Discussion Guide for Saul to Paul

In order to do this lesson as a family, set aside 15-20 minutes and grab a Bible, whether that's looking at the biblical text with older kids, or at the Spark Story Bible that we use for younger kids.  And while it's obviously not the same as going to church, I'd encourage you to think about ways to help make your home a worshipful space: light a candle, say a prayer, sing a hymn or a Chapel song, or maybe take a moment of silence and some deep breaths.  Everything listed below is meant to be optional -- you can pick and choose what will work best with your family.

Opening Your Time Together:

  • Checking In - The nicer weather this past week (in Chicago, at least... you may be reading this somewhere else!) has been a reminder that Spring is truly arriving.  Feel free to ask kids about any new activities, routines or plans they might have with the changing weather - or share some of your own!  We've been trying to get out on a family walk once a day whenever it's sunny, we're trying our hand at gardening for the first time, and we're hoping to take some bike rides soon... your list may look wildly different than that, but there's something deeply restorative about being outdoors after being home bound these last several weeks!
 
  • Opening Prayer - God, in this season of Eastertide as we are learning about the growth of the early church - and also thinking about how we are called to be church today - we hope that this new season can be a reminder of how many gifts that you have given us, and how you call us to use those gifts to help others.  As we remember the challenges that many in the early church faced, we remember that you have been there for people in countless amounts of difficult situations - and that means that you are still right here for us today.  Amen. 
 
  • Opening Hymn - They'll Know We Are Christians By Our Love - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cBHJobmBdK0 - I've always been a big fan of this hymn, particularly during the season of Eastertide and the growth of the early church:
    • Verse 1 - We are one in the Spirit, we are one in the Lord; we are one in the Spirit, we are one in the Lord; and we pray that all unity may one day be restored; and they'll know we are Christians by our love, by our love; yes, they'll know we are Christians by our love.
    • Verse 2 - We will walk with each other, we will walk hand in hand; we will walk with each other, we will walk hand in hand; and together we'll spread the news that God is in our land; and they'll know we are Christians by our love, by our love; yes, they'll know we are Christians by our love.
    • Verse 3 - We will work with each other, we will work sided by side; we will work with each other, we will work side by side; and we'll guard human dignity and save human pride; and they'll know we are Christians by our love, by our love; yes, they'll know we are Christians by our love.
    • Verse 4 - All praise to the Father, from whom all things come; and all praise to Christ Jesus, God's only son; and all praise to the Spirit who makes us one; and they'll know we are Christians by our love, by our love; yes, they'll know we are Christians by our love.
 
  • Opening Chapel Song - Doxology - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mUco1i7fEns - the link is to a piano version, which is exactly what we play at the start of Chapel each Sunday.  See if your kids remember the hand motions that go along with this hymn - they might be able to teach you too!

Reading the Bible:

  • Open up to the passage, whether in the Bible or the Spark Bible.  Ask your kids if they are familiar with this passage and, if so, what they remember.  
  • Read the passage together.  Bible - Acts 9:1-19;  Spark Bible - pages 514 to 519
  • (Optional) You can also practice something called lectio divina, which basically means you read through the passage once, asking kids to listen for a word or phrase that jumps out at them.  After reading, everyone shares their answers and then you read the passage again, listening for new insights!

Discussing the Passage:

  • For Younger Kids 
  • As we just read in our Bible passage, the Apostle Paul used to be known as Saul - and he was kind of a bully!  Have you ever seen someone being mean to someone else, or being mean to you?  What should you do?  
  • After hearing from Jesus, Paul's life completely changed.  He started preaching about Jesus in different cities and teaching them what it meant to be church.  If someone didn't know who Jesus was, how would you explain him?  If someone didn't know what church was, how would you explain it?
 
  • For Older Kids ​
  • Paul's vision of Jesus changed his life forever -- it even changed his name!  Can you name a person or an event that has had a big impact on you and how you want to live your life?  
  • Do you think it's more common for people to change all at once, or to change more gradually over time?  What are some things that you think help people make changes, big or small?
  • How would other Christians have felt around Paul after his conversion?  Would they have believed him at first?  What could he have done to convince them that he had changed?  
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Closing Your Time Together:
  • Closing Prayer - Holy God, as we've learned about Paul and how much his life was able to change through your guidance and help, we hope that you'll help us keep growing into the people that you call us to be.  Help us to see places and people that need our help.  Help us to hear our needs and the needs of others, and help our hands to respond.  Help remind us that each of us have special gifts that we can share with others - and that whenever we share them, we are helping bring your love into this world.  Amen.
 
  • Closing Hymn - Lord, Prepare Me - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1N1IeaBqvSE - this hymn is one of Miss Katy's favorites!  This simple piano instrumental should be easy enough to sing over - just follow along using the words below.
    • Verse - Lord, prepare me - to be a sanctuary - pure and holy - tried and true - with thanksgiving - I'll be a living - sanctuary - for you.