The Church Begins · Lesson 5
Stephen Forgives
Acts 6:8-8:4; Luke 23:34, 46 New Testament PrincipleForgiveness
Stephen loved Jesus and told others about Him. When angry men hurt him, Stephen saw Jesus in heaven and prayed, "Lord, do not hold this sin against them," forgiving them just as Jesus forgave.
Jesus forgave us, even when we didn't deserve it, so with His help we can forgive people who hurt us.
- CreationGod made it
- FallWe broke it
- RedemptionJesus fixes it (this lesson)
- RestorationJesus makes it new
Memory verse
“Lord, do not hold this sin against them.”
Acts 7:60 BSB
Christ Connection · Picture
Luke tells Stephen's death so that it echoes Jesus' death: "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit" and "Lord, do not hold this sin against them" sound like Jesus' prayers from the cross. Stephen could forgive because Jesus had forgiven him, and he saw Jesus standing at God's right hand, ready to welcome him.
Luke 23:34; Luke 23:46; Acts 7:55-60
The Big Story · Redemption
Since the Fall, people have answered hurt with hurt. Jesus broke that pattern on the cross by forgiving His enemies, and His Spirit makes His people forgivers too. God even used Stephen's death to spread 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: The heavy bag
- Ellie’s Lab (science experiment): Wiped clean
- A skit to act out the story
- Review game: Let it go
- Pronunciation help, tips for every age, song ideas and a note for parents
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Preschool (ages 3–5)
I can forgive like Jesus.
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: I forgive you, Color Stephen looking up
- 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
Stephen loved Jesus and told others about Him. When angry men hurt him, he forgave them, just like Jesus forgave on the cross.
Start here
Ask, "Is it easy or hard to forgive someone who hurt you?" Let kids answer. Say, "Today we meet a man who forgave people who hurt him very, very badly."
Bible story 6 min
Stephen loved Jesus. He was kind and good. He helped make sure widows got food. God gave him power to do amazing things.
Stephen told everyone about Jesus. Some men did not like that. They told lies. They took him to the leaders.
Stephen talked to the leaders about God and about Jesus. They got very angry.
The rest of the story, discussion questions, songs, Live It and prayer are for members.
Try an activity
Rocks or hearts 8 min
You’ll need: Rocks (small, smooth), Paper hearts, A small bag
- Read short situations ("A friend laughed at your drawing"). Kids choose to hold a rock (stay mad) or a heart (forgive).
- Talk about how forgiving feels lighter. Say, "Jesus helps us forgive!"
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3rd – 4th grade
Stephen, full of grace and the Holy Spirit, was killed for telling about Jesus, yet he prayed for his killers just as Jesus did on the cross, showing that people Jesus has forgiven can forgive.
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: Like Jesus, Forgiveness cards
- 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
Stephen, the first Christian martyr, died forgiving his killers in words that echo Jesus' own, seeing the Son of Man standing to welcome him, and God used his death to spread the gospel and later to reach the young man Saul.
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: Forgiven people forgive, Letting go
- 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
More lessons on Forgiveness
The same principle in other Bible stories.
