God s Unfolding Story. Arrival

New Testament Unit 10: Jesus Grew the Church Lesson 5: God Took Care of Paul and Silas God s Unfolding Story Suggested Bible Story: God 1. God created everything. Schedule: Took Care of Paul and Arrival Silas (16:16-40) 2. People disobeyed God. Centers 25 minutes Bible Phrase: Give thanks Clean-up Time 5 minutes to God and praise Him. 3. God chose a special people. Bible Story Time 15 minutes (See Ps. 100:4) Craft Time 10 minutes Bible Truth: I will give thanks 4. God sent Jesus to help us. Snack Time 10 minutes to God and praise Him Game Time/Dismissal at all times. 5. Jesus began the Church. Hour A 6. Jesus is preparing heaven for us. Unfolding God s Story for Teachers Please read Acts 16:16-40. Early in chapter 16, Paul and his companions traveled to Macedonia, and Lydia became the first European convert to Christianity. This was a joyful occasion. In the days of the early church as well as today, joy can be going up one side of the street and frustration down the other. Our band of missionaries encountered such a situation as they continued to teach in Philippi. A common slave girl appeared who had been trained to utter oracles similar to those of a ventriloquist for profit. For days she followed the team around the city crying out like a demoniac. The constant shouting annoyed Paul, so in the name of Jesus Christ, he exorcised the spirit and the girl regained her sanity. The girl was freed from demons, but her masters, who had exploited her, lost their source of income. They were furious with Paul. Not wanting to appear greedy, the owners of the slave girl stirred up false rumors and prejudices among the people. They contended Paul and Silas were Jews causing trouble. No Roman ruler wanted to hear that Jews were causing a stir especially one that would draw a crowd. Without questioning or any sense of justice, the rulers had the two men severely beaten and thrown into prison. Sadly, the girl s freedom came with a cost. Satan may have thought he had silenced the believers, but God had the upper hand. Even though they were in jail, Paul and Silas gave testimony to the Christ who had given them life. They proved their faith by singing songs of praise and thanksgiving to God. Can you imagine the expressions on the guards and the other prisoners faces? It was around midnight, and suddenly an earthquake shook the jail! Earthquakes were not uncommon in this area, but it was clear from the timing that God had orchestrated this event. The prison doors opened, and prisoners chains were loosed. Somehow Paul and Silas managed to convince the other prisoners not to escape. Since the jailer was responsible with his life for his prisoners, the jailer s life was spared. What must I do to be saved? asked the jailer. He may not have fully understood all he was asking, but he knew he wanted the joy he saw in these men. The jailer was a pagan and not a Jew, but Paul s message of freedom and forgiveness was the same. He needed only to believe in the Lord Jesus. He did so, and he and his family were forever changed. You see, the jailer s conversion brought his family to a place of trusting Christ. The fellowship that followed was almost unreal! Paul was indeed a missionary to the Gentiles. While Satan attempts to trap and ensnare, God is still in control. One lesson from this story is that God responds when His people praise Him. Darkness is banished when Light moves in. Though our circumstances may cry defeat, praise ushers in victory. Help preschoolers learn that we can praise God in every situation. Lesson Plan Arrival Greet children at eye level and express how happy you are to see them. Be sure each child has a name tag and the security measures of your church are followed. Label all coats and personal belongings. Strongly encourage children who have brought items from home, such as toys and books, to place them on a shelf while they are working with other materials. Assure children their items will be safe and they can take them home at the end of the session. Help each child make a choice where he or she would like to begin his or her Center Time. God s Unfolding Story for Older Preschoolers, Copyright 2013 - SundaySchoolZone.com NT10 Lesson 5 Hour A Page 1

Puzzle Center: Work Puzzles Offer a variety of non-fantasy wooden or cardboard puzzles for children to work. What to Do: Encourage each child to finish a puzzle before leaving the center. Offer guidance rather than doing the puzzle for the child. Link to the Bible Story: As children work, take advantage of opportunities to say the Bible Phrase or to briefly tell the Bible story. Home Living Center: Role Play Small rocking chair, sink and stove unit, small table and chairs; plastic dishes, child pots and pans, plastic food items; and doll items such as baby doll, doll bed, doll bag, blanket, clothes, bottles, and diapers. What to Do: Home living items will encourage children to role play home activities such as cooking, cleaning, and caring for the baby. Link to the Bible Story: As children play, look for opportunities to engage in conversation about the Bible story, Bible Phrase, or Bible truth. Center Time Art Center: Make a Pressed Paint Picture Copies of Pressed Paint Picture Several colors of washable tempera paint What to Do: Cut out the Pressed Paint Picture squares. Demonstrate to children how to fold the corners of their squares on the lines indicated. For each painting, a child chooses a color of paint to put under each fold. It only takes about a nickel-size amount. Then show the child how to gently fold down the corners and smooth the palm of his or her hand over each corner. Peel back each corner to reveal a design of colors. Link to the Bible Story: As children work, read the Bible Phrase, Give thanks to God and praise Him (Psalm 100:4). Express that in our Bible story today, Paul and Silas were put in jail for telling people about Jesus. The jailer put their feet in stocks, a tool that made them unable to move. Paul and Silas sang and prayed to God and God caused something amazing to happen that helped Paul and Silas. Comment that we will hear more of the story in Bible Story Time. Bible Learning Center: Find the Pictures Copies of Activity Page: Picture Search, God Took Care of Paul and Silas (Reproducible) Crayons or washable markers What to Do: Invite children to look at the row of pictures at the bottom of the page. Ask them to find the same item in the big picture. Link to the Bible Story: Explain that the picture is about the Bible story. Explain: In our story a man named Paul and his friend Silas were put in jail for teaching about Jesus. Instead of complaining, Paul and Silas prayed and sang songs of praise to God. Block Center: Build with Blocks Wooden blocks What to Do: Provide a small carpet if possible. Blocks are best located in a corner of the room away from the traffic flow. Link to the Bible Story: As children build, listen for opportunities to share the Bible Phrase or tell a part of the Bible story. God s Unfolding Story for Older Preschoolers, Copyright 2013 - SundaySchoolZone.com NT10 Lesson 5 Hour A Page 2

Clean-up Time Encourage preschoolers to help at clean-up time. Assign specific tasks for preschoolers to do such as placing all the crayons in the basket, throwing away the trash, gathering all the glue sticks, etc. Guide children to the Bible Story Time area. Bible Story Time Bible Teaching Picture The People in the Church Shared about Jesus (Reproducible) God s Unfolding Story Cube (Reproducible/ Cardstock) Introduction Show the God s Unfolding Story Cube. Point to each symbol and tell God s Unfolding Story. (Refer to page 1.) Encourage children to say the story with you. Comment to boys and girls today s story is from the fifth point, Jesus Began the Church. (Point to that symbol on the cube.) Express the following in your own words: Does anyone like to sing? When do you like to sing? Sometimes we want to sing when we are doing something that makes us happy, like a being at a birthday party or when we come to church. Who likes to sing when he or she is sad? Not many of us, I m sure; but in our story today two men sang and prayed, even though they were in jail. Listen to hear how God took care of Paul and Silas as they sang and prayed. Bible Story God Took Care of Paul and Silas (Acts 16:16-40) One day Paul and his friends were in the city of Philippi. They were teaching about Jesus in the city. Many people listened as Paul taught, but some did not like what Paul and the others were saying. In fact, a group of men became quite angry with Paul and Silas. They grabbed them and took them to the rulers of the city. Paul and Silas are disturbing our city, the men said. They are teaching things about God we do not believe. Other people joined in, saying things against Paul and Silas. The leaders had Paul and Silas beaten and put in jail. The jail keeper put their feet in stocks, which means he put a tool around their ankles to keep them from being able to move. Also, close by, a guard kept watch. Paul and Silas were in a terrible place. The jail probably was dark and smelly. Their backs were surely sore because they had been beaten. Still, Paul and Silas knew they had not done anything wrong. They would trust God to take care of them. Paul and Silas did not say mean things about the people who had put them in jail. Instead, that night they prayed and sang songs to God! It was around midnight. All the prisoners listened as Paul and Silas sang. Suddenly, a great earthquake shook the jail! The walls started to shake and move. The earthquake was so strong it rocked the foundation of the jail. Right away the doors opened and everyone s chains came loose. Oh, no! the jailer cried. He knew he would be in trouble if the prisoners escaped but Paul cried out, Don t worry, we are all here! The jailer turned on the lights and saw that Paul and all the prisoners were still there. He was amazed! He asked Paul to tell him about this Jesus of whom he had been singing and praising. The jailer took Paul and Silas to his home, bandaged the places where they had been beaten, and gave them food to eat. Paul talked to the jailer and his family about Jesus. That night he and all the members of his family became Jesus followers. God took care of Paul and Silas while they were in jail. Paul and his friends left the city of Philippi and traveled to other cities to tell everyone they could about Jesus. Talk Time 1. Show the teaching picture for today s Bible story. Say: Some men became angry with Paul and Silas for teaching about Jesus. Ask: What happened to Paul and Silas? What did Paul and Silas do during the night instead of complaining or even sleeping? What happened as Paul and Silas prayed and sang? Whom did Paul and Silas tell about Jesus? 2. Say today s Bible Phrase together: Give thanks to God and praise Him. (See Ps. 100:4) Express to the boys and girls that even though Paul and Silas were put in jail, they continued to praise and thank God. God took care of them. While in jail, Paul and Silas were able to tell many people about Jesus. 3. Close the Bible Story Time in prayer, praising God for His love and care and asking God to help each person tell others about Jesus. 4. Direct children to Craft Time. God s Unfolding Story for Older Preschoolers, Copyright 2013 - SundaySchoolZone.com NT10 Lesson 5 Hour A Page 3

Craft Time Make a Tambourine Crayons or washable markers Stapler, hole puncher Chenille sticks (2 or 3 half sticks per child) Paper plates (1 per child) Jingle bells (2 or 3 per child) What to Do: Cut out the center of each paper plate to form a ring. Print today s Bible Phrase around the ring: Give thanks to God and praise Him (Ps. 100:4). Punch 2 or 3 holes around the ring of the plate for the jingle bells. Give each child a paper plate ring, jingle bells, and chenille sticks. Invite children to color their paper plate rings. Demonstrate to children how to thread a chenille stick though the loop in the top of each jingle bell and then through the holes in their paper plate rings. Show children how to twist the chenille sticks to secure the bells. Link to Bible Story: As children work, talk about how even though Paul and Silas were in jail, they still praised and thanked God. Comment that we can praise God at all times. Sing together a familiar song such as, Jesus Loves Me, and ask children to shake their tambourines as they sing. Snack Time Be sure to wash hands or use hand sanitizer. Say a thank-you prayer to God for the snack. When snack time has ended, encourage preschoolers to help with cleaning up. Game Time/Dismissal Bible Phrase Musical Chairs Chair for each child CD player and a music CD for children What to Do: Form a circle of chairs with the backs of chairs toward the center of the circle. Ask children to sit in a chair. Explain to children you will start the music and they are to walk around the circle of chairs. Continue, saying you will at some point stop the music, and each child is to find a chair in which to sit. When everyone is seated you will say the Bible Phrase together, Give thanks to God and praise Him (Ps. 100:4). Play the music for several rounds. (It is best not to remove a chair during each interval of music to eliminate a player as in traditional musical chairs. Preschoolers have difficulty not being able to play. They enjoy just finding a different seat. The object of the game is not to eliminate players, but to practice the Bible Phrase.) At the close of the activity, remind boys and girls that in today s Bible story, Paul and Silas praised God even though they were in jail. Dismiss children when parents arrive. Be sure to follow your church s security guidelines. God s Unfolding Story for Older Preschoolers, Copyright 2013 - SundaySchoolZone.com NT10 Lesson 5 Hour A Page 4

Resources and Supplies New Testament Unit 10: Jesus Grew the Church Lesson 5: God Took Care of Paul and Silas Hour A Standard Art Supplies (Supplies that are generally in the room) Washable markers Crayons Child scissors Playdough and accessories Drawing paper Easel (optional) Glue/glue sticks Tempera paint, 4 colors Tape/masking tape Pencils/colored pencils Hole punch Teacher scissors Stapler/staples Permanent markers Watercolors Paintbrushes Yarn Standard Equipment (Equipment that is generally in the room) Small beanbag for Bible Story Time Assorted wooden/cardboard puzzles Set of wooden blocks Small cars and trucks Doll bed Baby doll (soft plastic) Stove/sink unit Play dishes/pots and pans Small table and chairs Small carpet for block area Play food items Storage shelf for blocks Tables and chairs for art, puzzles, and Bible Learning Center CD player/children s Worship CDs Reproducibles (Included with the lesson plan downloads) Pressed Paint Picture (1 copy per child) Activity Page: Picture Search, God Took Care of Paul and Silas (1 copy per child) Teaching Picture: God Took Care of Paul and Silas (1 copy per class) God s Unfolding Story Cube (Cardstock 1 copy per class) Parent Page (1 copy per child) Additional Art and Bible Learning Materials None required Additional Craft Materials Paper plates (1 per child) Jingle bells (2 or 3 per child) Chenille sticks (2 or 3 half sticks per child) God s Unfolding Story for Older Preschoolers, Copyright 2013 - SundaySchoolZone.com NT10 Lesson 5 Hour A

fold fold fold Give thanks to God and praise Him. Psalm 100:4 fold Art: Pressed Paint Picture Instructions: Copy one sheet per child. Cut out the Pressed Paint Picture squares. Fold the corners of the squares. Child chooses colors of paint and places a small amount under each corner. Fold down corners and gently press corners with palm of hand. Open corners to reveal a design. NT10 Lesson 5 Hour A Center Time: Art Center God s Unfolding Story for Older Preschoolers, Copyright 2013 - SundaySchoolZone.com

Picture Search God Took Care of Paul and Silas Activity Page: Picture Search, God Took Care of Paul and Silas Instructions: Copy one sheet per child. Children search the larger pictures to find the smaller pictures at the bottom of the page. NT10 Lesson 5 Hour A Center Time: Bible Learning Center God s Unfolding Story for Older Preschoolers, Copyright 2013 - SundaySchoolZone.com