Paul’s third missionary journey was unlike his first two because he didn’t set out to plant churches. Instead, his mission was to encourage and strengthen existing churches. Paul wrote letters to the churches, but he knew some guidance was best given in person.
Paul’s journey began when he traveled to the city of Corinth. To make a living, Paul was a tentmaker. Paul became friends with two other tentmakers in Corinth: a man named Aquila and his wife, Priscilla. In his business dealings, Paul was able to share the gospel with many people. The church in Corinth grew.
Paul took Aquila and Priscilla with him to Ephesus. Ephesus was a thriving city in the Roman Empire. Aquila and Priscilla stayed in Ephesus while Paul traveled to other churches and encouraged the believers. While Paul traveled, Aquila and Priscilla interacted with a Jewish believer named Apollos. Apollos was a leader in the early church, and Aquila and Priscilla helped him better understand about Jesus and the Scriptures. Apollos went on to greatly help other believers by showing through Scripture that Jesus is the Messiah.
The Holy Spirit led Paul to go to Jerusalem. This wasn’t an easy call to obey. The Spirit revealed to Paul that imprisonment and suffering awaited in Jerusalem. (See Acts 20:23.) Hadn’t Paul done enough? He had spent years preaching the gospel, and many people believed. Wasn’t now a good time for Paul to retire comfortably on a beach somewhere?
Emphasize to kids that Paul did not cling to his own life. He used every opportunity to tell people the good news about Jesus and to help the church. God helped Paul preach with courage even when he was in danger. Paul was dedicated to Jesus, who called him to do the work of sharing the gospel. Paul boarded the ship to Jerusalem, uncertain of the future but certain of the goodness and grace of the Lord Jesus.
*Devo from Pastor Brian, from The Gospel Project.
#JesusJams for today!
---> And here's this week's story!!
Christ Connection: As Paul traveled on his third missionary journey, he used every opportunity to tell people the good news about Jesus and to help the church. Paul was dedicated to Jesus, who called him to do the work of sharing the gospel.
If you have a bible at your house, you'll be turning to Act 18-21 . If you don't have a Bible, that's okay! CLICK HERE!
OPTION 1: Pack your bags Invite the kids to sit in a circle. Tell them to make a packing list for a pretend trip. Invite the first kid to say the first item he would pack. Invite the second kid to say the first item and add a second item. Continue around the circle until everyone has said all of the items the group would pack.
SAY • I learned a lot about the kinds of things you all like to pack on your trips! Paul traveled all over sharing the gospel with others. Today we’re going to learn about Paul’s third missionary journey. What do you think Paul packed for his third journey?
OPTION 2: Travel agency Form groups of three or four kids and give each group a paper and markers. Tell each group to pick a destination and plan a dream vacation: How will they travel to their destination? What will they do there? What will they see? What food will they eat? Invite the groups to create a poster and share their plans with the whole group. SAY • I’d really like to go with some of you on your trips! As we continue to learn about Paul, we see that he had one main goal when he traveled: to tell others about Jesus. Paul didn’t travel just to sightsee or eat yummy food. Paul cared about sharing the gospel. Who do you think Paul shared the gospel with on his third journey?
OPTION 2: Transportation race Invite all of the kids to line up along one wall. The leader will stand on the opposite wall. The leader will give transportation commands such as: •Journey five steps like a train.
•Journey three steps like a plane.
•Journey four steps like a ship. The first kid to reach the leader on the other side of the room wins the game. The winner becomes the leader and gives transportation commands for the next round. Continue playing until all kids have had the opportunity to be the leader. SAY •That was so fun! You all traveled all over this room in many different ways. Paul never traveled in a plane or on a train, but he certainly walked a lot. We know he took ships to cross the waters. Paul didn’t just travel because he liked sightseeing. Paul traveled to many cities sharing the goods news about Jesus. He was dedicated to Jesus and continued in the work God had called him to do. Paul used every opportunity to share the gospel. I bet some of you will be called to travel all over the world to share the gospel with new people. But even those of you who may not travel the world as a missionary can still live on mission by loving others and telling them about Jesus.
UNIT QUESTION:
UNIT VERSE:
THE GOSPEL PRESENTATION: