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Paul in Roman Custody by Jennifer Tolbert
Paul's desire to share the gospel with anyone who would listen led him on a journey to preach and teach to many different people in many different places. Through his travels, he faced challenges and hardships from shipwrecks to snake bites. He faced people who welcomed him and those who adamantly opposed him.
Through it all, Paul recognized that Satan's greatest desire was to cause trouble and heartache for God and his people. Wars and battles were something that happened often--countries invading and conquering other countries. Paul called the battle against Satan spiritual warfare. Satan is trying everything he can to invade the hearts of God's people. We have to be strong and not let him find a way in. This is the story of some of the things that happened during Paul's time in Ephesus. You can read more about this in Acts 28: 1-31. Key Themes: 1. God's power is stronger than the devil's power. 2. When I put on the armor of God, I am equipped to face any trial that may come. 3. There are two kingdoms-God's and Satan's. We should choose to stand for God's kingdom. Memory Verse
Ephesians 6:11 ESV
11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. Songs
1,2,3 The Devil's After Me
Books of the New Testament Be Careful Little Eyes This Little Light of Mine There is a Flag that Flies in the Castle of My Heart I'm in the Lord's Army My God is So Big I Am A C-H-R-I-S-T-I-A-N Saint's Medley Story
Begin Class with Songs, Games, Table Activity, or Sharing Time
Open Class in Prayer Introducing the Story Ideas 1. Build Your Muscles Optional Supplies: Small Weights, example of a healthy food like an apple Kids love to show off their muscles. Ask each kid to show your their muscles. Be sure to make a big deal about how big and strong they are! : SAY: God gave us muscles. Muscles help us do hard work like lifting or carrying heavy things. If I wanted to build my muscles and make them bigger, what could I do? Exercise (demonstrate lifting the weight) is one way I could make my muscles bigger and stronger. I can also fill my body with healthy food that will make my body strong. (Show them examples of healthy food). Optional: Let each child have some of the healthy snack and take a turn "working" their muscles. SAY: Paul knew that in order to be strong against Satan, we need to be strong in God's power. He included that in his letter to the Ephesians. 2. The Fear Zone Game by Children's Ministry.com Supplies: Enough Tennis Balls for Half Your Class, Masking Tape, Large Sheet of Paper or Expo Board, Markers Have enough tennis balls so that each Roller will begin the game with one. Use two strips of masking tape to mark three playing areas. (Click here to see a map of the playing areas). Clear the playing area of any obstacles. Work with the children to create a list of things kids fear. Write these ideas on paper, then post this where kids can easily see it. Have children form two teams, the Rollers and the Defenders. Have the Rollers stand in section A and the Defenders stand in section B. SAY: We’ve talked about common fears. Now let’s play a game to see how well we’re able to stop those fears. The Rollers will call out a fear from our list, then roll a ball toward the Defenders. The balls must stay on the floor, but the Rollers can have as many balls in play at a time as they like. Defenders will stand behind their line and try to keep the balls from getting past them and into the Fear Zone. Balls can be stopped only with your hands, and they must be gently rolled back to the Rollers. If a ball gets into the Fear Zone, it has to stay there and can’t be returned to the game. Begin the game. Encourage kids to play quickly, rolling balls as soon as they are returned. After several minutes, have teams switch roles and play again. ASK: Ephesians 6:10 says, “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.” How can God’s power help us be strong enough to face our fears? SAY: Even though some of the fears got past these Defenders, nothing can get past God. No matter what the problem, we don’t have to be afraid because God is most powerful. Story: When Paul visited Ephesus, Paul met people who were eager to learn more about following God. However, he could not return and teach them more because he was in prison in Rome! Did Paul let this stop him? No! He used this time in prison to write letters to the churches. We are studying part of the letter he wrote to the church in Ephesus. This is the story of some of the trials that Paul faced after he left Ephesus. Perhaps, these experiences inspired him to encourage the Ephesians to "Be Strong in the Lord." SHOW the story Paul Arrives in Rome or read Acts 28:1-31 in the Bible. You may want to focus one or two parts of the story for time's sake. EMPHASIZE that:
Visual Aids
God is...
Connect the story back to God and his character. Explain how this story fits into God's overall story.
Activities
Science Experiment: God Gives Us His Strength Object Lesson
Supplies: Two Balloons (check for latex allergies!), Water, Lighter
Craft: Soft Made Strong Cross by Ministry to Children
Supplies: Cross or popsicle sticks, Yarn or string, markers or crayons, scissors, jewels, decorations, etc. Use flimsy materials on their own that become strong when assembled into the power of the cross.
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