Saul Becomes Paul - Children's Story

Saul Becomes Paul - Children's Story is an amazing story about a man named Saul who changed completely after encountering Jesus!

Saul went from being someone who persecuted Christians to becoming one of the greatest Christian teachers who ever lived. His story shows us that God can change anyone, no matter what they've done.

So what really happened to this character "Saul, who was also called Paul" on his way to Damascus as recorded in the book of Acts 9:10-16!

Part 1: Meet Saul, before his Conversion

Who Was Saul?

Long ago, after Jesus went back to heaven, there was a man named Saul. He was very smart and knew a lot about God's laws. Saul was a Pharisee, which means he was a religious leader who studied the Jewish scriptures and taught people about God.

But Saul had a big problem. He didn't believe that Jesus was the Messiah (God's promised Savior). When people started following Jesus and telling others about Him, Saul got very angry.

Saul Persecutes Christians

Saul thought Christians were wrong, and he wanted to stop them. He was so angry that he started hunting down people who believed in Jesus. He went from house to house, dragging Christians out and putting them in prison. Many Christians were afraid of Saul because he was so mean to them.

The Bible says that Saul was "breathing out murderous threats" against Jesus' followers (Acts 9:1). This means he was really, really angry and wanted to hurt them. Can you imagine being that angry?

Saul thought he was doing the right thing by stopping Christians. He believed he was protecting God's truth. But Saul was wrong. He didn't understand that Jesus really was the Son of God.

Saul's Mission to Damascus

One day, Saul heard that there were Christians in a city called Damascus. He went to the high priest and asked for permission to go there and arrest any Christians he could find. The high priest gave him letters that would allow him to bring Christians back to Jerusalem as prisoners.

Saul was excited about his mission. He gathered some men to travel with him, and they set out on the long journey to Damascus. Little did Saul know that this trip would change his life forever!

Part 2: A Bright Light on the Road

The Amazing Encounter

As Saul and his companions were traveling near Damascus, something incredible happened! Suddenly, a bright light from heaven flashed all around him. It was so bright that it was brighter than the sun! Saul fell to the ground, probably very scared and surprised.

Then Saul heard a voice. It wasn't just any voice, it was the voice of Jesus Himself!

The voice said, "Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?" (Acts 9:4)

Saul was confused. He asked, "Who are you, Lord?"

The voice answered, "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do." (Acts 9:5-6)

Can you imagine how Saul felt? The Jesus he didn't believe in was actually real! And Jesus was talking to him from heaven!

Saul Goes Blind

When Saul got up from the ground, something terrible had happened. He couldn't see anything! The bright light had made him blind. Even though he opened his eyes, everything was dark.

The men traveling with Saul heard the voice but didn't see anyone. They were confused and probably scared too! They had to lead Saul by the hand into Damascus because he couldn't see where he was going.

For three whole days, Saul couldn't see. He didn't eat or drink anything. He just sat in the dark, thinking about what had happened. His whole life had changed in just a few minutes!

Part 3: God Sends Help

Ananias Hears from God

In Damascus, there was a follower of Jesus named Ananias (say it like this: an-uh-NYE-us). He loved Jesus and tried to live the way Jesus taught. One day, God spoke to Ananias in a vision.

"Ananias!" God called.

"Yes, Lord," Ananias answered.

God told him, "Go to Straight Street and ask for a man named Saul. He is praying, and I have shown him in a vision that you will come and place your hands on him so he can see again."

But Ananias was afraid! He had heard all about Saul and how he hurt Christians. Ananias said, "Lord, I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your people in Jerusalem. And he has come here with authority to arrest all who call on your name." (Acts 9:13-14)

Ananias Obeys

Even though Ananias was scared, God had a plan. God told Ananias, "Go! This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel." (Acts 9:15)

Ananias decided to trust God and obey. He was brave! He went to the house where Saul was staying. When he found Saul, Ananias did something amazing. Instead of being mean to the man who had hurt so many Christians, Ananias called him "Brother Saul."

Ananias placed his hands on Saul and said, "Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here, has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit." (Acts 9:17)

Saul Can See Again!

Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul's eyes, and he could see again! Imagine how happy Saul must have been! After three days of being blind, he could finally see!

But something even more important happened. Saul could now "see" the truth about Jesus. He understood that Jesus really was the Son of God. He realized he had been wrong all along.

Saul got up and was baptized. Then he ate some food because he hadn't eaten for three days. He was getting his strength back, and he was a completely new person!

Part 4: The Amazing Change

Saul Preaches About Jesus

What do you think Saul did next? Did he go back to hurting Christians? No! He did something that surprised everyone!

Saul started telling people that Jesus is the Son of God! The very man who used to arrest Christians was now telling everyone about Jesus. He went to the Jewish synagogues (their churches) and preached boldly about Jesus.

All the people who heard him were amazed. They said, "Isn't he the man who used to persecute Christians in Jerusalem? Didn't he come here to arrest them? What happened to him?"

But Saul kept getting stronger and stronger in his faith. He proved to everyone that Jesus is the Messiah. Nothing could stop him from telling people about Jesus!

Christians Were Confused

At first, many Christians didn't trust Saul. They remembered how mean he had been. They were afraid he might be tricking them. Can you understand why they felt that way?

But there was a man named Barnabas who believed that Saul had really changed. Barnabas was brave enough to trust Saul and introduce him to the apostles in Jerusalem. Barnabas told them about Saul's encounter with Jesus and how boldly Saul had been preaching in Damascus.

Slowly, other Christians began to trust Saul too. They could see that he had truly changed. Saul wasn't pretending. He really loved Jesus now!

Part 5: Saul Becomes Paul

Saul Now Known as Paul

Somewhere in his ministry, Saul started being called Paul as recorded in Acts 13:9 - "Then Saul, who was also called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked straight at Elymas and said,." This was his Roman name. In those days, many Jewish people had both a Hebrew name (like Saul) and a Roman name (like Paul).

As Paul began traveling to different countries to tell people about Jesus, he used his Roman name. This helped him connect with people who weren't Jewish. It was like God was giving him a fresh start with a new identity!

Paul's Amazing Ministry

Paul became one of the most important Christian teachers in history! Here are some of the amazing things he did:

• He Traveled Far and Wide: Paul went on several long missionary journeys. He walked hundreds and hundreds of miles to tell people about Jesus. He visited many cities and countries, bringing the good news of Jesus everywhere he went.
• He Started Churches: In every city Paul visited, he told people about Jesus. Many people believed! Paul helped start churches in places like Corinth, Ephesus, Philippi, and Thessalonica. These churches helped spread Christianity throughout the world.
• He Wrote Letters: Paul wrote many letters to the churches he started. These letters gave advice, answered questions, and taught people how to follow Jesus. Thirteen books in the New Testament were written by Paul! You might have heard of some of them: Romans, Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, and more.
• He Suffered for Jesus: Paul's life wasn't easy. He was beaten, put in prison, shipwrecked, and went hungry many times. But he never stopped telling people about Jesus. He said that nothing could separate him from God's love!
• He Never Gave Up: Even when people didn't want to listen, Paul kept teaching. Even when he was in chains, he kept preaching. Paul's love for Jesus was so strong that nothing could stop him.

Important Lessons from Saul's Story

Lesson 1: God Can Change Anyone

Saul was one of the biggest enemies of early Christians. If God could change Saul, He can change anyone! No one is too bad, too mean, or too far away from God. God's love and power can transform any heart.

What This Means for You: If you've done something wrong or made bad choices, remember that God can help you change. It's never too late to start following Jesus!

Lesson 2: God Has a Plan for Everyone

God had a special plan for Saul all along. Even when Saul was doing wrong things, God knew He would use Saul to spread the gospel. God has a plan for your life too!

What This Means for You: God created you for a purpose. He has good plans for your life. Keep following Him, and He will show you what He wants you to do.

Lesson 3: Obedience Takes Courage

Ananias was scared to help Saul, but he obeyed God anyway. That took real courage! Sometimes God asks us to do things that seem scary or hard.

What This Means for You: When you know God wants you to do something, be brave like Ananias! Trust that God will help you and that His plan is good.

Lesson 4: Forgiveness Is Important

The Christians had to forgive Saul for hurting them. That wasn't easy! But forgiveness allowed Saul to become Paul and do amazing things for God.

What This Means for You: When someone hurts you, ask God to help you forgive them. Forgiveness frees your heart and allows God to work in everyone's lives.

Lesson 5: Never Judge Someone's Future by Their Past

No one would have guessed that Saul would become a great Christian teacher. People thought he would always be mean to Christians. But God saw Saul's future, not just his past.

What This Means for You: Don't give up on people who are making bad choices. Pray for them! God might have amazing plans for them, just like He did for Saul.

Lesson 6: It's Okay to Admit You Were Wrong

Saul had to admit he was completely wrong about Jesus. That's hard to do! But admitting our mistakes is the first step to change.

What This Means for You: When you realize you're wrong about something, be brave enough to admit it. God will help you learn and grow.

Final Thoughts on Saul Becomes Paul - Children's Story

If God could change Saul from Christianity's greatest enemy into its greatest missionary, think about what He can do in your life! Whether you need to change something about yourself or you know someone who seems far from God, remember Saul's story. With God, all things are possible!

Paul spent the rest of his life telling people about Jesus. He wrote, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" (Philippians 4:13). The same Jesus who changed Saul can help you be strong and do amazing things too!

Will you let Jesus change your heart and use you for His Kingdom work, just like He did with Paul?

Prayer for Children

"Dear Jesus,

Thank You for the amazing story of Saul becoming Paul. Thank You for showing us that You can change anyone. Help us to believe that You have good plans for our lives.

If there are things in our hearts that need to change, please help us to change. Give us courage to follow You, just like Paul did. Help us to tell others about Your love.

Thank You for forgiving us and giving us new life. We love You!

In Jesus' name, Amen."