Saul Transformed

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Lesson: Saul of Tarsus
Saul was a man who thought he was doing good by persecuting the Christians, which means he would have them beat up and/or thrown in jail just because they believed in Jesus.   We know that God would never want us to treat others that way.  But God did an amazing thing in Saul's life, even a sinner like Saul.
-Watch a few minutes of the Bible story on youtube http://youtu.be/8wPQSll8MbM.  (I started it at 6:20 to skip over the stoning of Stephen.)

Allow kids to retell the contents of the story.
God "transformed" Saul after that meeting on the road.  Do you think God can change someone like Saul??  Even after all the mean things he did to others??  He certainly can!!   Saul came to know Yeshua as his Savior and did wonderful things for the Lord.  What other animals can you think of that "changes"?  (Butterfly, frogs, ect)
You can read the Hungry Caterpillar Book for demonstration.

God can change you into a wonderful creation when you come to know Him as your Savior.  Look at this lego, it doesn't look like much.  No design or structure.  But when given a plan or instructions we can turn it into an awesome design.(make a structure)  God can do the same thing with us, make us into a new creation. (need:  legos)

When God transformed Saul into a new creation, He also changed Saul's name into Paul.   He was completely changed.  --Now take names of the kids and give them a new name by switching their letters around.  Need: whiteboard and markers

Memory Verse:  "And do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind."  Romans 12:2  (divide verse into 6 phrases and tape to 6 boxes, put into pyramid shape and have kids knock them down and put back in order.  Hint: put verse on different colored paper to help those who can not read.)

Craft:  Butterfly 
click here for intructions: http://www.dltk-kids.com/crafts/insects/m-eggcarton-butterfly.htm

Coloring page for younger kids:  http://www.calvarywilliamsport.com/5a74a1.html

Decoder Puzzle for older kids:  http://www.sermons4kids.com/transformer_decoder.htm