A Difficult Mission

Acts 9:1-19

The Big Idea

Obeying God can be difficult, especially when we feel afraid. Jesus can change people and give them a new direction.

The Bible Story

Saul Meets Jesus on the Road

Acts 9:13-16 describes Ananias’s difficult mission. The Lord told him to go to Saul, who was staying in Damascus. Ananias objected because he had heard about the harm Saul had done to believers in Jerusalem and knew Saul had authority from the chief priests to imprison those who called on Jesus’ name. The Lord told Ananias to go because Saul was a chosen instrument to carry Jesus’ name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel, and to suffer for that name. The passage presents Ananias’s concern honestly while showing the Lord’s clear instruction. It does not describe Jesus’ appearance; here, the heavenly light or voice is symbolic of His direction. This scene belongs after Jesus confronted Saul on the road near Damascus and before Ananias laid hands on Saul. Keep the focus on the command to go, Ananias’s understandable fear, and Jesus’ purpose for Saul. Do not expand into Saul’s later ministry or events beyond Acts 9:13-16.

Themes

Ananias obeys despite fearing Saul.Jesus confronts and changes Saul.Saul immediately begins proclaiming Jesus as the Son of God.Saul receives sight, the Holy Spirit, baptism, and new strength.

Bible moment

The Bible moment

Look closely

What children can notice

Ananias stands thoughtfully before setting out, showing understandable concern, while a gentle heavenly light or voice communicates the Lord’s instruction to go. A symbolic path toward Damascus can suggest courage and obedience without depicting threats or imprisonment. The focus is Jesus choosing Saul for a future mission despite his harmful past.

Talk together

Talk about it

Why was Ananias afraid to go to Saul?
How did Ananias show obedience?

For families, church, and class

Use this page

Use this page to discuss courage, obedience, and Jesus’ power to change lives. Invite children to notice Ananias’s honest concern without treating fear as disobedience. Remind them that this scene comes before Saul received sight, and keep discussion within Acts 9:13-16. Avoid adding later events or quoting words not supplied here.

Source note