Paul Before King Agrippa Preschool Lesson
Preschool lesson (ages 3–6, 20 minutes)
1. Welcome (3 min)
Sit in a circle, greet every child by name and show one thing from the story to touch.
2. The little story (5 min)
Teach the refrain first: “Paul told the king about Jesus.”
Paul was still a prisoner, now in the city of Caesarea, by the sea. He had been a prisoner for a long time. Paul had asked to be judged by the emperor in Rome. So he was waiting.
One day a king came to visit. His name was King Agrippa. A woman named Bernice came with him. They came to see Festus, the new governor.
Festus told the king about Paul. “The leaders say bad things about him,” he said. “But he has done nothing worthy of death. And Paul says that a man named Jesus, who died, is alive!” King Agrippa said, “I also would like to hear the man myself.”
The next day the king and Bernice came in with great pomp. Pomp means a big, fancy show. Can you walk like a king, slow and grand? Captains and important men came in too. Then Paul was brought in.
Agrippa said to Paul, “You may speak for yourself.” Paul stretched out his hand. Then he began to speak. Paul told the king about Jesus.
Paul said, “I think myself happy, King Agrippa.” He told how he grew up in Jerusalem. He learned God’s law. He had always hoped for what God had promised.
Paul asked them a question. “Why is it judged incredible with you if God does raise the dead?” Incredible means too hard to believe. But nothing is too hard for God!
Then Paul told how he had once been against the friends of Jesus. He put many of them in prison. He was very angry with them.
Then Paul told about the road to Damascus. At noon a light from the sky, brighter than the sun, shone around him. Everyone fell to the ground.
A voice said, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” That means: why are you hurting me? Paul asked, “Who are you, Lord?” He said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. But arise, and stand on your feet.” Can you stand up tall?
Jesus said he would send Paul to people of every nation. Jesus told him why. “To open their eyes, that they may turn from darkness to light.” Close your eyes. Now open them wide! Paul told the king about Jesus.
Paul said that he obeyed. He told everyone, near and far, to turn to God. God had helped him to this very day. And Paul told how Jesus rose from the dead.
Then Governor Festus shouted, “Paul, you are crazy!” But Paul said, “I am not crazy, most excellent Festus.” Paul said these things had not been done in a corner. The king knew about them.
Paul asked, “King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know that you believe.” The king answered. “With a little persuasion are you trying to make me a Christian?” Paul told the king about Jesus.
Paul said he prayed to God for everyone there. He wanted them all to become like him. But not with chains!
Then the king and the governor stood up and went out. They talked together. “This man does nothing worthy of death or of bonds.”
God had helped Paul to this very day. And God was with him, even in chains. Paul told the king about Jesus.
3. Talk together (3 min)
- How do you think Paul felt when he stood in front of the king?
- If you could tell a king about Jesus, what would you say?
4. Move (3 min)
Refrain Freeze: move around the room; when you say the refrain, everyone freezes and says it together.
5. Make (4 min)
Draw a line to who said it.
6. Verse and prayer (2 min)
“That they may turn from darkness to light” — Acts 26:18 (turn → turn around in place; from darkness → cover your eyes; to light → open your hands wide like the sun)
Dear Jesus, thank you that you turn people from darkness to light. Thank you that you helped Paul every day. Amen.
Lesson for older kids (ages 6–10)
Big idea: Be brave and share your story
Memory verse: “For I am not ashamed of the Good News of Christ, because it is the power of God for salvation for everyone who believes.” — Romans 1:16 · WEB
The Bible story
Paul stands in a grand hall before a king and a governor, and instead of being afraid, he bravely shares the happiest story he knows about Jesus.
Talk about it
- Where did the king and governor come to hear Paul speak? — A great audience hall
- What was the name of the king who listened to Paul? — King Agrippa
- What did Paul say about speaking before the king? — He was glad for the chance
- What did Paul do when he was young, before he loved Jesus? — He hurt Jesus' followers
- Where was Paul traveling when the bright light appeared? — To Damascus
- How bright was the light that shone around Paul? — Brighter than the sun
Where is Jesus in this story?
The whole reason Paul stood so bravely before the king was because of Jesus. On the road to Damascus, Jesus, who is alive after rising from the grave, met Paul and forgave him for all the wrong things he had done. Jesus did not stay angry; He offered Paul love and a new life. That is what Jesus does for each of us. He meets us right where we are, forgives us, and turns us around so we can walk in His light and share His love with everyone.
What God wants to tell us
Paul once went the wrong way, but Jesus met him with love and turned his life around. That is why Paul was never afraid to tell the truth, even in front of a king. God shows us that no matter what we have done, He can change our hearts and give us a brand new start. And when God fills us with hope, we can be brave and share our story with anyone, big or small, just like Paul did.
Prayer
Father God, thank You that You can change any heart, even mine. Help me to be brave like Paul and to tell others about how much You love us. When I feel worried, fill me with Your peace and hope. Thank You for Jesus, who gives me a fresh start. Amen.
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