Tag Archives: Tabitha

Jul 9 2023

Acts 6–9

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Table of Contents

Acts CHAPTER 6 The Apostles choose seven to assist them—Stephen is tried before the council.

Acts CHAPTER 7 Stephen recounts the history of Israel and names Moses as a prototype of Christ—He testifies of the apostasy in Israel—He sees Jesus on the right hand of God—Stephen’s testimony is rejected, and he is stoned to death.

Acts CHAPTER 8 Saul persecutes the Church—Philip’s ministry in Samaria is described—Philip performs miracles and baptizes men and women—Peter and John come to Samaria and confer the gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands—Simon seeks to buy this gift and is rebuked by Peter—Philip preaches about Christ and baptizes an Ethiopian eunuch.

Acts CHAPTER 9 Jesus appears to Saul—Saul is a chosen vessel—Ananias restores Saul’s sight—Saul is baptized and begins his ministry—Peter heals Æneas and raises Dorcas from death.

I can follow Jesus Christ by standing for the right.

Acts 6–7

Come, Follow Me—For Primary: New Testament 2023 “Acts 6-9” What can the children learn from Stephen about being a follower of Jesus Christ?

Help the children create actions to go with a song about choosing the right, such as “Stand for the Right” (Children’s Songbook, 159).

Use Acts 7:51–60 to teach the children that Stephen taught about Jesus Christ, even though it made the Jewish leaders very angry (see also “Chapter 57: Wicked Men Kill Stephen,” in New Testament Stories, 150–51, or the corresponding video on ChurchofJesusChrist.org). How did Stephen stand for the right?

Give the children several scenarios of children who have to make a choice between right and wrong. Ask the children what they would do to stand for the right.

  • Friend November 2017 “Peer Pressure Problems” Ideas on how to deal with peer pressure to avoid making wrong choices.
  • Friend November 2015 Take turns acting out standing for truth using the provided scenarios. Link also includes other lesson ideas and a story.
Friend November 2015
Friend August 2015
Friend August 2015

I will be a witness of Jesus Christ.

Acts 6–7

Come, Follow Me—For Primary: New Testament 2023 “Acts 6-9” How can you help the children you teach learn from Stephen’s example of standing as a witness of Jesus Christ?

Read Acts 6:5–15 and 7:51–60 with the children. What made Stephen such a powerful witness of Jesus Christ? Invite one or more children to pretend to be Stephen and share why they believe in Jesus Christ.

Invite the children to read Acts 6:3–10, searching for qualities Stephen had that helped him grow.

Ask the children to help you think of situations in which they can stand as witnesses of Jesus Christ and His gospel. Help them role-play some of these situations. Ask the children to read Mosiah 18:9. Point out that being a witness of Jesus Christ is included in the promises we make at baptism.

  • Friend November 2008 “Sharing a Testimony” The other day I had a friend over who is not a member of the Church. He saw a picture of Jesus on our refrigerator, and told me that he did not believe that Jesus was real. I said, “Jesus is real, and I believe in Him!” I then told him that Jesus really lived on this earth a long time ago and that He died, but on the third day He was resurrected. I told him that because of Jesus, we will be able to live again after we die too. My friend listened to what I was saying as he looked at the picture of Jesus. He seemed to believe that what I was telling him was true. I want to give him a Book of Mormon with my testimony written in it for his birthday. I know this Church is true, and I am thankful when I can share my testimony with my friends. (Brigham P., age 6, Montana)

  • Friend November 2019 “Jesus is Real” Everyone at Ismay’s table at school were excitedly talking about Christmas and their favorite traditions such as going to a church service. Suddenly Charlotte spoke up and said, “Jesus isn’t even real.” Ismay was sad to hear this and she quietly bore her testimony to Charlotte that Jesus was real, and that she felt it in her heart. She was glad she had spoken up and planted a seed about Jesus.

  • Come, Follow Me—For Individuals and Families: New Testament 2023 “Acts 6-9”The Jewish leaders were responsible for preparing the people for the coming of the Messiah. And yet they failed to recognize the Messiah and rejected Him. How did this happen? Part of the answer may be found in Stephen’s words: “Ye do always resist the Holy Ghost” (Acts 7:51). What do you think it means to resist the Holy Ghost? Why does resisting the Holy Ghost lead to rejecting the Savior and His servants?

Acts 7:51–60.

  • How did the Holy Ghost bless Stephen when he was being persecuted? When have we received strength from the Holy Ghost during difficult times?
  • See also the following:

The priesthood is a priceless gift from God.

Acts 8:9–24

Come, Follow Me—For Primary: New Testament 2023 “Acts 6-9” Satan promotes the message that material things bring us happiness. How can you use the story of Simon to help the children value spiritual things such as the priesthood and its blessings?

Summarize the story of Simon, found in Acts 8:9–24 (see also “Chapter 58: Simon and the Priesthood,” in New Testament Stories, 152–53, or the corresponding video on ChurchofJesusChrist.org).

Why can’t we receive the priesthood by buying it? How does someone really receive priesthood authority? (see Articles of Faith 1:5).

  • “Article of Faith 5” (May 2011 Friend) Number pictures relating to how a person receives a calling in the right order.

Show pictures of the sacrament, a temple (representing temple blessings), a baptism, and other blessings we receive through the priesthood. Explain that these gifts from God cannot be bought with money. Why are they more valuable than anything we could buy? How do we receive these blessings?

  • Friend August 2021 “The Power of a Priesthood Blessing” Heavenly Father’s priesthood power blesses our lives in many ways. The cards below show some of the blessings we can all have because of the priesthood. Cut them out and put them face down. Then take turns choosing one and telling how it has helped you or will help you someday!

The Holy Ghost inspires me to share the gospel with others.

Acts 8:26–39

Come, Follow Me—For Primary: New Testament 2023 “Acts 6-9” Philip followed the promptings of the Spirit and helped an Ethiopian man who was struggling to understand the scriptures. What lessons does this story hold for the children you teach?

Pull two chairs together to create a chariot. Invite two children to sit in the chariot, one to represent Philip and the other the Ethiopian man. Then tell the story of how Philip taught the gospel to the man from Ethiopia.

Share an experience in which you felt the Holy Ghost tell you to share the gospel with someone. Testify that the Holy Ghost can help us tell others about Jesus.

  • For the Strength of Youth July 2023 “11 Really Short Stories about Sharing the Gospel” One day I had a spiritual prompting that I should invite my best friend from school to a devotional. I wanted to ignore the prompting, but I finally sent her a text the day before. As we sat together at the devotional, I was nervous. But when the meeting was over, she had a big smile on her face. It was a reminder to me that God knows His children better than I do and that I should always follow promptings to share the gospel of Jesus Christ. (Eliza, Minnesota, USA)
  • I was in class one day sitting next to my friend. We were getting ready to take an exam, and he told me he was really nervous. I felt that I needed to teach him how to pray. Then we both bowed our heads and silently prayed for help on the test. I’m grateful prayer could help calm my friend’s nerves. (Abigail, Uruguay)
  • Friend February2016 President Eyring has a friend who prays every day to meet someone who is prepared to receive the gospel. One night before a short trip, he has a spiritual impression to take a Book of Mormon with him. On his flight he sits by someone who he knows, and she asks him questions about the Book of Mormon. He is able to give her his copy.
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image

Heavenly Father invites me to repent and change. (Younger children)

Acts 9:1–20

Come, Follow Me—For Primary: New Testament 2023 “Acts 6-9” When Jesus told Saul to stop persecuting the Lord’s Church, Saul immediately repented and changed. How can this account help the children you teach desire to quickly change when they make a mistake?

Summarize the story of Saul’s conversion, found in Acts 9:1–20 (see also “Chapter 59: Saul Learns about Jesus,” in New Testament Stories, 154–55, or the corresponding video on ChurchofJesusChrist.org).

Friend November 2015
Friend November 2015

Talk with the children about things that change, such as a tadpole, which changes into a frog, or a caterpillar, which changes into a butterfly. Show pictures, if possible. How did Saul change when Jesus Christ visited him?

Clipart Library
Clipart Library

Draw a forked road on the board. Invite the children to name places they would like to visit, and write them at the top of one road. What would happen if we turned onto the wrong road? Compare repentance to getting back on the right road.

Clipart Library
  • Friend February 2018 “Back on the Trail” Danilo doesn’t listen to his aunt about which trail to follow and he gets stuck. (Story also provides lesson questions.)
  • Story: A man named Saul tried to destroy Jesus Christ’s Church. Then he repented and changed his life. He became a missionary and taught people about Jesus Christ. He became known as Paul. (See Acts 9:1–20.)
  • Song: “I Know My Father Lives” (Children’s Songbook, 5)
  • Activity: Get some dirt on your hands. How does it make you feel when your hands are dirty? Next, wash your hands with soap and water. Washing our hands is like repentance. Because of Jesus, we can repent and be clean again after we sin.

Ask the children to repeat what Saul said to the Lord: “What wilt thou have me to do?” (Acts 9:6). What does the Lord want us to do?

Heavenly Father invites me to repent and change. (Older Children)

Acts 9:1–20

Come, Follow Me—For Primary: New Testament 2023 “Acts 6-9” When Jesus told Saul to stop persecuting the Lord’s Church, Saul immediately repented and changed. How can this account help the children you teach desire to quickly change when they make a mistake?

Invite the children to fold a piece of paper in half. Ask them to write Before on one half and After on the other half. Read with the children Acts 8:1–3; 9:1–2; and 9:17–22, and ask them to write down words or phrases that describe Saul before and after he saw the Lord.

Invite a ward member to share his or her conversion story and how being a member of the Church has changed his or her life, as Saul’s life was changed.

Draw a “road to Damascus” on the board. Invite the children to read Acts 9:6, 11, 18, 20–22, searching for what Saul did to repent and turn to Christ, and write these actions along the road. What do we learn from Saul about how we can become more like Christ?

  • He recognized his sins. (Acts 9:6.)
  • He fasted and prayed for forgiveness. (Acts 9:9, 11.)
  • He was baptized. (Acts 9:18.)
  • He tried to correct the things he had done wrong. (Acts 9:20.)
  • He changed and never persecuted people again.
  • Explain that Saul was not wicked in his heart; he was deceived. He needed to repent and be baptized.

The below story could be related to the story of Saul’s path to repentance.

  • Friend February 2018 “Back on the Trail” Danilo doesn’t listen to his aunt about which trail to follow and he gets stuck. (Story also provides lesson questions.)

Invite the children to draw their favorite part of the account of Saul’s conversion and share their drawing with the class.

  • Acts 9:5. A prick was a sharp spear used to drive animals. Often the animals would kick back when pricked, which would cause the spear to sink even further into the animal’s flesh. How might this analogy sometimes apply to us? What can we do to better accept correction from the Lord?

Additional Resources

Peter Brings Tabitha Back to Life

Acts 9:32–43.

Friend September 2023 “Tabitha’s Miracle”