“The first church shared because they loved Jesus. Jesus helps us share too.”

“Jesus, help me share like You.”

Acts 2:42-47

Children repeat after you:

“Dear God,
Thank You for loving us.
Thank You for Jesus.
Thank You for the Bible,
Your special book.
Help us listen and obey.
In Jesus’ name, amen.”

Song 1 – B-I-B-L-E

• Bible hands, hug the “book,” step on “I stand alone.”

Song 2 – Let the People Praise You O God

Song 3 – “We Are the Church Family”
(Tune: “Mary Had a Little Lamb”)
“We are Jesus’ family,
Family, family.
We are Jesus’ family,
At our church today.
We can pray and sing and share,
Sing and share, sing and share.
We can pray and sing and share,
’Cause we love Jesus.”

Motions: hug self on “family,” praying hands on “pray,” share motion (pass something) on “share.”

Sit kids in a circle. Use: “house” made of blocks, people figures, toy food, toy coins.

a) The first church is a family
Place people inside/around the “house.”

• “The Bible tells us that after Jesus went back to heaven and sent the Holy Spirit, many people believed in Jesus. These believers came together. This was the first church—not just a building, but people who loved Jesus and each other.”
• “Grandmas, grandpas, moms, dads, and children met together in homes. They prayed, sang, and learned about Jesus together. They were like one big, happy family.”

b) They learned, worshiped, and shared
Show a small Bible picture.

• “The Bible says they listened to the apostles’ teaching—that means they learned about Jesus and what He said. They prayed together and ate meals together. They praised God.”

Show toy food and coins.

• “Because they loved Jesus and each other, they shared what they had. If someone did not have enough food, others shared theirs. Some even sold extra things and gave the money to people who needed help. No one was left out.”

d) Key phrase with motions
Teach and repeat:

• “The first church loved and shared. I can love and share too.”

Motions:
Make a big circle with arms on “first church.”
Hands on heart on “loved.”
Pass an imaginary toy to someone on “shared.”
Point to self on “I can,” repeat love/share motions on “love and share too.”

Say it several times: loud, whisper, standing and sitting.

d) Jesus connection (why they shared)
Place Jesus figure in the middle of the “church.”

“Why did they share so much? Because they knew Jesus had given them everything—His love, His forgiveness, and new life. Jesus said people would know His followers by their love for each other.”
“When we love Jesus, we also want to love and share with others—our church family, our neighbors, and our friends.”

Goal: 
Simple “church family” picture showing sharing, with a clear line.

Steps

• Give each child a paper with a simple church/house outline.
• Help them draw or glue several people inside/around the church (adults an children).
• Ask: “What can we share?”
• Have them draw food, toys, hugs, or helping hands being shared between people.
• Add the phrase at the bottom:
• “The first church loved and shared. I can love and share too.”
• Option: Write the name of your church at the top as “My church family.”

Craft talk (short paragraph as they work)

• “Your picture shows a church family—people who love Jesus and each other. The first church shared what they had because they loved Jesus. We can share too: toys, food, time, and kind words. When you look at this picture, remember: ‘The first church loved and shared. I can love and share too.’”

When finished, have children hold up their pictures and say:

• “The first church loved and shared. I can love and share too.”