Locations & Times

Kids - LIFE

Paul and Silas in Prison - Week 3

May 18-19, 2019 |

This four-week series will show kids the best way to live – that’s a life with Jesus. Jesus promises that he brings life to the full, which doesn’t necessarily mean a life that is easy or without problems. It means a life with purpose, joy, protection, adventure, and so much more.

WORSHiP

BIBLE VERSE

“I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full,” John 10:10.

GROUP Q&A
  1. Why were Paul and Silas beat up and put in prison? (People lied about them disturbing the town, and the rulers of the town didn’t like that.)
  2. Even though they were in prison, Paul and Silas still shared the story of Jesus with people. How did they do that? (They sang worship songs. The other prisoners and prison guards could hear them.)
  3. An earthquake broke the prison doors open. What did Paul and Silas do next? (Paul and Silas continued to trust God and didn’t run away.)
  4. What did the guard do after he found out that Paul and Silas didn’t run away? (He decided to live life with and follow Jesus.)
  5. What does it mean to have a life to the full? (A life to the full is a life with Jesus.)
PARENT BIBLE STUDY

Read: Acts 16:16-34

Telling people good news doesn’t always go well. For Paul and Silas, it went terribly wrong in the city of Philippi. Yet, even after they were stripped, beaten, and thrown into prison, they sat singing and praying to God. It’s a good example of being so far down that there’s nowhere to go but up (to God.) Then in an amazing twist, the jail crumbled in an earthquake and Paul and Silas ended up saving the jailer’s life and giving him the way to God through faith in Jesus.

The way God can use our circumstances is astounding. God always protects us, even if his purposes are not always clear in the present moment. But especially if that moment feels horrible, keeping our faith in a God who is good, loving, all-knowing, and near, just like Paul and Silas did, may help us do our own singing and praying.

Not only did Paul’s faith change the jailer’s life that night, along with the jailer’s entire household, it was an encouragement to new believers throughout the Roman world. He later wrote his letter to the Philippian Christians from jail and asserted that being imprisoned advanced the Good News of Jesus to everyone who knew he was “in chains for Christ.” In addition, Paul points out that, “Because of my chains, most of the brothers in the Lord have been encouraged to speak the word of God more courageously and fearlessly.”

Talk about optimism. Paul understood his purpose very clearly. He knew that God was using him—whatever his circumstances—to spread the news about Jesus.

What if God is using you to do this same thing? What if God is using even the terrible circumstances you endure for his glory? Paul was the one who wrote this verse in Romans 8:28: “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”

What “jail” are you stuck in right now? Do you believe God can work your circumstances for good?

How might you use your current circumstances as a platform to tell others about Jesus?

ASK YOUR KID

Q. What is a life to the full?
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