Paul and the Philippians Jailer

This Sunday School lesson actually happens before the other ones I’ve written recently.  I’d lost the pictures for this one, so it happens right after Pauls’ first missionary trip, and before Paul’s visit to Corinth.

(there are probably affiliate links in here, and there are definitely silly kiddo pictures in here)

Lessons from Paul and the Philippians jailer

There are so many lessons we can take from this story:

• trusting God in adversity
• praising God in times of trouble
• having joy in times of persecution
• God’s providence

But, after Anne-Marie over at Future Flying Saucers gave me some inspiration for our activity, I concentrated on bondage.

We all have things that hold us in bondage.  Focusing on things for adults: work (either working too hard, not enough or not having work), food (there are many people who ruin their life with their obsession with food), friendship/love…….  And in almost every case you can ruin it with an excess or poverty of that thing.  It amazed me as I thought it through, I’ve known people who ruined their lives because they were so focused on what they deserved in work, they didn’t see what they had.  I’ve also seen people so obsessed with their job, they lost their families.

The kids focused on things they could think of.  What they’d heard in Bible stories, or what they’d seen in other ways.  Princess started thinking of all the things she might obsess over: looks, singing, achievement.  The list could go on forever.

But, in the end, we are set free by Christ, big dramatic expressions and all.  God has the ability to take away that addiction or that focus if we give Him the chance.  All too often I know I say, “But God, I need this.”  I know better, but that doesn’t change my reactions.

Paul and the Philippians jailer activity

We made chains, and as we formed the chains we wrote and drew what people are enslaved to.  It was really eye-opening for me what the kids thought of.

It was also amusing to see them trading their strips to get the colors they wanted.

And after they’d drawn out their examples, and I’d taken pictures.

Including this one by my little blogger wanna-be, carefully arranged just the way she wants it.

We all took turns breaking our chains of sin.  It’s very dramatic.

Follow Paul’s next steps in missionary tales as we see Paul in Corinth.  All of my Acts lessons are on the Acts of the Apostles activities for kids.

Paul and the Philippians jailer resources

• Paul and the Philippians jailer lesson and storybook <<< click here for the printable lesson
• Paul and the Philippians jailer lesson and visual (I got a lot of inspiration here)
• Paul and the Philippians jailer printable