Table of Contents
Acts CHAPTER 22 Paul recounts the story of his conversion and also tells of seeing Jesus in a vision—He is accorded some privileges as a Roman citizen.
Acts CHAPTER 23 Paul is smitten at Ananias’s order—The Lord again appears to Paul—Forty Jews plot his death—He is delivered over to Felix.
Acts CHAPTER 24 Paul is accused of sedition—He answers in defense of his life and doctrine—He teaches Felix of righteousness, temperance, and the judgment to come.
Acts CHAPTER 25 Paul, before Festus, appeals unto Cæsar—Agrippa desires to hear Paul.
Acts CHAPTER 26 Paul recounts his former persecution of the Saints as a Pharisee—He testifies of the appearance of Jesus on the Damascus road—Paul bears his testimony to King Agrippa.
Acts CHAPTER 27 Paul, in a perilous voyage, travels toward Rome—An angel comforts him—He uses the gift of seership—He is shipwrecked.
Acts CHAPTER 28 Paul is unharmed by a viper’s bite—He heals the sick in Melita—He preaches in Rome, first to the Jews and then to the Gentiles.
Friend October 2019 “Paul’s Missionary Journeys”
Heavenly Father and Jesus care about me and will help me during hard times.
Come, Follow Me—For Primary: New Testament 2023 “Acts 22-28” Learning about how the Savior helped Paul can build the children’s faith that Heavenly Father and Jesus care about them.
Share the story in Acts 23:10–11 of the Savior visiting Paul in prison. Or show the video “Be of Good Cheer” (ChurchofJesusChrist.org), which portrays this story. Share a time when you had a trial and received guidance and comfort from God. Ask the children to share times when they felt comforted by God.
- Friend August 2023 “Never Really Alone” Ethan has brittle bone disease, a sickness that made his bones break easily. One night, after breaking his leg at school when stepping off a swing, he becomes worried that someday he might break a bone when no one is there to help. His father tells him that Heavenly Father is always watching over him and that he is never really alone.
- Friend November 2021 “The Baptism Journal” A girl misses her friends during Covid and she prays for peace. She is inspired to look at her baptism journal. It reminds her of her testimony and that the Holy Ghost can comfort her. She shares it with a lonely neighbor and explains that it reminds her that Jesus loves her.
- Friend March 2019 “Missing Mom and Dad” Dylan’s mom and dad were going on a trip, and he was going to stay with his grandparents. He loved staying with his grandparents, but for some reason he was scared about being away from his mom and dad for so long. He decided to pray for help, and he received comforting thoughts and feelings.
Help the children memorize what Jesus said to Paul: “Be of good cheer.” Ask the children to think of someone they can invite to be of good cheer—perhaps someone who is sad or worried.
- Friend May 2020 “I’ll Be Kind” Action Rhyme about ways to help someone who is sad.
Sing a song with the children about being happy, such as “Smiles” (Children’s Songbook, 267).
Latter Days Kids “Be of Good Cheer” Lesson ideas
When I face adversity, God does not forsake me.
Acts 23:10–11; 27:18–25; 28:1–6
Come, Follow Me—For Primary: New Testament 2023 “Acts 22-28” Throughout the trials Paul experienced, the Lord was with him. How can you help the children liken Paul’s experiences to their own lives?
Using Acts 23:10, explain that Paul was put in prison because he taught the people about Jesus. Then read Acts 23:11 with the children. Or show the video “Be of Good Cheer” (ChurchofJesusChrist.org), which portrays this story. Why could Paul “be of good cheer” even though he was in prison?
Write on the board Acts 23:10–11; Acts 27:18–25; and Acts 28:1–6. Show pictures of a jail, a ship, and a snake, and invite the children to review these verses and match them with the pictures. In each of these accounts, how did the Lord show Paul that He was with him?
Share an experience when the Lord was with you during a difficult time and how it strengthened your testimony of Him. Encourage the children to also share experiences.
- Friend August 2021 “Peace through Priesthood Power” When Elder Steven R. Bangerter was a child, he had gamma globulin anemia which made it hard for his body to fight off germs, so he got sick a lot. One night he had an earache so bad that he thought his head would explode. He father gave him a blessing and he was able to sleep through the night and feel better the next day. The next few year his father continued to give him priesthood blessings. He taught him that those blessings were opportunities for Heavenly Father to speak to him. His sickness became a way for Heavenly Father to help his faith to grow.
- Friend February 2023 “Lost and Found Friends” Leah didn’t know anyone in her new class. She hoped she could make a friend. A girl named Anna sat next to and asked if Leah wanted to be friends. They were good friends through the year and played together every day. Then Anna started acting strange and not talking to her. When asked why, Anna said her new friend said Leah was weird and she didn’t think they could hang out anymore. Leah was hurt, but soon school ended and she was busy with lots of activities hanging out with her best friend. School was about to start and Leah was worried about not having a friend. She kept praying for help. Then on the first day of school she found that her best friend was in her class. Heavenly Father had helped her.
I can share my testimony with others.
Come, Follow Me—For Primary: New Testament 2023 “Acts 22-28” Reviewing Paul’s testimony before King Agrippa can help the children learn how to share what they know is true.
Bring a paper crown to class and let a child wear it and pretend to be King Agrippa. Invite another child to stand before the king to represent Paul as you summarize Paul’s testimony and the reaction of King Agrippa, found in Acts 26:1–29 (see “Chapter 63: Paul Finishes His Mission,” in New Testament Stories, 162–66, or the corresponding video on ChurchofJesusChrist.org). Explain that we can share our testimonies with others, as Paul did.
“A Child of God—No Matter What!,” Friend, Jan. 2009, 34–35
- Friend February 2016 “Testimony Treasure” Sabrina learns that a testimony is a treasure you want to share with others, so she shared her testimony with her friend that going to church and learning about Jesus makes her feel happy. Her friend then went to church and told Sabrina that it did make her feel happy.
Ask the children to listen while you sing or read a song about testimony, such as “I Know My Father Lives” (Children’s Songbook, 5). Invite the children to raise their hands when they hear something they know is true. You may want to sing the song several times; invite the children to join you once they’re familiar with the words. Help them practice sharing their testimonies of things they know are true.
Use this week’s activity page to help the children think about something they could say when they share their testimonies (see the Articles of Faith for more ideas). Invite them to share their testimonies with someone in their family.
- “Gunnar’s Testimony” (May 2000 Friend)
Gunnar learns a testimony is something you believe and feel inside.
- “Time for family home evening!” Dad called.
- Gunnar came running. He loved home evenings. Climbing up on the sofa, he snuggled between Ryan and Mom.
- After the opening song and prayer, Dad stood up. “We’re going to have a special home evening,” he said. “Tonight we are going to have a testimony meeting.”
- Testimony? Gunnar couldn’t remember his Primary teacher ever talking about a testimony in nursery. “What’s a testimony, Daddy?” he asked.
- Dad smiled at Gunnar. “A testimony is what you believe about Heavenly Father and Jesus and the Church. It’s what you feel inside about them,” Dad said. “And you want to share your testimony because it means so much to you.”
- “Oh.”
- Then Dad said, “I have a testimony that Jesus Christ lives. And He loves each one of us.”
- Emily was next. “I know that the Book of Mormon is true.”
- “I’m glad that we have prophets,” said Ryan. “I know that Joseph Smith was a prophet.”
- Mom said, “I’m grateful that your father and I were married in the temple, so we can be a family forever.” She reached into her pocket for a tissue to wipe her eyes.
- Everyone in the family had shared a testimony except Gunnar.
- A testimony is something I believe. Something I feel inside, Gunnar thought. Now he knew what he could say. He scooted off the sofa, stood straight and tall, and said, “I am a child of God.” Then he sat down. Mom gave him a little squeeze, and she had to get out that tissue again.
- Gunnar had a happy feeling inside.
I can boldly share my testimony of Jesus Christ.
Come, Follow Me—For Primary: New Testament 2023 “Acts 22-28” Paul’s courage in sharing his testimony can help the children be bold when sharing their testimonies.
Select verses from Acts 26 to read with the children to help them understand what Paul told King Agrippa about his experiences (such as verses 9–16) and what he taught about Jesus Christ (such as verses 18, 23). You might also show a portion of the video “Paul: A Chosen Vessel” (ChurchofJesusChrist.org).
Why might it have been scary for Paul to share these things before the king? Invite the children to list some gospel principles they know to be true. Ask them to think of someone they know who needs to hear their testimony of these truths.
- Come, Follow Me—For Individuals and Families: New Testament 2023 “Acts 22-28” When Paul delivered the powerful testimonies recorded in Acts 22 and 26, he was being held prisoner by Roman soldiers. The people he spoke to had the power to condemn him to death. Yet he chose to boldly bear witness of Jesus Christ and “the heavenly vision” (Acts 26:19) he had received. What inspires you about his words? Consider the opportunities you have to share your testimony. For example, do your friends know how you feel about Jesus Christ? Or when was the last time you told your family how you gained your testimony of the gospel?
Invite the children to use this week’s activity page to write something they might say when they share their testimonies.
- Friend July 2015 See link for lesson ideas too
Prophets warn me of danger.
Come, Follow Me—For Primary: New Testament 2023 “Acts 22-28” Consider how the account of Paul’s shipwreck can teach the children that prophets see physical and spiritual danger that we can’t see.
Invite the children to pretend they are on a ship that is being wrecked in a storm. Read Paul’s warning to the people, found in Acts 27:9–10, and share the story of the shipwreck that happened because they didn’t listen to his warning (see Acts 27:11, 39–44). Show a picture of the President of the Church, and bear your testimony that he can warn us of spiritual dangers.
Place several pictures or objects around the room that represent things prophets have taught us to do to be more like Jesus, such as loving others or being baptized. As a class, walk around the room, stopping at each picture or object to talk about how following the prophet’s teachings helps to keep us safe.
- “Sharing Time: Blessings Come When We Follow the Prophet” (June 2001 Liahona and Friend) An illustrated matching game that pairs prophets with their teachings.
- The pictures below match each of the prophets words in the activity above.
Prophets warn me of danger.
Come, Follow Me—For Primary: New Testament 2023 “Acts 22-28” Children can listen to the messages of living prophets and recognize their warnings. How can you help the children learn how to heed those warnings?
- New Testament Seminary Student Manual (2023) “Acts 27-28” Complete the following activity by first reading the information at the top of each square. Then read the accompanying verses in Acts 27. Summarize the account in the center of each box by either drawing a simple picture or writing a summary of Paul’s words and actions. Be sure to also include the reaction of the people to Paul’s counsel.
| Roman soldiers brought Paul and other prisoners onto a ship of almost 300 people. Their voyage was slow, difficult, and dangerous because it was late in the fall, when violent storms occurred frequently.Read Acts 27:9–13. | During a terrible storm, attempts were made to repair the ship and lighten the cargo.Read Acts 27:20–26. |
| After 14 days of the terrible storm, they attempted a perilous approach to land. The sailors dropped anchor and wanted to abandon the ship because they thought it would be dashed against the rocks.Read Acts 27:30–36. | After lightening the ship even further, they tried to land the ship.Read Acts 27:41–44. |
Cut a piece of paper shaped like a ship into puzzle pieces. Invite the children to write Paul’s warnings in Acts 27:9–11 on the pieces and put the puzzle together.
Why didn’t the people listen to Paul? (see verse 11). Invite the children to read verses 18–20 and 40–44 to find out what happened as a result. (Explain that because the people followed Paul’s later counsel to stay on the ship, no one died in the shipwreck; see verses 30–32.) What can we learn from this experience about following the prophet?
Bring a recent conference message by the President of the Church and share with the children any warnings or counsel he gave. Invite the children to think of ways they can follow the prophet.
President Nelson’s Warning:
“In coming days, it will not be possible to survive spiritually without the guiding, directing, comforting, and constant influence of the Holy Ghost,”
President Nelson’s Teachings:
- Choose to do the spiritual work required to enjoy the gift of the Holy Ghost and hear the voice of the Spirit more frequently and more clearly.”
- “I urge you to stretch beyond your current spiritual ability to receive personal revelation.”
- “I plead with you to increase your spiritual capacity to receive revelation.”
- Humble yourself before God.
- Pour out your heart to your Heavenly Father.
- Turn to Him for answers and for comfort.
- Pray in the name of Jesus Christ about your concerns, your fears, your weaknesses—yes, the very longings of your heart.
- Listen!
- Write the thoughts that come to your mind.
- Record your feelings.
- Follow through with actions that you are prompted to take.
Show the video “Blessed and Happy Are Those Who Keep the Commandments of God” (ChurchofJesusChrist.org). How are prophets like the man with the binoculars?
Additional Resources
- Lesson 44: Paul the Missionary Primary 7: New Testament manual Lesson Purpose: To encourage each child to prepare now to be a missionary and share the gospel with others.
- Lesson 45: Paul’s Journey to Rome Primary 7: New Testament manual Lesson Purpose: To help each child learn more about the gifts of the Spirit, which come through the Holy Ghost.
- The Red Crystal Great lesson ideas!
- Come Follow Me with Living Scriptures