Leader’s guide · 12 weeks
Leader’s guide: The Story of Amanda Smith (For Children)
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This guide walks a Sunday school class, homeschool group or family through “The Story of Amanda Smith (For Children)” in twelve weeks, one chapter a week. It tells the true story of Amanda Berry Smith, born into slavery in Maryland, set free by her father’s hard work, who learned to trust God for everything and carried the good news of Jesus to England, India and Africa. It is written for children aged 6 to 12 and works for a family around the table or a class of up to twenty.
Each session takes about 30 minutes. Welcome everyone and say the memory verse together (3 minutes). Read the chapter aloud (5–7 minutes). Talk together using the chapter’s three questions (5–10 minutes). Do the activity (10 minutes). Close by praying the chapter’s prayer, or your own (2 minutes).
To prepare, read the chapter yourself beforehand and have paper, pencils and crayons ready. The first chapters tell of slavery, people escaping from it, and Black children being treated unfairly at school, so speak about these things calmly and truthfully: say plainly that slavery and racism were wrong and that God made every person to be loved and free. Never act out slavery, capture or unkind treatment in a game or role-play, never single out any child because of their background, and never ask children to share their own experiences of unfairness in front of the group; keep coming back to the book’s own point, that God was with Amanda and her family all along.
Week 1 — The Day Father Bought Us Free
Amanda is born in Maryland in the days when Black families like hers were not free and were made to work without pay. Her father, Samuel Berry, works for his owner all day and then makes brooms, weaves corn-husk mats, burns lime and works in the fields far into the night, saving penny by penny until he has bought his own freedom, then his wife’s, then each of his children’s, Amanda’s too. Explain slavery simply and truthfully as something deeply wrong, without adding detail beyond the chapter, and do not act any of it out. The big idea: Amanda’s father worked hard to set his family free, and our heavenly Father gave his own Son, Jesus, to set us free as a gift.
“Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free.” — Galatians 5:1
Memory verse
If therefore the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed.
John 8:36
Talk together
What did Amanda’s father, Samuel Berry, do after his long day of work was finished?
He kept working at night — making brooms, weaving corn-husk mats, burning lime, and walking miles to work in the fields until one or two in the morning.
Why did Samuel save his money penny by penny for so many years?
He wanted to make his whole family free. He bought his own freedom first, then his wife, then his children one by one, until Amanda was free too.
Amanda’s father worked so hard to set his family free. What has God done to set you free?
The chapter’s point: your heavenly Father gave His own Son, Jesus, to make you free. You did not earn it; it is His gift to you.
Activity
A Thank-You for Hard Work
You will need: Paper and crayons
- Fold a sheet of paper in half to make a card.
- On the front, draw a grown-up who works hard to look after you, doing one of their jobs.
- Inside, write “Thank you for loving me” and sign your name.
- Under that, write or draw “Jesus is God’s gift to me,” and take the card home to give away.
Week 2 — Grandmother’s Prayers by the Dairy
Amanda’s grandmother loves God and prays for years that her grandchildren will be free, slipping out into the bushes to “tell Jesus” whatever is too big to carry. A young woman named Miss Celie gives her heart to Jesus at a camp meeting, and when she falls ill and is dying she asks her family three times to let Samuel buy his wife and children, until they promise. Each time, Grandmother hurries out to thank God. Mention Miss Celie’s death simply, as the chapter does. The big idea: keep on praying, even when the answer takes a long time, because God hears every word.
“The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” — James 5:16
Memory verse
Pray without ceasing.
1 Thessalonians 5:17
Talk together
When Grandmother had something too big to carry, what did she do?
She slipped out into the bushes and, as Amanda said, simply “tell Jesus” all about it. She prayed again and again for her grandchildren to be free.
What did Miss Celie ask her family to promise before she died?
She asked them to let Samuel buy his wife and children. She asked three times, and at last they promised.
Have you ever prayed for something that didn’t happen right away? What could you do while you wait?
The chapter’s point: don’t give up praying. Grandmother prayed for years, and God heard every single word — He hears your child, too.
Activity
My Keep-Praying Chart
You will need: Paper and pencils or crayons
- Fold a sheet of paper in half, then in half again, then in half once more, and open it out to show eight boxes.
- In the first box, draw or write one thing you want to keep praying for. It can stay private.
- Write the days of the week in the other seven boxes.
- Take your chart home and tick a box each day you “tell Jesus” about it, as Amanda’s grandmother did.
Week 3 — The Man Hidden in the Bed
Now free and living on a farm in Pennsylvania, the Berry family’s house becomes a secret safe place where Samuel helps tired, frightened people who have run away from slavery travel on to freedom. One morning four men ride up to search the house, and Amanda’s mother quickly hides an escaped man beneath the mattress and lays her sleeping two-year-old on top; the men search everywhere but never find him. Do not turn this story into a hiding or chasing game; keep the focus on the family’s courage and kindness. The big idea: when God gives us a chance to help someone in trouble, we can be brave and kind.
“I was a stranger, and ye took me in.” — Matthew 25:35
Memory verse
For I was hungry, and you gave me food to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave me drink; I was a stranger, and you took me in.
Matthew 25:35
Talk together
What did Amanda’s family do to help people who ran away from slavery?
Their house was a secret safe place. Samuel Berry helped tired, frightened people travel on to freedom, often in the dark of night.
When four men rode up, how did Amanda’s mother keep the hidden man safe?
She hid him inside the bed beneath the mattress and laid her sleeping two-year-old son on top. The men searched but never found him.
Can you think of someone who might need a kind, brave friend? How could you help them?
The chapter’s point: Amanda’s mother used courage and cleverness to protect someone in need. When God gives us a chance to be kind to someone in trouble, we can be brave and helpful too.
Activity
A House with the Light On
You will need: Paper and crayons
- Draw a little farmhouse with one window glowing bright yellow, like a light left on for someone who needs help.
- Around the house, draw a garden path leading to the door.
- Along the path, draw or write ways you can be a safe and gentle friend, like sharing, listening or standing up for someone.
- Write “I was a stranger, and you took me in” across the top and take it home.
Week 4 — Learning to Read by the Window
Amanda longs to go to school, but Black children are hardly allowed to learn and she is made to wait at the back while the others are taught first; in all her life she has only about three months of school. One freezing morning she walks two and a half miles through deep snow and arrives too cold to speak. At home she cuts big letters from her father’s newspapers, lines them up on the windowsill, and with her mother’s help reads her first sentence: “The house, the tree, the dog, the cow.” Say plainly that treating Amanda this way was wrong, and do not ask children to act out or tell about being treated unfairly. The big idea: learning is a gift from God, and a patient heart that keeps trying can do wonderful things.
“Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom.” — Proverbs 4:7
Memory verse
Wisdom is supreme. Get wisdom. Yes, though it costs all your possessions, get understanding.
Proverbs 4:7
Talk together
What happened to Amanda when she walked to school on the freezing winter morning?
She grew so cold in the deep snow that she could not speak when she reached the door. A boy opened it, and kind hands warmed her up.
How did Amanda use her father’s newspapers to learn to read?
She cut out the big letters, laid them along the windowsill, and asked her mother to help her put them together into words.
What is something that feels hard for you to learn right now? What would help you keep trying?
The chapter’s point: learning is a gift from God, and when something is hard, keep trying — a patient heart can do wonderful things.
Activity
The Windowsill Sentence
You will need: Sheets of paper and a thick crayon (the leader writes one big letter on each sheet beforehand)
- Before the session, write big letters on separate sheets of paper: T, H, E, D, O, G, C, W, R, A, S and a few extra vowels.
- Give each child one or two letters to hold up.
- Call out a short word from Amanda’s first sentence, like “the,” “dog” or “cow,” and let the children with those letters stand in a line to spell it.
- Try new words together, then say Amanda’s whole sentence out loud: “The house, the tree, the dog, the cow.”
Week 5 — Praying in the Cellar
Grown-up Amanda wants to belong to God, but her strong will wants to be saved her own quiet way, and a whispering voice tells her God will not hear her. One afternoon, working in a kind Quaker family’s home, she goes down to the cellar to pray and says, “O Lord, if Thou wilt help me, I will believe Thee,” and the moment she trusts him, joy floods her soul and her burden rolls away. The big idea: we do not have to make ourselves good enough first; Jesus welcomes anyone who simply comes to him and trusts him.
“Him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.” — John 6:37
Memory verse
All that which the Father gives me will come to me. Him who comes to me I will in no way throw out.
John 6:37
Talk together
Where did Amanda go to pray on the afternoon she made up her mind?
She set the table, put the kettle on, and went down into the cellar to pray, saying she would pray until she had salvation.
What simple words did Amanda pray, and what happened when she did?
She prayed, “O Lord, if Thou wilt help me, I will believe Thee.” The moment she trusted Him, joy flooded her soul and her burden rolled away.
Do you think you have to be good enough before you can come to Jesus? Why or why not?
The chapter’s point: Jesus welcomes anyone who simply comes to Him and trusts Him. You do not have to be good enough first — you only have to come.
Activity
Look in the Mirror
You will need: Paper and crayons
- Draw a big oval mirror with a fancy frame around it.
- Inside the mirror, draw your own face with a big, happy smile, the way Amanda looked in the mirror after she trusted Jesus.
- Around the frame, write “Jesus welcomes me just as I am.”
- Hold up your mirrors and say the memory verse together.
Week 6 — The Money on the Kitchen Floor
Amanda borrows fifty dollars to help set her younger sister Frances free, and the debt worries her day and night. When she finds three hundred dollars that a visitor, Mr. Robert, dropped on the kitchen floor, a sneaky thought tells her to keep it, but she says no and hands back every dollar. Mr. Robert is so grateful that he gives her fifty dollars, exactly what she needs. The big idea: be honest even when no one is watching, because God sees and takes care of us.
“He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much.” — Luke 16:10
Memory verse
He who is faithful in a very little is faithful also in much. He who is unrighteous in a very little is also unrighteous in much.
Luke 16:10
Talk together
Why did Amanda owe fifty dollars?
She borrowed it to help pay the money needed to set her younger sister Frances free, and the debt worried her day and night.
What did Amanda do with the three hundred dollars she found on the kitchen floor?
She refused to keep it and handed every dollar back to Mr. Robert. He was so grateful he gave her fifty dollars — exactly what she needed for her debt.
Is it hard to be honest when nobody is watching? What could help you do the right thing?
The chapter’s point: Amanda was honest even when no one was looking and she really needed the money. God saw, and God took care of her — we can trust Him too.
Activity
Honest or Not?
You will need: Nothing
- Teach the signs: thumbs up for “That’s honest,” thumbs down for “That’s not honest.”
- Read out simple made-up situations, such as finding a coin on the floor at a friend’s house, being given too much change, or seeing that a classmate dropped a pencil.
- For each one, let everyone show a thumb, then ask one child what the honest thing to do would be.
- Finish by saying together, “Honest when no one is looking,” and praying for courage to do the right thing.
Week 7 — Trusting God with the Baby
One Sunday Amanda leaves baby Will asleep in his cradle with her older daughter Mazie and goes to hear a preacher, but in church frightening thoughts tell her the baby has been dropped and she must run home. Remembering she has told others to trust God, she says, “I will trust the Lord, even with my baby,” stays, and is filled with peace; at home she finds Will sleeping sweetly, never having woken. Reassure any anxious child that the baby was perfectly safe. The big idea: when scary “what ifs” fill our minds, we can give the worry to God and trust him.
“What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee.” — Psalm 56:3
Memory verse
When I am afraid, I will put my trust in you.
Psalm 56:3
Talk together
While Amanda was at church, what scary thoughts came into her mind?
She felt sure she could hear her baby screaming, and a voice whispered that Mazie had dropped him and she should run home right now.
What did Amanda decide to do instead of running home, and what did she find later?
She said, “I will trust the Lord, even with my baby,” and stayed. When she got home, little Will was sleeping sweetly, perfectly safe.
What “what ifs” sometimes make you feel afraid? What can you do with those worries?
The chapter’s point: when you feel afraid, give the worry to God and trust Him, as Amanda did. He loves you and is always taking care of you.
Activity
What If? I Will Trust!
You will need: Nothing
- Stand in a circle and teach the reply: hands on heart and say, “When I am afraid, I will trust in God!”
- The leader calls out an everyday “what if,” such as “What if it thunders tonight?” or “What if I get lost in the shop?”
- After each one, everyone gives the reply together and then takes one slow, calm breath.
- Let children who would like to call out a “what if” of their own, then end with the memory verse in a whisper.
Week 8 — The Shoes She Prayed For
Amanda feels sure God wants her to go and tell people about Jesus in Salem, a far-off town where she knows no one, but her shoes have holes worn through and she has no money for new ones. She prays, “Lord, if it is Your will, please give me the money for shoes,” and a few days later Father Brummell quietly presses something into her hand as he says goodbye; by the fire that night she counts five dollars, exactly enough. The big idea: God is never too busy for the small things we need, so we can tell him about everything and trust him for the answer.
“What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them.” — Mark 11:24
Memory verse
My God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:19
Talk together
Why did Amanda need new shoes before going to Salem?
Her shoes had holes worn through the bottoms, and she knew that if her feet got wet on the journey she would fall sick.
How did God answer Amanda’s prayer for shoes?
At a meeting, Father Brummell pressed something into her hand. That night she counted it: five dollars, exactly enough for a new pair of shoes.
Is there something small that you need? Do you think God cares about it?
The chapter’s point: God is never too busy for the small things. Whatever we truly need, we can tell Him about it and trust Him to help — even a pair of shoes.
Activity
My Prayer Shoe
You will need: Paper and pencils or crayons
- Stand with one foot, shoe on, on a sheet of paper and have a friend draw around your shoe.
- Colour in your shoe and give it laces, buckles or stripes.
- Inside the shoe, write or draw one small thing you need that you can tell God about.
- Pray together, “Thank you, God, that you care about the little things,” and take your shoe home.
Week 9 — Afraid of the Deep Water
Friends tell Amanda they believe God wants her to sail to England to tell people about Jesus, but she is secretly afraid of the deep sea and even writes a letter saying she will not go. That evening a heavy sadness comes over her, and as she kneels God gently shows her she has been telling others to trust him in the dark while refusing to do it herself; she asks forgiveness, goes, and God goes with her all the way. The big idea: it is easier to tell others to be brave than to be brave ourselves, but God goes with us through the deep water.
“When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee.” — Isaiah 43:2
Memory verse
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you.
Isaiah 43:2
Talk together
When Amanda’s friends said God wanted her to go to England, what was her secret fear?
She was afraid of the deep, wide sea. She kept making excuses and even wrote a letter saying she would not go.
What did God gently show Amanda when she knelt to pray that night?
That she told other people to trust the Lord in the dark but would not do it herself — she was afraid to trust Him and cross the ocean.
Have you ever told someone else to be brave about something that scares you, too? What could help you be brave?
The chapter’s point: it is easier to tell others to be brave than to be brave yourself. When God asks you to trust Him with something scary, He goes through the deep water with you.
Activity
Through the Deep Water
You will need: Nothing (a clear space in the room)
- Choose one side of the room as America and the other side as England, with the “ocean” in between.
- Everyone begins in America; the leader calls out how to cross: tiptoe, giant steps, swimming arms or rocking like a ship.
- Each time the group reaches the other side, everyone calls out together, “God was with me all the way!”
- Cross back and forth a few times, then sit down and say the first line of the memory verse together.
Week 10 — The Stolen Trunk
On the ship to Africa, men break the lock on Amanda’s trunk and steal many of her things, even her shoes, and some she never gets back. The captain is amazed that she keeps her temper, and Amanda tells him that if getting angry would bring her things back he would see her carry on, but since it would not, why should she; God keeps her heart quiet and calm. The big idea: anger does not fix what goes wrong, but God can help us stay calm and gentle, and that is real strength.
“He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.” — Proverbs 16:32
Memory verse
One who is slow to anger is better than the mighty; one who rules his spirit, than he who takes a city.
Proverbs 16:32
Talk together
What happened to Amanda’s trunk on the ship to Africa?
Some men broke the lock and stole many of her things, even her shoes. Some of them she never got back.
Why did Amanda tell the captain she would not lose her temper?
She said that if getting angry would bring her things back, he would see her carry on — but since it would not, why should she?
What do you feel like doing when something of yours is broken or taken? What could you do instead?
The chapter’s point: being angry does not fix things and only makes us feel worse. God can help us stay calm and gentle when things go wrong — that is real strength.
Activity
Calm Like Amanda
You will need: Nothing
- Teach a calm-down breath: breathe in slowly as if smelling a flower, then breathe out slowly as if blowing out a candle.
- The leader names something frustrating, such as a toy breaking, a tower knocked over or losing a game.
- For each one, everyone first shows a cross face for one second, then does three flower-and-candle breaths together.
- After the breaths, ask the group what a calm and gentle thing to do next would be, and finish by praying, “God, rule my heart with your peace.”
Week 11 — The Cart That Would Not Go
In India, Amanda and her friend Miss Frow are riding in a bullock cart on a dark country road when the bullocks stop and will not take another step. Climbing down, the two women walk a few steps ahead and find a deep ditch cut across the whole road; if the animals had gone on, the cart would have crashed. The big idea: God sometimes protects us in ways we cannot see, and a “no” or a delay can really be him keeping us safe.
“For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.” — Psalm 91:11
Memory verse
For he will give his angels charge over you, to guard you in all your ways.
Psalm 91:11
Talk together
What did the bullocks do on the dark road in India?
They suddenly stopped and would not take another step, even when the driver told them to go on.
What did Amanda and Miss Frow find when they walked ahead in the dark?
A deep, dangerous ditch cut across the whole road. If the bullocks had kept going, the cart would have crashed.
Can you remember a time when waiting or hearing “no” turned out to be good for you?
The chapter’s point: God sometimes protects us in ways we do not notice, and a “no” or a delay can really be Him keeping us safe. He watches over all our ways.
Activity
Lead Me Safely
You will need: A few chairs or cushions to walk around
- Set out a few chairs or cushions as gentle obstacles in an open space.
- In pairs, one child closes their eyes while the other holds their hand and guides them slowly around the obstacles, saying “Stop!” and “Go on” when needed.
- Walk only, never run, and swap places after one trip.
- Sit together and talk about how it felt to trust someone who could see what you could not, then say the memory verse.
Week 12 — The Boy at the Gate
Living in Africa, Amanda grows to love two little boys who visit her, especially bright-smiling Bob, whose father, Jack, asks her to take his son and teach him about God, because he himself never learned. Amanda is often ill and has little money, but in prayer God tells her, “You do what you can, and where you leave off, God will raise up somebody else to do the rest,” so she takes Bob as her very own boy. The big idea: God does not ask us to do everything ourselves, only what we can, trusting him with the rest; and welcoming a child is like welcoming Jesus.
“And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me.” — Matthew 18:5
Memory verse
Whoever will receive one such little child in my name receives me.
Matthew 18:5
Talk together
What did Bob’s father, Jack, ask Amanda to do?
He had never learned about God and did not want Bob to grow up the same way, so he asked Amanda to take his little boy and teach him.
Why was Amanda unsure at first, and what did God tell her?
She was often ill and had little money. God answered, “You do what you can, and where you leave off, God will raise up somebody else to do the rest.”
What is one good thing you can do to help someone this week, even if it is small?
The chapter’s point: God doesn’t ask us to do everything ourselves — only what we can, trusting Him with the rest. Welcoming a child is like welcoming Jesus.
Activity
Do What You Can
You will need: One large sheet of paper and crayons
- Put one big sheet of paper in the middle and tell the children you will draw a picture of a happy home together.
- Each child adds one thing, such as a roof, a door, a tree, a sun or a person, then passes the crayon on to the next child.
- Keep going until everyone has had a turn and the picture is finished.
- Look at it together and talk about how no one did it all, but everyone did what they could, just as God told Amanda.