unit 7: paul the apostle nt7.17 paul’s ministry in rome · lesson goal: paul was an apostle...

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NT7.17 Paul’s Ministry in Rome © Beverly Wilson 2018

Unit 7: Paul the Apostle

NT7.17 Paul’s Ministry in Rome

Scripture: Acts 28:10-30

Lesson Goal: Paul was an Apostle chosen by God to take the gospel to the world. He was the first missionary and the greatest preacher of all time! This lesson is about Paul’s ministry in Rome as a prisoner.

Introduction: This is the seventeenth lesson in Unit 7: Paul the Apostle. Paul was an Apostle chosen by God to take the gospel to the world. He was the first missionary and the greatest preacher of all time. This lesson tells about the end of Paul’s race when he was in Rome as a prisoner. This lesson comes from the book of Acts. Acts is the fifth book in the New Testament. This book was written by Luke. The first four books of the New Testament, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John tell about the life of Christ. The fifth book Acts tells about the beginning of the church and the life of Paul the Apostle. Let's say the first five books of the New Testament together: Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, and Acts.

Attention Getter: “Race of Life”

Have you ever run a race with your friends? It's fun to see how fast you can go! Everybody lines up and somebody says, "Get ready, get set, and go!" Then you run as hard and fast as you can! To have a race, you need a starting line and of course a finishing line! That way you can know who the winner of the race is. In this lesson we are going to talk about a race. It is the race that all of us are in--the race of life! It too has a starting line and a finishing line! In the Bible the Apostle Paul compared his life to a race. He said that the race of life does not begin when you are born as a baby. Instead it begins when we are born into the family of God. The race is how the believer lives his life and the finish line is in heaven. This lesson tells about the end of Paul’s race when he was in Rome as a prisoner.

Opening Prayer: “Dear Father in heaven, Thank you for the ministry of the Apostle Paul. He was a man who was faithful and obedient to you all of his life. We thank you that we still have the letters in the Bible that he wrote to the churches that tell us the message of the gospel. Help us to be like Paul and run the race of life well. Help us to be bold witnesses of the message of salvation to everyone around us! In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.”

Memory Verse: Our memory verse is 2 Timothy 4:7 “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”

Lesson Video: https://youtu.be/NwcnPnJ8hfg Paul was an Apostle chosen by God to take the gospel to the world. Jesus had appeared to him on the Road to Damascus and revealed that He was really the Son of God. Paul believed in Jesus that day and he was a changed man. God called Paul to be the Apostle who would bring the gospel to the Gentiles and to suffer much for His name. He became the first missionary and the greatest preacher of all time. Paul made three Missionary Journeys to Greece and Syria. Despite much opposition they preached the gospel and several new churches were established in Asia Minor and Macedonia. The gospel spread throughout the region and many Gentiles believed in Jesus as their Savior. It was not easy to start churches. Some Jews who were jealous and did not believe in Jesus would stir up riots and try to stop

https://youtu.be/NwcnPnJ8hfg

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them. Paul and his traveling companions were thrown into prison and run out of towns but they kept on preaching about Jesus. During this time Paul wrote several letters to the churches he had started. These letters gave instructions in how to live the Christian life and would later become part of our New Testament. They were Galatians, Romans, 1 and 2 Corinthians, and 1 and 2 Thessalonians. After returning from the three missionary journeys the Holy Spirit led Paul to go to Jerusalem where he faced false accusations from the Jewish leaders. These lies ended in mob riots which caused Paul to be imprisoned by the Roman rulers. Each time God protected Paul from the Jewish leaders’ plots to kill him. Paul defended himself in several trials before the Roman rulers-- Governor Felix, Festus, King Agrippa, and his sister Bernice. Each time Paul boldly testified about his conversion on the Road to Damascus and his belief in Jesus as the Way to heaven. Although these rulers could not find a reason to convict Paul they held him in prison for over two years. Because Paul was a Roman citizen he appealed his case and was sent to Rome. God had revealed to him that he would preach the gospel in Rome and Paul saw this appeal as a way to give him this opportunity! When the time came for Paul to face trial in Rome, he and several other prisoners were placed in the custody of a Roman officer named Julius, a captain of the Imperial Regiment. Luke and Aristarchus from the church in Thessalonica also accompanied Paul on this journey. Leaving Caesarea the group sailed a ship across the Mediterranean Sea toward Rome, Italy. This trip was over 2,000 miles long. The ship followed the coastline to avoid the open seas. During the voyage the ship was caught in a northeaster storm that lasted two weeks. Everyone lost all hope of being saved. God sent an angel to encourage Paul. God promised that he and the other 276 passengers aboard the ship would live and that Paul would preach the gospel in Rome. Just as God had said the ship and its cargo were lost but all the people aboard ship survived by swimming ashore to the island of Malta. On the beach Paul and the other passengers were greeted by the people of the island. There God miraculously saved Paul from the poison of a snake bite. For three months Paul preached the message of salvation and many people on the island became Christians. Finally another ship gave them passage to Syracuse the capital of Sicily. The new believers honored Paul by furnishing them with the supplies that they needed for the trip. They stopped at Syracuse for three days and then sailed to Rheguium. A day later, a south wind began blowing so they sailed up the coast to Puteoli where they dropped anchor. At Puteoli Paul found some Christians who invited him to spend a week with them. These believers may have visited Jerusalem and had heard the message of Jesus or had been told by followers of Christ when they fled and had come to Italy to live. They wanted to help Paul. From there the caravan made their way north to Rome. The Christians in Rome had heard about Paul’s coming and travelled to meet him at the Forum on the Appian Way. The Form was a town about 43 miles south of Rome located on the famous road called the Appian Way. Others joined Paul at The Three Taverns which was a shop or place that provided food and lodging for travelers. When Paul saw them, he was encouraged and thanked God. The trip to Rome had been very difficult but Paul knew that God had blessed him greatly in allowing him to meet the believers in Rome. God had worked for Paul’s good. When Paul arrived in Rome, he was permitted to have his own private house, although he was guarded by a soldier. This arrangement allowed Paul to meet with the Jewish Christians and the Romans and preach the gospel to all who came to see him.

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Three days after Paul’s arrival, he called together the local Jewish leaders and said, “Brothers, I was arrested in Jerusalem and turned over to the Romans although I had done nothing wrong. The Romans tried me and wanted to release me, but the Jewish leaders protested the decision and so I appealed to Caesar. I am in chains because I believe that the Messiah has already come.” The Jewish leaders in Rome had not heard about Paul’s case.”This movement has been denounced everywhere,” they said, “but we want to hear what you believe.” Christians had been condemned by the Romans because they were seen as a threat to the Roman government. The Christians had one God but the Romans had many gods including Caesar. A large number of people came to Paul’s house where he was under arrest. Paul explained to them about the Kingdom of God and tried to persuade them to trust in Jesus as their Savior. Using the Old Testament Law of Moses and the books of the prophets, Paul spoke to them from morning until evening. He taught that Jesus was the Messiah the fulfillment of God’s promises. Some were persuaded by the things he said, but others did not believe. “I want you to know that this salvation from God has also been offered to the Gentiles, and they will accept it,” Paul told them. For the next two years Paul lived in Rome at his own expense. He welcomed all who visited him, boldly teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ. No one tried to stop him. While Paul was under house arrest, he did more than speak to the Jews. He wrote letters commonly called his Prison letters to the Ephesians, Colossians, and Philippians. These letters were circulated among the churches. Each church read the letter to the whole congregation and then passed it on to the next church to be read aloud. Paul also wrote personal letters such as Philemon. These letters were carried by different messengers such as Luke, Titus, Onesimus, and Timothy. These letters were inspired by the Holy Spirit and are now part of the New Testament. While in prison Paul often had friends and messengers from the churches he had established. Luke was with Paul in Rome. Mark and Timothy often visited him as did Tychius from Ephesus, and Epaphroditus from Philippi. Paul also witnessed to the whole Roman guard and was involved with the Roman believers in that city. In his letter to the Philippians Paul said that the whole palace guard heard that he was in chains for preaching the gospel of Christ. Paul preached to everyone who was around him! When the book of Acts closed, Paul had been a prisoner in Rome for two years. We do not know exactly what happened next but there are clues in the books Paul wrote to Timothy and Titus. They lead us to believe that Paul was released from prison but later imprisoned again. Paul was able to travel to Macedonia. He visited Ephesus where he left Timothy with the instruction, “Stay here and command those teaching false things to stop.” (1 Timothy 1:3) Paul also left Titus in Crete with the instruction, “Put in order what was left unfinished and appoint elders in every town.” (Titus 1:5) When Paul wrote to Timothy the second time, he was back in prison again. This time Paul was not "under house arrest" as he was before. Now he was alone in a cold Roman prison, cut off from the world, with just a visitor or two. While he was in prison, Paul knew that he was going to be executed and so he wrote his final thoughts to his son, Timothy. “Do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord or of me his prisoner,” he wrote. “Join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God.” (2 Timothy 1:8) “I was appointed by God to be an apostle and teacher of this gospel. That is why I am suffering as I am. I am certainly not ashamed of it, for I know the one in whom I trust, and I am sure that Jesus is able to safely guard all that I have given Him until the day of His return.” (2 Timothy 1:12) “Timothy, be strong in the love that is in Jesus. Make sure the things you heard me teach are taught by reliable men who can pass them onto others.” (2 Timothy 2:1)

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“Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.” (2 Timothy 2:2) “Preach the word. Correct, rebuke, and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. Endure hardship, tell others about the Lord Jesus and do the things God asks you to do.” (2 Timothy 4:2-5) Paul then wrote, “The time has come for my departure. I have fought the good fight. I have finished the race. I have kept the faith.” (2 Timothy 4:6-7) Paul knew that he was near the end of his life yet he was confident that he had been faithful to God and had preached the gospel to everyone. Paul continued, “Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord will award to me on that day—not only to me, but also to all who have longed for His appearing.” (2 Timothy 4:8) Paul could face death calmly because he knew that he would be rewarded by Christ. Paul also said that we too can receive a reward if we look forward to the return of Christ. “At my first defense no one came to support me but everyone deserted me. Yet the Lord stood at my side and gave me strength so that the message might be fully told.” Paul said these words to encourage us to keep fighting no matter how hard the battle is! When we are with Jesus it will be worth it all! “And I was delivered from the lion’s mouth! The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and bring me safely to His heavenly kingdom! To Him be the glory forever and ever. Amen. (2 Timothy 4:16-18) Here Paul is saying that he firmly believed in God’s power to save him in death and take him to heaven! The Bible does not say what happened next but a historian named Ignatius around 110 AD wrote that Paul was martyred. Christian tradition holds that Paul was beheaded in Italy. The Emperor Nero came into Roman power and he wanted to get rid of Christianity. He brutally killed many Christians at that time. There has never been another person like Paul, the missionary apostle. He was a man of deep faith, undying love, constant hope, strong convictions, and profound insight. He was inspired to by the Holy Spirit to give us God's message. Our memory verse is 2 Timothy 4:7 “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” In this verse Paul is saying that he knew that his life was soon going to be taken from him. He had finished the job that God had called him to do. He had finished the race. Paul had lived his life for Christ and now he would gain the joy and reward of going to heaven! Let’s say our verse again together. 2 Timothy 4:7 “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” As Christians we are in the same race of life as Paul was. It begins when we believe in Jesus as our Savior. We are born into the family of God when we ask God to forgive us for the wrong things that we have done and we receive Jesus as our Savior. That is the starting line. "Running the race" means we are living everyday in a way that pleases God. Just like God had a plan for Paul's life, He has a plan for our lives. We are to study the Bible and obey Him. We are to sing praises to him and pray. He will guide us into the path that we should go. Paul was not ashamed of the gospel of Christ. We too should never be afraid to stand up and tell others what Christ has done for us! "Crossing the Finish line" is when our life here on earth is over. Paul was faithful to the very end of his life. Jesus promises to reward those who live each day for Him. It is called the crown of life. "Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life" (Revelation 2:10). Remember be like Paul and run the race of life for Jesus!

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Review Questions: “Caesarea to Rome” Race

Preparation: You will need to create a start and finish line on the floor using masking tape. Procedure: Form two or more teams. Line teams up on the starting line which is called “Caesarea.” Say: “The goal of this game is to get your team to the finish line: Rome. The first team to completely cross the line gets to answer a review question for a bonus point. Each time a team lines up at Caesarea I will announce how they will need to travel to get to Rome.” Allow the teams to line up. Call out how they must travel and give the start command. Ask the first team to completely arrive in Rome to answer a review question. Possible ways to travel include baby crawl, army crawl, walk on your knees, zigzag, skip, tiptoe, walk sideways, walk backwards, swim, or fly like airplanes.

1. What special mission did God give to the Apostle Paul? (God chose him to be the first missionary

to the world and to be the one who would bring the gospel to the Gentiles and to suffer much for His name.)

2. How did Paul share the gospel with the Gentiles? (Paul made three Missionary Journeys to Greece and Syria. Despite much opposition they preached the gospel and several new churches were established in Asia Minor and Macedonia.)

3. What did Paul do to help the new churches that he had established in Greece and Syria? (During this time Paul wrote several letters to the churches he had started. These letters which gave instruction in how to live the Christian life would later become part of our New Testament.)

4. What books in the New Testament were letters that Paul wrote to churches he had established on his missionary journeys? (The letters Paul wrote to churches were Galatians, Romans, 1 and 2 Corinthians, and 1 and 2 Thessalonians.)

5. How did Paul get in prison? (The Jewish leaders falsely accused him and caused mob riots in the city. The Romans rulers imprisoned Paul to keep the Jews happy and to prevent him from being killed.)

6. How did Paul defend himself before the Roman rulers? (He witnessed to them by telling them the message of salvation and the gospel. He told them that he obeyed the Jewish Law.)

7. What verdict did the Roman rulers have about Paul? (They could not find anything worthy of imprisonment and felt that the only problem was that the Jewish leaders hated him. According to Roman law they felt that Paul was part of the Jewish religion and therefore was not guilty of any crime.)

8. Why were the Romans sending Paul to Rome? (Paul was a Roman citizen and he had appealed his case to Rome. This was a right that all Roman citizens had so the Roman rulers were sending him to Rome for trial.)

9. What happened to the ship that Paul and the other prisoners were on as it was sailing to Rome? (During the voyage the ship was caught in a northeaster storm. God promised that Paul the ship was destroyed, the cargo lost, but all 276 passengers survived by swimming ashore to the island of Malta.)

10. What happened to Paul to cause the people on the island of Malta to treat the shipwrecked men well? (God allowed Paul to be healed from a poisonous snake bite. The people thought he was a god and listened to Paul preach the gospel. Many people were healed and believed in Jesus as their Savior.)

11. When Paul got to Rome he found some believers. How had these believers heard the message of salvation? (These believers may have visited Jerusalem and had heard the message of Jesus or had been told by followers of Christ when they fled and had come to Italy to live. Paul had also already written the letter or book of Romans to them.)

12. During Paul’s first imprisonment in Rome what did he do? (Paul was under house arrest and could receive visitors. He talked to the Roman believers, messengers from the churches, and all the Roman guards.)

13. Who were some of Paul’s visitors while he was under house arrest in Rome? (Luke was with Paul in Rome. Mark and Timothy often visited him as did Tychius from Ephesus, and Epaphroditus from Philippi.)

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14. What letters of the New Testament did Paul write while he was under house arrest in Rome? (He wrote letters commonly called his Prison letters to the Ephesians, Colossians, and Philippians. Paul also wrote personal letters such as Philemon.)

15. After Paul was released from house arrest, where did he go? (Although it is unknown exactly he did go to Macedonia and Ephesus. Some indication that he may have gone to Spain but not known.)

16. In Paul’s second imprisonment in Rome how was it different? (Paul was not "under house arrest"

as he was before. Now he was alone in a cold Roman prison, cut off from the world, with just a

visitor or two. While he was in prison, Paul knew that he was going to be executed and so he wrote his final thoughts to his son, Timothy and to Titus.)

17. How did Paul describe his impending death to Timothy in the second letter to him? (He compared his life to a race. He said that he had faithfully run the race and kept the faith. He had finished the race. Paul had lived his life for Christ and now he would gain the joy and reward of going to heaven!

18. What does secular history say about Paul’s death in Rome? (The Bible does not say what happened next but a historian named Ignatius around 110 AD wrote that Paul was martyred. Christian tradition holds that Paul was beheaded in Italy. The Emperor Nero came into Roman power and he wanted to get rid of Christianity. He brutally killed many Christians at that time.)

19. When Paul said the Christian life was like a race, what is the start of the race? (As Christians we are in the same race of life as Paul was. It begins when we believe in Jesus as our Savior. That is the starting line.)

20. What does “running the race” in life mean? ("Running the race" means we are living everyday in a way that pleases God. God has a plan for our lives. We are to study the Bible, pray, and witness to others.)

21. When is the “crossing of the finish line” and what happens there? (The end of the race is when we die and enter heaven. God will judge our lives and reward us according to our deeds. We may receive the crown of life if we are faithful in serving him.)

22. What is the memory verse? (Our memory verse is 2 Timothy 4:7 “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.)

Bible Memory Verse Activity: Balloon Hop Say: “Our memory verse is 2 Timothy 4:7 “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” Have students locate the verse in scripture and read it orally together several times. Say: “In this verse Paul is saying that he knew that his life was soon going to be taken from him. He had finished the job that God had called him to do. He had finished the race. Paul had lived his life for Christ and now he would gain the joy and reward of going to heaven!”

Preparation: You will need Bibles, a large sheet of paper, marker, and balloons. Print 2 Timothy 4:7 on the large sheet of paper. Display the paper with the verse in the classroom. Inflate several balloons. Procedure: Students should read the verse aloud together. Students stand in a circle and tap a balloon around the circle. The first player to tap the balloon says the first word of the verse. The second player to hit the balloon says the second word. Continue with all the words in the verse. When the students are comfortable with the verse words, remove the paper, and play again.

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Group Learning Activity: “Who Will Follow?” (Grades 2-5) Preparation: You will need one strong magnet, various items that will and some that won’t be attracted to the magnet, such as pennies, nuts, and bolts, buttons, pieces of aluminum foil, beans, paper clips, rubber bands, pencils, etc. Say: “In this lesson we learned that Paul shared the gospel with everyone with whom he came in contact. We are going to use a magnet and some items on the table to help us see how people responded when they heard the gospel.” Procedure: Lay the items out on a table and give each child a turn to guess what item he thinks will “follow” the magnet. Try to use some tricky items to surprise your students. You may want to make a chart to record your results. If you have a large class, divide your group into teams and give each team a variety of items to test. Have them record their results and share the information with the whole group. Say: “Let’s compare this magnet with how Paul shared the gospel in Rome. When people hear the gospel they are drawn by the Holy Spirit to believe. Some will choose to follow the call of Christ to salvation and others will not.” “Paul preached to many people in Rome while he was under house arrest. He talked to the Jews, the Gentiles, the believers in the church, messengers from the churches in Macedonia and Ephesus and the Roman soldiers. Not everyone he talked to believed in Jesus and followed him. Even if people do not believe in Jesus it is still important to share the truth of Jesus.” Group Learning Game: “Watchmen’s Yell-a-rama” (Grades K-3) Preparation: You will need various items that can be used to make noise and get people’s attention. This could include an alarm clock, a bell, a fog horn, horns, chimes, spoon and skillet, whistles, drums, bugles, bag pipes, sirens, noise makers, etc. Procedure: Lay all the various noise maker items on the table. Allow students to experiment with each item. Say: “Long ago people who lived in a village would have a watchman. The watchman would watch out for robbers, invading armies, fires, or other dangers. If they saw a danger, they would sound an alarm by blowing a horn or banging a loud drum. What would you do if you saw someone’s house on fire?” Take turns around the circle and hear exactly how each student would sound the alarm. Encourage them to make as loud a noise as possible. Decide which device makes the best warning sound. Say: “People who do not know Jesus are in terrible danger, too. We should be telling people about Jesus whenever God gives us the opportunity to share. It’s important to share the truth of Jesus, even if people don’t believe.”

Group Learning Game Activity: “Towel and Ball Toss” (Grades 2-5) Preparation: You will need Bibles, masking tape, two large bath or beach towels, volleyball or beach ball, a large sheet of paper, and marker. Divide the playing area in half with a masking tape line. Procedure: Play a game like volleyball. Divide the class into two teams. Teams stand on either side of the dividing line. Give each team a towel. Two to four volunteers from each team hold onto the corners of their towel. If you have a large group, make additional playing areas and divide the group into smaller teams to play the game.

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Give one team a ball. Team uses the towel to toss the ball over the dividing line where it is caught on the towel of the other team. Teams continue catching and tossing the ball over the line until the ball is dropped. The team that dropped the ball tells a situation in which kids could pray for others or talk about the gospel. (Examples include: a parent having a hard time at work; a friend is having trouble with schoolwork; a friend is having problems with others kids at school; a brother is not obeying God’s Word.) If the student needs help in thinking of situations, ask, “When are times kids at your school need help? When might people in your family need to hear God’s Word? Why might someone in your neighborhood need prayer? Print the team’s response on a large sheet of paper. The other team answers one of the following questions: “How can our prayers help others learn about Jesus?” (We can pray that we will have times to talk to them about Jesus. We can pray that they will understand who Jesus is and why He loves them when they hear about Him.) “What could you say about God’s Word that might help in this situation?” Have students read Romans 10:14. Who needs to hear about God’s Word? What do these people need to know about in God’s Word? (Jesus died for our sins and came back to life again. We can become part of God’s family by trusting in Jesus and asking Him to be in charge of our lives.) Why is it important to hear this information? After responses new volunteers on each team hold the towel. Play continues as time permits.

Group Learning Activity: “Bible Dominoes” (Grades 3-5) Preparation: Each student will need a pencil and Bible and their spiritual notebook. You will also need index cards with the verse references (from below) written on each card, a paper bag, and some dominoes. Say: “In today’s lesson Paul told others about Jesus. Paul also wrote some of the New Testament books called Letters. These Letters tell us how to live and grow in God’s family. Today we are going to play a game of dominoes and learn some verses that tell about living as God’s children and telling others about Him.” Procedure: Divide the class into teams of no more than three to play dominoes. Students should place the dominoes face down on table or floor and mix them up. Each team takes four dominoes from the pile. The team with the highest double puts that dominoes face up in the center of the playing area. The net team places a domino with a matching number next to the first domino. The team loses a turn if it has no dominoes that will connect. Teams continue connecting dominoes until one team has used all their dominoes or no team can play. A volunteer from the team with the fewest or no dominoes left takes a card from the bag and reads the verse reference aloud. Students quickly find the verse in their Bibles. First student to find the verse reads it aloud. The volunteer tells the way to show God’s love mentioned in the verse. Repeat the game with different verse cards as time permits.

Romans 12:18 “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace

with everyone.”

Romans 15:7 “Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.”

1 Corinthians 10:31 “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.”

Galatians 5:22-23 “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,

23 gentleness and

self-control. Against such things there is no law.”

Ephesians 4:1,2 “As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received.”

Ephesians 5:1 “Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children”

Philippians 2:14 “Do everything without grumbling or arguing,”

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Colossians 3:17 “And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”

Colossians 4:2 “Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.”

1 Thessalonians 4: 11-12 “and to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life: You should mind your own business and work with your hands, just as we told you,

12 so that your daily life may win the

respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.”

1 Timothy 2:1,2 “I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people—“

Hebrews 3:1 “Therefore, holy brothers and sisters, who share in the heavenly calling, fix your thoughts on Jesus, whom we acknowledge as our apostle and high priest.”

James 1:19 “My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry,”

Have students write in their journals what they have learned about the importance of showing God’s love when sharing with others the good news of salvation.

Group Learning Activity: “Pen Pals” (Grades 2-5) Purpose: To help children to understand the importance of Paul’s letters in encouraging, loving, and instructing the early churches. Preparation: You will need a real mailbox purchased from a local hardware store for each group or team. Procedure: Divide the class into groups. Name the groups after the early churches. (Examples: Romans, Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Thessalonians.) Give each group a real mailbox that has been purchased from a local hardware store. Each group is to decorate its mailbox with its name. Assign each child a pen pal in one of the other groups. Over the course of the next three-months have the students send letters of encouragement to their pen pals each week. Encourage the students to use verses of scripture as part of their letter. Have the adult volunteers deliver the letters to the mailboxes. It is so much fun for the children to come in each week and check their mailboxes. At the conclusion of our unit, the kids each identified themselves to their pen pal and new friend. Say: “How did you feel when you received your letter? What words of encouragement did the letter have that helped you? Did you look up the scriptures?” “In this lesson we learned that Paul wrote letters of encouragement to the churches that he had established in Macedonia and Ephesus. These letters eventually became many of the books in the New Testament. In the letters Paul wrote instructions about how to live the Christian life. How do you think the churches felt when they heard the letters read from the Apostle Paul? Why do you think it was important for the churches to share the letter with other churches and believers in the area? (More people were encouraged and received the instruction of God’s message.)

Group Learning Activity: “Speak It!” (Grades K-5) Preparation: You will need a piece of candy for each person, a lemon slice for each person, unsweetened Kool-Aid soft drink, cups, salty crackers, and water. Procedure: Read aloud Philippians 2:9-11. “Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name,

that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on

earth and under the earth, 11

and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”

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Have each child eat a piece of candy and say, “Jesus Christ is Lord.” Then have each child suck on a lemon piece and say, “Jesus Christ is Lord.” Then have each child eat a salty cracker and again say, “Jesus Christ is Lord.” Finally, have the students try to wash down the crackers with the unsweetened Kool-Aid soft drink as they say, “Jesus Christ is Lord.” Say: “There are times when it’s hard for our tongues to keep telling others about Jesus Christ being the Lord. What can we do when we just don’t want to keep telling others about Jesus? (We can ask God for the strength and knowledge of what to say to tell others about Jesus.) How can God help us?” (God can give us the strength and power of the Holy Spirit. He can provide opportunities for us to witness boldly.) Pass out cups of water to the children.

Group Learning Activity: “Baker’s Dozen” (Grades 2-5) Preparation: You will need 12 table tennis balls. (You can use tennis balls or plastic colored eggs.) Print the names of the following books of the Bible on each ball: Romans, 1 Corinthians, 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1 Thessalonians, 2 Thessalonians, 1 & 2 Timothy (both book names on one ball), Titus, and Philemon. Say: “Today we are going to play a game to learn the books of the New Testament that were written by Paul. Some books are written to churches and some to individual people.” Procedure: Have the students put the table tennis balls in order, from the first of Paul’s books listed in the New Testament to the last of Paul’s books. Mix up the balls in a basket and direct the first kid to place a ball in the correct order in the muffin tin. Continue with other kids. Play again as time allows. If kids struggle with this activity, allow them to use the table of contents in their Bibles.

Craft Learning Activity: “Bookmark Reminder” (Grades 3-5) Preparation: You will need Bibles, copies of the bookmark template below printed on colored poster or cardstock paper, and contact paper. You will also need colored markers and dry erase markers. Procedure: Give each student a printed copy of the bookmark template below cut into strips. Give at least one strip to each child. Cut clear contact paper into strips slightly larger than the cardstock bookmark strips. Give two strips of the contact paper to each student. Student can decorate the edges of the bookmark with colored markers before covering with contact paper. Lead the following discussion as children work. Say: ”Read Romans 10:14. What is the answer to all the questions in this verse? How could you say what this verse means in your own words?” (Everyone needs to hear about Jesus so that they can believe in Him. People need to hear the good news about Jesus.) “What does God’s Word say about Jesus? When could you tell that to others?” (When a friend asks why you go to church, you can tell them God wants us to worship Him. When a friend asks if you believe in God, you can tell them how you believe that Jesus is the Son of God and that He came to die on the cross for our sins.) What are some other ways you could help your friends learn about Jesus? (You can show Jesus’ love to them by being kind.) Why do you think it is important to pray for others? When might others around you need you to pray for them? (You can pray for them when they are sick or worried about problems at school.) Encourage the students to use the bookmarks as they read favorite books.

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Enrichment Idea: Have students decorate only one side of the bookmark and cover with clear contact paper. Students can then write prayer requests and names of people to pray for on the blank side of the books with dry erase markers. Students can erase and write different prayer requests as their prayers are answered and they learn of new needs.

Craft Learning Activity: “Luminaries” (Grades K-5) Preparation: Make a cardboard pattern for the name “Jesus” and cut out the inside of the letters. You will need at least one pattern for every 2 or 3 children. Each student will need brown paper lunch sack, a letter stencil pattern, pencils, scissors, and a votive candle or flashlight. Make a sample luminary. Say: “In John 8: 12 “When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” Many times Jesus referred to Himself as Light. In this verse Jesus says, He is the Light of the world. How does light affect our lives? (Light enables us to see and work and go about life.) What happens when there is no light? (Activity stops or is greatly hindered.) Why do you think Jesus referred to Himself as the Light?” (He wanted to bring light or life to our lives. He loved us and wanted us to receive the gift of salvation.) How do you think Paul was a great “light” to the Jews and Gentiles? (He boldly told them about Jesus and the plan of salvation).” Briefly review the events in the Bible lesson. Procedure: Place the sample luminary on the table. Say: “This is a luminary. What purpose do you think luminaries serve?” (They provide light usually along a path so people can see where they are going.) “This luminary is a bag with a message cut in the side of it. I can light a candle and place it in the bag. The light from the candle will help me read the words. Let’s create some luminaries with messages to remind us to tell people about Jesus.” Distribute the supplies. Directions: Select the “Jesus” name stencil pattern. Place the pattern on top of the paper bag. Trace around the outer lines of the pattern. Cut out the areas of the bag being careful to only cut the top layer of the bag. Stand the bag upright. Place a votive candle or a flashlight in the bag to reveal the cut out word or message.

Say: “Talk with your parents about using your luminaries at home. You may place candles inside them or even small flashlights.” Pray: “God, thank you that Jesus is the Light of the world. Help us to be willing to tell people about Jesus.”

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Life Application Challenge: “ABC’s Booklet” Talk to your students to see if they believe in Jesus. If they do share how they can tell others about their faith in Christ, just like Paul the Apostle did. If many have not trusted Christ, then use this opportunity to share your testimony with them. Be sensitive to each child. Try to make sure each one understands what Jesus has done. Also make sure that each child understands but do not pressure anyone into trusting in Jesus. Suggest they talk to you privately or to their parents if they have questions. Use the ABC booklet to explain salvation. Say: “In this lesson we learned that Paul was the first missionary. God called him to preach the gospel to all the world—to the Jews and the Gentiles. Paul suffered much to spread the good news about Jesus. God loves everyone and wants them to receive the gift of eternal life. That is why He sent His Son Jesus to die on the cross for our sins. Just before Jesus went back into heaven He commanded His followers to “Go into all the world and preach the gospel.” Just like Paul we are to tell others about the good news of salvation. Today we are going to make an ABC Booklets to use to share the gospel with others.” Procedure: Have students cut out the booklet template on all dotted lines. Fold the template into a booklet by folding the half top down toward the bottom with text on the inside. Fold the side panels over the front of the booklet. (See picture of completed booklet at right.) Have students add colored marker diagrams such as the cross or heart or empty tomb to the outside and inside of the booklet. Decorate outside as desired. Demonstrate how to use the booklet: First, read the flap on the left side: Admit to God that you are a sinner. Repent turning away from your sin. Sin separates you from God. Sin is choosing your own way instead of God’s way. Second, read the center section: Believe that Jesus is God’s Son and accept God’s gift of forgiveness from sin. Romans 5:8 God sent Jesus so you would not have to die for your sins. Jesus died on a cross, He was buried, and He rose from the dead. Third, read the flap on the right side: Confess your faith in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. (Romans 10:9-10) Confessing means you “tell people you believe Jesus is Lord. Finally: read the prayer of confession on the bottom flap and ask if the person really means these things in their heart, then they can pray this prayer.

Dear God, I know I have sinned and that my sin separates me from You. I am sorry for my sin. I believe Jesus died on the cross for me so my sins could be forgiven. I believe Jesus rose from the dead and is alive. God, please forgive me. I ask Jesus to come into my life and be my Savior and Lord. I will obey You and live for You the rest of my life. Thank You, Amen.

Say: “Let’s pray and ask God to help us share the gospel with our friends.” In the prayer ask for boldness to share the gospel and opportunities with friends.

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Paul’s Ministry in Rome

2 Timothy 4:7 “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race,

I have kept the faith.”

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Isaiah 52:7 "How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who

proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, "Your God reigns!"

What does this verse say about those who bring good news? ____________________________

What good news can we share with others? __________________________________

Who can you share the good news of salvation with? ___________________________________

Colossians 3:16, 17 "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another

with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to

God.

What should you allow to "dwell in your heart"? _________________________________

What are some ways that these verses tell us that we can help others learn about God?

____________________________________________________________________________

I Peter 3: 15 "But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to

everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and

respect,"

What does this verse say we should be prepared to do?

________________________________________________________________

What attitude should we have when we do this?

______________________________________________________________

Paul Roman Guards Jewish Leaders

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unit 7: paul the apostle nt7.17 paul’s ministry in rome · lesson goal: paul was an apostle...

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