Saul Meets Jesus on the Damascus Road 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: “Jesus had a new plan for Saul.”
Saul was a man who did not believe in Jesus. He was very angry with Jesus’ friends. People called them followers of the Way. Saul wanted to catch them and take them away as prisoners to Jerusalem.
Saul went to the high priest. He asked for letters. With these letters he could catch Jesus’ friends in the city of Damascus. So Saul set off on the long road to Damascus. Damascus was far away, in another land.
Saul came close to Damascus. Suddenly a light from the sky shone all around him! Saul fell to the ground. Can you cover your eyes from the bright light?
Then a voice said, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” To persecute means to chase and hurt someone. Saul asked, “Who are you, Lord?”
The Lord said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. But rise up and enter into the city. Then you will be told what you must do.” Jesus had a new plan for Saul.
The men with Saul stood still. They could not say a word. They heard the sound, but they did not see anyone.
Saul got up. He opened his eyes, but he could not see! The men led him by the hand into Damascus. Can you close your eyes and hold someone’s hand?
For three days Saul could not see. He did not eat or drink. He was praying. Jesus had a new plan for Saul.
In Damascus lived a friend of Jesus named Ananias. The Lord spoke to him in a vision. A vision is something God lets you see. The Lord said, “Ananias!” He said, “Behold, it’s me, Lord.”
The Lord said, “Arise and go to the street which is called Straight. Inquire for one named Saul. For behold, he is praying.” Inquire means ask.
Maybe Ananias was afraid. He said, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he did.”
But the Lord said, “Go your way, for he is my chosen vessel.” A vessel is like a jar that carries something. Saul would carry Jesus’ name to many lands and kings. Jesus had a new plan for Saul.
So Ananias went to the house. He put his hands on Saul. He spoke kindly. “Brother Saul, the Lord has sent me that you may receive your sight.” Ananias called Saul his brother!
Right away something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes. Scales are like thin little flakes. Saul could see again! Can you blink your eyes? Blink, blink! He got up and was baptized. He ate some food and became strong.
Saul stayed with Jesus’ friends in Damascus. Soon he told the people there that Jesus is the Son of God. Everyone was amazed. “Isn’t this the man who came to catch Jesus’ friends?” they said.
Later Saul was also called Paul. He told people in many lands about Jesus. Paul wrote many letters too. Some of them are in our Bible! Jesus had turned Saul’s life around. Jesus had a new plan for Saul.
3. Talk together (3 min)
- How do you think Saul felt when he could not see?
- What do you think Ananias thought when God sent him to Saul?
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)
“Something like scales fell from his eyes” — Acts 9:18 (something like scales → put your hands over your eyes; fell from his eyes → drop your hands and blink)
Dear Jesus, thank you that you can make a life new. Thank you that you love every person. Amen.
Lesson for older kids (ages 6–10)
Big idea: God Can Change Any Heart
Memory verse: “Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old things have passed away. Behold, all things have become new.” — 2 Corinthians 5:17 · WEB
The Bible story
A proud man named Saul was rushing to hurt Jesus' friends when a dazzling light stopped him cold and gently changed his whole heart forever.
Talk about it
- What did Saul think about Jesus at the start of the story? — He did not believe in Jesus
- What did Saul want to do to Jesus' friends? — Put them in prison
- Which city was Saul traveling to? — Damascus
- What suddenly happened to Saul on the road? — A bright light from heaven
- What did the voice from heaven say? — "Saul, Saul, why are you hurting me?"
- Who was the voice speaking to Saul? — Jesus
Where is Jesus in this story?
On that dusty road, it was Jesus Himself who spoke to Saul from heaven, alive and full of love even after the cross. Jesus did not come to punish Saul for all the wrong things he had done. Instead, He came to forgive him and make him new. That is exactly what Jesus wants to do for each of us, gently reaching out, calling our name, and welcoming us into God's family with open arms.
What God wants to tell us
Saul thought he was doing the right thing, but he was going the wrong way. God did not shout at him or push him away. Instead, God met Saul with a bright light and a gentle voice, and lovingly turned his heart around. This shows us that nobody is ever too far away for God's love to reach. No matter what we have done, God can forgive us and give us a fresh, happy start, just like He did for Saul.
Prayer
Thank You, God, that You love me no matter what. Thank You that You can change any heart, even mine, and give me a fresh new start. Help me to follow You and share Your love with others. Amen.
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