with the story in Acts 3:1–10, such as putting out their hands for money and leaping for joy. How did Heavenly Father bless the man who couldn’t walk?

Bring a bag containing pictures that represent ways that we can bless and serve others. Let the children take turns choosing pictures from the bag and sharing how they can bless others in that way.

Friend June 2009 “How Many People Can We Help?”

New Era March 2016 “Can I Care for the Poor and Needy?”

Ask the children to share a time when they helped someone.

Additional teaching ideas: “Lesson 37: Peter the Apostle,” Primary 7: New Testament  Lesson ideas

Heavenly Father can bless others through me.

Acts 3:1–10

Come, Follow Me—For Primary: New Testament 2023 “Acts 1-5” How can you teach the children that they can bless others, even if they do not have “silver and gold”? (Acts 3:6). How can you help them see opportunities to serve God by serving others? (see Mosiah 2:17).

Ask a child to read Acts 3:1–10 while the other children act out the story. (For help, see “Chapter 56: Peter Heals a Man,” in New Testament Stories, 148–49, or the corresponding video on ChurchofJesusChrist.org.) You could also show the video “Peter and John Heal a Man Crippled Since Birth” (ChurchofJesusChrist.org). How was the blessing this man received greater than the money he asked for?

Pass around a bag of coins. As the children hold the bag, ask them what they can buy with money. Ask the children what we have to give others that does not cost money. Invite them to share how they can help others come closer to the Savior—a gift that does not require money (Acts 3:6).

Friend July 2023 “How You Can Be a Missionary”

I can be honest.

Acts 5:1–11

Come, Follow Me—For Primary: New Testament 2023 “Acts 1-5” The early Christians shared what they had to help care for each other. Those who owned land sold it and gave the money to the Apostles, who then gave it to the Saints according to their needs. Ananias and Sapphira were dishonest about their contribution, thinking they could deceive the Lord’s servants.

Help the children act out the story of Ananias and Sapphira. Explain that although we won’t die when we tell a lie, this story shows how important being honest is to Heavenly Father.

• The below videos aren’t produced by the church, but they may provide some ideas on how the children may act out the story.

Sing together a song about honesty, such as “I Believe in Being Honest” (Children’s Songbook, 149). Help the children understand that being honest means always telling the truth and not taking things that belong to someone else.

Use paper-bag puppets to act out simple situations in which someone is being honest or dishonest. Ask the children to stand up if the person was being honest or sit on the floor if the person was being dishonest. Help the children understand why it is important to be honest.

The sites below have free printable cutouts to help make paper bag people.

Aunt Annie’s Crafts

The Caterpillar Years

• “Honesty Quiz” (April 2011 Friend) A quiz to help children evaluate how honest they are.

• Friend September 2018 “Map Champ” During a map game at school, Linda doesn’t hear the teacher because the kids are being too loud. Her teacher trusts her because she doesn’t lie, and the teacher gives her another chance.

Latter Day Kids “I Can Be Honest” Lesson ideas

• For additional teaching aids see Honesty Stories and Resources for Teaching Children “Honesty“
• “Lesson 38: Barnabas, Ananias, and Sapphira,” Primary 7: New Testament 

Additional Resources

The Red Crystal “Acts 1-5”

Come Follow Me with Living Scriptures