“BE THANKFUL IN ALL THINGS”
"Doing Life with Jesus”
Today’s Lesson - “Be Thankful in All Things”
Video Story/Resource:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gy1pOhkdUws (Pursue God Kids – Paul and Silas Go to Jail)
Paul and Silas Lead a Jailer to Jesus
Acts 16:22-34, NLT
[After healing a slave girl, her owners caused trouble for Paul and Silas by claiming that the Christians were teaching things that were contrary to their beliefs.] 22 A mob quickly formed against Paul and Silas, and the city officials ordered them stripped and beaten with wooden rods. 23 They were severely beaten, and then they were thrown into prison. The jailer was ordered to make sure they didn’t escape. 24 So the jailer put them into the inner dungeon and clamped their feet in the stocks.
25 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! 27 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. 28 But Paul shouted to him, “Stop! Don’t kill yourself! We are all here!”
29 The jailer called for lights and ran to the dungeon and fell down trembling before Paul and Silas. 30 Then he brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”
31 They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved, along with everyone in your household.” 32 And they shared the word of the Lord with him and with all who lived in his household. 33 Even at that hour of the night, the jailer cared for them and washed their wounds. Then he and everyone in his household were immediately baptized. 34 He brought them into his house and set a meal before them, and he and his entire household rejoiced because they all believed in God.”
Engage:
• After healing a slave girl, Paul and Silas found themselves beat up and imprisoned. How would you feel if you were them?
• While in the prison, Paul and Silas sang songs of praise to God. As the other prisoners listened, what do you think they might have thought about these two who would choose to thank God even in prison?
• God heard their prayers and did something incredible. What happened?
• The jailer thought all the prisoners had escaped, but when he discovered they were still there, what did he do?
• Paul and Silas got to share the good news about Jesus and the jailer and his whole family became followers of Jesus. Do you think Paul and Silas thought this families’ decision was worth the pain of getting beaten and put in jail? Would you have the same reaction?
• This story just goes to show that you should never underestimate the good that God can bring out of a bad situation. With that in mind, what do you have to be thankful for?
Weekly verse:
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, NLT – “16 Always be joyful. 17 Never stop praying. 18 Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.”
2022 Theme verses:
Colossians 2:6-7, NLT – “And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow him. Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.”
Prayer – Dear God, thank you for all the good things that you give us and also for the fact that you can make good things happen out of bad circumstances too. Help us remember to always be thankful, knowing that you will help us.
~ Pastor Jane