Free Bible lesson for kids · Paul’s Journeys
Barnabas and Saul Are Sent
While the church at Antioch prayed and fasted, the Holy Ghost said to set apart Barnabas and Saul. They laid hands on them and sent them out on the first missionary journey.
- Bible passage
- Acts 13:1–12
- Big idea
- God sends people out to share the good news.
- Memory verse
As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.
Acts 13:2 (KJV)- Ages
- Preschool to preteen (3 to 12), with tips for each age
- Time
- About 45 minutes
- Included, free
- Animated story film, coloring page, class sheet, teacher guide, questions and answers, a game
The story
The church at Antioch had prophets and teachers, including Barnabas and Saul (Acts 13:1). As they served the Lord and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, “Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them” (Acts 13:2). After fasting and prayer, they laid hands on them and sent them away (Acts 13:3). Sent by the Holy Ghost, the two sailed to Cyprus and preached God’s word (Acts 13:4–5).
At Paphos a ruler named Sergius Paulus wanted to hear God’s word, but a sorcerer named Elymas tried to turn him from the faith (Acts 13:6–8). Saul, also called Paul, was filled with the Holy Ghost and told Elymas that “the hand of the Lord” was upon him (Acts 13:9–11). Elymas became blind for a time and needed someone to lead him (Acts 13:11). The ruler saw this and believed, amazed at the teaching of the Lord (Acts 13:12).
Read it in the Bible: Acts 13:1–12 (KJV)
1Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. 2As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them. 3And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away. 4So they, being sent forth by the Holy Ghost, departed unto Seleucia; and from thence they sailed to Cyprus. 5And when they were at Salamis, they preached the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews: and they had also John to their minister. 6And when they had gone through the isle unto Paphos, they found a certain sorcerer, a false prophet, a Jew, whose name was Barjesus: 7Which was with the deputy of the country, Sergius Paulus, a prudent man; who called for Barnabas and Saul, and desired to hear the word of God. 8But Elymas the sorcerer (for so is his name by interpretation) withstood them, seeking to turn away the deputy from the faith. 9Then Saul, (who also is called Paul,) filled with the Holy Ghost, set his eyes on him, 10And said, O full of all subtilty and all mischief, thou child of the devil, thou enemy of all righteousness, wilt thou not cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord? 11And now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon thee, and thou shalt be blind, not seeing the sun for a season. And immediately there fell on him a mist and a darkness; and he went about seeking some to lead him by the hand. 12Then the deputy, when he saw what was done, believed, being astonished at the doctrine of the Lord.
Questions to ask
Which church sent out Barnabas and Saul?
The church at Antioch.
What was the church doing when the Holy Ghost spoke?
Ministering to the Lord and fasting.
Where did they sail first?
To Cyprus.
What this story teaches
- The Holy Ghost calls people to do God’s work (Acts 13:2).
- Churches should pray before sending people out for God (Acts 13:3).
- God sends His people to share the good news far away (Acts 13:4–5).
- God is stronger than anyone who fights against His word (Acts 13:10–11).
- God’s word can lead even a great ruler to believe (Acts 13:12).
Jesus Sends Us Out
Barnabas and Saul were sent to tell others the good news. Jesus tells all His followers to go and teach all nations.
Matthew 28:19
A 45-minute lesson plan
| 5 min | Welcome and pray. Greet each child by name and pray: Pray for missionaries around the world. |
|---|---|
| 10 min | The story. Play the story film: each verse appears on screen in the King James Version while the scene plays. Pause to ask what happens next. |
| 10 min | Talk about it. Ask the three questions below. Then ask: “God sends people out to share the good news.” What does that mean for us? |
| 5 min | Memory verse. Say Acts 13:2 together, covering one word at a time until the children can say it alone. |
| 10 min | Activity. Younger children color the coloring page while you retell the story; older children do the class sheet (memory-verse fill-in, word search and questions). |
| 5 min | Pray and send home. Pray together and send the sheet home so families can talk about the first question this week. |
- Preschool: keep it short and physical. Act out the story, use a simple prop, and repeat the big idea in one sentence.
- Elementary: let children find the passage in their own Bibles. Ask “who, what, where” questions first, then “why.”
- Preteens: read the verses before and after the passage, and ask how this story fits the whole story of the Bible.
Game time
For kids · game · indoors or out · about 10 minutes
Two by Two
You need: Message cards, cones marking “cities” around the room
- Kids pair up as missionaries.
- Each pair takes a message card to a city cone, reads it together and brings back the next card.
- The first pair to visit every city wins.
The Holy Ghost said, “Separate me Barnabas and Saul,” and the church sent them out together.
For youth group · activity · indoors · about 20 minutes
Send-Off
You need: Nothing
- Each teen names their “mission field”: their school, team or job.
- Pray in small groups, with a hand on each other’s shoulder, sending each other out.
- Text each other an encouragement midweek.
The church at Antioch prayed and sent Barnabas and Saul. Every believer is sent somewhere.
Pray
Pray for missionaries around the world.