“Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.” - Matthew 28:19
Acts 12:7-8
Suddenly, there was a bright light in the cell, and an angel of the Lord stood before Peter. The angel struck him on the side to awaken him and said, “Quick! Get up!” And the chains fell off his wrists. 8 Then the angel told him, “Get dressed and put on your sandals.” And he did. “Now put on your coat and follow me,” the angel ordered.
Acts 12:11
Peter finally came to his senses. “It’s really true!” he said. “The Lord has sent his angel and saved me from Herod and from what the Jewish leaders had planned to do to me!”
Peter was arrested and put in prison because of his beliefs and teachings of Jesus—because some people disagreed with him. But God was with him and sent an Angel to go and set him free. Peter was able to then continue teaching everyone he could about Jesus’ gift of forgiveness and love.
Have you ever felt that you were stuck in life, like Peter was in prison? Maybe with school or friends? What did it feel like?
What are some ways we can remember that God is with us? (We can read stories like this one—and pray and ask God to help us.)
Thank you, Jesus, for never leaving us, even in scary or difficult situations like the one Peter was in. I pray that we will always remember that we are your Church and that you are with us every step of the way. Help us to share your good news with others and remind them that they’re never alone. We love you and thank you for all you do. It’s in your name we pray, amen.
“Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.” - Matthew 28:19
Acts 12:7-8
Around midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening. 26 Suddenly, there was a massive earthquake, and the prison was shaken to its foundations. All the doors immediately flew open, and the chains of every prisoner fell off!
Paul and Silas were in prison because of their love for Jesus, and when they taught other people about Him, some people grew angry. They thought that they were going against the customs of Rome, so they arrested Paul and Silas. Then, in the middle of the night, God sent a big earthquake that opened the doors of the prison! The Jailer who was in charge of watching them was very upset, but Paul and Silas told them about Jesus and he got saved and baptized. No matter where we are or what we are doing, we are the Church.
What should we do, even if we are in a bad situation like Paul and Silas? (Trust God and know that He is with us, no matter what)
Why do you think that Paul and Silas told the Jailer about Jesus? (They wanted to share Jesus’ love with everyone they could)
Thank you, Jesus, for reminding us that you are always with us, just like you were with Paul and Silas in prison. Help us to trust you in every situation, even when things feel hard or scary. Give us the courage to share your love with others, just like Paul and Silas did. We love you, and it’s in your name we pray, amen.
“Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.” - Matthew 28:19
Acts 27:39-41
When morning dawned, they didn’t recognize the coastline, but they saw a bay with a beach and wondered if they could get to shore by running the ship aground. 40 So they cut off the anchors and left them in the sea. Then they lowered the rudders, raised the foresail, and headed toward shore. 41 But they hit a shoal and ran the ship aground too soon. The bow of the ship stuck fast, while the stern was repeatedly smashed by the force of the waves and began to break apart.
Paul was arrested again because of his love for Jesus and his teachings about Him. The Romans were taking him to Rome, but on the way, their ship encountered a big storm. The storm lasted for two weeks, then they finally saw land, an island called Malta, but they did not know what it was. Then their ship crashed, and they had to swim or ride planks of wood to shore. But throughout this storm, God kept Paul and the other prisoners safe. We are the church, and God loves us and protects us just as He did for Paul.
Have you ever felt scared of a big storm before? What do you think it would have felt like for Paul?
Do you think there are times in your life that might feel like a storm? Like what?
How can we trust that God will protect us just as He did for Paul? (Growing our relationship with Him through prayer, reading the Bible, and going to Church)
Thank you, Jesus, for always being with us, even in the craziest of storms. Please strengthen us so that when we face difficult or challenging times, we will remember to trust you first. We know you love us and are always protecting us. It’s in your amazing name we pray, amen.
“Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.” - Matthew 28:19
Acts 28:30-31
For the next two years, Paul lived in Rome at his own expense. He welcomed all who visited him, 31 boldly proclaiming the Kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ. And no one tried to stop him.
After Paul was shipwrecked on the Island of Malta, he was bitten by a venomous snake, but God kept him safe. Then Paul and the rest of the prisoners safely made it to Rome, and while Paul was on house arrest, he continued to tell everyone he could about Jesus’ love. He even wrote many of the books of the New Testament that we read in our Bibles today! No matter where Paul was or what he was doing, God was always with him—just as God is always with His church, the followers of Jesus.
Do you think that you could keep telling people about Jesus even if you had difficult or challenging times in your life? What would help you?
What does Paul’s story tell us about being the Church? (When we follow Jesus, we become a part of the Church, and God will never leave us)
Thank you, Jesus, for never leaving us and always protecting us. I pray that we will learn from Paul’s example to trust you no matter what is going on in our lives. Help us to always remember that when we follow you, we are the Church. We love you, and it’s in your name we pray, amen.