Teaching Your Kids About the Book of Acts

May 9, 2026

Memory Verse: Acts 28:28 “Therefore I want you to know that God’s salvation has been sent to the Gentiles, and they will listen!”

Have you ever thought of the book of Acts as a letter written from one friend to another? That’s exactly what it is. Luke wrote it to his friend Theophilus, giving a front-row seat to the exciting events of Jesus' resurrection and the birth of the early church. As we read,  we see their struggles and joys: exciting missionary journeys, church gatherings, conversions, prison stays, close friendships, and complex arguments. Some moments seem ordinary, while other parts of it are thrilling. But through it all, we see the gospel message of Jesus that Luke told Theophilus about in his first letter (the gospel of Luke) spread all over the world!

As you read Acts with your children, here are a few helpful things to keep in mind:

1. What is a letter? You may need to explain to your children what a letter is. You might have to tell stories about letters you sent or received. Acts was written with a purpose: Luke wanted Theophilus to know all about who Jesus was, what the early church was doing, and—most importantly—that the message of Jesus was meant for him.
2. Who were Luke and Theophilus? Luke and Theophilus were Gentiles, which means they were not Jewish. The Jews had been God’s chosen people since Abraham. When Jesus came proclaiming that he was the Messiah, some people thought that he was only for the Jews. Jesus showed that he came for all people by preaching to and healing people from all nations. But even in the early church, some people thought that Jesus had only come for the Jews. Luke wanted Theophilus to know that the message of Jesus was for him too. As you read through Acts, look for the theme of “Jesus is for all people,” and take time to point that out to your children.
3. The gospel is for you and your family! One of the most important things to remember and to teach your children is that the gospel message in Acts is still for us today. It isn’t just an old letter written to someone long ago. The stories and truths in Acts still speak to us now. As the early missionaries traveled from region to region, they are talking to us today and those they met back then. 
4. We belong. We all have a deep desire to belong. And we do belong! We belong to Jesus. We belong to a centuries-old tradition founded on God and his gift of a Savior. We belong to a church that spans generations and crosses borders. We belong to a community founded on the message of Jesus. The gifts of Jesus' death and resurrection and the Holy Spirit belong to us today. This is our story, and it’s a story for your family.

Acts is full of powerful stories, bold faith, and the spreading of hope. We pray that Kids Corner can help guide you and your family as you explore these stories together.