Single lesson
The Church at Antioch Helps Others
Acts 11:19–30
In Antioch, people heard about the Lord Jesus, believed, learned together, and then chose to help other believers in need. This lesson helps children follow the account in order and notice how God’s people responded.
Before you teach
This passage begins with people scattered by oppression travelling to places including Antioch. Some spoke to Jews only, while others preached the Lord Jesus to the group called Hellenists in Antioch. Barnabas was sent from Jerusalem, Saul joined him there, and later the disciples in Antioch sent relief to Judea during a famine.
Students will be able to retell the main steps in Acts 11:19–30 and name two responses in the passage: remaining near to the Lord and giving relief to others.
Welcome: Track the journey to Antioch
5 minShow a simple map or point to place names as children listen for them. Explain that people who were scattered travelled to Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch. At first some spoke the word to Jews only, then some preached the Lord Jesus to Hellenists in Antioch. Ask children to listen for what happened next.
Acts 11:19, Acts 11:20
Read and explain: Many believed in Antioch
8 minRead Acts 11:20–24 aloud. Explain that the passage says the group called Hellenists in Antioch heard the message about the Lord Jesus. The hand of the Lord was with them, many believed and turned to the Lord, and Barnabas was glad when he saw the grace of God. He urged them to remain near to the Lord with purpose of heart.
Acts 11:20, Acts 11:21, Acts 11:22, Acts 11:23, Acts 11:24
Discuss: Barnabas and Saul teach the church
6 minRead Acts 11:25–26. Ask the class to put these actions in order: Barnabas went to Tarsus, he found Saul, he brought him to Antioch, they taught many people for a whole year. Point out that the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch. Discuss how teaching helped this growing assembly.
Acts 11:25, Acts 11:26
Make and respond: Sequence and relief cards
7 minChildren make six simple cards showing key moments: travel to Antioch, preaching Jesus, many believe, Barnabas encourages, Barnabas brings Saul, disciples send relief. They place the cards in order and draw a small basket or parcel on the final card to show relief sent to Judea. Remind them that each disciple gave as any had plenty.
Acts 11:19, Acts 11:20, Acts 11:21, Acts 11:23, Acts 11:25, Acts 11:26, Acts 11:29, Acts 11:30
Closing: God’s people learn and help
4 minRead Acts 11:27–30. Explain that Agabus indicated by the Spirit that a great famine would come. The disciples responded by deciding to send relief to the brothers in Judea, and they did send it by Barnabas and Saul. Finish by asking children to name one thing the Antioch believers did and what happened because of it.
Acts 11:27, Acts 11:28, Acts 11:29, Acts 11:30
Questions to explore
What changed between Acts 11:19 and Acts 11:20 about who was hearing the word in Antioch?
Verse 19 says some spoke to Jews only, and verse 20 says some preached the Lord Jesus to Hellenists in Antioch.
Acts 11:19, Acts 11:20
What did Barnabas tell the believers when he saw the grace of God?
Look for his encouragement in verse 23 and say it in your own words.
Acts 11:23
Why did the disciples decide to send relief to Judea, and how did they do it?
Use verses 28 to 30 to connect Agabus’s message about famine with the disciples’ action.
Acts 11:28, Acts 11:29, Acts 11:30
Make, think or respond
Antioch Story Sequence Cards
What you’ll need
- plain paper or card
- pencils or crayons
- scissors
- Bible
Try it together
- Read Acts 11:19–30 and choose six main events from the passage.
- Draw one event on each card with a few key words, such as ‘many believed’ or ‘Barnabas found Saul’.
- Mix the cards and work alone or in pairs to place them in the correct order.
- Retell the account from the ordered cards, ending with the relief sent to Judea.
This activity helps children sequence the account and see how the believers in Antioch heard, learned, and then helped others.
Adapt for your group
- For younger children, prepare the six event titles orally and let them draw only the pictures, then sequence them together as a class.
- For older or stronger readers, ask them to add the verse reference to each card and explain how one event leads to the next.
An optional closing prayer
‘Dear God, thank you that people in Antioch heard about the Lord Jesus, learned together, and helped others in need. Please help us stay near to the Lord and care for others. Amen.’
Read the Bible passage World English Bible Classic
Acts 11
19 They therefore who were scattered abroad by the oppression that arose about Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch, speaking the word to no one except to Jews only.
20 But there were some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who, when they had come to Antioch, spoke to the Hellenists, preaching the Lord Jesus.
21 The hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number believed and turned to the Lord.
22 The report concerning them came to the ears of the assembly which was in Jerusalem. They sent out Barnabas to go as far as Antioch,
23 who, when he had come, and had seen the grace of God, was glad. He exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they should remain near to the Lord.
24 For he was a good man, and full of the Holy Spirit and of faith, and many people were added to the Lord.
25 Barnabas went out to Tarsus to look for Saul.
26 When he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. For a whole year they were gathered together with the assembly, and taught many people. The disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.
27 Now in these days, prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch.
28 One of them named Agabus stood up and indicated by the Spirit that there should be a great famine all over the world, which also happened in the days of Claudius.
29 As any of the disciples had plenty, each determined to send relief to the brothers who lived in Judea;
30 which they also did, sending it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul.
World English Bible Classic. Public domain.