What Lesson Did Jesus Teach Saul On The Road To Damascus

4 Lessons about Salvation from Paul on the Road to Damascus

Acts chapter 9 tells the story of Paul, then known as Saul, who was on his way to Damascus when he had a personal meeting with the Lord himself. His conversion was finally prompted by this meeting. As I read the account, I was prompted to share with you some of the lessons Paul learned on the road to Damascus, which I hope you will find useful.

1. Saul Was Sold Out to His Sinful Mission

Meanwhile, Saul was threatening the Lord’s disciples with every breath he took and was desperate to assassinate them. Thus, he sought advice from the high priest. He wanted letters to be written to the synagogues in Damascus, in which he asked for their assistance in apprehending any disciples of the Way he may come across there. He desired to have them brought back to Jerusalem in shackles, both men and women alike. Acts 9:1 and 2 (NLT) Saul was a lot like you and me before we came to Christ; he was completely dedicated to his immoral way of life.

He was unrelenting in his pursuit of Christ-followers and showed no mercy.

• We frequently hear the phrase “sold out for Jesus,” but Saul was actually sold out for sin.
• I am grateful to Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me the strength to carry out his mission.
• I persecuted his folks as a result of my arrogance.
• 1 Timothy 1:12-13 (New International Version) Paul devoted all he had to his life before Christ, and fortunately, that same devotion was carried over into his Christian life as well.

2. God Often Confronts Us When We Are at Our Worst

An unexpected light from above shined down around him as he made his way closer to Damascus on this journey of redemption. Acts 9:3 (New Living Translation)I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard people tell me that I need to get my life in order before I can come to God. That kind of thinking is diametrically opposed to the way God interacts with us. In Paul’s life, God didn’t wait till Paul realized what he was doing or until Paul had cleaned up his act a little before revealing himself to him.

His first words to Paul were said when he was at his lowest point, and it was at that moment that God saved and delivered him from his life of sin.

God, on the other hand, proves his own love for us in this way: Christ died for us while we were yet sinners.

He did it for Paul, and he has done it for a countless number of other people.

3. There Is No Room for Arrogance in God’s Presence

When he fell to the ground, he heard a voice calling out to him, “Saul! Saul!” “Can you tell me why you are persecuting me?” “Can you tell me who you are, lord?” Saul was the one who inquired. “I am Jesus, the one you are persecuting!” the voice said in response. Take a deep breath and walk into the city, where you will be instructed on what you must accomplish.” Acts 9:4-5 is a biblical passage (NLT) When individuals claim that they are going to give God a piece of their mind when they see him, I find it amusing.

• On the road to Damascus, Paul teaches us that when confronted with the presence of God, there is absolutely no space for pride.
• Take note of the fact that he ended himself on the ground from the time he met God’s presence.
• I recall a moment when I was at home with my mother and sister and we were praying together.
• Neither a bright light nor a thunderous voice could be seen or heard, but I knew it was God’s presence.

So God exalted him to the highest position and bestowed upon him the name that is above all names, so that at the mention of Jesus’ name, every knee should bow, in heaven, on earth, and beneath the earth, and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of his Father in heaven.

Philippians 2:9-11 is a passage of Scripture. When God’s presence manifests itself, all arrogance and pride are quickly subdued before him.

4. It Only Takes One Touch from God to Change a Person

“Go over to Straight Street and go to the house of Judas,” the Lord instructed. When you arrive, inquire about a man named Saul who hails from Tarsus. He is now pleading with me in prayer. Acts 9:11 is a biblical passage (NLT) The apostle Paul was a fervent opponent of the gospel when he embarked on his journey to Damascus. He was attempting to put a stop to it and snuff it out in whatever way he could. If there is one thing to take away from Paul’s experiences on the road to Damascus, it is this: When it comes to God, it doesn’t take much to shift a person’s perspective.

1. A new route is being forged: Saul, the adversary of God, sets out to find and kill followers of the way who are harboring negative thoughts against them.
2. He is temporarily blinded as a result of this incident, but his life is forever altered.
3. Instead of arresting and punishing these adherents of the Way, he accepts their status as fellow believers.
4. All of this transpired in a very short period of time.
5. Anyone, even the most hardened of hearts, may be transformed when they come face to face with their own identity and the identity of their Creator.
6. Sometimes it is not even necessary for anybody to communicate with a person; rather, it is just allowing God to accomplish what only he can do.
7. It is vital that we spread the word, yet all we can do is plant and water at this point in time.

To put it another way, we must all have a personal experience with Jesus at some time in our lives that results in our conversion.

Paul is a good illustration of this.

Even if you bring to Christ any of the same abilities, passions, or enthusiasm that you had before you were saved, God will be able to utilize them, but only if they are directed in the correct path.

When you stop to think about it, what God accomplished in Paul’s life is the same thing that he continues to do in ours.

Photograph courtesy of Unsplash/Clay Banks Besides being a speaker and Bible teacher, Clarence L.

is also the co-founder of The Bible Study Club.

Also just published is his new book, The Pursuit of Victory: How to Conquer Your Greatest Challenges and Win in Your Christian Life, which is available on Amazon.

Using this book, you will learn how to put the parts of your Christian life together so that you can live a triumphant Christian life and ultimately become the man or woman of God that you have always desired to be.

More information about his ministry may be found at www.clarencehaynesfoundation.com.

Paul’s Conversion Sunday School Lesson

“Go over to Straight Street and go to the house of Judas,” the Lord instructed the disciples. You should look for a Tarsus native called Saul when you arrive there. Right now, he is praying for me. In Acts 9:11, the apostle Paul says (NLT) He had been an ardent opponent of the gospel before beginning his trek to Damascus. To halt it and extinguish its flames, he was looking for any and all opportunities. What Paul taught us on the way to Damascus is maybe the most important lesson. When it comes to God, it doesn’t take much to turn a person’s life around.

1. A new route is being forged: Saul, the adversary of God, sets out to find and kill followers of the way who are harboring evil thoughts toward them.
2. He is temporarily blinded as a result of this meeting, but his life is forever altered as well.
3. The method he chooses to respond to these followers of the way is not to arrest and persecute them, but to become one of them.
4. In a relatively short period of time, everything transpired.
5. Anyone, even the most hardened of hearts, may be converted when they are confronted with their own identity and the identity of their Creator.
6. Some times, it is not necessary for someone to speak to a person, but rather for God to accomplish what only he is capable of doing.
7. The importance of sharing the gospel cannot be overstated, yet all we can do is plant and water at this point in time.

To put it another way, we must all have a personal contact with Jesus at some time in our lives that results in our conversion to his way of thinking.

In this regard, Paul is illustrative of what I am talking about.

God maintained his enthusiasm, but shifted the direction in which it was directed by his will.

It’s easy to see that God saved Paul on the road to Damascus, God transformed him, and God used Paul for his own glory when you look at his life.

Bright lights and Damascus roads, or quiet times in your living room, this same Jesus is still at work changing people’s hearts and lives today.

In addition to being a public speaker and Bible teacher, Clarence L.

is also the co-founder of The Bible Study Club.

The Pursuit of Victory: How to Conquer Your Greatest Challenges and Win in your Christian Life, which he has just published, is another accomplishment for the author.

Using the information in this book, you will be able to put the pieces of your Christian life together and finally become the man or woman of God that you have always desired to be. More information about his ministry may be found at www.clarencehaynesfoundation.org.

Bible Lesson:Jesus Transforms Saul’s Life

(Give Bibles to pupils who express a desire to have one. Example of how to teach the lesson is provided in the next section. To tell the narrative well, it is critical that you be familiar with the passage so that you can maintain eye contact with each kid while telling it and adjust to whatever is going on. If a pupil becomes distracted, bring them back into the classroom.) Telling the introduction in the style of a tale will help to capture the kids’ attention. You might wish to utilize props to describe this story’s introduction (a baby doll, scroll, etc.) There was once a time when two Jewish parents resided in the city of Tarsus.

1. Jacob had twelve sons, and Benjamin was one of them.
2. From the moment this child was born, his parents instilled in him a belief in the existence of the One True God.
3. When their boy reached the appropriate age, they enrolled him in a Jerusalem school where he studied under a teacher called Gamaliel.
4. As this young guy learned more about God, he was extremely conscientious about following God’s instructions.
5. The Pharisees were a group of individuals who were exceedingly conscientious about keeping God’s orders and who made certain that other people were also conscientious about observing God’s rules.
6. That day, when God’s promise will be realized, was something he was looking forward to.
7. He tried, day after day, to live a life that was pleasing to God and in accordance with His laws.

(Use flannels with a black heart, a cross, and an open tomb to represent these individuals.) These individuals were confidently proclaiming in the temple courts and everywhere else that God had sent His Son Jesus to redeem people from their sins.

Many people living in Jerusalem, unfortunately, accepted this account and became disciples of this Jesus, which is a tragic outcome.

Stephen had the audacity to announce in front of all of the religious authorities that they were the ones who had murdered God’s prophesied Messiah.

Stephen was accusing the religious authorities, who were well-versed in God’s Word, of murdering the Promised Savior, and he was right.

When Stephen was stoned to death, this guy was overjoyed to say the least.

He proceeded to the locations where these disciples of Jesus were congregating and arrested men and women, putting them in jail as a result.

This man believed he was battling for God and standing fast in His ways.

He was completely unaware that he was in fact warring against God.

Let’s turn to Acts 9 in our Bibles to find out more about this man you’ve been hearing about.

No matter how much he fought against Christians, God’s Word continued to spread and lives were being transformed as more and more people came to realize that Jesus was the Son of God.

Saul believed he was virtuous in God’s eyes because he was well-versed in God’s Word and followed all of His regulations.

We all come into folks that are similar to Saul at some point in our life.

We get the impression that our adversaries will never change.

A person’s life can be revolutionized by placing their trust in Jesus Christ.

Select volunteers to recite Acts 9:1-2 aloud.

(Allow a volunteer to portray Saul’s mood while he screams violent threats into the microphone.) Saul was determined to do all in his power to prevent this communication from reaching its intended destination.

Saul feels he is on a mission from God to accomplish his goals.

A fatal accident on his route to Damascus would mean that he would be separated from God for all of eternity.

They study their Bibles and attend church on a weekly basis.

There is only one method for a person to please God, and that is via prayer.

When a person places their trust in Jesus, they are adopted as God’s children and receive the Holy Spirit, who enables them to live a life that is pleasing to God.

During their journey, as they draw closer to Damascus, Saul comes face to face with the Resurrected Savior.

More information regarding this encounter may be found in Acts 22:6-7 and Acts 26:13-14.

This occurred at midday, when the light was more intense than the sun.

Saul is the only one who can hear the voice speaking in Aramaic (the language Jews speak).

This was a scary event for Saul, who responded by asking, “Who are you, Lord?” “I am Jesus of Nazareth,” said the voice in response.

Speak to Saul in such a way that he would comprehend that He is the Son of God and the Promised Messiah, like the Lord Jesus did.

He was under the impression that Jesus was no longer alive.

He believed that God was delighted with his efforts to cleanse the world of those who adhere to the teachings of Jesus Christ.

On his route to Damascus, Saul encountered the risen Savior and came to believe that Jesus was the Messiah God had promised to bring.

He was no longer God’s adversary, but rather God’s adopted son or daughter.

Once a life has been saved by God, He is trustworthy to provide instructions on how to follow Jesus.

As soon as Saul pushed himself up from the ground, he opened his eyes and saw nothing but blackness.

He was escorted into Damascus by a group of guys who seized him by the hand.

He received a message from God.

People in the Bible who lived thousands of years ago had feelings and reactions that are similar to those experienced by you and me today.

Let’s see how Ananias felt about things.

Ananias was very forthright with God about his fear of being injured by Saul, and God responded favorably.

In Acts 9:15-16, God provided him with explicit instructions.

God had saved Saul and had selected him to carry out a unique mission in His Kingdom.

(In order to bring His name before the Gentiles and their rulers, as well as before the people of Israel) God has a job for each and every one of His people.

Ananias had been entrusted with a task by God, and he was willing to carry it out.

Now, let’s look at what he had to say to Saul in Acts 9:17.

He was able to see clearly once more.

He ate some food and was able to regain his vigor.

Saul had previously attempted to prevent others from believing in Jesus; now he believed in Jesus and recognized himself as God’s child.

He was now to go forth into the world and spread the Good News.

The people who heard Saul lecture about Jesus were taken aback by his confidence and boldness.

Let’s take a look at Acts 9:22.

Saul has a history of being a persecutor.

As a result of this transition in his life, he became enraged with Jews who had similar beliefs to his own.

Following the discovery of this plot by Saul’s companions, they prepared to hide him in a basket and drop him through an aperture in the city wall, allowing him to flee.

They were absolutely terrified!

Now he wants to become a member of their congregation as a believer?

Barnabas reassured them that Saul was a genuine believer in Christ.

They must have been incredibly encouraged to witness God’s ability to alter the life of their adversary.

They whisked him away from Jerusalem and sent him back to Tarsus for a short period of time to recuperate.

The Christians were given encouragement and power by the Holy Spirit.

As we progress through our study of the Book of Acts, we will discover more and more about Saul and his life.

Finish with a prayer. Questions for Reflection: Play a game of fact or fiction with your friends. When a student’s answer is a fabrication, ask them to provide the correct answer.

1. Saul was on his way to Damascus to see his grandmother, who was in poor health. A light brighter than the sun shone down on Saul as he traveled to Damascus to jail Christians. A Greek-language voice spoke in his ear, which Saul mistook for a voice speaking in his own language. (This is a work of fiction
2. He claimed to have heard an Aramaic voice.)
3. Jesus inquired of Saul as to why he was persecuting Him (Fact)
4. Saul was blinded for three days by the Holy Spirit. (Fact) God instructed Sapphirra to travel to Damascus and help Saul regain his sight. In this story, Ananias was obedient and went to Saul, where his sight was restored. (This is fiction, of course
5. Ananias was not the one who died!) (Fact) Saul courageously proclaimed the Good News, and everyone admired and respected him. (This is a work of fiction
6. Some intended to assassinate him.) God may alter a person’s life when they place their faith in Jesus. God only has job for certain of his followers, according to the truth. According to fiction, believers are His handiwork, made for good deeds.)

Resources that aren’t included on this page Lesson Plans are a type of plan that is used to teach a subject (on other websites)

• Lesson Plan for Mission Arlington
• Mission Arlington
• Calvary Chapel
• Activities for this lesson

New Sunday School Curriculum: Our Bible teachings are designed to hold the children’s attention while also demonstrating how God’s Word may make a difference in the lives of others. Every series is adaptable enough to accommodate a diverse age range while remaining reasonably priced for small congregations. Download a free Bible lesson in pdf format, or check out our most recent Sunday School curriculum for children.

Saul (Paul) Becomes a Christian

Original clip art developed byGospel Light from “The Complete Bible Story Clip Art Book” Original clip art adapted by Permission has been granted to use. Data-image-caption=”” This image is used in conjunction with the Bible lesson “Saul Becomes a Christian.” data-medium-file=”ssl=1″ data-medium-file=”ssl=1″ data-large-file=” ssl=1″ src=”is-pending-load=1 038;ssl=1″ alt=”10 Saul Becomes a Christian” data-large-file=” ssl=1″ src=”is-pending-load=1 038;ssl=1″ alt=”10 Saul Becomes a Christian” a width of 300 pixels and a height of 200 pixels ” data-recalc-dims=”1″ data-lazy-src=” is-pending-load=1 038; ssl=”” srcset=”data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAP” data-recalc-dims=”1″ data-lazy-src=” is-pending-load=” is-pending-load=1 038; ssl=”” data-recalc Scripture references: Acts 9:1-31 (which is repeated again when Saul testifies in court—Acts 22:1-21), Acts 26:9-20, and Acts 28:9-20 The suggested emphasis is that when we are incorrect, we should recognize our faults and make changes to ensure that things are done correctly.

….….….….….….

Story Overview:

In his early years as a Jew, Saul (later known by his Roman name, Paul) was an ardent opponent of Jesus, believing that anyone who followed him were defaming God. He even went on a quest for followers of Jesus in order to arrest or kill them because of their religious beliefs. When Jesus appeared to Saul on the road to Damascus and blinded him with a blinding light, he was forced to acknowledge that he had been wrong all of his life. Following this, Saul traveled to Damascus, where he was restored to sight and was filled with the Holy Spirit.

Saul quickly began preaching the truth about Jesus, which enraged several of the people in the audience.

After preaching in Jerusalem, he had to flee the city for his own safety.

Background Study:

For an overview of the Book of Acts, please see this link. Saul will subsequently be known by his Roman given name, Paul, but he is presented in Acts by his Jewish given name, Saul, which means “son of Saul.” The New Testament contains a large number of texts that were eventually created by the man who would come to be known as Apostle Paul. These texts are in the form of epistles, or letters, which are addressed to churches as well as to individual readers. Despite the fact that reading these letters provides a wealth of information on Saul, it is in Acts that we learn how he was personally visited by Jesus and entrusted with the task of spreading the Gospel to the Gentiles.

1. The top Jewish instructors, including the well-respected Gamaliel, were among those under whom he studied (Acts 22:3).
2. During the stoning of Stephen, Saul stayed by and even went so far as to look after the garments of those who flung the stones.
3. Saul was successful in his efforts.
4. Saul was a devoted defender of the Jewish people’s religious and cultural values.
5. Understanding this lends actual meaning to the enormous shift that was about to take place in his life, and it allows him to cope better with it.
6. Among the many other things that transpired, there are two that stand out.
7. Years later, Saul will explain that Christians are the “body of Christ,” and that each member of the body is a portion of the whole.

Because we are Christians, if someone damages you or me, Jesus is aware of our distress.

This was more than just a glimpse of Jesus in the sky.

It is clear from the opening lines of this chapter that Saul was still breathing forth homicidal threats against the Lord’s disciples, and this creates a vivid picture of how the disciples of Jesus felt about him.

Jesus instructed him to track out Saul and take him to a residence on Straight Street.

It seems like everyone had visions on that particular day.

Saul was experiencing a vision in which he was told that a disciple named Ananias would be paying him a visit.

Saul was baptized and restored his sight at this stage in his knowledge of the situation.

Saul would have been a big puzzle to figure out.

And the disciples of Jesus would have been understandably wary and suspicious of a guy who had been terrorizing their fellow Christians.

The three years spent in Arabia might be squeezed within verses 22 and 23 of the Bible.

After spending three years in Arabia, Saul returned to a highly tense situation at home.

Because the city was encircled by a wall, Saul’s supporters placed him in a basket and dropped him out of the wall through a window in the wall.

After escorting him to the apostles, Barnabas argued for Saul’s interests.

) Saul remained under the care of the apostles throughout his life.

There was eventually so much enraged resistance to Saul that the disciples of Jesus were forced to expel him from the city once more.

Many disciples of Jesus had been dispersed as a result of persecution, and they spread the gospel word everywhere they went. There was now a period of relative calm. During this period, the Way, also known as the Jesus movement, had a significant increase in membership. top

Way to Introduce the Story:

When you learn that there is someone in our community who is attempting to harm all Christians, what would you do? It’s possible that we’ll have to meet in secret. What would you do if you heard that the person you were looking for was near by? It is possible that you will have to use secret codes to communicate with other Christians about where to meet. Is this the first time anyone has seen a fish sign like this? Christians used to use that secret sign to represent Jesus, and you may draw it on the board.

Several persons who became followers of Jesus, or Christians, are mentioned in the book of Acts.

There were also other individuals who were enraged that anyone would choose to follow Jesus in the first place.

The Story:

Saul was born in the city of Tarsus, although he spent much of his childhood in the city of Jerusalem. Saul was an exceptionally bright young man who had studied under a renowned instructor named Gamaliel. Saul went by two different names. The name “Saul” was given to him by his Jewish ancestors, while the name “Paul” was given by the Romans. Despite the fact that Saul believed in God, he did not accept Jesus as his Savior. In truth, he was a bitter adversary of those who followed Jesus. Saul despised these disciples of Jesus and wished to bring the church to its knees.

1. It is also possible to describe someone as “persecuting” them if you are harming or threatening them because of their beliefs.
2. Everywhere he went, people were terrified of him.
3. He was under the impression that the religious authorities would despise these disciples of Jesus as well.
4. As a result, Saul embarked on a journey to the city of Damascus.
5. When a dazzling light shined down, everyone came to a complete halt.
6. The others in the group saw the light and could hear something, but only Paul could hear a voice saying, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” The other members of the party did not notice the light or hear anything.
7. “Can you tell me who you are?” he inquired.

“Now get up and walk into the city,” says the professor.

Was this the person who claimed to be Jesus?

Now Saul was aware of the truth: Jesus is still alive!

“What are you doing persecuting ME?” Jesus had inquired of Saul.

He had persecuted these disciples of Jesus, and had even imprisoned them at one point in his reign.

When Paul persecuted them, he was in effect harming Jesus himself, because they were his disciples and so belonged to him.

Was he ever going to be forgiven by Jesus for what he had done?

Is it possible for people to forgive a man who has done such terrible things?

Saul, on the other hand, need assistance.

As a result of Saul’s blindness, the others who were with him assisted him in reaching Damascus.

He had faith in the person of Jesus.

In a home on the corner of Straight Street, he’d be waiting for you when you arrived.

Do you want to pay a visit to Saul?

What right did Jesus have to ask him to go visit Saul?

What would Saul do to him if he found out?

Saul had been chosen by Jesus to be the Gentiles’ teacher, and Saul had accepted the position (all of the people who were not Jews).

He headed to Straight Street and came across Saul, who he recognized.

The moment Ananias uttered this, it was as though scales dropped from Saul’s eyes, allowing him to see clearly once again.

Now that Saul had discovered the truth about Jesus, he was eager to share it with the entire world.

When Saul began to preach, a large number of people came to believe in Jesus.

Some people were really enraged.

Saul’s pals, on the other hand, had a brilliant idea.

Saul managed to get away!

When Saul returned to Jerusalem, his followers did not believe in him and did not want him to be present with them.

He appeared to be a completely different person now.

Now he told them that they SHOULD follow Jesus instead of the other way around.

Finally, Saul’s other followers transported him to the port of Caesarea, where he was placed on a ship bound for Tarsus.

Tarsus was the city where Saul had spent his childhood. Following this period of time, the churches enjoyed a period of tranquility. Many more people began to follow Jesus. When Saul met Jesus he stopped doing bad things and began to follow Jesus. What do you think Jesus wants you to do? top

Ways to Tell the Story:

It is possible to tell this narrative in a number of different ways. Never stray from the facts provided in the Bible, but rather use drama, visual aids, voice inflection, student involvement and/or emotion to help youngsters connect to its significance. Visual aids and story-telling techniques may be found by clicking here. To download the slideshow, click here, or to get the images to print, click here. Because every teacher is different, only the visuals that are most relevant to the way YOU are teaching the tale in THIS session should be used.

– Alternatively, watch the video below.

Review Questions:

1. What is Saul’s alternate given name? What did Saul do before he became a follower of Jesus, according to Paul? Followers of Jesus were tracked down and slain because they believed in him
2. What happened to Saul when he was traveling to Damascus? Jesus appeared to him in a dazzling light, which temporarily blinded him. Who was it who baptized Saul? Ananias
3. How did Saul manage to get out from Damascus? In the middle of the night, Jesus’ followers carried him over the city walls in a basket.

Song Suggestions:

• Jesus’ Hokey Pokey Song
• Deep and Wide Song
• Jesus’ Hokey Pokey Song
• For further possibilities, please see the Song Page on this website.

Learning Activities and Crafts:

(How can I select the most appropriate learning activities for my particular teaching situation?) Activities:

• Have youngsters act out scenarios in which they must acknowledge that they were wrong
• This will help them to learn responsibility. Decorations for a basket can be made out of any food container (ice cream, margarine tubs, etc.)
• If you have access to Google Maps, Google Earth, or an Atlas, search up Damascus and locate the probable site of the Straight Street, where Ananias went to find Saul. If you don’t have access to any of these tools, use your imagination. The roadway in Old Damascus is now referred to as “The Avenue of Bab Sharqi and Medhat Pasha Souq,” which is a recent designation. Discuss the differences between current Damascus and Damascus during the time of Saul’s conversion. A huge outline of Paul can be drawn on whiteboard or paper by either you or the pupils to review the material previously learned (even drawing with a stick in the sand works fine if you are outside). Afterwards, when you have finished instructing the class, ask the students to reflect on what they have just learnt from the Bible. Instruct them to write descriptive phrases and/or draw pictures inside and around the Paul illustration that has been sketched in. When you look at what the children are writing or drawing, you could be startled or encouraged by the insights they have gained from the narrative, depending on your perspective. This is also an excellent time to fix or add to anything you may have missed or not addressed as thoroughly as you might have when teaching. If you want, you may download and print the artwork of Paul that is supplied here, and then have the children write and draw on it during the review session
• Or Instead, if you’re planning to teach a series of courses about Paul, you may draw an outline of him on a huge poster or piece of paper and then fill in the blanks with descriptive phrases about him as you go through each new lesson. Click here to access a collection of 16 lessons about Paul’s life that have been arranged together as a set.

Check out theTeaching Ideaspage on this website for ideas that may be used to any type of classroom setting. Printables for “Saul Becomes a Christian” may be found by clicking here (A4 paper) Saul accepts Christ as his Savior by clicking here to print the story (Letter size-USA) top

Other Online Resources:

• Worksheets include a coloring page and puzzles (from the Calvary Curriculum)
• Aid in Visualization: There are color photos of both Philip and the Ethiopian as well as Saul’s conversion tale in this book (Acts 9) (It is in pdf format and may be seen on a computer screen.) But I thought it was far more convenient to save it to my computer and then watch it.) at
• There is a crossword problem at
• There’s an excellent range of puzzles and games to print at this website. There is a good collection of puzzles and games to print at
• (About Saul) Make a doorknob hanger out of anything. Review: Create a “passport” that spans Paul’s whole life and career. Visual concepts and actions that are well-executed. Alternatively, it might be taught as a recap of prior Paul-related lessons available at
• Decorations for the room: A wall image depicting the basket being dropped down the city wall of Damascus is seen here. In order to see it, you’ll have to scroll down the page.

Acts 9 Conversion of Saul Object Lesson

What happens when a human comes face to face with Jesus? Use this Acts 9Bible Lessonon Saul’s Conversion to examine what it means to be an empty vessel and how we might be instruments for God’s will in our lives. Acts 9 is the scripture referenced in this project. Materials:

• Volunteers to play out the tale event in a vase or other empty container

Geographical locations include Israel, Jerusalem, and Damascus. Background: The death of Stephen marked the beginning of the persecution of the early church. As a result, the Christians were forced to flee Jerusalem. They traveled to Judea and Samaria, as well as other distant regions. Philip traveled to Samaria and proclaimed the gospel of Jesus to the locals. There, he came face to face with the Sorcerer, after which he was escorted to meet an Ethiopian.

Acts 9 Object Lesson:

• What exactly is a vessel
• What exactly can we put within it
• Do you recall who the cloaks were flung at the feet of when Stephen was stoned

This is a vessel that is completely devoid of contents. It is possible to refer to a vessel as a “instrument.” Not a musical instrument, but a tool that may be beneficial in a variety of situations. God views us to be vessels or instruments, and Saul is an excellent example of such a vessel or instrument for us to follow.

Acts 9 Bible Lesson:

In Acts 8, we discovered that Saul was attempting to bring the church to its knees. The Bible informs us that he “breathed” threats and murder against the church, according to the text. He went to the High Priest and requested permission to travel to Damascus in order to arrest anyone associated with “The Way.” The papers were approved, and Saul and a few other men started off on their journey. When Saul was on his way to Damascus, he was blinded by a dazzling light from heaven, which forced him to fall to the ground.

• “Jesus,” was the response from the voice.
• Saul was instructed by Jesus to travel to Damascus, where he would be given instructions.
• Saul was brought into the city by the men.
• When the Lord spoke to him in a dream, he was instructed to travel to a street called Straight, where he would be able to locate Saul of Tarsus.
• Ananias had heard something about Saul, and he informed God of everything he had learned, including the fact that Saul had the ability to injure the saints.
• As a result, Ananias complied and went to Saul.
• Saul rose to his feet and was baptized.
• After spending a few days with the disciples of Damascus, Saul returned to Damascus and began proclaiming that Jesus was the Son of God in the synagogue.
• However, Saul grew even more confident, and others who attempted to debate with him were perplexed and mystified, demonstrating that Jesus was the Christ in their eyes.

The Jews, on the other hand, were not pleased with this. They discussed their plans to assassinate Saul between themselves. Saul was informed of the scheme, and several of his disciples lowered him down the wall in a basket during the night so that he might escape.

Bible Application of Acts 9:

• Describe the kind of person Saul was BEFORE he met Jesus. What kind of person did Paul become after meeting Jesus? What kinds of actions or qualities do people exhibit prior to seeing Jesus Christ? What should individuals do once they have accepted Christ as their Savior

The way we used to do things, or the way we used to live, needs to change. What we watch on television, read in books, say in words, perform in deeds, and participate in activities should all alter to reflect a life that promotes Jesus to people in our immediate vicinity. God referred to Saul as a vessel, one that He had selected and would put to use. Paul addressed a letter to the Corinthians in which he discussed the importance of being a vessel. Perhaps he was thinking about his encounter with Jesus at the time.

1. Then he refers to us as earthen vessels that contain this richness, this wisdom, and this power that comes from God.
2. That is exactly what God expects of us.
3. When a person comes face to face with Jesus, he or she knows it.
4. And if there is, then you should consult with God to determine whether or not you have actually encountered Jesus.
5. Saul inquired of Jesus as to what he should do, indicating that he was prepared to submit everything he was and had to Jesus.
6. He was well aware that he had made a mistake.
7. In the aftermath of our encounter with Jesus, we should be prepared to confess whatever wrongs we have committed and to offer everything we are to him.
8. When Ananias arrived and informed Saul of what Jesus expected of him, Saul was able to see again and was filled with the Holy Spirit again.
9. What can we take out from Saul’s conversion experience?
10. Make your decision to transform your life known to the public.
11. The Lord want to pour Himself into you in order for you to subsequently pour yourself into others by loving them, serving them, and sharing Jesus with them.

Paul and the Road to Damascus

At the beginning of the book, we meet Saul of Tarsus (who would later be known as Paul), who is a member of the group that killed Stephen for preaching about Jesus (Then they cried out with a loud voice, stopped their ears, and ran at him with one accord, and they cast him out of the city and stoned him). And the witnesses bowed their heads and dropped their clothing at the feet of a young man by the name of Saul. And they stoned Stephen as he prayed to God and said, “Lord Jesus, accept my spirit,” as he called out to God.

Acts 7:57-60 (New King James Version (NKJV)The Holy Bible, New King James Version 1982 by Thomas Nelson”>Acts 7:57-60 (New King James Version (NKJV)The Holy Bible, New King James Version 1982 by Thomas Nelson”>Acts 7:57-60 (New King James Version (NKJV)The Holy Bible, New King James Version 1982 by Thomas Nelson”>Acts 7:57-60 (New King James Version (NKJ Not only did Paul believe that this devout man deserved to die, but he also believed that everyone who followed in the footsteps of Jesus Christ should be imprisoned and potentially sentenced to death as well.

Persecuting the Church

Paul then “wreaked havoc on the church, breaking into every home and taking men and women away, condemning them to jail” (Acts 20:28). (Acts 8:3). Members of the Church in Jerusalem fled to different parts of the city in an attempt to get away from Paul. However, he was granted permission to pursue them all the way to Damascus! Paul would be able to apprehend Christians in the area and drag them the 140 kilometers back to the city of Jesus Christ. Paul was regarded as a Christian sworn enemy.

After that, however, a miracle incident occurred that completely altered the path of Paul’s life.

On the road to Damascus

The trek took him close to Damascus, when all of a sudden a bright light appeared around him from above. When he dropped to the ground, he was confronted by a voice that said, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?’ And he said, ‘Who are You, Lord?’ he continued. “ Then the Lord revealed himself as Jesus, whom you were persecuting at the time. When you are kicking against the goads, it is difficult for you” (Acts 9:3-5). According to Jesus, Pilate had been acting like an obstinate ox by continuing to harass Jesus’ disciples despite his concerns, and this was the equivalent of a sharp stick used to prod cattle to move.

He now understood that Jesus had risen from the dead and was now his Master.

He had been spiritually blind for a long time, but God was beginning to enlighten his eyes.

Paul’s response

“So he asked, terrified and bemused, ‘Lord, what do You want me to do?'” says the Bible. ‘Arise, and go into the city; you will be informed what you must do,’ the Lord instructed him.'” (See also verse 6). Paul’s friends, who had seen the light but had not heard the words that Paul had heard (Acts 22:9), had to take Paul’s hand and bring him to the other side. For three days, he was unable to see and was unable to eat or drink. While everything was happening, God revealed the shocking news to a Christian called Ananias.

• Ananias was taken aback!
• “Lord, I’ve heard a lot of negative things about this man, including how much damage he’s done to Your believers in Jerusalem.
• Paul confessed his sins, was baptized, received the gift of God’s Holy Spirit, and accepted the task that God had assigned to him.
• God, on the other hand, reassured Ananias that this was really part of His plan.
• Paul, on the other hand, who had caused many others to suffer, would have to suffer a great deal himself for the sake of the name of Christ.
• A total 180-degree shift occurred in his life.
• It was just a few days ago that he began teaching the very things that he had threatened to murder others for speaking!
• A significant aspect of Paul’s journey is his encounter with the angel on the way to Damascus.
• He repeated it when defending himself in front of King Agrippa and the Roman governor Festus, among others (Acts 26:1-23).
• For additional information on this, read “The Road to Damascus: A Biblical Contradiction?” Paul also spoke frequently about the significance of God’s calling for every Christian in his writings.

Everyone who follows Christ has a unique story about God’s calling, yet Christians are all called to the same thing in essence. God, according to the apostle Paul, “has rescued us and called us with a holy calling” (2 Timothy 1:9).

The Christian calling

The Bible has several more examples of men and women who were called to follow Christ, most of whom did not have spectacular experiences like Paul’s did. Physical miracles were not included in the majority of cases. However, everyone who is called by God experiences a spiritual miracle, which is the opening of his or her mind to realize God’s truth and calling in their lives. This miracle, despite the fact that it is silent and invisible, is one of the greatest marvels that could ever occur. It provides us with the opportunity to become a member of the all-powerful Creator God’s family.

It has been said that those who respond to God’s amazing summons would be able to live eternally as His sons and daughters (“I will be your Father, and you will be My sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.”) The Holy Bible, New King James Version (NKJV) was published in 1982 by Thomas Nelson and is known as the New King James Version (NKJV).

More information on how God invites individuals to become disciples of Christ may be found in the article “God Calling!”.

It outlines the actions that God wants us to follow in order to react to His call.

Mike Bennett

Mr. Mike Bennett works as an editorial content manager for the Church of God, a Worldwide Association, based in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. He oversees the Life, Hope, and Truth website, as well as Discernmagazine, the Daily Bible Verse Blog, and the Life, Hope, and Truth Weekly Newsletter, among other things (including World Watch Weekly). He is also a member of the Personal Correspondence Team, a group of ministers who have the honor of responding to questions sent to Life, Hope, and Truth magazine.