Use this free children’s sermon and Sunday School Bible lesson for kids when teaching about Peter’s escape from prison in Acts 12:1-17. Don’t miss the related Bible craft ideas on this Bible story.
Children’s Sermon Lesson Peter’s Great Escape – The Battle is the Lord’s!
Main Objective: The story of Peter’s prison break in Acts 12 is an amazing reminder of the power of prayer. It’s comforting to know that God can make a way and do the impossible. Usually when things seem “too good to be true”, they are, but in Peter’s case, “too good” was reality! We know that the Bible is not just “too good,” but that every word of it is true and valuable. God fights for us!
Law/Gospel Theme: It’s important to note that, while this account features a dramatic and spectacular rescue, things in this life don’t always work out the way that we want them to. In fact, right before this episode, James was put to death. We can’t always understand God’s ways, but we know that we have the hope of the Resurrection and life with Jesus. No matter what happens to us now, we cling to the joy of salvation and the promise of Heaven!
Note: This lesson is the fifth in a series on “impossible heroes,” Biblical figures who were able to do amazing and unlikely things only through the power of God.
Optional Materials: Items to represent things that would be “too good to be true” (candy, fake money, fake treasure; also stain fighter, Bible).
Bible Passage: Acts 12:1-17
Message: Note: As with most messages, the details of how you choose to communicate this are adaptable and should cater to timing as well as to your audience and student needs.
Greet children, and talk about items we might use to protect ourselves. Bring examples to demonstrate as you discuss.
Hello, children of God!
Have you ever heard something that seemed just too fantastic to believe? There’s a saying that goes, “if something seems too good to be true, it probably is too good to be true.” A lot of times, that’s the case. There are things we might see or hear that sound beyond belief, because they’re not real. For instance (hold up items to represent what you describe), what if I told you I would give you a thousand dollars? That might sound pretty awesome…until you find out it’s actually just play money. Or what if I told you that you could just eat candy for all of your meals and snacks, and it would be really good for you? Well, we know that isn’t true either. A little candy is okay here and there, but you need a balanced diet to stay healthy, and too much sugar could cause problems. But you know, there are some things that seem really amazing, and actually are! Like this laundry stain fighter, with the power to take even the toughest stains out of clothing…or this “Magic Eraser” that takes marks off of walls. Okay, I know those things might not seem too exciting just now, but trust me, it’s pretty amazing, and someday you’ll appreciate it!
Do you know what else is not too good to be true? The Bible! God’s word is full of amazing stories, and all of them are absolutely true! These are not fairy tales, but real events that happened to real people. There are accounts that seem almost impossible, but they’re real!
One story that comes to mind involves a man named Peter. Peter was one of the disciples of Jesus, and he was also a strong pillar of the early Christian church. In the book of Acts, when the church was first growing and spreading, we read about how Peter was arrested and put into prison. Now, James had just been killed, and Peter thought that was going to happen to him, as well. He was waiting there in prison, fully expecting to be dead soon. There were guards around him and gates blocking any possible exit. In the middle of the night, an angel appeared! The angel told Peter to get up and follow him. Peter thought he must be dreaming. It was too good to be true! But he followed the angel, who led him right past the guards and out of the prison. Soon, Peter was standing in the street, and realized that it wasn’t a dream after all. He was free! Peter went right to the house where the other Christians were praying for him. A girl named Rhoda came to answer the door. When Peter said who it was, she ran back to tell the others. Peter was at the door! They didn’t believe her at first. After all, it was too good to be true! Even though they’d been praying for him, they didn’t quite believe the good news of his release. Then Rhoda realized that Peter was still outside the door knocking. She let him in, and everyone rejoiced at his miraculous and remarkable rescue!
This is an amazing story, and it reminds us of the power of prayer. Sometimes when we pray, we still forget how strong and mighty God is, and the things He can do for us when we ask. Nothing is impossible or too good to be true in God’s eyes. But it’s also important to remember that God is still good and in control, even if we don’t get the outcome we want. We don’t always have the miraculous escape ending to the story. Sometimes we don’t understand what God does or why. But we always have the hope of Heaven. No matter what happens now, we know that Jesus lived, died, and rose again for us. That’s not too good to be true! And because of that, someday we will be with Him in Heaven. And meanwhile, He loves us and listens to our prayers now.
Let’s pray now and thank God for doing the impossible and for being with us.
Prayer:
(Have kids repeat each line)
Dear God,
Thank you for hearing and answering our prayers.
Help us to trust that you are near.
Help us to hope in you even when it’s hard.
Thank you for your love
We love you, God!
In Jesus name, Amen!
Bible Verses/story to Reference:
About that time Herod the king laid violent hands on some who belonged to the church. He killed James the brother of John with the sword, and when he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to arrest Peter also. This was during the days of Unleavened Bread. And when he had seized him, he put him in prison, delivering him over to four squads of soldiers to guard him, intending after the Passover to bring him out to the people. So Peter was kept in prison, but earnest prayer for him was made to God by the church.
Now when Herod was about to bring him out, on that very night, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and sentries before the door were guarding the prison. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood next to him, and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him, saying, “Get up quickly.” And the chains fell off his hands. And the angel said to him, “Dress yourself and put on your sandals.” And he did so. And he said to him, “Wrap your cloak around you and follow me.” And he went out and followed him. He did not know that what was being done by the angel was real, but thought he was seeing a vision. When they had passed the first and the second guard, they came to the iron gate leading into the city. It opened for them of its own accord, and they went out and went along one street, and immediately the angel left him. When Peter came to himself, he said, “Now I am sure that the Lord has sent his angel and rescued me from the hand of Herod and from all that the Jewish people were expecting.”
When he realized this, he went to the house of Mary, the mother of John whose other name was Mark, where many were gathered together and were praying. And when he knocked at the door of the gateway, a servant girl named Rhoda came to answer. Recognizing Peter’s voice, in her joy she did not open the gate but ran in and reported that Peter was standing at the gate. They said to her, “You are out of your mind.” But she kept insisting that it was so, and they kept saying, “It is his angel!” But Peter continued knocking, and when they opened, they saw him and were amazed. But motioning to them with his hand to be silent, he described to them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. And he said, “Tell these things to James and to the brothers.” Then he departed and went to another place.
-Acts 12:1-17
The Battle is the Lord’s! – Sunday School Lesson on Peter’s Escape from Prison
This lesson explores the miraculous “great escape” of Peter from prison. Despite guards, shackles, and gates, Peter walked out of jail and a death sentence, accompanied by an angel. This account reminds us of the power of prayer and the reliability of God’s strength. We know that His word is true and we can trust His promises. And even if we don’t get the outcome we hope for in this life, we have the hope of salvation and eternity in Heaven!
This lesson is the fifth in a series on “Impossible Heroes” who experienced victory against the odds with God’s help.
Passage: Acts 12:1-17
Target Audience: Kindergarten-6th grade (See notes for specific age modifications)
Materials Needed: , Bibles
Lesson Opening: This lesson is one that lends itself to fun activities, games, and acting out to bring it to life! Here are some openers to get kids thinking (select the best ones for your audience and age group):
- Knock Knock…have one student stand outside of a door or on one side of a wall or partition. Other students should take turns knocking and saying “it’s me!” when asked who it is. The student on the other side of the door will try to guess “who is there” based on voices.
- Knock Knock, Part 2: This one is simple. Open the lesson with a series of fun knock knock jokes, in honor of Peter knocking at the door.
- Jail Break! This is a fun outdoor (or in a large indoor room) game, similar to “Capture the Flag.” Designate two main sides of a playing area, with a “safe zone” near the end of each side, and another area designated as “jail” (mark with cones, hula hoops, etc.). Students will try to make it to the safe zone without getting tagged. If tagged, they must go to the “jail.” If a student successfully gets to the safe zone, they can “free” all of the prisoners in the jail. Play for a designated time period, or until all of the students on one team are in jail. You may also play until a certain number of jail breaks is reached.
- Prayer Chain: Make a paper chain with names of people, descriptions of prayer requests, or items of thanksgiving that students would like to pray for. Each child can make their own, or you can combine them to create one long class prayer chain, and select items to pray for throughout the week. “Live out” the paper version by joining hands in a human chain to pray for one another.
- Shackle Break: create another paper chain, but this time add words and descriptions of things that can make it hard to pray or follow God. Place the chains on wrists, and then break them to remember how God helps us.
Explain to students that today’s lesson is a powerful reminder of God’s strength and power to answer prayer. God is with us when we pray and seek Him!
Bible Lesson:
Explain that this story took place in the time of the early church, when people were first spreading the Gospel. It was an amazing period of growth, but also a time of persecution.
This is a great story to act out, or act with puppets.
Ask: What are some things that you pray for? Do you normally pray on your own, or with people?
About that time Herod the king laid violent hands on some who belonged to the church. He killed James the brother of John with the sword, and when he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to arrest Peter also. This was during the days of Unleavened Bread. And when he had seized him, he put him in prison, delivering him over to four squads of soldiers to guard him, intending after the Passover to bring him out to the people. So Peter was kept in prison, but earnest prayer for him was made to God by the church.
-Acts 12:1-5
It’s hard to understand or explain why James was put to death and Peter was spared, but it’s a good part of the story to note, especially for older students. We don’t fully know what God has in store for us or why some people seem more afflicted with hardship than others. But we do know that God is sovereign and good, and ultimately does take care of us.
King Herod (not the same one who tried to kill Jesus as a baby, by the way; there were several Herods) saw that the Jews were happy with hurting and even killing followers of Christ. After executing James, he arrested Peter, probably with the intention of putting him to death, too. Peter was put in prison and had a bunch of soldiers guarding him. Meanwhile, though, the church gathered to pray for him. They might have thought it was a hopeless effort, but knew prayer was powerful and important.
Now when Herod was about to bring him out, on that very night, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and sentries before the door were guarding the prison. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood next to him, and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him, saying, “Get up quickly.” And the chains fell off his hands. And the angel said to him, “Dress yourself and put on your sandals.” And he did so. And he said to him, “Wrap your cloak around you and follow me.” And he went out and followed him. He did not know that what was being done by the angel was real, but thought he was seeing a vision. When they had passed the first and the second guard, they came to the iron gate leading into the city. It opened for them of its own accord, and they went out and went along one street, and immediately the angel left him. When Peter came to himself, he said, “Now I am sure that the Lord has sent his angel and rescued me from the hand of Herod and from all that the Jewish people were expecting.” -Acts 12:6-11
After waiting until the Passover was finished, Herod was ready to bring Peter out, probably for trial and death sentencing. Peter might have figured that was the end of his earthly life. So when an angel showed up and told him to get dressed and follow him, Peter thought he must be dreaming. How could rescue be real? It seemed too good to be true, but Peter did as the angel told him. It wasn’t until he was outside of the jail and standing in the city that he realized it was actually happening. God had delivered him! Peter walked right out of prison and into safety.
Ask: Have you ever thought something was too good to be true, or wondered if you were dreaming?
When he realized this, he went to the house of Mary, the mother of John whose other name was Mark, where many were gathered together and were praying. And when he knocked at the door of the gateway, a servant girl named Rhoda came to answer. Recognizing Peter’s voice, in her joy she did not open the gate but ran in and reported that Peter was standing at the gate. They said to her, “You are out of your mind.” But she kept insisting that it was so, and they kept saying, “It is his angel!” But Peter continued knocking, and when they opened, they saw him and were amazed. But motioning to them with his hand to be silent, he described to them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. And he said, “Tell these things to James and to the brothers.” Then he departed and went to another place. -Acts 12:12-17
When Peter got to the house where people were praying for him, the servant was so excited to hear him that she ran off without even answering the door! There was Peter, still knocking, and the servant (named Rhoda) ran back to tell everyone that Peter was there. They didn’t even believe her. It seemed too good to be true, too! They thought she was crazy or that maybe it was a ghost or an angel, but surely not Peter. Meanwhile, Peter was still knocking on the door. Finally, she let him in, and he quietly told the story, encouraging the people to spread the good news to others. God had more work for Peter, and saved him to continue his ministry of spreading the Gospel. He wanted people to hear the story so that they could rejoice and take hope in it, too, knowing how God rescues!
Ask: When have you seen God do something amazing?
The same God who rescued Peter (and Daniel, Elisha, and Joshua, and Gideon) is with us and fights for us. We can pray to Him anytime and know He is with us!
Review questions about the lesson:
- Why was Peter in prison?
- What were the believers doing while he was in jail?
- How do we see God’s work in our lives?
Close with prayer, asking God to help us pray to Him and trust Him for protection always.
