Bible Study

Have children look up Acts 9:1-19. Divide up the verses between the children to read aloud, then lead a discussion using the questions below. Feel free to add any questions that you think will facilitate deeper discussion with your particular group.

¹Meanwhile, Saul was uttering threats with every breath and was eager to kill the Lord’s followers. So he went to the high priest.²He requested letters addressed to the synagogues in Damascus, asking for their cooperation in the arrest of any followers of the Way he found there. He wanted to bring them—both men and women—back to Jerusalem in chains. ³As he was approaching Damascus on this mission, a light from heaven suddenly shone down around him.⁴He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul! Saul! Why are you persecuting Me?”⁵ “Who are you, lord?” Saul asked. And the voice replied, “I am Jesus, the One you are persecuting!⁶Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.” ⁷The men with Saul stood speechless, for they heard the sound of someone’s voice but saw no one!⁸Saul picked himself up off the ground, but when he opened his eyes he was blind. So his companions led him by the hand to Damascus.⁹He remained there blind for three days and did not eat or drink. ¹⁰Now there was a believer in Damascus named Ananias. The Lord spoke to him in a vision, calling, “Ananias!” “Yes, Lord!” he replied. ¹¹The Lord said, “Go over to Straight Street, to the house of Judas. When you get there, ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul. He is praying to me right now.¹²I have shown him a vision of a man named Ananias coming in and laying hands on him so he can see again.”¹³“But Lord,” exclaimed Ananias, “I’ve heard many people talk about the terrible things this man has done to the believers in Jerusalem!¹⁴And he is authorized by the leading priests to arrest everyone who calls upon Your name.” ¹⁵But the Lord said, “Go, for Saul is My chosen instrument to take My message to the Gentiles and to kings, as well as to the people of Israel.¹⁶And I will show him how much he must suffer for My name’s sake.” ¹⁷So Ananias went and found Saul. He laid his hands on him and said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road, has sent me so that you might regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.”¹⁸Instantly something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he regained his sight. Then he got up and was baptized.¹⁹Afterward he ate some food and regained his strength. Saul stayed with the believers in Damascus for a few days.

• What does Jesus ask in verse 4? “Saul! Saul! Why are you persecuting Me?”
• Saul had probably never actually met Jesus, so how could Saul be persecuting the Lord? Jesus tells us that we are His Body. If people are persecuting Christians, they are also persecuting Jesus, Himself.
• How does verse 10 relate to our SuperVerse and our SuperTruth today? Ananias was a believer in Jesus. Jesus manifested Himself or appeared in a vision to Ananias. Ananias loved Jesus very much; we know this because he was willing to risk his life at a time when Saul was persecuting Christians.
• What does it tell you about Ananias, that he answered the Lord when his name was called? He had a relationship with God. He was comfortable and familiar with His voice.
• In verse 11, do you think Saul would be considered a believer in Jesus? How does this relate to the SuperVerse and SuperTruth? Saul was praying to Jesus. Saul thought he was serving God before, but he didn’t know Jesus. Saul was transformed, and Jesus is revealing Himself once again to Him in a vision.
• In verse 12, Saul’s vision was very detailed! Jesus showed Ananias to Saul and told him his name! What does that tell you about Ananias? Jesus knew him to be an obedient follower. He knew he would follow His instructions!
• If you were Ananias, would you have hesitated to visit Saul? Why?
• Do you think you would have trusted God and gone? It is amazing that God uses us even when we are scared and have doubts!
• How do you think Ananias felt after obeying, then seeing the results?
• Do you think this strengthened his faith; how so?
• Do you think Ananias was humbled to be used in such a powerful way and amazed that God changed Saul as He did?
• As believers, why should we get excited about this? Jesus knows where we are and knows our names. He revealed Himself to both men—He knew their address! He works through people to accomplish His work! He will work in us, too! When we have a need or situation, Jesus knows where we are.
• In verses 13-14, do you think that Ananias was wrong to question God? Was God angry that Ananias did?We can ask God questions to make sure that we are hearing Him correctly, and share our hearts with Him. God’s response is not in anger; He simply answers him and explains.
• What does verse 17 tell us about Ananias? He trusts God, He is obedient and faithful.