The Choosing of the Seven – Acts 6:1-7

After a break from our study of the book of Acts, we’re now digging right back into it (If you’re new around here, check out the links at the bottom of this post to see what we have already explore in the book of Acts). This week we talked about the choosing of the seven deacons in Acts 6. Ironically, this was the subject of our Sunday School lesson last weekend, so the kids had already been exposed to the story a little bit. Also, you’ll notice that I’ve included a prayer station in the lesson. I’ve made it a goal to incorporate creative prayer into my children’s church lessons as often as possible. I hope that you find it to be as meaningful as we have found it to be!

Goal: Today we will learn that God gives us gifts to serve others.

Key Scripture: “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” – Acts 1:8, NIV

Here’s What You’ll Need:

• Paper
• Crayons
• “Lunch Service” by Group Publishing
• Device to play video
• Gift boxes and/or bags
• Snack baggies
• Goldfish crackers
• Dried cranberries
• Anti-bacterial wipes
• Construction paper
• Markers
• Stickers
• 4 copies of CBS News article on the Sandy Hook snowflake project
• Colored pencils
• Pencil sharpeners

Introduction: Divide the class into groups of three or four. Give each group a piece of paper and one crayon per person. Assign the groups the task of drawing a barn, but explain that no one is allowed to switch crayons and that every color must be used. After a few minutes, have each group share their drawing. Ask: “What would your barn have looked like if someone decided not to add anything?”

Check out a few of the barns that our kids created!

Lesson: Explain that back when the church was just starting, many people were becoming Christians. The church had been sharing and taking care of each other, but the church started to grow so quickly that they could hardly keep up! They started to notice that when they gave out food they were forgetting quite a few people. So, the apostles decided to choose seven special guys to make sure that everyone who needed food was given it. Explain that these seven guys had to work together to get the job done. Imagine if one of them had decided not to help – just as if someone from one of the groups decided not to help draw the barn. The job wouldn’t be finished!

Explain that God has given each of us gifts to use to serve others. Watch the video “Lunch Service” put out by Group Publishing. Discuss the following questions:

• What did you like about this story?
• Tell us about a time you served someone.
• What are some ways you could use your gifts to serve others?

Prayer Activity: Give each child a gift box or bag. Tell the children to hold their gift box or bag and imagine that what they are holding is their gift of service to God. Pray together, asking God to help us to use our gifts well in service to others.

Conclusion: Have the following service projects available for the children to complete as time allows.

• Snack Time Service: After washing their hands, allow children to fill snack baggies with Goldfish crackers or dried cranberries. These snacks can be used during Sunday School at a future date.

• Toy Sanitizing: Provide a few containers of toys from the nursery. Allow groups of children to wipe them down with anti-bacterial wipes.
• Feel Better Soon: Make a list of members of the congregation who are ill. Provide markers, stickers, and construction paper for the children to make get-well cards for them.
• Sandy Hook Snowflakes: Provide copies of the CBS News article published on the Sandy Hook snowflake project the kids contributed toward back in December. Allow children to read silently or out loud to other children who cannot read.
• Sharpening Colored Pencils: Set out the box of colored pencils and a few sharpeners. Have small groups of children work on sharpening them.

Our kids thoroughly enjoyed these service projects and even asked if we could do more next week! Get creative. Have the kids serve in whatever way is most helpful to you!

Check out these links to see what we’ve already learned in the book of Acts!

• A Miraculous Catch (John 21:1-25)
• Jesus Ascends to Heaven (Acts 1:1-11)
• The Day of Pentecost (Acts 2:1-13)
• The Holy Spirit Can Live in Your Heart (Acts 2:1-13)
• There’s a System in Place (Acts 2:14-21)
• Go, Team Fillmore! (Acts 2:42-47)
• Peter and John Heal a Lame Man (Acts 3)
• Healing in the Name of Jesus (Acts 3)
• There is Power in the Name of Jesus! (Acts 4:1-22)
• Sharing in the Early Church (Acts 4:32-37)
• Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5:1-11)

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