Leader Guide
Coloring Activity
- Heavenly Vision Coloring Page
- Crayons, colored pencils, or washable markers
Give a coloring page to each child, along with crayons, colored pencils, or washable markers to share.
Lead a discussion using the questions below as children color their pages.
1. Who saw this vision of Jesus? Stephen.
2. What did Stephen
say Jesus was doing in the vision? Standing in
heaven at the right side of God.
3. Who was Stephen witnessing to about Jesus at the
time of his vision? The Jewish religious leaders
and council.
4. What happened to Stephen after he described his
vision to the council? They covered their ears
and shouted at him. Then they attacked him, dragged him outside, and stoned
him.
5. The Jewish leaders were actually religious
leaders and priests who thought they were serving God! Why do you think they acted
with such hatred and rage? They did not want to
hear the truth about Jesus and admit that they had crucified the Messiah. They
followed the law and religious traditions and were threatened by Jesus’
teachings and His followers.
6. How do you
think spending time with Jesus can help you face difficult times and respond in
love each day? We focus on His love, and who we
are in Him, and the hope we have in Him. When we think on these things vs. the situation
we’re in, it helps us to endure and overcome. It can strengthen us and help us
to respond as He did, knowing we are secure in Christ’s love.
Allow the children to share their finished pictures with the class.
Conclusion: Stephen was able to respond in love to his
enemies because he was full of faith, God’s Spirit, and His power. (See Acts 6:5, 8.) Stephen was also filled with
the love of Jesus. Stephen looked up and got a fresh vision of Jesus in heaven
at God’s side.
People don’t always want to hear the truth. But
remember that when we suffer persecution and rejection, it’s only temporary. Our
focus must be Jesus, not our enemies, knowing by faith that we will forever live
with Him in heaven.