Single lesson
Peter Visits Aeneas and Tabitha
Acts 9:31–43
In this lesson, children hear two linked parts of Acts 9 as Peter visits believers in Lydda and Joppa. They will sequence what happened, notice people’s actions, and see how the passage points people to the Lord.
Before you teach
Acts 9 begins here by saying the assemblies in Judea, Galilee, and Samaria had peace, were built up, and multiplied. As Peter travelled through these areas, he came to the saints in Lydda, met Aeneas, then was called to nearby Joppa, where Tabitha had died. The passage ends by noting that Peter stayed many days in Joppa with Simon, a tanner.
Students will be able to retell the order of Acts 9:31–43, including the opening peace and growth and the closing stay in Joppa, and name choices and outcomes shown in the passage.
Welcome: Peace, growth, and Peter’s journey
4 minShow children the reference and say they will hear one story in two places, Lydda and Joppa. Read the opening verses aloud. Explain that the assemblies had peace, were built up, and multiplied, and that Peter travelled to visit the saints. Ask children to listen for who Peter meets, what happens in each town, and where the passage ends.
Acts 9:31, Acts 9:32, Acts 9:43
Read and explain: Aeneas in Lydda
7 minRead the part about Aeneas slowly. Explain that he had been bedridden for eight years because he was paralysed. Peter said, “Jesus Christ heals you”, then told him to get up and make his bed. Aeneas immediately arose. The people who saw him turned to the Lord. Point out that the passage gives credit to Jesus Christ for the healing.
Acts 9:33, Acts 9:34, Acts 9:35
Discuss: Tabitha’s life and the call for Peter
6 minRead the verses about Tabitha and Peter being called. Help children notice that Tabitha, also called Dorcas, was a disciple full of good works and acts of mercy. After she died, the disciples sent for Peter without delay. The widows showed garments she had made. Discuss what the passage clearly shows about how Tabitha had helped people.
Acts 9:36, Acts 9:37, Acts 9:38, Acts 9:39
Make and respond: Complete story sequence cards
8 minGive children small blank cards to draw key moments in order: assemblies have peace and grow, Peter travels, Aeneas in bed, Aeneas rises, Tabitha’s good works, Peter is called, Peter prays, Tabitha sits up, many believe, Peter stays in Joppa with Simon the tanner. As they arrange the cards, ask them to name the action and outcome in each scene.
Acts 9:31, Acts 9:32, Acts 9:34, Acts 9:36, Acts 9:38, Acts 9:40, Acts 9:42, Acts 9:43
Closing: What this passage teaches
5 minReview the whole sequence together from the assemblies’ peace and growth to Peter staying many days in Joppa. Emphasise that Jesus Christ healed Aeneas, Peter prayed before speaking to Tabitha, many people believed in the Lord, and Peter remained in Joppa with Simon the tanner. Invite each child to say one true thing they learned from the passage.
Acts 9:31, Acts 9:34, Acts 9:40, Acts 9:42, Acts 9:43
Questions to explore
What words did Peter say to Aeneas, and who is named as the one who heals him?
Look closely at Peter’s exact words and notice that the verse names Jesus Christ as the healer.
Acts 9:34
What does the passage say Tabitha was known for before she died?
Use the description in the verse and the example of what the widows showed Peter.
Acts 9:36, Acts 9:39
Which details belong at the beginning and end of this passage?
Start with the verse about the assemblies having peace and growing, and finish with the verse that says Peter stayed many days in Joppa with Simon the tanner.
Acts 9:31, Acts 9:43
Make, think or respond
Acts 9 Story Sequence Cards
What you’ll need
- blank paper or card pieces
- pencils or crayons
- Bible
Try it together
- Read Acts 9:31, then Acts 9:32 to Acts 9:42 in small parts, and finish with Acts 9:43.
- Ask children to draw one scene per card from the passage, including the assemblies’ peace and growth at the beginning and Peter staying in Joppa at the end.
- Work together to place the cards in the correct order from Acts 9:31 to Acts 9:43.
- For each card, have a child name one action and one outcome from the verse.
This activity helps children follow the order of Acts 9:31–43, including the opening context and the closing note about Peter remaining in Joppa.
Adapt for your group
- For younger children, prepare six cards instead of ten and retell each scene in one short sentence before they order them.
- For older or confident readers, ask them to add the place names Lydda, Sharon, and Joppa to the correct cards and explain the responses in Acts 9:35 and Acts 9:42.
An optional closing prayer
You may pray: “Lord, thank you for showing your power and care in this passage. Help us to trust you, to notice people in need, and to do good works and acts of mercy.”
Read the Bible passage World English Bible Classic
Acts 9
31 So the assemblies throughout all Judea, Galilee, and Samaria had peace and were built up. They were multiplied, walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit.
32 As Peter went throughout all those parts, he came down also to the saints who lived at Lydda.
33 There he found a certain man named Aeneas, who had been bedridden for eight years because he was paralyzed.
34 Peter said to him, “Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you. Get up and make your bed!” Immediately he arose.
35 All who lived at Lydda and in Sharon saw him, and they turned to the Lord.
36 Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which when translated means Dorcas. This woman was full of good works and acts of mercy which she did.
37 In those days, she became sick and died. When they had washed her, they laid her in an upper room.
38 As Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples, hearing that Peter was there, sent two men to him, imploring him not to delay in coming to them.
39 Peter got up and went with them. When he had come, they brought him into the upper room. All the widows stood by him weeping, and showing the tunics and other garments which Dorcas had made while she was with them.
40 Peter sent them all out, and knelt down and prayed. Turning to the body, he said, “Tabitha, get up!” She opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter, she sat up.
41 He gave her his hand and raised her up. Calling the saints and widows, he presented her alive.
42 This became known throughout all Joppa, and many believed in the Lord.
43 He stayed many days in Joppa with a tanner named Simon.
World English Bible Classic. Public domain.