Peter Heals Aeneas & Dorcas

We are studying Peter healing Aeneas & Dorcas. Dorcas was a well-loved woman and was known for her good deeds. The project today is accordion shirts (a worksheet has been added to the download). Depending on your time in class, you can have them prepared or let the students cut them out and attach the two parts. They can draw or write things they can do to be a helper like Dorcas. 

Last week we talked about Philip. He left Jerusalem and went to Gaza, the desert. He saw a man from Ethiopia. He was the treasurer for the queen. He was reading the book of Isaiah in his scrolls. Philip asked if he understood what he was reading. The eunuch said “No” and asked Philip to come on his chariot and explain it to him. When they came to water, he wanted to be baptized. He said he believed that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and they both went down into the water. Philip baptized the eunuch and the eunuch returned home very happy.

Today's Bible scripture is in Acts 9:31-43. During this time, the church was growing, and the people feared God. As Peter was traveling through all parts of the country, he stopped to visit the Christians at Lydda. There was a man there named Aeneas. [I nee' as] He had been paralyzed and bedridden for eight years.

Peter told him that Jesus is the One that heals you. Get up and make your bed! He immediately got up! He didn't have to work on it or go to therapy. He just got up. And all the people that saw this miracle believed in God.

In Joppa, there was a lady, and her name was Tabitha. She was also called Dorcas. The Bible says she was full of good works and generous deeds. But it happened that she became sick and then died. They washed her and laid her in an upper room.

The disciples heard that Peter was close by in Lydda (Lud' daw) and sent two men begging Peter to come quickly. Peter did return to Joppa with them, and they took him to the upper room where Dorcas was laid out.

All the widows stood by Peter, and they were crying because Dorcas had gotten sick and died. They showed him the clothing that Dorcas had made for them.

Peter sent them all out of the room and knelt down and he prayed. He turned to the body and said "Tabitha, arise." She opened her eyes and when she saw Peter, she sat up. Peter held out his hand and helped her up.

He called in the Christians that were there and the widows and showed them that Dorcas was alive. Remember your Bible verse for today? And it became known throughout all Joppa, and many believed on the Lord. Remember, that was why Jesus did miracles.

Peter stayed many days in Joppa with a tanner named Simon. What do you think Peter did while he was there? He taught as many people as possible about Jesus and baptized them!

The project for today is a shirt accordion. The download includes the color and black & white or black & white with color hearts for less ink to print. After printing and cutting, attach the two pieces together, fold zigzag to make an accordion. The students can draw or write something they can do to be a helper like Dorcas. Keep in mind the church is the people, so what can they do to help someone in the congregation? *A worksheet is also included as seen on bottom right in color (hearts) and black & white. * Click here to download.

To teach the students they can do good things for others, I have cards printed for them to design, sign and give to someone. They can make more if there is enough time, or they can take it home to finish. But I stress that they are expected to hand out the cards (or ask their parents to mail it), because it's not just a fun project. I expect them to tell someone they are thinking about them and made this card for them. I printed these on cardstock, and they are blank on the inside for the kids to design. I have stickers for them to add that are appropriate. Of course, these can be used for any lesson or activity that you want to teach thinking, praying and doing for others. Click here to download. 

    

Click here to download Dorcas.

Click here to download Aeneas.

Bible Verse: Acts 9:42

Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson.

Used by permission.

Each week for this series of Acts, I will have something for the students to add to their IFA bag, click here to see more. Some items will be purchased, and some will be printables. I had ordered Slap Bracelets to add to their bags. The ones I purchased were sold out during VBS, but these smiley ones will work. Discuss how happy it makes God when we do are helpers like Dorcas for Him.

Click here to download the visuals.
Miracles in Acts 9 visuals include Aeneas and Dorcas.
All visuals are not shown.

Click here to download the pictures to color.
(These are the same as the visuals but are black & white.)

Click here to download the lesson.

Click here to see this lesson with different ideas.