Peter and John Before the Sanhedrin
Acts Chapter 4 - The Power of the Holy Spirit Bible Lesson for Children
Help children learn how Peter and John boldly spoke about Jesus, even when the religious leaders told them to stop. This Bible lesson from Acts 4:1–22 teaches children that we can share what we know about Jesus and stand strong in our faith.
Children will enjoy retelling the story with Peter and John stick puppets, completing the conversation bubbles activity sheet, reviewing the Bible verse, and playing games that reinforce the lesson. The activities are designed to help children remember the story and understand why Peter and John said, “We cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.”
This lesson includes printable Bible verse cards, a craft, an activity sheet, and active games that work well for Sunday school, children’s church, homeschool Bible lessons, and Christian classrooms.
Includes:
Games to reinforce the lesson
Bible verse cards
Peter and John stick puppets
Printable craft
Conversation bubbles activity sheet
Teacher-friendly lesson ideas
Bible Reference: Acts 4:1–22
Bible Verse: Acts 4:20
Great for ages: Preschool through elementary, with activities that can be adapted for younger and older children.
Member's 
Instant Digital Download 
Peter and John Stick Puppets
Bring the Bible story of Peter and John before the Sanhedrin to life with these fun stick puppets! Children will enjoy acting out the events of Acts 4 as they reenact the story and engage with God's Word. This hands-on activity helps reinforce important Bible lesson concepts while making learning memorable and enjoyable.
The stick puppet patterns are available in color and black & white.
Member's 
Instant Digital Download
Peter and John Conversation Bubbles Activity Sheet
Use this activity sheet to reinforce the Bible lesson. Children fill in the conversation bubbles to remind them what Peter's response was to the Sanhedrin. Then use the following games to help children realize they can also receive power from the Holy Spirit so that they aren't afraid to tell others about Jesus.
Member's
Instant Digital Download
Activities for Peter and John Before the Sanherin Bible Lesson
1. “Can’t Keep It In!” Beanbag Toss
1. Have children stand in a circle.
2. Give one child a beanbag. Have everyone say together:
- Jesus loves us.
- Jesus healed people.
- Jesus died on the cross.
- Jesus is alive.
3. The next child tosses the beanbag and shares something else.
4. To make it more active, use two or three beanbags at once.
Object Lesson: “Just like Peter and John couldn’t keep quiet, we can’t keep the good news to ourselves.”
2. Good News Guessing Game
Have your students think of something Jesus did that everyone would want to share. If they cannot think of something, give them some ideas, but don’t share them with the other children. Have them draw a picture that represents what Jesus did.
- Healing the lame man
- Feeding the 5,000
- Calming the storm
- Raising Lazarus from the dead
- Dying on the cross
- Ascending to heaven
- Turned water into wine
- Walked on water
- Miraculous catch of fish
- Healed the blind man
- Healed people with leprosy
- Welcomed children and blessed them
- Washed the disciples’ feet
When all the children are finished, collect the pictures. Show the pictures to the class and see who can guess what the pictures represent. Have the child who guessed correctly tell the class as much as he or she knows about the incident.
3. Popcorn Witnesses
1. Children sit on the floor.
2. Call out: “You have seen and heard something about Jesus!”
3. The children jump up like popcorn and shout one fact about Jesus.
4. After several children respond, everyone sits back down.
5. Repeat until everyone has had a turn.
4. Speak or Stay Silent?
1. Place a line on the floor.
2. Read situations.
3. If it is something they would HAVE to tell someone, they jump across the line.
Examples:
- You saw a lost puppy.
- Your friend has spinach in his teeth.
- You found a quarter.” Maybe.
- You saw someone get hurt.
- You know Jesus loves people.
- You won the lottery.
- You won a sports game.
- You got a new bike.
4. Ask your student what Peter and John couldn’t keep quiet about. Then connect it to Peter and John: “The disciples knew Jesus was alive. They couldn’t keep that news to themselves.”
