Here is a lesson plan that can be covered in 30 to 45 minutes, relating to the lesson objectives: “Be able to list Jesus’ twelve disciples who followed Him while He was on earth, and the role that they played in helping Jesus in His mission,” and “learn of some of the lives of the great men and women of the Bible.” (Christian Life and Faith: Biblical and Christian Foundation: Discipleship-1b; and Christian Life and Faith: Witnessing and Missionary Training: Great Men and Women of God-1a)

Read “Faith-filled Models from the New Testament: Paul the Apostle” and “Heroes of the Bible: Paul the Apostle.” If the children are unfamiliar with the martyrdom of Stephen, read about Stephen from the story found in Acts 7:1–60. You can find a simple visualization of the story here.

Did you know that “The Feast of Saint Stephen” is celebrated in some countries on the 26^th of December, the day after Christmas, to honor Stephen as the first Christian martyr?

Listen to A Bible Adventure: A Rabbi Sees the Light.

Color “Coloring Page: The Acts of the Apostles: The Road to Damascus.” You might also like to assemble this 3D picture, “3D Picture: The Acts of the Apostles: The Road to Damascus.”

Do you know why the book of Acts uses the names of both “Saul” and “Paul” for the same man? “But Saul, who was also called Paul…” (Acts 13:9 ESV). Saul was his name in Hebrew. Paul was his name in Latin, the language of the Roman Empire.

Read “The Acts of the Apostles: Saul Escapes in a Basket.” To give the children a fuller study of this story, you can also read with them Acts 9:8–25. There is also a coloring page and a 3D picture that accompanies this story.

Ask the children if they can think of another Bible story that has to do with someone being lowered from the top of a house. (See “A Plan to Help a Friend.”)

More to come later covering more of Paul’s exciting adventures!

Additional resource:

• Saul Becomes Paul