Single lesson
Ananias and Sapphira
Acts 5:1–11
A husband and wife bring part of their money as though it were the full amount, and their lie is exposed in the church.
Before you teach
A man named Ananias and his wife, Sapphira, sold a piece of property. Together they kept back some of the money. Sapphira knew about it. Ananias brought part of the price and laid it at the apostles' feet. Peter said the property had been Ananias's to keep, and after it was sold, the money was still his to decide about. The sin was not simply keeping some back. Peter said Ananias had lied to the Holy Spirit, not merely to people.
Explain the central teaching of Ananias and Sapphira, using two details from the reading. A husband and wife bring part of their money as though it were the full amount, and their lie is exposed in the church.
Welcome: Ananias and Sapphira
5 minIntroduce “Ananias and Sapphira” and locate Acts 5:1–11. A husband and wife bring part of their money as though it were the full amount, and their lie is exposed in the church. Invite each learner to name a detail or question they will listen for.
Acts 5:1, Acts 5:6, Acts 5:11
Read and explain the passage
12 minA man named Ananias and his wife, Sapphira, sold a piece of property. Together they kept back some of the money. Sapphira knew about it. Ananias brought part of the price and laid it at the apostles' feet.
When Ananias heard Peter's words, he fell down and died. Great fear came on everyone who heard about it. Young men came, wrapped him, carried him out, and buried him.
Immediately Sapphira fell down at Peter's feet and died. The young men came in, found her dead, and carried her out to bury her by her husband. Great fear came on the whole church and on all who heard these things. Why do you think this account made the church tremble?
Read the selected verses together, pausing at “Ananias and Sapphira”. Use the source reading below and check the explanation against the words of the passage.
Acts 5:2, Acts 5:1, Acts 5:3, Acts 5:5, Acts 5:10, Acts 5:6, Acts 5:11
Discuss the details and their meaning
8 minUse the three questions below. Begin with ““Peter said the property had been Ananias's to keep, and after it was sold, the money was still his to decide about.” Which details explain how the account reaches this point?” and allow time to find the supporting verses. A husband and wife bring part of their money as though it were the full amount, and their lie is exposed in the church. Ask learners to explain which details support their answer and to identify a question they would like to explore further.
Acts 5:3, Acts 5:4, Acts 5:9, Acts 5:5, Acts 5:10, Acts 5:6, Acts 5:11
Make and respond: Choices and outcomes evidence map
12 minWork on “Ananias and Sapphira: Choices and outcomes evidence map”. Follow the materials and steps below, using “Ananias and Sapphira” as reading headings. Each learner should include at least two accurate details and their verse references. Share one observation from the finished sheet and explain how it connects with the central teaching.
Acts 5:1, Acts 5:6, Acts 5:11
Closing: return to Ananias and Sapphira
3 minRevisit Acts 5:1–11. Invite a learner to summarise what the group has learned about Ananias and Sapphira and another to support the summary with a verse. Give learners a moment to complete their response sheet. They can share a question or, if appropriate for the group, join the optional prayer.
Acts 5:1, Acts 5:6, Acts 5:11
Questions to explore
“Peter said the property had been Ananias's to keep, and after it was sold, the money was still his to decide about.” Which details explain how the account reaches this point?
Peter said the property had been Ananias's to keep, and after it was sold, the money was still his to decide about. The sin was not simply keeping some back. Peter said Ananias had lied to the Holy Spirit, not merely to people.
Acts 5:3, Acts 5:4, Acts 5:9
How does this moment affect the rest of the account: “When Ananias heard Peter's words, he fell down and died.”?
When Ananias heard Peter's words, he fell down and died. Great fear came on everyone who heard about it. Young men came, wrapped him, carried him out, and buried him.
Acts 5:5, Acts 5:10, Acts 5:6
Why do you think this account made the church tremble?
Immediately Sapphira fell down at Peter's feet and died. The young men came in, found her dead, and carried her out to bury her by her husband. Great fear came on the whole church and on all who heard these things.
Acts 5:10, Acts 5:5, Acts 5:11
Make, think or respond
Ananias and Sapphira: Choices and outcomes evidence map
What you’ll need
- plain paper or card
- pencils or pens
- a Bible or the source reading on this page
Try it together
- Fold a sheet into three panels or draw three columns. Label them “Words or actions”, “What happens next”, “Verse reference”.
- Read Acts 5:1–11. Use “Ananias and Sapphira” as your reading headings and add a short quotation or detail with its verse reference to each panel.
- Compare your notes with a partner. Check that every quotation is accurate and every conclusion has support in the passage.
- Compare two actions or statements in the account and explain their different outcomes.
The finished sheet keeps the details of Ananias and Sapphira connected to their Bible references and gives the group a way to explain what they noticed.
Adapt for your group
- For learners who need more support, prepare the reading headings “Ananias and Sapphira” and let them match short quotations to the correct heading.
- For confident readers, compare two sections of Acts 5:1–11. Ask for a written explanation with two supporting references and one question that the text leaves open.
An optional closing prayer
“God, help us listen carefully as we read Acts 5:1–11. Help us understand what we have read, ask thoughtful questions and respond with care for others. Amen.”
Read the Bible passage World English Bible Classic
Acts 5
1 But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession,
2 and kept back part of the price, his wife also being aware of it, then brought a certain part and laid it at the apostles’ feet.
3 But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back part of the price of the land?
4 While you kept it, didn’t it remain your own? After it was sold, wasn’t it in your power? How is it that you have conceived this thing in your heart? You haven’t lied to men, but to God.”
5 Ananias, hearing these words, fell down and died. Great fear came on all who heard these things.
6 The young men arose and wrapped him up, and they carried him out and buried him.
7 About three hours later, his wife, not knowing what had happened, came in.
8 Peter answered her, “Tell me whether you sold the land for so much.” She said, “Yes, for so much.”
9 But Peter asked her, “How is it that you have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? Behold, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out.”
10 She fell down immediately at his feet and died. The young men came in and found her dead, and they carried her out and buried her by her husband.
11 Great fear came on the whole assembly, and on all who heard these things.
World English Bible Classic. Public domain.
Source passages
Something to make together
These activities connect with the passage. Choose one that suits your group and the time you have.
