Seven Helpers Are Chosen 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: “And the good news kept growing.”
In Jerusalem, more and more people believed in Jesus. God’s family got bigger and bigger. And the good news kept growing.
Some of them had grown up in lands far away. They spoke Greek. Others had grown up in the land of Israel. They spoke Hebrew. But they all belonged to God’s family. Two languages, but one big family!
Every day, food was given out to the widows. A widow is a woman whose husband has died. Often she has nobody to take care of her. So God’s family shared food with the widows.
But some widows were being forgotten. They were the ones who spoke Greek. They did not get their share of the food.
Some people complained about it. Their widows were left out. That was not fair! Who would help the widows? The apostles had a good idea.
So the twelve apostles called everyone together. They said, “It is not appropriate for us to forsake the word of God and serve tables.” Forsake means to leave. Serve tables means to give out food. The apostles needed to keep teaching God’s word.
They said, “Select from among you, brothers, seven men of good report. Full of the Holy Spirit and of wisdom.” Good report means that people know they are good and honest. Wisdom means knowing the right thing to do.
They said, “But we will continue steadfastly in prayer and in the ministry of the word.” Steadfastly means without stopping. Everyone liked this plan.
They chose seven men. Let’s count them on our fingers: Stephen, Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas and Nicolaus. Seven!
Stephen was a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit. Nicolaus came from a city far away, called Antioch.
They brought the seven men to the apostles. The apostles prayed. Then they laid their hands on them. That was a sign: God gives you this job. Can you put a gentle hand on someone’s shoulder? And the good news kept growing.
Now the seven helpers took care of the food. Maybe they carried the bread and filled the bowls. They made sure that no widow was left out. Can you pretend to fill a bowl? Here you go! And the apostles kept on teaching God’s word.
The word of God increased. Many, many more people believed. Even many priests from the temple believed in Jesus! And the good news kept growing.
Stephen was full of faith and power. He did great wonders among the people. And later, Philip went to the city of Samaria. He told the people there all about Jesus.
God saw every widow, and he cared for each one. God does not forget anyone. Not one widow, not one child, and not you. And the good news kept growing.
3. Talk together (3 min)
- How do you think the widows felt when the helpers came?
- Who helps make sure nobody is left out in your family?
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 7 helpers who were chosen.
6. Verse and prayer (2 min)
“The word of God increased” — Acts 6:7 (The word of God → open your hands like a book; increased → move your hands from small to big)
Dear God, thank you for people who help. Thank you that you see everyone and forget no one. Amen.
Lesson for older kids (ages 6–10)
Big idea: Everyone Can Be a Helper
Memory verse: “Select from among you, brothers, seven men of good report, full of the Holy Spirit and of wisdom.” — Acts 6:3 · WEB
The Bible story
When the very first church grew so big that some hungry friends were forgotten, everyone worked together to choose seven kind helpers full of God's love.
Talk about it
- Where did the very first church begin? — Jerusalem
- What did the believers do with the things they had? — They shared everything
- Who was being forgotten when the food was shared each day? — The widows
- What happened when some widows were left out? — People began to complain
- What did the apostles want to keep doing instead of serving tables? — Teaching God's word and praying
- How many helpers did the church choose? — Seven
Where is Jesus in this story?
Jesus said that he did not come to be served, but to serve others and to give his life for many (Mark 10:45). The seven helpers served food to widows who were being forgotten, following their Master's example. Serving tables might seem like a small job, but in Jesus' kingdom it is a great one, because that is exactly what Jesus did for us.
What God wants to tell us
God gave each of us special gifts so we can care for one another. In this story, the apostles could not do everything alone, and that was perfectly okay. When the church chose seven helpers, no one was left out and everyone felt loved. God shows us that helping is not a small job; it is a beautiful way to share His love. Whether you set the table, share your snack, or comfort a friend, your helping makes God smile.
Prayer
Dear Lord, thank You for making me a helper. Show me someone who feels left out today, and help me share my love, my food, and my smile with them. Thank You that You never forget anyone. I want to serve others the way Jesus does. Amen.
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