The Church Begins · Lesson 1
Jesus Goes Back to Heaven
Acts 1:1-11; Matthew 28:18-20 New Testament PrincipleResponsibility
Forty days after He rose, Jesus gave His friends a job, to tell the whole world about Him, and promised the Holy Spirit's power. Then He went up to heaven, and angels said He will come back.
Jesus gives His people an important responsibility, to tell others about Him, and He gives us His power and His presence to do it.
- CreationGod made it
- FallWe broke it
- RedemptionJesus fixes it (this lesson)
- RestorationJesus makes it new
Memory verse
“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon 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 BSB
The Big Story · Redemption
Jesus rose and now reigns in heaven. Before He returns to make all things new, He sends His people, filled with His Spirit, to tell the whole world the good news.
Teacher Guide
This version includes:
- Background and context for the passage
- Hidden in Plain Sight: the detail most people miss
- The Christ Connection: how this story points to Jesus
- A 45-minute class plan and prep checklist
- Object lesson: Ripples
- Ellie’s Lab (science experiment): A cloud in a jar
- A skit to act out the story
- Review game: To the ends of the earth
- Pronunciation help, tips for every age, song ideas and a note for parents
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Preschool (ages 3–5)
Jesus went up to heaven.
This version includes:
- An opening hook and a 4-minute Bible story written for this age, with a Hidden in Plain Sight moment
- 3 discussion questions
- 2 activities: Cotton-ball clouds, Color Jesus and the clouds
- 6 “Dasch Digs Up” facts
- Real-life connections: at home, at church
- Song ideas, Live It, a prayer, and a printable student handout (preview below)
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Free preview · Kindergarten – 2nd grade
Before Jesus went back to heaven, He gave His friends a big responsibility, to tell the whole world about Him, and promised the Holy Spirit would help them.
Memory verse
“You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be My witnesses.”
Adapted from Acts 1:8
Start here
Ask, "Has a grown-up ever trusted you with an important job?" Let kids share. Say, "Today Jesus gives His friends the most important job in the world."
Bible story 6 min
Jesus was alive! For 40 days He stayed with His friends. He showed them He was really alive. He taught them about God.
Then Jesus gave them a job. "The Holy Spirit will come. He will give you power. Then tell people about Me. Start here. Then go farther and farther, all over the world!" It was a big job.
Then something amazing happened. Jesus went up into the sky! A cloud hid Him. His friends kept looking up.
The rest of the story, discussion questions, songs, Live It and prayer are for members.
Try an activity
Pass the news 8 min
You’ll need: Markers
- Kids sit in a line. Whisper "Jesus is alive!" to the first child, who whispers it to the next, all the way down.
- The last child stands and shouts it. Say, "That's how the good news spread, person to person, all the way to us!"
Every lesson, every age, from $25 a month. · Log in
3rd – 4th grade
Before Jesus returned to heaven, He gave His followers the responsibility to be His witnesses everywhere, promised the Holy Spirit's power, and the angels promised He will come back.
This version includes:
- An opening hook and a 8-minute Bible story written for this age, with a Hidden in Plain Sight moment
- 5 discussion questions
- 2 activities: The map in Acts 1:8, Cloud in a cup
- 6 “Dasch Digs Up” facts
- Real-life connections: at school, at home, at church
- Song ideas, Live It, a prayer, and a printable student handout (preview below)
Every lesson, every age, from $25 a month. · Log in
5th – 6th grade
Jesus ascended to reign at the Father's right hand, entrusting His church with the responsibility to witness to the whole world in the Spirit's power until He returns.
This version includes:
- An opening hook and a 10-minute Bible story written for this age, with a Hidden in Plain Sight moment
- 5 discussion questions
- 2 activities: The reigning King, My Acts 1:8 map
- 6 “Dasch Digs Up” facts
- Real-life connections: online and on screens, at school, at church
- Song ideas, Live It, a prayer, and a printable student handout (preview below)
Every lesson, every age, from $25 a month. · Log in