God is with Paul and Silas in Prison
Sunday, May 3rd, 2020
Read
Read through Acts 16:23-33 with your child(ren).
Watch
Watch the two videos below created by PursueGOD Kids!
Discuss
Paul and Silas got thrown into jail for telling people about Jesus. What if we got thrown in jail for talking about Jesus or going to church? Emphasize that we are lucky that we get to sing songs to God, read our Bible and tell others about Jesus without anyone telling us we can’t or even worse, throwing us in jail!
When Paul and Silas were in jail, they may have been scared or even worried, but they didn’t let those feelings take over. Instead they rejoiced in the Lord. Rejoice means to feel joy or great delight. They started singing and praying. They were joyful even though they were in a bad situation. How can we do that even now in this hard situation?
While they were singing and praying, God sent an earthquake and all the doors of the prison were opened and the chains came off of the prisoners’ hands. Whoaaaa! God is so powerful! What else do you think God can do?
Paul and Silas were free and they should have just started running, right?! Well, they didn’t. Instead, they shared the good news of Jesus with the guard. The guard and his whole family put their trust in Jesus. God turned a bad situation into something really amazing. Can you think of time that God turned a bad situation into something good for you? What about now while you are in quarantine with your family? Has this brought you closer together?
The second video above talks about how Paul went to prison again, but kept telling others about Jesus. At one point, it says, “We tell people about Jesus and God does the rest!”. What does that mean?
The words/concepts below were touched on in the video and text that your child(ren) heard but may not fully understand. We encourage you to discuss them.
Prison
Saved
Faith
Mission
Good news
Believer
Questions (Ages 3-11)
Why did Paul and Silas go to jail?
What did Paul and Silas do in jail?
What happened while they were singing?
What was your favorite part of the story?
Activities
Craft Ideas
Paul and Silas in Prison
Download craft and instructions HERE.
In Chains
Download craft and instructions HERE.
Coloring & Activity Sheets
Paul and Silas Singing Coloring Sheet - Download and print here
Paul and Silas Praying Coloring Sheet - Download and print here
Imaginative Play
Build a prison out of legos or magna tiles with Paul and Silas (toy people) inside. Sing a worship song and pretend there is an earthquake and break it all apart so they are free!
Make a prison out of pillows and get inside it with them. Sing a worship song together and then break out of the prison by knocking all the pillow walls down.
Fun Snack
Make a prison out of two graham crackers, frosting, pretzel sticks and gummy bears.
