Even little ones can hear about Jesus! Introduce nursery children to Acts 9:1-20 when Saul meets Jesus on the road to Damascus. Using a catchy song and a short, engaging lesson, you can help the littlest children grow to know and love Jesus.

Prepare for the Lesson: Bible Background for Leaders

Saul Encounters Jesus on the Damascus Road

Saul was traveling to Damascus to arrest Christians. Then, Saul met Jesus on the road. A light he later described as “brighter than the sun” (Acts 26:13) flashed out of heaven, and he dropped to the ground. When Jesus told Saul who he was, the truth of all that had happened must have swept through Saul like a flood. All that Saul had believed about Jesus was wrong, and in his zeal for God, he had been persecuting those who believed the truth!

The Jesus Connection

Maybe you haven’t experienced that kind of “Road to Damascus” conversion, and that’s OK. The road that brought you to a relationship with Jesus doesn’t matter. What is important is whether or not you are making the most of your journey with him.

Think of one person who needs Jesus’ special friendship today. Pray and ask God to help you show that person his light.

Sing and Celebrate Jesus

Sing “Jesus Makes Us New” to the tune of “I’ve Been Working on the Railroad” to the children anytime during the lesson. You can sing as you rock, snack, or play! Have toddlers stand and playfully sing with you. Or sing with a little one on your lap to help baby make some of the movements noted in the parentheses.

Jesus makes us new and changes us (hold both hands out in front of you and raise one at a time, alternating hands to the rhythm of the words)

Every single day. (Clap hands to the rhythm.)

Jesus makes us new and changes us (hold both hands out in front of you and raise one at a time, alternating hands to the rhythm of the words)

All along the way. (Clap hands to the rhythm.)

Every day’s a new adventure (sway side to side)

When we follow him. (March in place.)

Every day’s a new adventure (sway side to side)

When we follow him. (March in place.)

Jesus makes us new, Jesus makes us new, (pat knees)

Jesus makes our lives brand new! (Jump into the air on “brand new.”)

Jesus makes us new, Jesus makes us new, (pat knees)

Jesus makes our lives brand new! (Jump into the air on “brand new.”)

Introduce Saul

You’ll need:

• flashlight

Sit on the floor next to a child. Pretend your index finger is Saul. Say the following rhyme, shining the flashlight on “Saul” when you say the third line.

Here is a man named Saul.

He’s not being nice at all.

When Jesus came into his life (shine the flashlight on Saul)

Saul changed from mean to being nice.

Share More About How Saul Meets Jesus

A Bright Light

You’ll need:

• flashlight

Seat children on the floor near you. Turn on a flashlight. Shine the light on the kids’ hands, arms, legs, and shoes. Shine the light on the floor near the children and around the classroom. Encourage kids to be aware of the light as you say the following.

Say: Look at the light! Jesus came to Saul with a very bright light! That’s when Saul met Jesus. Saul could see the bright light. He knew it was Jesus. Jesus changed Saul’s life. JESUS CHANGES OUR LIVES, too.

Different on the Outside

You’ll need:

• sunglasses, crepe paper streamer, tissue paper, blanket
• child-friendly hand-held mirror

Help a child look into the mirror.

Use items for “dress up!” Help little ones wear sunglasses, drape a piece of stream around their shoulders like a cape, put tissue paper on their head like a hat, or wrap them in a soft blanket. Each time kids “wear” a new item, say: Change!

Look at all the outside changes! You looked different on the outside. Jesus makes us different on the inside. changed you on the outside. Give the little one a hug.

This lesson is adapted from Group’s FaithWeaver NOW curriculum, which offers Sunday school curriculum for all ages (infants–adults). And if you’re looking for more effective New Testament Bible lessons, check out these ideas. Or check out this article to learn more about teaching kids about the Apostle Paul.