Single lesson
The Apostles' Signs and Healing Ministry
Acts 5:12–16
In Acts 5:12 to 16, the apostles’ ministry is public, powerful and closely watched. This lesson helps children notice what the passage says about signs, honour, belief, sickness and healing, and respond with careful, text-based application.
Before you teach
These verses describe what was happening among the people as the apostles met together in Solomon’s porch. The passage shows several connected details: signs and wonders were done, people honoured the apostles, more believers were added to the Lord, and crowds brought sick and troubled people who were healed.
Students will identify two main ideas from Acts 5:12 to 16 and explain them by pointing to details in the passage.
Welcome: What do you notice in this public scene?
4 minBegin by telling the class they will listen for repeated ideas in a short Bible passage. Explain that the passage describes the apostles together in Solomon’s porch, doing signs and wonders among the people. Ask children to listen for who is acting, who is watching, and what happens next.
Acts 5:12
Read and explain: Signs, honour and growing belief
8 minRead Acts 5:12 to 14 slowly. Explain that “signs and wonders” are remarkable acts done by the apostles, and that “with one accord” means they were together in unity. Notice the tension in the passage: some did not dare join them, yet the people honoured them, and more believers were added to the Lord, including both men and women.
Acts 5:12, Acts 5:13, Acts 5:14
Discuss: What did the crowd hope for?
6 minRead Acts 5:15 to 16. Point out what the people actually did: they carried the sick into the streets, laid them on cots and mattresses, and came from cities around Jerusalem. The passage says they hoped Peter’s shadow might overshadow some, but it clearly states that the sick and those troubled by unclean spirits were healed.
Acts 5:15, Acts 5:16
Make and respond: Reminder card from the passage
8 minInvite each child to choose one phrase from the passage that shows its main teaching, such as “many signs and wonders”, “more believers were added to the Lord”, or “they were all healed”. Children make a small reminder card and add one sentence explaining what their chosen words show about this passage.
Acts 5:12, Acts 5:14, Acts 5:16
Closing: Sum up the passage carefully
4 minFinish by asking children to name one thing the apostles did and one result named in the verses. Emphasise a careful summary: the passage presents powerful works through the apostles, public attention from the people, and many being healed while more believers were added to the Lord.
Acts 5:12, Acts 5:14, Acts 5:16
Questions to explore
What two different responses do people have in Acts 5:13 to 14?
Look for the contrast between those who did not dare join them, the people who honoured them, and the multitudes who were added to the Lord.
Acts 5:13, Acts 5:14
What details show that people came with serious needs?
Notice the sick being carried on cots and mattresses, and people coming from cities around Jerusalem with sick people and those tormented by unclean spirits.
Acts 5:15, Acts 5:16
According to the passage, what results followed the apostles’ ministry?
List the results the verses actually name: honour from the people, more believers added to the Lord, and healing for those brought to them.
Acts 5:13, Acts 5:14, Acts 5:16
Make, think or respond
Key Verse Reminder Card
What you’ll need
- plain paper or card
- pencils or pens
- crayons or markers
- Bible text written where children can see it
Try it together
- Ask each child to choose a short phrase from Acts 5:12, 14 or 16.
- Have them copy the phrase onto a small card in large writing.
- Under the phrase, help them write one simple sentence about what it teaches in this passage.
- Let children decorate the border with symbols from the passage, such as people, a mat or a crowd.
- Invite volunteers to read their phrase and explanation aloud.
This activity helps children focus on the exact words of the passage and connect a key verse with the main teaching in Acts 5:12 to 16.
Adapt for your group
- For younger children, offer three pre-selected phrases from Acts 5:12, 14 and 16 and help them complete the sentence starter, “This shows that...”.
- For older or stronger readers, ask them to compare Acts 5:12 to 14 with Acts 5:15 to 16 and explain how the passage moves from the apostles’ actions to the people’s response.
An optional closing prayer
You might pray: “Lord, thank you for what this passage shows about the apostles’ ministry. Please help us read carefully, understand what your word says, and respond to you with trust.”
Read the Bible passage World English Bible Classic
Acts 5
12 By the hands of the apostles many signs and wonders were done among the people. They were all with one accord in Solomon’s porch.
13 None of the rest dared to join them; however, the people honored them.
14 More believers were added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women.
15 They even carried out the sick into the streets and laid them on cots and mattresses, so that as Peter came by, at least his shadow might overshadow some of them.
16 The multitude also came together from the cities around Jerusalem, bringing sick people and those who were tormented by unclean spirits; and they were all healed.
World English Bible Classic. Public domain.