Bible Lesson: Peter heals Aeneas and raises Tabitha from the dead

Each week our class sings a hymn/song that has the theme to our lesson. After singing we have a
time of prayer where each student praises, thanks and prays to God. (Teaching students to pray.)
(Give Bibles to any student who did not bring one. Encourage them if they have a Bible to bring
one to class each week.) The following is a guide to give you an idea of one possible way to
teach this lesson. As you pray and prepare the Holy Spirit will guide you to what the individual
needs for your class are.
We have been studying the Book of Acts. We have been learning how the Holy Spirits power
changes lives. We have seen believers boldly teach others about Jesus not fearing being
imprisoned or harmed as a result. In our last lesson we saw how Jesus changed the life of Saul.
He once persecuted people who believed in Jesus and after he was saved he began boldly sharing
the Good News with others. God saved Saul from his sins when he believed in the Lord Jesus
Christ. God had a job He was preparing Saul to do. Have a volunteer read Acts 9:15. (If you
have a musical instrument show the class. Ask what it is. Talk about how the instrument
actually plays beautiful music. This instrument (a recorder) requires air to be blown through the
mouth piece and fingers to be placed over the different holes to make music. Without the air
flowing through this instrument it does not function as a musical instrument. Every believer is
an instrument God uses for His purposes. When a believer is saved His Holy Spirit comes inside
a person and fills him/her with His power. The Holy Spirit enables the believer to function for
the purposes God created.
At the end of our last lesson about Saul we learned that he was sent to Tarsus (show on a map)
and the believers had rest from persecution. While Saul is in Tarsus many people who have
studied Scriptures believe God was using that time to teach Saul and prepare him for the work
God had chosen him to do.
Lets turn in our Bibles to Acts 9:32. (Show Lydda on a map.) Have volunteer read. Who did
Peter visit in Lydda? (Saints) What are saints? (A saint is anyone who places their faith in Jesus
Christ for the forgiveness of sins.)
Choose two volunteers to act out the scene of Peter and Aeneas. Introduce Peter and Aeneas
(Un-nee-uhs). Have Aeneas lay on the mat. Have a volunteer read Acts 9:33. How long was
Aeneas bedridden? (8 years) What do you think it would be like to be in bed for 8 years?
(Allow responses)
Allow student playing Peter to look at Acts 9:34 to see what he/she needs to say. Allow another
student to narrate the part of the verse that isnt Peter speaking. After Peter speaks the words
have Aeneas immediately stand up and roll up his mat. (Have actors return to their seats.)
A miracle took place in Aeneas life. A miracle is something only God can do. The words Peter
spoke pointed to the One who had the power to heal Aeneas. Peter didnt say, I am the apostle
Peter and by my authority and power I heal you. He knew that only Jesus Christ had the

authority and power to heal. God used Peter as His instrument to speak to Aeneas and offer him
the gift of healing.
When the people living in Lydda and Sharon saw that Aeneas was healed they turned to the
Lord. When believers and in this particular situation, Peter use the gifts that God has given,
people are able to see Gods work and His power.
As Peter continues to visit with the saints in Lydda there is a believer named Tabitha who lives in
Joppa. (Locate Joppa on a map.) Tabithas name is translated Dorcas in the Greek language.
Lets read how Tabitha used her gifts to serve the Lord. Read Acts 9:36 .
Choose a students to play Tabitha, Peter, 2 messengers and mourners. Have them act out this
scene as you narrate the story.
Tabitha became sick and died. Her body was washed and prepared and placed in a room
upstairs. Believers in Joppa heard that Peter was nearby in Lydda. They sent two men with a
message for him to come quickly to Tabithas house.
Peter returned to Joppa with the two men and went upstairs to the room where Tabithas body
was placed. While Tabitha was alive she always showed kindness and helped others. She helped
poor widows by making them clothes. When Peter was in the room the widows were crying and
showing him the clothes that Tabitha had made while she was alive.
The life Tabitha lived reminds me of a verse in Revelation 14:13b: They will rest from their
labor, for their deeds will follow them. As a believer Tabitha was always doing good and
helped the poor. Even as her body lay lifeless her good deeds were being remembered.
Peter sent everyone out of the room (have widows return to their seats). Have volunteer read
Acts 9:40-41. As the Scripture is being read have Peter and Tabitha act out the verses. Have the
widows return and rejoice at the miracle of Tabithas resurrection.
Once again God used Peter as His instrument to perform a powerful miracle. Peter could not
raise a person from the dead in his own strength. He could only raise Tabitha because the Holy
Spirit lived inside of him.
Lets look at Acts 9:42. As we saw with Aeneas healing, when people in Joppa heard that
Tabitha was raised from the dead many believed in Jesus.
Peter and Tabitha both used the gifts that God had given them to serve Him. If you are a believer
God has given you gifts to use to serve Him. Are you using your gifts to serve Jesus? Do you
need to get up and begin serving Him today? Are you allowing fear or distractions keeping you
from serving Jesus? Maybe you arent exactly sure what your gifts are. As you complete the
spiritual gift survey you received God will help you better understand what your gifts are. As
you learn what your gifts are He will help you use them in ways that help others see Him and
want to know Him better.

If you have never been saved anything you try to do to please God are like filthy rags in
His sight. Isaiah 64:6 Jesus died on the cross for your sins and when you place your faith in Him,
the blood He shed cleanses you from all your sins. The moment you believe the Holy Spirit
comes inside of your heart and enables you to live a life that pleases God. The Holy Spirit will
give you power to use the gifts and talents God has given you to help others see Him and want to
know Jesus.
Close in prayer.
Review Questions:
1. Who was Peter visitin in Lydda? (Saints)
2. Why was Aeneas bedridden? (Paralyzed)
3. How long was Aeneas bedridden? (Eight years)
4. Who healed Aeneas? (Jesus Christ)
5. When the people living in Lydda saw Aeneas walking what did they do? (Turned to the
Lord)
6. Why did Peter go to Joppa? (2 men came and asked him to come quickly)
7. How did Tabitha live her life? (Always doing good and helping the poor)
8. What did the crying widows show Peter? (The clothes Tabitha had made for them)
9. How did the people respond to Tabitha being raised from the dead? (Many believed in
Jesus)
10. What can you do this week to use the gifts God has given you?