Dear Parents, Guardians, Teachers:
This lesson continues the Journey through Acts as Paul and Silas continue on their missionary journey into Macedonia. This lesson encourages believers that the Holy Spirit enables them to praise God during difficult times.
God can take troubles and work good through them. (Romans 8:28) Paul and Silas shared the love of God through their singing and praising Him, even in their terrible situation in jail. In the end, the Philippian jailer came to faith and was baptized.
What are some things you are afraid of? When we are afraid, God’s Word and His promises give us a peace that’s much better than any kind of peace we can get on our own. A peace that passes all understanding. (Philippians 4:7)
Scripture Reference: Acts 16:16-40
Memory Verse:
“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!”
Philippians 4:4
Review:
Last week in Acts 16:10-15, we talked about Paul going to Philippi in Macedonia, and he was talking to Lydia. She made purple cloth and sold it. It was very hard to make, and it was worth a lot of money. Lydia begged them to stay at her house after she was baptized. Her whole household believed in Jesus and was baptized. Silas, Timothy, and Luke were also with Paul. How many of you know someone who has been baptised? What happened? (Share your own experience) In today’s story, we are going to learn about a woman named Lydia who was baptised.
Bible Story:
Today, we continue in Acts 16:17-40. Paul & Silas, Timothy & Luke were walking through the streets of Philippi in Macedonia to go pray. They saw a servant girl acting strange. The men that owned her made a lot of money from her because she did fortune-telling.
The girl followed Paul shouting out that “These men are servants of the Most High God and they can tell us the way of salvation!” She did this for days and one day Paul was very irritated.
Paul turned around and told the spirit that was in her to come out. The evil spirit in her went out, but her masters didn’t like that because now she wouldn’t be making all that money for them.
They dragged Paul and Silas into the marketplace to the authorities. They told the judges that Paul and Silas had brought a lot of trouble to the city. They said that Paul and Silas were teaching customs that were against their laws.
The people were angry and the judges tore off Silas and Paul’s coats and commanded that they be beaten. After the people beat Paul and Silas, they were thrown in prison.
The jailer was told to keep them securely locked. He was to make sure they couldn’t escape, so the jailer put them in an inner prison and put their feet in stocks.
But at midnight, Paul and Silas were praying and singing to God. The other prisoners were listening to them. Can you imagine being beaten, thrown in prison and then singing?
(Acts 16:26) Suddenly, there was a great earthquake. The foundation of the prison shook and all the doors opened and the chains were free from everyone. The prison guard woke up and saw that the doors of the prison were opened up and he drew his sword and was going to kill himself.
But Paul shouted out “Don’t do that!” because everything was Ok, everyone was still there. The guard called for a light and ran to Paul and Silas and asked: “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” They told him that first, he had to believe in Jesus.
Paul and Silas told the guard and his household about Jesus and within an hour that night, the household washed the stripes from the beating off of Paul and Silas.
Immediately the guard and ALL his family were baptized. They went back to the guard’s house and ate while the guard rejoiced because his whole family believed in God.
The next day the judges came to the jailers house to tell Paul and Silas they were free to leave, but Paul said “We are Romans, and we were beaten in public and thrown in prison, and now the judges want us to leave secretly? Absolutely Not!” (Because it looked like Paul and Silas had done something wrong.)
Paul said to let them come and apologize in person. When the officers heard that they were Romans, they were scared. They went to Paul and Silas and pleaded with them and asked them to leave the city.
Paul and Silas left the prison and went back to Lydia’s house. They stayed there for many days, worshipping with the other Christians.
Learning Activities After the Lesson
1. Have your kids watch the animated story: Paul’s Adventure: Prison Break
2. Let’s make this Paul and Silas Paper Chain craft:
Suggested Learning Outcome: This paper chain craft will help kids learn the story of God’s care for Paul and Silas in prison and remind children that even in sad times, God is with us and will take care of us according to His will.
Supplies List:
* Construction paper strips (five per child)
* Tape
* Markers
Preparation: Pre-cut strips of construction paper. You will need five per child.
Instructions:
Step 1. Give each child five paper strips and instruct them to write or copy the words, “I Am With You Always” (see image) on the strips.
Step 2. Guide children in making the strips into a paper chain (see image)
Sources: Mission Bible Class, Ministry To Children, Sunday School Zone, Share Faith Kids
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