The Church Begins · Lesson 4
The Church Shares
Acts 2:42-47; Acts 4:32-37 New Testament PrincipleGenerosity
The first Christians loved each other so much that they shared everything they had. They ate together, prayed together and made sure no one was in need. Barnabas even sold a field and gave the money to help.
Jesus gave Himself for us, so we can share what we have with joy, especially with people who are in need.
- CreationGod made it
- FallWe broke it
- RedemptionJesus fixes it (this lesson)
- RestorationJesus makes it new
Memory verse
“It is more blessed to give than to receive.”
Acts 20:35 BSB
Christ Connection · God’s love
The first church's sharing grew out of Jesus' love: "By this we know what love is: Jesus laid down His life for us" (1 John 3:16). Luke says "great grace was upon them all" (Acts 4:33). And it was Jesus Himself who said, "It is more blessed to give than to receive."
1 John 3:16-18; Acts 4:33; Acts 20:35
The Big Story · Redemption
Since the Fall, people have grabbed and kept for themselves. In the church, the risen Jesus began making a new family where people share with joy, a picture of the new creation where no one is in need.
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: Open hands
- Bible Kitchen (taste the story): Everyone brings one
- A skit to act out the story
- Review game: Pass it on
- Pronunciation help, tips for every age, song ideas and a note for parents
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Preschool (ages 3–5)
God's family shares.
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: Share the snack, Color the happy table
- 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
The first Christians loved each other so much that they shared everything. No one was left in need. We can share with glad hearts because Jesus loves us.
Start here
Ask, "Is it more fun to get a present or to give one?" Let kids answer honestly. Say, "Jesus said something surprising about that. Let's find out!"
Bible story 6 min
After the Holy Spirit came, many people believed in Jesus. They became a big new family, the church.
They met every day. They listened to the apostles teach about Jesus. They ate together in their homes. They prayed together. They praised God with glad hearts.
Some people in the church were poor. They didn't have enough food. So the others shared! Some even sold things they owned. They gave the money to help.
The rest of the story, discussion questions, songs, Live It and prayer are for members.
Try an activity
Everyone gets enough 8 min
You’ll need: Play coins
- Give some kids lots of play coins and others none.
- Ask, "Is this fair? What could we do?" Let the kids share until everyone has some. Say, "That's what the first church did!"
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3rd – 4th grade
Filled with God's grace, the first church shared their possessions so no one was in need. Barnabas, the "Son of Encouragement," gave a field, and we can give with joy because Jesus gave Himself for us.
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 church family, Encouragement notes
- 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)
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5th – 6th grade
Overflowing with grace, the first church became a family where no one claimed possessions as their own and no one was in need, fulfilling God's hope in Deuteronomy 15, because Jesus had given Himself for them.
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: Open hands, Holding loosely
- 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 from this story
Same Bible story, a different principle.
More lessons on Generosity
The same principle in other Bible stories.
