Unit 7: Paul the Apostle NT7.9 Paul Preaches in ......with wooden rods. They were placed in an inner dungeon with their feet clamped together in stocks. Around midnight Paul and Silas

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NT7.9 Paul Preaches in Thessalonica and Berea © Beverly Wilson 2018

Unit 7: Paul the Apostle

NT7.9 Paul Preaches in Thessalonica and Berea

Scripture: Acts 17:1-15

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. God called Paul to be the one who would bring the gospel to the Gentiles and to suffer much for His name. This lesson is about Paul’s Second Missionary Journey and how he preached the gospel throughout area of Macedonia. We will learn about the Bereans who were Bible detectives. Paul told them about Jesus. They wanted to know more about God and His Son so they studied the scriptures for themselves.

Introduction: This is the ninth 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 is about Paul’s Second Missionary Journey and how he preached the gospel throughout area of Macedonia. We will learn about the Bereans who were Bible detectives. Paul told them about Jesus. They wanted to know more about God and His Son so they studied the scriptures for themselves. 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. Let's say the first five books of the New Testament together--Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, and Acts.

Attention Getter: “Detective” What does a detective do? A detective is a police officer whose job is to investigate and solve crimes. They want to find out the truth of what happened in a certain situation. They look for the facts! Did you know that you can be Bible detective? That is a person who searches the scriptures to find out the truth! God wants us to study His Word everyday to find out that is right and good. In this lesson we will learn about the Bereans who were Bible detectives. Paul told them about Jesus. They wanted to know more about God and His Son so they studied the scriptures for themselves.

Opening Prayer: “Our Father in heaven, Thank you for the example of Paul and Silas in sharing the gospel with everyone they met. Help us to be like them and not let anything or anyone stop us from telling others about the gift of salvation through Jesus Christ our Savior. Help us to carefully evaluate any teaching that we hear and compare it to the truth of Your Word. Lord you want us to have great joy in knowing what is right. Help us to study Your Word every day. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.”

Memory Verse: Our memory verse is Psalm 119:160 “All your words are true; all your righteous laws are eternal.”

Lesson Video: https://youtu.be/YL5UjEUDnqE

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. He became the first missionary and the greatest preacher of all time. God called Paul to be the one who would bring the gospel to the Gentiles and to suffer much for His name.

On his first Missionary Journey Paul and his companion Barnabas visited the major cities in Cyprus and Galatia. Despite much opposition they continued to preach the gospel and several new churches were

https://youtu.be/YL5UjEUDnqE

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established in Antioch of Psidia, Iconium, Lystra, and Derbe. The gospel was spreading throughout the region and many Gentiles believed in Jesus as their Savior.

Paul often thought about the new believers in Galatia that had come to Christ. He wrote them a letter. This letter is the book of Galatians in our Bible. He knew that they would need encouragement and instruction in how to live the new Christian life.

Later Paul chose Silas as his partner to revisit these churches on his Second Missionary Journey. Both men taught God’s Word to help the churches grow stronger in faith. Paul encouraged everyone to keep living for God. They traveled over land through Syria and into the region of Cilicia. They then moved onto Derbe and the other nearby places that Paul had visited on his first trip.

At Lystra they met a young man named Timothy who loved the Lord. His mother was Eunice a Jewish believer and his grandmother was Lois. They had faithfully taught Timothy the Scriptures from his birth. Paul thought that he would be a wonderful helper on this missionary journey so Paul invited Timothy to join them.

From Lystra Paul, Silas and Timothy traveled to Iconium then to Antioch and ended up in Troas. They had visited all the churches that Paul and Barnabas had started in the area of Phrygia and Galatia on the First Missionary Journey. So where would they go now?

One night Paul had a vision from the Holy Spirit. A man from Macedonia in northern Greece was standing there, pleading with him, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” Paul concluded that God was calling them to go to Macedonia in Greece. They boarded a boat at Troas and sailed straight across to the island of Samothrace, and the next day they landed at Neapolis. From there they reached Philippi, a major city of the district of Macedonia which was a Roman colony.

On the Sabbath they went outside the city of Philippi to a riverbank where they spoke with Lydia from Thyatira, a merchant of expensive purple cloth, who worshipped God. As she listed to Paul share the good news about Jesus, the Lord opened her heart, and she became a Christian and was the first believer in that city. She was baptized along with other members of her household. She invited Paul, Silas, Timothy and Luke to stay as guests in her home while they were in Philippi. Her home became the meeting place of the church in Philippi.

Everyday Paul and his companions preached in the city of Philippi. One day as they were going to the place of prayer, they were followed by a slave girl who was possessed by a demon. This evil spirit gave her powers as a fortune teller and she earned a lot of money for her masters by telling people their fortunes. She chased after Paul and the others shouting, “These men are servants of the Most High God and they have come to tell you how to be saved.” Paul did not want the truth of God to be confused with fortune telling. Finally Paul turned and said to the demon within her, “I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.” Instantly the demon left her.

Now that the slave girl has lost her power to tell fortunes, her masters’ hopes of making money were dashed. So they grabbed Paul and Silas and dragged them before the authorities at the marketplace. A mob quickly formed against Paul and Silas and the city officials ordered them to be stripped and beaten with wooden rods. They were placed in an inner dungeon with their feet clamped together in stocks.

Around midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God. 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! The jailer woke up to see the prison doors wide open. He assumed the prisoners had escaped so he drew his sword to kill himself. But Paul shouted to him, “Stop! Don’t kill yourself! We are all here!”

Then the jailer brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved, along with everyone in your household.” Everyone in his house believed and was baptized. With the conversion of the jailer and his family Paul decided it was time to move on to another city in Macedonia to preach. Luke stayed behind in Philippi to lead the church while Paul, Silas, and Timothy continued on the Roman road called the Egnatian Way

After leaving Philippi, Paul and Silas and Timothy travelled through the towns of Amphipolis and Apollonia to Thessalonica. Thessalonica was one of the wealthiest and most influential cities in

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Macedonia. They stayed as guests in the house of a man named Jason. The Bible does not tell us much information about Jason but he would soon become a hero who faithfully helped spread the gospel by having Paul and Silas stay in his home. He knew that everywhere Paul and Silas went that trouble seem to follow and yet he had the courage to help them.

As was Paul’s custom on the Sabbath day, he went to the synagogue. The synagogue was where the Jews would meet for teaching and prayer. Often people who were not Jews would come to these meetings. For three Sabbaths in a row Paul explained from the scriptures that God’s Savior the Messiah, must suffer and rise from the dead.

“This Jesus I’m telling you about is the Messiah,” said Paul. Paul was very wise by beginning with the Old Testament writings and explaining how Jesus the Messiah had fulfilled them all. He was showing them from the scriptures that Jesus was really the One who brings salvation.

Paul’s preaching attracted a large group of people. Many were socially prominent citizens. Some of the Jews were persuaded to believe in Jesus and joined Paul and Silas. Along with them were many God-fearing Greek men and quite a few prominent women. The church in Thessalonica had begun!

But soon some other Jews were jealous and they gathered troublemakers from the marketplace to form a mob. They started a riot in the city and attacked the home of Jason, hoping to capture Paul and Silas. When they could not find them, they grabbed Jason and some of the other believers and dragged them before the city council.

“Paul and Silas have caused trouble everywhere,” they shouted, “Jason has welcomed them into his home. They are all guilty of treason against Caesar for they profess allegiance to another king, named Jesus.” The angry mob was blaming Jason!

The city council was thrown into turmoil by these reports. So the officials forced Jason and the other believers to hand over money as a guarantee they would banish Paul from the city. Then they released them. God used Jason to pay the heavy fine and provide a safe way for Paul and Silas to leave the city.

That night the believers sent Paul and Silas to Berea. When they arrived there they went once again to the Jewish synagogue.

The people of Berea were more open minded than those in Thessalonica. They listened eagerly and searched the scriptures each day to see if Paul and Silas were teaching the truth. After they studied many Jews and prominent Greek women and men believed in Jesus. And after they became Christians, they still studied every day because they wanted to learn more about Jesus.

However when some Jews in Thessalonica learned that Paul was preaching in Berea, they arrived to stir up trouble. They found some troublemakers and started another riot! But the Berean Christians sent Paul to the city of Athens on the coast where he would be safe. Silas and Timothy stayed behind to help the Bereans learn more about Jesus. Some of the new Berean believers went with Paul.

When they arrived in Athens, Paul sent them back to Berea. He asked them to take a message to his friends. He wanted Timothy and Silas to join him when their work was done. So Paul waited in Athens but was deeply troubled by all the idols he saw in the city. Later Paul would send Timothy back to Thessalonica to see how the Christians were doing.

Soon afterward Paul wrote two letters to the Thessalonian believers. Those letters were our New Testament books of 1 and 2 Thessalonians. In these letters he encouraged them to remain faithful and to refuse to listen to those false teachers who tried to argue against their beliefs.

When we hear and read the stories of Paul and Silas and their courage to share the gospel despite any problem they faced, it is amazing. What a reputation these early Christians had! Because of their faith, many people came to believe in Jesus.

The power of the gospel changed lives and broke down social barriers. It threw open prison doors, caused people to care deeply for one another, and stirred them to worship God. Paul and Silas literally turned their world upside down with the message of the gospel of Christ. They were willing to go and tell others about Jesus no matter what!

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The question we should ask ourselves is “What are we willing to do to share our faith in Christ?” We should not just be about doing good deeds and encouraging others but of sharing a message that transforms lives! Are we willing to be courageous and truly commit ourselves to sharing our faith in Christ with others?

When Paul preached to the Bereans, Luke describes them as of “more noble character than the Thessalonians because they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.” The Bereans knew that one who speaks the truth would not contradict what the scriptures taught.

God is pleased when we receive the Word of God with enthusiasm and joy. He wants us to check the accuracy of any teaching that claims itself to be from God. We should search the Bible to see if the message can be verified or disproved. We should always compare what we hear with what the Bible says. A preacher or teacher who gives God’s true message will never contradict or explain away anything that is found in God’s Word.

Jesus invites us to study the Bible every day. He wants us to learn more of His Word. As you read the Scriptures He will help you to understand them. Just ask Him. He wants to know you better.

Remember seek the truth of God’s Word!

Review Questions: “Magnifying Glass” Preparation: You will need to make 24 slips of paper-one for each of the following review questions. On each slip of paper write a number from 1-5 to indicate the value of each questions. Write the numbers very small so they are only visible by using a magnifying glass. Place slips of paper in a basket. Say: “In this lesson we learned that the Bereans were very receptive to God’s message of salvation. They carefully studied the scriptures to determine if the message that Paul was bringing to them was consistent with the Word of God. Today we are going to answer some review the questions. We will find the value of each question by using a magnifying glass.” Procedure: Ask the following review questions. If a student answers correctly he or she may take turns selecting a slip of paper from the basket. Use the magnifying glass to find the point value of the question. Keep a record of scores. If your class size is large you can divide the group into two teams.

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. On the first Missionary Journey what churches did Paul and Barnabas establish? (They led Gentiles to believe in Cyprus and Galatia and churches were established in Antioch of Psidia, Iconium, Lystra, and Derbe.)

3. Who traveled with Paul on the Second Missionary Journey and to what places did they first go to visit? (Silas traveled with Paul to the churches that were first established in Galatia on the First Missionary Journey.)

4. Who were all the men who traveled with Paul on the Second Missionary Journey? (Paul traveled with Silas, Timothy, and Luke.)

5. Who was the first convert to Christ in Macedonia? (Paul and his friends went to Ephesus and preached to Lydia and she believed.)

6. Why was the slave girl that followed Paul and Silas able to tell fortunes? (She had an evil spirit of Satan in her; she was possessed.)

7. What did Paul do to the evil spirit in the slave girl? (Paul commanded the evil spirit to come out of the girl in the name of Jesus Christ.)

8. What happened to Paul and Silas when the slave girl’s master realized his business was ruined? (He seized them and took them to the authorities to have them beaten and whipped and sent into prison.)

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9. What did Paul and Silas do while they were in prison with their backs bleeding and their feet clamped painfully to the wall? (They rejoiced in the Lord.)

10. What did Paul tell the jailer to do to be saved? (Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved.)

11. After leaving Philippi, where did Paul and Silas and Timothy go? (They went to Thessalonica

which was one of the wealthiest and most influential cities in Macedonia.) 12. In whose house did they stay as guests? (They stayed as guests in the house of a man named

Jason.) 13. Where did Paul and Silas go when they entered a town and wanted to tell the people about

Jesus? (They went to the synagogue and preached to the Jews and whoever of the Gentiles that would listen.)

14. How did Paul attempt to convince people that Jesus was the Messiah so they would believe in Him? (Paul explained from the scriptures that God’s Savior the Messiah, must suffer and rise from the dead.)

15. What did the jealous Jews in Thessalonica do to Jason? (They got some troublemakers and started a riot. They tried to find Paul but took Jason instead and took him to the authorities and made him pay a fine.)

16. How did God use Jason in the city of Thessalonica? (Jason paid a fine and promised to make Paul leave the city. This gave Paul a chance to leave the city without being harmed or arrested.)

17. Where did Paul and Silas go as soon as they entered the city of Berea? (They went to the synagogue and began preaching once again using the scriptures that Jesus was the promised Messiah so people would believe in him.)

18. How were the people of Berea different from those in Thessalonica? (They were more open minded. They listened eagerly and searched the scriptures each day to see if Paul and Silas were teaching the truth. After they studied many Jews and prominent Greek women and men believed in Jesus.)

19. When the jealous Jews in Thessalonica heard that Paul was preaching in Berea, what did they do? (They travelled to Berea, got some troublemakers to stir up trouble, and managed once again to run Paul out of town.)

20. How did the Berean Christians protect Paul? (They sent a delegation of new believers to accompany him to the city of Athens.)

21. Who stayed behind in Berea to help the new believers study the scriptures and learn more about being a Christian? (Silas and Timothy stayed behind to help the Bereans learn more about Jesus.)

22. What letters did Paul write to the church in Thessalonica? (He wrote the books of 1 and 2 Thessalonians to encourage them to remain faithful and to refuse to listen to those false teachers who tried to argue against their beliefs.)

23. What lessons can we learn from these stories of Paul preaching in Thessalonica and Berea? (We should bravely tell others about Jesus like Paul and Silas did. We should study the scriptures daily to learn more about His Word. We should receive the message of God’s Word with eagerness and joy. We should check any teaching to make sure it is consistent with God’s Word and is the truth.)

24. What is the memory verse? (Psalm 119:160 “All your words are true; all your righteous laws are eternal.”)

Bible Memory Verse Activity: “Hula Hoop” Verse

Our memory verse is Psalm 119:160 “All your words are true; all your righteous laws are eternal.” Have students find verse in scripture and read it aloud several times together.

Say: “One of God’s characteristics is truthfulness. He embodies perfect truth; therefore, his Word cannot lie. It is dependable for guidance and help. The Bible is completely true and trustworthy. Let’s say the verse again together.”

Preparation: You will need a dry erase board and markers, paper plates, markers, and a hula hoop. Make sure the memory verse is clearly visible to the students and written on the dry erase board.

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Procedure: Write each word of the verse on a paper plate. Hold the hula hoop and guide the students to toss the plates through the hoop in the order of the verse. Guide students to say each word together as they toss them through the hoop.

Group Learning Activity: Dramatic Play: “Set Up a New Church” (Grades K-4) Preparation: You will need a Bible, paper, pencils, crayons or markers, labels, marker, name tags, chairs and tables. Print various church job titles on the name tags. Titles may include: pastor, music minister, children’s workers, Sunday School teacher, and so on. Say: “In this lesson Paul and his friends traveled to several cities to start new churches. The Bible teaches us what we need to know and do to tell others about Jesus and to start a church. We learn from the Bible when we come to church. Paul wrote a letter to a group of people who started a new church. Paul wanted the people to know that they were doing a good job. Today we will pretend that we are starting a new church.” Procedure: Encourage the children to draw pictures of the new church. Talk about the fact that we might not have a church building to start our new church in. Sometimes church begin in store fronts or other kinds of buildings. Be sure to tell children that the “church” is not just a building but instead is the group of people who believe in Jesus and want to worship Him. Talk, while the children draw about the different jobs that need to be done at the church. Share any experience that your church may have in starting a new church plant. Say: “What will you do in your job at the church?” Give each child a name tag with a job title. Invite the children to set up a church with tables and chairs. Lead a pretend worship service by reviewing the Bible story, reading, and reciting today’s Bible verse and singing a song. Say: “All that the Bible says is from God. One of the most important functions of the church is to teach God’s Word.” Our memory verse is Psalm 119:160 “All your words are true; all your righteous laws are eternal.” Lead children to recite the memory verse in the church service.

Group Learning Activity Game: “Over and Under Relay” (Grades K-5) Preparation: You will need 5 papers and envelopes, and a marker. Print one letter of the word B-I-B-L-E on each sheet of paper. Place the papers inside the envelopes. Say: “Paul wrote a letter to his friends. We can read this letter in the Bible. Paul wrote the books of 1 and 2 Thessalonians to encourage the people of Thessalonica to remain faithful and to refuse to listen to those false teachers who tried to argue against their beliefs. To help us remember that Paul wrote letters, let's move some mail. During the time of Paul the letters would be read in one church and then passed on to the next church. The letters would be passed from one person to another. That is how we are going to play this game." Procedure: Create two teams and two sets of envelopes to play the game. Direct the children to line up in a single-file line. Say: "We will pass the envelopes over and under. The first person will pass the envelope over his head. The next person in line will pass the envelope under his body, which means between his legs. We will repeat this pattern of passing (over and under) down the line. The person at the end will hold the envelopes. Watch the person in front of you to get the envelope and pass it correctly. There are five envelopes." Pass the first envelope, assisting the children with passing over and under. Start the next envelope, alternating how the first person passes. Instruct the last child with all of the envelopes to come to you.

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Say: "Everyone, close and cover your eyes until I tell you to open them. ____ [child with envelopes] will hide the envelopes around the room." Assist the child to hide the envelopes around the room. Direct the children to open their eyes and find the envelopes. Repeat this activity several times. Gather the envelopes and open them. Say: "Let's put our letters in order. (Spell the word Bible.) What word is spelled? (Bible) “All that the Bible says is from God.” 2 Timothy 3:16. Men wrote the words in the Bible that God told them to write. The Bible helps us learn." Conclude with prayer.

Group Learning Activity: “Bible Detectives” (Grades 2-5) Preparation: You will need a Bible and a magnifying glass for each student. You will also need a large sheet of newsprint or poster paper and a marker to summarize what the students learn about the Bible. Say: "The Bible is 'a special book about God, Jesus, and how we should live. God has given us the Bible to tell us that He loves us. The Bible is the word of God. " Procedure: Encourage children to pretend to be investigators and examine their Bibles with the magnifying glasses. Suggest children look for pictures, maps, colored words, and small and large numbers and letters they know. Urge the children to compare their findings with those of friends sitting close to them. Summarize what the students have learned by writing the ideas on a chart. Here are some sample ideas to write:

The Bible is divided into two parts—the Old Testament and the New Testament.

The New Testament contains 27 books.

The Old Testament contains 39 books.

The Bible has 66 books,

Each book is divided into chapters and verses. These are numbered.

References to the Bible are given by the book, chapter, and then the verse.

Many Bibles have maps of places in Palestine and the land where Jesus lived.

Some Bibles have the words of Jesus printed in red.

Some Bibles have notes at the bottom of the page to explain the passage.

Some Bibles have other scripture references that go with each verse in the margin.

Some Bibles have a concordance or “dictionary of words and where they are found in the Bible.”

Some Bibles have pictures of events in the books of the Bible where they are found.

Say: "The Bible helps us learn. In this lesson we learned about a group of people named the Bereans who searched the Bible each time they learned something about God or Jesus."

Group Learning Game Activity: “Letter, Letter” (Grades K-3) Preparation: You will need a chair and an envelope. Place a chair in front of the area where the children will sit. Position the chair to face away from the children. Say: “In this lesson we learned that Paul wrote two letters to the church in Thessalonica to encourage them and to encourage them to remain faithful and to refuse to listen to those false teachers who tried to argue against their beliefs. Those letters were 1 and 2 Thessalonians. What is a letter? (A letter is a message someone sends.)” Procedure: Write a letter to the children with a special message from yourself and place it in the envelope. Invite a student to sit in the chair and close his eyes. Prompt one child to quietly out the envelope under the chair and return to his spot. Encourage the students to talk about receiving letters.

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Say: “We are going to play a game that will help us to remember that Paul wrote letters to the churches that he helped to start.” Say the following rhyme: “Letter, letter under the chair, whose the friend who left it there?” Encourage the one in the chair to face the group and guess who left the letter. Invite each student to take turns guessing. Say: “Let’s write our pastor a letter.” Lead the children to help you write a message. Fold the letter, place it in the envelope, and write the pastor’s name on it.

Say: “Paul wrote many letters to the churches he established on his missionary journeys. Did you know the words Paul wrote in his letter are God’s words to us? We can read and study the letters that Paul wrote to know how to better live the Christian life. God wants us to read and study His Word. Here is a letter that Paul might have written:

Dear Friends, I thank God for you. You have learned to love God. I hope you will remember all of the things I taught you when I was in Thessalonica. Remember that God loves you. God will help you in every good thing you do or say. Timothy has brought us good news about your love and hard work for God. Your love for each other has grown. May you continue to increase and show love to many people. Be kind to those who lead you in learning about God. Seek peace. I want to remind you to be happy and to give thanks in everything. Please pray for me. Pray that people everywhere will hear about Jesus' love for them. I will pray for you. I know God will be with you. God will take care of you. Love, Paul

“We can read God’s words in the Bible. It is like a love letter from God to us. The Bible has two main parts, the Old and New Testaments. The New Testament is divided into 27 books. The first book in the New Testament is Matthew.” Challenge the students to open their Bibles and hunt for big and little numbers anywhere on the Bible pages. “The big numbers are chapter numbers and the little numbers are verse numbers. We use these numbers to help us find a Bible verse reference or address.” Create two groups. Display a poster or chart of Books of the Bible. Challenge one group of children to open their Bibles to the Book of Acts and the other group to the book of 1 Thessalonians. Conclude in prayer asking God to help us read and understand His Word.

Group Learning Activity: “Map and Bible Study” (Grades 3-5) Preparation: Each student will need a pencil and Bible and their spiritual notebook. Print a copy of the map of Paul’s Second Missionary Journey for each student. Say: “In this lesson Paul makes his Second Missionary Journey. Today I want you to be detectives as you lean about the visits that he made to the cities in Europe. What you are looking for is the response of the people who heard the message of the Good News.” Procedure: Distribute the maps. Make sure each child has a Bible.

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Say: “What is the Good News that Paul preached?” (Jesus died on the cross for my sins; He was buried and rose from the dead three days later.) Why is this Good News? (Because we all have sinned, our sins separate us from God and unless our sins are forgiven we cannot have a relationship with God or spend eternity with Him.) Using the map of Paul’s Second Missionary journey have students point trace the trip from Antioch to Troas as he revisited the churches he established on the First Missionary Journey. Review how Paul, Silas, Timothy, and Luke crossed by ship to Neopolis and then traveled by land to Philippi. There he shared the gospel with Lydia and the Philippian jailer. Many others also believed in that city. Say: “Let’s find Thessalonica on the map. It was 30 miles from Philippi to Thessalonica.” Choose volunteers to read Acts 17:1-3. Say: “When Paul traveled to a new place, if there was a synagogue, he always went there. Why did he go to the synagogue? (To share the Good News with the Jews first Romans 1:16) Who worshiped in synagogues? (Jews and Gentiles who feared God) How many weeks did Paul teach in the Thessalonica synagogue? (3) What did he teach the people? (He showed from the Scriptures how Jesus is the Promised Messiah who suffered and died and rose from the grave) In Acts 17:4 what response do you see? (Some Jews believed and a large amount of Greeks (Gentiles) and women believed) While in Thessalonica the missionary team had been staying at Jason’s house. Jason was related to Paul. (Romans 16:21—a relative) Not everyone responded by believing that Jesus is the Messiah. In Acts 17:5-8 what response do you see? (Jealousy, anger, riot) How do you think Jason and the believers that were dragged into town felt with all this noise and chaos taking place because the unbelieving Jews didn’t like Paul’s message? The Holy Spirit gave them courage and comforted them in the middle of all the chaos. The Holy Spirit helped Paul know when to leave and when to stay. (Matthew 10:23) Later that night, the believers quietly sent Paul and Silas off to the city of Berea (locate on map). Timothy stayed a little while longer in Thessalonica to encourage the new believers and teach them from God’s Word. He later joined Paul and Silas in Berea. When Paul arrives he goes to the __________ Acts 17:10 (let the students respond). Say: “Let’s find Berea on the map. Let’s see what the Scriptures say about the Jewish Bereans.” Read Acts 17:11. “These people were more receptive than those in Thessalonica. They were very willing to receive the message, and every day they carefully examined the Scriptures to see if those things were so.” The Berean Jews listened with an open mind-they didn’t allow their opinions affect what Paul was teaching. If you were Paul looking into the crowd of Bereans what do you think a crowd that was receptive to the message looked like? Let’s demonstrate a receptive crowd (sit up in our chairs, eyes on the teacher, Bibles open). Let’s demonstrate what the opposite would look like. (Slouch in chair, Bible on floor under seat, look at watch, poke your neighbor, close your eyes like you can’t stay awake, etc.) The Bereans were listening to Paul teach but they didn’t just accept what he said was true, they went home and every day searched the Scriptures to see for themselves if he was teaching the truth. From our demonstration, when we come to church who do we look more like when our pastor looks out into the congregation? I pray that we look more like the Bereans who are listening carefully as we are taught from

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God’s Word. How often do we go home and read the Bible for ourselves to know that what we hear our pastor says is true? Let’s read Acts 17:12. The Bereans’ response to the Good News must have encouraged Paul. Whenever the Good News is shared the best response is when people believe. It would be great if believers got this response every time they shared Jesus with others. Unfortunately it won’t happen every time. During this period of history we are learning about in the Bible how did people who lived in different cities and towns communicate? Could the people turn on the TV or radio and hear reports of multitudes of people believing in the Lord Jesus? Most information was shared from word of mouth. In Acts 17:13 the unbelieving Jews heard the news of what was happening in Berea. They didn’t like what they heard so they traveled there and stirred up trouble with crowds of people. Believers quickly got Paul on a boat that set sail for Athens. Silas and Timothy stayed behind in Berea to continue to teach the new Berean believers and encourage them. When Paul arrived safely in Athens he sent a message back to Silas and Timothy asking them to come to Athens as soon as they could. Say: “Let’s find the path from Berea to Athens on the map.” “Alone in Athens, Paul could have decided to quit sharing the Good News. He had already faced many hard times from those who didn’t believe the message. Thankfully, Paul didn’t allow the hardship to keep him from serving Jesus. He had the power of the Holy Spirit living in his heart and He was helping Paul to keep doing what God told him to do.” “We too must not give up sharing the gospel wit h our friends. Let’s make a list of people we know who need to become Christians and to pray for them.”

Craft Learning Activity: “Make Puppets” (Grades K-4) Preparation: You will need scissors, glue, fabric markers, yarn, wiggly eyes, buttons, and other fabric squares. Print the pattern for the puppet below and cut out the pattern. Use the pattern to trace two puppets from felt. Sew the around the edge of the felt puppets leaving bottom open to go over the hand. Make a plain felt puppet for each child to decorate. Say: "We learned the Bible is true. Paul and Silas taught the Scriptures to the Bereans. Let's make Paul and Silas puppets. We can use the puppets to retell the Bible story." Procedure: Lead the students to decorate the puppets with the fabric markers and add clothing fabric pieces by gluing to the felt puppet. Use other decorative items on the puppets. Add wiggly eyes. Invite children to make up a skit about the Bible being true for their puppets to perform. Quiz children about the Bible story. State the Bible verse (Psalm 119:160). Say: "Paul and Silas taught the Bereans the Scriptures. We can know the Bible is true." Optional: Make sock puppets, paper bag puppets, or finger puppets if desired.

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Craft Learning Activity: “Letter Keepers” (Grades K-4) Preparation: You will need a file folder for each child, scissors, hole puncher, yarn, masking tape, markers, embellishments such as stickers, decorative paper, jewels, buttons, etc., glue sticks, and paper. Prepare a card from you and the other teachers for each child to place in his keeper. Make extra cards for visitors. Trim off the tap of each file folder to make an even edge along the folder. Procedure: Print, photocopy, and cut apart the “Paul’s Letter” template below. Each child will need a copy of the letter. Cut 2 pieces of yarn 12-15 inches long for each child. Tie a knot on one end and wrap masking tape around the other end. Punch holes down both sides of the file folders. Invite a student to deliver a copy of “Paul’s Letter” to each child. Read aloud the letter. Say: “The words in this letter are in the Bible. Paul wrote what God wanted the people to know. Let’s make letter keepers to hold our letters from Paul. We can also write letters to each other to put in our keepers.” Give each child a file folder and two pieces of yearn. Direct the children to sew each side of their folders together with the yarn. Help cut off any excess yarn and tie a knot at the end of each piece. Encourage the children to decorate their letter keepers and add their names. Distribute the paper for children to write each other letters. Say: “All the Bible says is from God. 2 Timothy 3:16 says, “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness.” Men wrote the words in the Bible that God told them to write. The Bible helps us learn. I’m glad we can use our Bibles to learn about God and Jesus.” Direct the children to place their “Paul’s letter” inside their letter keepers. Allow the children to deliver their letters to each other. Say: “The Bible is God’s words. We can read our Bible every day. God wants us to know Him be studying His Word. He wants us to know that He loves and cares for us and wants to guide us. He uses the Bible to speak to us.” Conclude with prayer asking God to help us read His Word every day.

Craft Learning Activity: “Marking the Place” (Grades K-5) Preparation: Copy or print the Bible study bookmark template below onto heavyweight paper or card stock. Prepare a poster or write on the white board where all can see the following steps to Bible study. Discuss each step before you distribute the Bible study bookmarks.

Steps to Bible Study 1. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you understand what you read. 2. Read two or three verses, then read it again slowly and carefully. 3. In your own words, write or say the verses. 4. Ask Jesus what He wants to say to you from these verses. 5. Write or draw a picture about it.

Procedure: Give each child two copies. Have the children copy and decorate them. If possible cover with clear contact paper. Review the points on the book mark.

Say: “What have you learned about the importance of studying your Bible? When Paul and Silas learned about Jesus, did they keep it to themselves? Was it always easy for them to share God’s Word? One way we can share God’s Word is by sharing a bookmark with a friend or someone in

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your family. Take a moment to think of someone with whom you would like to share. Next time you see them, give them a bookmark and ask them about their Bible study. Pray that God will be with the children as they study their Bibles every day.

Craft Learning Activity: “Missionary Puzzle” (Grades K-4) Preparation: Print the puzzle template below on cardstock or heavyweight paper one copy per student. You will also need pencils, crayons, scissors, and zip lock plastic bags. Procedure: Have students discuss some of the things they have learned about what a missionary does. Write these activities on the whiteboard. Let each student select one of the activities. Give each student a copy of the puzzle template. Have the students draw a picture of their activity in one of the puzzle pieces. Have students trade their template with another student. Have that student draw and color their activity again in the puzzle. Continue trading and drawing the activities of a missionary until all the puzzle pieces have been filled. Return the puzzle template to its original owner. Have them cut apart the puzzle pieces and put them in a zip lock bag to take home. Encourage the students to share their puzzle pieces with a family member or friend. Here are some sample activities that a missionary does:

1. Missionaries are called by God to share the gospel with others. 2. Missionaries may have to spend time learning a new language. 3. Missionaries have to go to churches to tell people about their mission so others will pray for them. 4. Missionaries have to raise money to support their work. 5. Missionaries have to pray and ask God to give them opportunities to share the gospel. 6. Missionaries study the Bible so they can know the truth of God’s Word so they can share it. 7. Missionaries have to be willing to be away from their families on important holidays and

occasions. 8. Missionaries have to leave their home and move to the place where God has called them to

serve. 9. Missionaries may have to suffer some criticism and hard times to win people to Christ. 10. Missionaries have to return home and report to their supporting churches about their work. 11. Missionaries have to learn a new culture of the people to whom they are witnessing and be ready

to share Christ in a way they understand. 12. Missionaries pray for God to help them. 13. Missionaries learn to share the gospel in a clear way so people can understand the message of

salvation.

Say: “Paul was the first missionary that God called to preach the gospel to the Jews and the Gentiles. God sometimes calls individuals to completely dedicate their whole life to the job of being a missionary. God may call one of you to do that. But it is also true that God calls all of us to do the work of a missionary by sharing the gospel with everyone we meet. Are you doing the work of a missionary?”

Life Application Challenge: “Praying for Missionaries” Preparation: Make a “Missionary” sign by writing each letter of the word “Missionary” on a poster board or on the white board. Say: “In this lesson we learned how Paul was a great missionary for the Early Church. He traveled into Europe sharing the good news of Jesus. Today we have many countries who do not know Christ. Our church helps support the work of these missionaries. One of the most important ways we can help them is by supporting them with our prayers. We are going to think of ways that we can pray for our missionaries.” Procedure: Have children sit in a circle on the floor. Point out the “Missionary” sign and explain that the class will brainstorm ways that we can pray for missionaries by using the letters in the word “missionary.”

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Lead the children in this discussion. Offer to start the game by saying, “For M, I could pray for money to cover the expenses where they serve.” The students sitting to the left will go next or you can simply allow any child in the circle to answer. Continue around the circle or brainstorming until the word has been spelled out. If there are more than ten students in your class you can make more than one circle so that every student gets an opportunity to give an answer.

MISSIONARY M-money I-imagination in how to share the gospel S-safety S-speech or ability to speak the language I-influence or have the opportunity to have people listen to the gospel message O-occaions or the times they miss being away from home on birthdays and holidays N-nothing is impossible with God or that the Lord will work miracles in helping them succeed A-afraid or to help them trust God so they can remove any fears that they may have R-reaching people or that many people will have an opportunity to listen to the gospel message Y-yielding or that the work will gain many people to trust in Christ as their Savior

Say: “God wants His people to share their faith with others. Have you thought about becoming a missionary? God wants to use you to tell others about Him.” Close in prayer using the ideas you brainstormed as part of your prayer.

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Paul Preaches in Thessalonica and Berea

Psalm 119:160

“All your words are true; all your righteous laws are eternal.”

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Steps to Bible Study

1. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you understand what you read. 2. Read two or three verses, then read it again slowly and carefully. 3. In your own words, write or say the verses. 4. Ask Jesus what He wants to say to you from these verses. 5. Write or draw a picture about it.





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Puppet Pattern

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Unit 7: Paul the Apostle NT7.9 Paul Preaches in ......with wooden rods. They were placed in an inner dungeon with their feet clamped together in stocks. Around midnight Paul and Silas

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