Dear Parents,

Saul was no stranger to religion. He grew up in a religious household. He was a devout Jew who was born in Tarsus (Phil. 3:5) and inherited his Roman citizenship from his father. So when people began talking about this man named Jesus and claiming that He was the promised Messiah, Saul was defensive.

Saul believed strongly in the Jewish faith of his ancestors. He violently persecuted God’s church and tried to destroy it. (Gal. 1:13-14) He dragged believers from their houses and put them in prison. He approved of the stoning of Stephen, the first Christian martyr. Saul thought he was doing the right thing by defending Judaism, but God’s purposes could not be stopped. As Saul was on his way to arrest believers in Damascus, the Lord stopped him in his tracks.

Jesus revealed Himself to Saul, and Saul was never the same. He was struck blind and led into Damascus, where a believer named Ananias placed his hands on Saul. Suddenly, Saul could see again. Saul was convinced that Jesus is Lord. Saul later described the experience as being like dying and receiving a new life. (Gal. 2:20; 2 Cor. 5:17)

God had a purpose and a plan for Saul. He had set Saul apart before Saul was even born. (Gal. 1:15) God said, “This man is My chosen instrument to take My name to the Gentiles” (Acts 9:15).

Jesus changed Saul’s life. As you talk with your kids, clarify that conversion happens when a person recognizes his sin, repents, believes in Jesus, and confesses Jesus as Savior and Lord. Jesus changes a person’s heart, and as a result, his life is changed too.

Jesus appeared to Saul and changed him inside and out. Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners. (1 Timothy 1:15) Jesus called Saul, also known as Paul, who was once an enemy to Christians, to spend the rest of his life telling people the gospel and leading them to trust Jesus as Lord and Savior.

God Bless,

David Feiser
Family Ministry Director

Family Starting Points

Scripture Memory: Psalm 100:1-3
Psalm 100:1-3 “1 Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth. 2 Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs. 3 Know that the Lord is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.”

Big Picture Question:
How do people hear about Jesus? God uses Christians to tell others about Jesus.

Bible Story: “Paul’s Conversion and Baptism” Acts 9:1-25

• Saul saw a bright light on the road to Damascus.
• Jesus spoke to Saul.
• God sent Ananias to Saul to heal Saul’s eyes.
• Jesus saved Saul from his sins.

Family Discussion Starters:

• How did Jesus change Saul when He saved him?
• Why would Ananias have been afraid to visit Saul at first?
• Why were people amazed to hear Saul telling people about Jesus?

Family Activity:

• Take a long walk with your family. Talk about how Paul must have felt to see a bright light.
• Invite those in your family who have trusted in Jesus to tell how their life changed after becoming a Christian.

Next Week:
“Paul’s First Journey” (Acts 13:1-3; 14:8-28)