Paul and Barnabas Sent Out 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: “They were sent out by the Holy Spirit.”
In the big city of Antioch, the friends of Jesus met together. Some of them were prophets and teachers. Let’s count them on our fingers: Barnabas, Simeon, Lucius, Manaen, and Saul. One, two, three, four, five!
Saul had another name too: Paul. Barnabas and Paul taught people about Jesus.
One day they were praying to the Lord and fasting. Fasting means going without food for a while, to pray to God. Then the Holy Spirit said, “Separate Barnabas and Saul for me. For the work to which I have called them.” That means: set them apart for a special job.
So the friends fasted and prayed. They put their hands on Barnabas and Paul. Then they sent them off. They were sent out by the Holy Spirit.
First they went down to the sea. They got on a ship and sailed to the island of Cyprus. Can you rock from side to side like a boat? A man named John went with them as their helper.
On Cyprus they told people God’s word in the meeting houses. A meeting house was where Jewish people met to hear God’s word. Paul and Barnabas went all the way across the island.
Then they sailed on again, to a new land. There John left them. He went back home to Jerusalem. But Paul and Barnabas went on.
They came to a town that was also called Antioch. On the day of rest, they went into the meeting house and sat down. First someone read from God’s book. Then the leaders said, “Brothers, if you have a word for the people, speak.”
Paul stood up. He moved his hand, to say: please listen! Then Paul spoke. “Men of Israel, and you who fear God, listen.”
Paul told them how God had chosen his people long ago. He told them about King David. And he told them about Jesus, who came from David’s family. Jesus died, and he was laid in a tomb. But God raised him from the dead! They were sent out by the Holy Spirit.
When the meeting was over, people begged them, “Tell us more next week!” Many people followed Paul and Barnabas. Paul and Barnabas told them to stay in God’s kindness.
What do you think happened the next week? Almost the whole town came to hear God’s word!
But some people were jealous. They spoke against Paul. Paul and Barnabas spoke out bravely. They told everyone what the Lord had said. “I have set you as a light for the Gentiles.” The Gentiles are people from every nation. A light shows people the way in the dark.
The Gentiles were glad when they heard this. They praised God’s word. And the word of the Lord spread all over that land. They were sent out by the Holy Spirit.
But some people did not like it. They made Paul and Barnabas leave their town. So Paul and Barnabas shook the dust off their feet. That was a sign that they were moving on. Can you shake the dust off your feet? Shake, shake!
Then they went on to the next town. The new friends of Jesus stayed behind. They were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.
God’s good news was going out into the whole wide world. It was like a light, shining far away. They were sent out by the Holy Spirit.
3. Talk together (3 min)
- What do you think it was like to sail across the sea to a new island?
- Who would you like to tell about Jesus, like Paul and Barnabas did?
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)
Color the 2 friends Barnabas and Paul, and their 1 ship.
6. Verse and prayer (2 min)
“I have set you as a light for the Gentiles” — Acts 13:47 (I have set you → point to a friend; a light → open your hands like a shining light; the Gentiles → spread your arms out wide)
Dear God, thank you for sending Paul and Barnabas with your good news. Thank you that it is for people everywhere. Amen.
Lesson for older kids (ages 6–10)
Big idea: God sends brave helpers
Memory verse: “I have set you as a light for the Gentiles, that you should bring salvation to the uttermost parts of the earth.” — Acts 13:47 · WEB
The Bible story
In a busy church at Antioch, God chose two friends for a very special journey — and their brave yes carried His love across the sea to new lands!
Talk about it
- In which city did the church pray together? — Antioch
- Who spoke to the church about a special job? — The Holy Spirit
- Which two friends did God choose for the journey? — Paul and Barnabas
- What did the church do before the two friends left? — Prayed and laid hands on them
- How did Paul and Barnabas travel across the water? — By boat
- Which island did they sail to? — Cyprus
Where is Jesus in this story?
In Pisidian Antioch, Paul and Barnabas quoted God's words from Isaiah: “I have made you a light for the Gentiles” (Acts 13:47; Isaiah 49:6). When baby Jesus was brought to the temple, old Simeon called Him “a light for revelation to the Gentiles” (Luke 2:32). Jesus is that light, and these two friends carried Him to people everywhere, including families like yours.
What God wants to tell us
God does not only love us — He gives us special jobs to do! Just like Paul and Barnabas, we can share God's love with the people around us. You do not have to sail across the sea; you can be a helper right where you are, with a kind word, a happy smile, or by telling a friend how much God cares. When we say yes to God, He goes with us and gives us all the courage we need.
Prayer
Dear God, thank You for loving me and for brave helpers like Paul and Barnabas. Please give me courage to share Your love with kindness wherever I go. Help me say yes to You, just like they did. Amen.
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