Acts 1-12

On your marks

Tell the story of Acts chapters 1 to 12 by reading the script and matching the actions to the words in bold.

Go!

1  The great commission: Go into all the world and share the good news with everyone everywhere.
Point forward; make ever larger circles with finger, then arm; open hands and offer a gift around, then point to everyone rapidly.

2  So they pray, they wait, they read psalms and they choose a new apostle.
Place hands in prayer position; twiddle thumbs; open palms like a book; do eeny-meeny-miny-mo with a finger.

3  God sends his Holy Spirit with wind, with flames, and with words of praise.
Do wind actions; move hands like flames; all call out a praise word.

4  Peter explains that this is that, so changeyour mind about Jesus.
Point all around and to an imaginary book; circle hands either side of your head and point to wrists (sign language for ‘Jesus’).

5  And the church is born.
Nurse a baby.

6  By the beautiful gate, a lame man is healed – walking and leaping and praising 
All smile; walk, leap and lift hands high.

7  Peter explains: it’s all about Jesus, so change your mind about Jesus.
Circle hands either side of your head; point to wrists.

8  And the church grows.
Indicate a growing toddler.

9  The Sadducees get annoyed and tell Peter and John to stop.
Angry faces; turn one palm up as a stop sign.

10  Peter explains: it’s all about Jesus, so change your mind about Jesus.
Circle hands either side of your head; point to wrists.

11  And the church grows even more.
Indicate a growing child.

12  The Sadducees become jealous and plot to get rid of Peter and John.
Point two fingers at the eyes with stabbing motion; wring hands together.

13  Gamaliel gives wise advice.
Stroke chin wisely.

14  Peter and John are bold. Peter explains: it’s all about Jesus, so change your mind about Jesus.
Look bold; circle hands either side of your head; point to wrists.

15  And the church grows even more.
Indicate a growing teenager.

16  Seven new Christian leaders are appointed. Stephen preaches a lot!
Count seven on your fingers; put on an imaginary crown (the meaning of Stephen’s name).

17  Stephen explains: it’s all about Jesus, who is greater than the temple, so change your mind about Jesus.
Put on the crown again; make a triangular temple shape with both arms; circle hands either side of your head; point to wrists.

18  The Sadducees are out-argued and outraged. They stone
Mime total horror and then the throwing of stones.

19  The church scatters but grows even more.
Indicate a growing older teenager.

20  Samaritans in the northbecome Christians.
Hold your nose to show disgust at these outcasts.

21  A treasurerfrom Ethiopia becomes a Christian.
Count money with affectation!

22  Even a Pharisee named Saul becomes a Christianin Damascus.
Cover eyes and then uncover them with amazement.

23  And the church grows even more.
Indicate a young adult.

24  People by the seaside become Christians and get healed.
Look amazed as you move all your limbs.

25  Even a Roman soldier called Cornelius becomes a Christian.

26  His whole family get blessed.
All cheer.

27  It’s all about Jesus. God wants everyone to become part of his new family through Jesus. So change your mind about Jesus.
Point to wrists; all hold hands in groups; circle hands either side of your head; point to wrists again.

28  Foreigners in Syria become Christians and Barnabas and Saul go to pastor them.
Look puzzled (whatever next?!)

29  The church just can’t stop growing.
Indicate lots of people growing, to the left and to the right.

30  Herod puts his foot down; James is killed; Peter is arrested.
Stamp one foot; look sad; put together wrists as if handcuffed.

31  The church prays and an angel rescues Peter.
Hands in prayer position, then turn them into angel wings.

32  And the church just keeps on growing!
Indicate lots of people growing everywhere.