Paul and Silas

This story is about more people who were saved.

The child will learn that:-

  • We must believe in the Lord Jesus in order to be saved.
  • Becoming a Christian makes a difference in a person’s life.

Bible Story Reference: Acts 16: 16-34

Memory Verse: 

Acts 2:21 (NIV)

And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.

Opening Activity

  • Ask the child to tell you what makes them happy.
  • Tell the child that there are some happy people in today’s story. Tell them to listen carefully to find out who is happy….

Bible Story

  • One day, when Paul and Silas were in Philippi, they helped a slave girl. This made her owners very angry and they dragged Paul and Silas to the market place and told lies about them. (Acts 16: 16-21). Discuss how Paul and Silas might have been feeling.
  • Paul and Silas were beaten and then they were thrown into prison. The jailer put them in chains and left their feet in heavy wooden blocks called stocks. (Acts 16: 22-24). Again, discuss Paul and Silas’ feelings
  • At midnight, the other prisoners could hear Paul and Silas praying and singing hymns to God! Even though their backs were sore from the beating they had received, they still were able to praise God. (Acts 16: 25). What would the other prisoners have thought?
  • Suddenly there was another sound. Everything rattled and shook. Doors opened and chains fell off. It was an earthquake. (Acts 16: 26)
  • The jailer woke up and noticed that all the prison doors were open. What would his first thoughts have been? He thought he would be punished by death if all the prisoners had escaped. Paul told him not to worry because all the prisoners were still there. (Acts 16: 27-28)
  • The jailer knew he was a sinner. He asked Paul what he needed to do to be saved. Paul replied “Believe on the Lord Jesus and you will be saved.” Paul and Silas explained to the jailer and his family that Jesus died on the cross for their sin. The jailer took Paul and Silas home, bathed their wounds and gave them a meal. It was a very happy night for the jailer and his family because they all believed in Jesus. (Acts 16: 29-34)
  • Who was happy in the story? Why were they happy? (Encourage child to talk about Paul and Silas, also the jailer and his family. Explain to them that these people were happy because the Lord Jesus had saved them)
  • Explain to the child that we need to be saved from our sin. We should believe in Jesus because He is God’s Son and died for us.

Questions

Who did Paul and Silas help?

  1. What happened to Paul and Silas?
  2. What did Paul and Silas do in the middle of the night?
  3. What happened as they were singing?
  4. Why was the jailer afraid after the earthquake?
  5. What did the jailer ask Paul and Silas?
  6. What did Paul and Silas tell him?
  7. What did the jailer do that night?
  8. How did he show that his life had been changed?

Prayer

Dear Jesus, help me to always believe and trust you.

Crafts

Paul And Silas In Prison Booklet

The paper chain reminds us of the story of Paul and Silas. Even though these men were in chains for preaching the gospel of Jesus, they continued to praise God because they knew that God was always with them.

What You Need

  • Paper
  • Crayons
  • Scissors

Steps 

  1. Fold the paper in half, lengthwise and then fold in half again.
  2. Unfold it.
  3. Draw two squares in the middle panels. These are the windows.
  4. Cut the windows out.
  5. Fold paper in the middle again, and fold outer flaps up to meet the middle fold line. It should look like a book.
  6. With the booklet folded, so only the cover is shown, write “Paul And Silas In Prison” on the cover.
  7. Unfold once, so that two panels and one window can be seen.
  8. Draw the scene with Paul and Silas singing at midnight with their feet in stocks.
  9. Write “And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed and sang praises to God.” at the top.
  10. With windows together, “turn” page, do that the last two panels and the other window can be seen.
  11. Draw the other prisoners listening to the prayers and songs.
  12. Write “and the prisoners heard them.” at the top.
  13. Turn” page, so that the back two empty panels and one window can be seen.
  14. Draw the jailer falling before Paul and Silas, saying, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”
  15. On the last empty panel with a window, write “Acts 16:25-40.”
  16. Color everything.
  17. Fold booklet in half, and in half again, showing only the words, “Paul and Silas in prison.