Acts 6:8-7:60

Stephen the Witness Bible lesson for kids

A complete Stephen the Witness lesson plan for Sunday school or homeschool — one version for each age band, from preschool to preteen. Pick the section that matches your kids and teach.

Jump to Ages 4–6Jump to Ages 6–9Jump to Ages 9–12

Preschool & Kindergarten

Ages 4–6

Objective

Children will understand that Stephen stayed faithful to Jesus and forgave people who hurt him.

Opening question

What brave thing can you do when someone is unkind to you?

Tell the story

Read Acts 6:8-7:60 together. Stephen served people, taught about Jesus, and did wonderful things by God's power. Some men told lies about him, and an angry council sent him outside where people threw stones at him. Stephen saw Jesus in heaven and asked God to forgive the people hurting him.

Hands-on activities

Stephen Sees Jesus

Materials: our free printable coloring page, crayons, yellow paper, glue

  1. Show the children Stephen looking toward heaven.
  2. Color our free printable coloring page together.
  3. Tear the yellow paper into small rays.
  4. Glue the rays around the picture of heaven.
  5. Say, Jesus was with Stephen.

Faithful Motions

Materials: a bowl, a towel

  1. Hold the bowl and pretend to serve food like Stephen.
  2. Drape the towel over one arm and walk carefully across the room.
  3. Open your hands as if telling people about Jesus.
  4. Cover your ears while the teacher says that some people would not listen.
  5. Look upward and place your hands over your heart.
  6. Say, We can follow Jesus and forgive.

Talk about it

  1. How did Stephen help people?
  2. Who did Stephen see in heaven?
  3. What can you ask God to help you forgive?

Closing prayer

Jesus, help us serve bravely, stay faithful, and forgive others.

Early Elementary

Ages 6–9

Objective

Children will explain how Stephen showed courage and forgiveness when people treated him unfairly.

Opening question

What would help you tell the truth if everyone around you disagreed?

Tell the story

Read Acts 6:8-7:60 together. Stephen served the church, performed wonders by God's power, and spoke with wisdom that his opponents could not defeat. False witnesses accused him, but Stephen boldly reviewed Israel's history and warned the council that they were resisting the Holy Spirit. The angry crowd stoned him while Saul watched, yet Stephen saw Jesus standing in heaven and prayed for his killers to be forgiven.

Hands-on activities

Courage Clue Coloring

Materials: our free printable coloring page, crayons or colored pencils, pencil

  1. Color our free printable coloring page.
  2. Circle details that show Stephen's courage.
  3. Draw a small heart near Stephen to represent forgiveness.
  4. Write one faithful choice you can make this week.
  5. Share your choice with the group.

Serve Speak Forgive

Materials: three sheets of paper, marker, bowl

  1. Write Serve, Speak, and Forgive on separate papers.
  2. Place the papers in different parts of the room.
  3. Read a situation such as welcoming a lonely child, correcting a lie, or releasing anger.
  4. Move to the paper showing Stephen's example for that situation.
  5. Explain your choice.
  6. Carry the bowl to someone as a final reminder that Stephen first served others.

Talk about it

  1. Why do you think false witnesses were used against Stephen?
  2. How did Stephen remain faithful when the council became angry?
  3. Does forgiving someone mean that what happened was acceptable, and why?

Closing prayer

Lord Jesus, help us serve, speak truth with courage, and forgive as Stephen did.

Upper Elementary & Preteen

Ages 9–12

Objective

Children will connect Stephen's faithful witness and forgiveness with courageous choices in unfair situations today.

Opening question

If doing the right thing brought rejection instead of success, would it still be worth doing?

Tell the story

Read Acts 6:8-7:60 together. Stephen began as one of seven trusted servants caring for the church's needs, yet the Spirit also empowered him to perform wonders and speak with wisdom. After false witnesses accused him, he traced Israel's history and confronted the council for resisting the Holy Spirit and rejecting Jesus. The furious crowd stoned Stephen while Saul guarded their cloaks; Stephen saw Jesus standing at God's right hand and used his final words to ask forgiveness for his killers.

Hands-on activities

Evidence of Faithfulness

Materials: our free printable coloring page, colored pencils, pencil

  1. Color our free printable coloring page while listening to the passage.
  2. Label details that show service, courage, opposition, heaven, and forgiveness.
  3. Write one question you would ask Stephen beside the picture.
  4. Add one sentence describing what faithfulness can cost.
  5. Share one detail that changes how you understand the scene.

Courage Case Files

Materials: scrap paper, pens, a bowl

  1. Write situations involving gossip, exclusion, cheating, or cruel messages on separate papers.
  2. Place the papers in the bowl.
  3. Draw one situation and read it aloud.
  4. Name a truthful and faithful response.
  5. Name a safe person who could help.
  6. Explain how forgiveness could begin without pretending the wrong was harmless.
  7. Repeat with another situation if time allows.

Talk about it

  1. Why might Stephen's service to widows have prepared him for courageous public witness?
  2. What is the difference between forgiveness, trust, and allowing harmful behavior to continue?
  3. What does Jesus standing to receive Stephen teach you about events that look like defeat?

Closing prayer

Jesus, help us remain faithful, seek wise help, speak truth, and forgive those who hurt us.

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