2nd-5th Grade Sunday School
Paul Visited the Local Churches
Paul Visited the Churches (2nd-5th)
Materials and Preparation: Bibles, Crayons/markers/colored pencils, Activity Page
Attention Grabbers: Invite the children to complete the “Grow Stronger” activity page. As they work on that, say: Paul was dedicated to serve God as a missionary. Today, we will learn how he helped churches grow stronger in their faith as he went on his third missionary journey.
Passage Lesson
Introduce the Lesson:
Today, we will learn about Paul’s third missionary journey. Because of how the Holy Spirit empowered Paul to be faithful to share the gospel, many churches were started. Let’s get ready to hear what happened as Paul traveled to the churches.
Big Picture Question: Our Question is: What is our mission as Christians?
Answer: Our mission is to make disciples of all nations by the power of the Holy Spirit.
As we hear our story today, I hope you will be encouraged by the life of Pau.. Just as God used Paul to be on mission, God can use us. We can follow the example of Paul as we remember our mission is to make disciples of all nations by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Introduce the Passage:
When Paul arrived in the city of Ephesus, he met about twelve men who believed in God. But they didn’t know about Jesus or the Holy Spirit. So Paul told them about Jesus. The men believed and were baptized.
Have a few children or a leader read Acts 19:8-12 (Before reading help children find the passage in the Bible…let them read along)
Conclude reading with: Some people in Ephesus didn’t like that Pail was teaching that there is one true God, because those people worshiped many gods.
Paul met with some of Jesus’ followers. He encouraged them, and then he said goodbye and continued on his journey toward Jerusalem.
Have a few children or a leader read Acts 20:7-12 (Before reading help children find the passage in the Bible…let them read along)
Conclude reading with: Paul traveled back toward Ephesus. He asked the leader of the church there to meet him in a nearby city.
Explain: Throughout Paul’s missionary journeys, we see his dedication to Jesus and his desire to help others trust in Jesus.
As Paul shared the gospel, the power of the Holy Spirit opened people’s hearts to believe in Jesus.
People were saved from their sins, and God was glorified through Paul.
Read Acts 19:21 and 20:22. Ask: How did Paul determine where to go in his work of sharing the gospel?
Response: Paul went wherever the Holy Spirit led him to go. Paul trusted God and was obedient to the Spirit who helped him share the good news. The same Spirit that was in Paul is also in those who trust in Jesus. He helps us live on mission as well.
Explain: Paul spent time in Ephesus, encouraging the believers there and preaching against idolatry.
Read Acts 19:26. Ask: What did Paul say about idols being made in Ephesus?
Response: Paul boldly proclaimed that the idols or gods being made were not gods at all. Paul wanted all people to know and believe in the one true God and His Son, Jesus.
Explain: Finally, Paul made known to the Ephesian Christians that he was traveling on to Jerusalem, even though Paul recognized that he would suffer in Jerusalem.
Read Acts 20:24. Ask: What did Paul say was his goal in life?
Response: Paul’s greatest desire was to finish the work God had called him to. Even if he would suffer or die, Paul wanted to continue to follow the Spirit and tell others about Jesus.
Christ Connection:
As Paul traveled on his third missionary journey, he used every opportunity to tell people the good news about Jesus and to help the church. Paul was dedicated to Jesus, who called him to do the work of sharing the gospel.
Conclusion: Discussion Questions
Should we bring our Bible to school? Why?
How does sharing the gospel with unbelievers glorify God and encourage other Christians?
PRAYER: Prayer Request Procedures
Give post-it to each child and have them write a prayer request on the card. If they are younger, you can help them write this.
Do NOT have them put their name on the card.
Collect all the post-it after they are done.
Put post it on child's activity sheet and hand it to parents as they leave.
The room leader should explain to the parents that we are teaching prayer & encourage the parents to pray with their kids over the requests on the card.
END: games (duck duck goose, red light/green light), drawing, etc…