ROCK SOLID FOLLOWERS SESSION 1

OPENING: ROCK-SOLID FOLLOWERS VBS 2026

Rock-Solid Followers is a camp adventure that will be fun for the kids It is combined with the discovery of who we are in Jesus Christ and the richness of his love and provision for us It is building a solid foundation on Jesus Christ

Rock-Solid Followers will help children discover that Jesus is the true and only source for the things that matter in their lives.

In order to accomplish these goals, the sessions of Rock-Solid Followers are planned to lead children in discovering TRUTHS about Jesus and his loving provision for us. The stories tell the life of the apostle Paul.

SAVED BY JESUS

Well GOOD MORNING YALL! I am so excited that you are HERE! We have been praying for you and we are so excited for you to get to know more about JESUS today!! This morning we are going to look at a guy in the Bible that THOUGHT that he was doing the right thing, but then he changed when he had an ENCOUNTER with JESUS!

Today we are going to learn about a guy that went by the name of SAUL. Can yall say SAUL? (allow for them to shout SAUL) Boys and girls I want you to be encouraged that, just as God will transform Saul in this story in the Bible, He can also transform you! You can trust in Jesus to help them make better choices and to grow into who He wants them to be every day.

1. Sudden Encounter, Transforming Grace

Acts 9:1–2 CSB

1 Now Saul was still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord. He went to the high priest 2 and requested letters from him to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any men or women who belonged to the Way, he might bring them as prisoners to Jerusalem.

OH MY GOODNESS!!! (be wild and crazy about how Saul was not a good guy)

CAN YOU BELIEVE THAT?!?!? He wanted to go around and find people who loved Jesus and put them in PRISON!!! OH NO!!!!!

Should we see what happens? (treat this like the book with no pictures have A LOT OF FUN WITH THIS!

Let’s see what happens!

Acts 9:3–9 CSB

3 As he traveled and was nearing Damascus, a light from heaven suddenly flashed around him. 4 Falling to the ground, he heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” 5 “Who are you, Lord?” Saul said. “I am Jesus, the one you are persecuting,” he replied. 6 “But get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.” 7 The men who were traveling with him stood speechless, hearing the sound but seeing no one. 8 Saul got up from the ground, and though his eyes were open, he could see nothing. So they took him by the hand and led him into Damascus. 9 He was unable to see for three days and did not eat or drink.

WOW!! Saul has this amazing encounter with Jesus and what happens? He goes BLIND! He has an amazing life change with Jesus. Jesus could have snapped His fingers like Thanos and gotten rid of Saul, but He doesn’t. Instead, Jesus gives Him a second chance by giving him grace. That’s what grace is, it is being given a second chance. Jesus doesn’t look at what we have done and give up on us. No matter what we have done, no matter where we are, Jesus meets us where we are and wants us to follow Him. He wants to change our lives just like he did with Saul.

Let’s find out what happens!

2. Grace at Work, Changed Lives

Acts 9:10–22 CSB

10 There was a disciple in Damascus named Ananias, and the Lord said to him in a vision, “Ananias.” “Here I am, Lord,” he replied. 11 “Get up and go to the street called Straight,” the Lord said to him, “to the house of Judas, and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, since he is praying there. 12 In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias coming in and placing his hands on him so that he may regain his sight.” 13 “Lord,” Ananias answered, “I have heard from many people about this man, how much harm he has done to your saints in Jerusalem. 14 And he has authority here from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name.” 15 But the Lord said to him, “Go, for this man is my chosen instrument to take my name to Gentiles, kings, and Israelites. 16 I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.” 17 Ananias went and entered the house. He placed his hands on him and said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road you were traveling, has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” 18 At once something like scales fell from his eyes, and he regained his sight. Then he got up and was baptized. 19 And after taking some food, he regained his strength. Saul was with the disciples in Damascus for some time. 20 Immediately he began proclaiming Jesus in the synagogues: “He is the Son of God.” 21 All who heard him were astounded and said, “Isn’t this the man in Jerusalem who was causing havoc for those who called on this name and came here for the purpose of taking them as prisoners to the chief priests?” 22 But Saul grew stronger and kept confounding the Jews who lived in Damascus by proving that Jesus is the Messiah.

Saul has an encounter with Jesus that changes His life FOREVER! But God doesn’t just give Him a life changing moment and then leave Saul. Remember, Saul was blind and still understanding what all was happening. So God sent a follower of Jesus named Ananias to help Saul! Now at the start of our story, what was Saul going to do? (imprison Christians) Who does God send? (a christian). How awesome is that? I’m sure Ananias was a little scared, but he obeyed the Lord and helped Saul by connecting with other Christians where it took people by surprise!

Boys and girls, here is the big idea this morning: I can trust that Jesus in the only One who gives salvation and who can make a difference in my life every day.

This mornings story shows us that Jesus can do AMAZING things in our lives, and that we can trust Him. That just as He saved Saul, He WANTS to save you! In fact, our memory verse this morning is all about how Jesus’ saves us!

Ephesians 2:8–9 CSB

8 For you are saved by grace through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God’s gift—9 not from works, so that no one can boast.

Boys and girls, I want to challenge you to MEMORIZE THIS VERSE!

IF YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT JESUS AND YOU HAVE QUESTIONS, COME TALK TO ME OR ANY ADULT HERE!

IF TIME, DO THE FOLLOWING HAND MOTIONS:

FOR (HOLD UP THE NUMBER FOUR)

YOU ARE SAVED (DO THE SAFE MOTION)

BY GRACE (DO THE HANDING OUT MONEY MOTION)

THROUGH FAITH (SLIDE LIKE YOU ARE GOING THROUGH A TUNNEL)

AND THIS IS NOT FROM YOURSELVES (DO THE HAND CROSS FOLLOWED BY POINTING TO YOU)

IT IS GOD’S (POINT UP) GIFT (MAKE A HAPPY CHRISTMAS GIFT FACE)

NOT (HAND CROSS AGAIN) FROM WORKS (DO HAMMER MOTION)

SO THAT NO ONE (SHAKE YOUR HEAD) CAN BOAST (HANDS ON HIPS AND GO HA HA HA)