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Paul Before Rulers

Bible Passage: Acts 24-26

Kids Church: July 4, 2021

Volume 12: All Things New. Unit 35: Finishing Strong. Session 1 of 5

Leading Parent, please read below for an overview of today's lesson (drop down) ----->>

Paul Before Rulers

Paul was in custody in Caesarea, the capital of the Roman province of Judea. The Jewish leaders had brought serious charges against him, so Paul now stood before Felix, the governor. Felix listened to Paul’s defense but delayed a ruling. He met with Paul off and on for two years. When his time as governor ended, Felix left Paul in prison because he did not want to upset the Jews.

Festus succeeded Felix as governor. The Jews presented their accusations against Paul and asked Festus to bring him to Jerusalem. They hoped to ambush Paul as he traveled and kill him. But Festus invited Paul’s accusers to make their case in Caesarea. When Festus heard Paul’s case, he asked if Paul wanted to be tried in Jerusalem. Paul, knowing his rights as a Roman citizen, appealed to be heard by Caesar.

Several days later, King Agrippa visited Festus and heard about Paul. He asked to listen to Paul’s defense himself. Festus wasn’t sure how he would justify his sending Paul to Caesar without substantiated charges, and he hoped this hearing would provide stronger evidence against Paul. Festus told Paul he was out of his mind, but they determined Paul could have been set free if he had not appealed to Caesar.

With these events, Paul was positioned to go to Rome, just as God had said he would. (See Acts 19:21; 23:11.) God had chosen Paul to take the gospel to Gentiles, kings, and the Israelites. (See Acts 9:15-16.) Paul was confident that Jesus has the power to save people from sin, and he was willing to do whatever it took to share the gospel.

As you teach kids, prompt them to consider how Paul might have felt as he spoke before rulers and remained in custody for two years. Lead them to consider how God was at work to keep His promises.

Opening Prayer for Kids Church Worship

Dad (or Mom) lead your family

Praise God for His attributes: holiness, greatness, grace, love, mercy, etc.
Thank God for sending His Son Jesus to save us from our sins.
Thank God for His goodness, provision, forgiveness, etc.
Thank You God for sacrificing Your Son Jesus on the Cross to take our just punishment of death. Thank You Jesus for Your obedience to the Father and suffer the pain and death on the Cross. Thank You for the victory over death by raising Jesus from the grave on the third day! Because He is risen, the children of God shall inherit eternal life. Thank You God!
Ask God for His Holy Spirit to prepare our hearts, minds, and spirits to worship God and learn the lesson He has for us today.
God, we are here to worship, adore, and exalt You. Speak and teach us through Your Word. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

You may ask all the kids to take turn to pray as well.

Pledges - recite out loud together

Right hand to your heart

Bible raised high in the air

Praise & Worship singing to God together

Let's dwell on the holiness of God and His expectation of us, too.

Leader - Ask the Big Picture Question

Everyone reply with the Big Picture Answer

Leader Say • For our new unit the next few weeks, we are going to think about our big picture question: What will happen for all Christians in the future? The answer is, One day, all Christians will see Jesus in His glory and live with Him forever. Amazing!

Believers will see Jesus in His glory. That means we will see His greatness and understand Him in ways we don’t now. And believers will live with Him forever! Keep our big picture question and answer in mind when you listen to today’s Bible story.

Everyone memorize the Scripture verses CSB version

NIV

Leader Say: Paul wrote these words in his letter to the church at Philippi. He wanted them to know that when God starts working among people, He continues working to help them grow and become more like Jesus. Paul was willing to do hard things to share the gospel. He trusted God to be with Him. Our key passage was true for Christians thousands of years ago, and it’s true for us today. Let’s sing our key passage song to help us remember these words.

Let's all sing “I Am Sure of This" (Philippians 1:6).

Everyone sing the Scripture song CSB version

Everyone open your Bible and read aloud Romans 13:1.

Leader Say: Paul was willing to do hard things to share the gospel. We can tell the truth about Jesus to others—even people in positions of leadership and authority. We can pray for leaders and ask God to help them believe in Jesus.

Let’s sing together “All Hail the Power.”

Praise & Prayer Time

Invite kids to pray items below:

Share praises from this past week of what God did in your lives.
Confess and repent of our sins. Pray to God for His holiness and purity in our lives.
Ask God to forgive us, and ask the Holy Spirit to help us in self-control.
Share prayer requests with each other. Pray for each other.
Ask God to guide as Pastor John and team prepare for the JT Missionary Camp.
Lord God, thank You for Your Word. We pray for Your help as we seek to obey Your Word. Give us power and help us go with boldness to share the gospel. In the Name of Jesus we pray, Amen.

Bible Lesson Time

Leader - Read the main story point below

Watch the Bible Story video

Christ Connection: God had chosen Paul to take the gospel to Gentiles, kings, and the Israelites. (Acts 9:15-16) Paul met with people again and again to tell the good news about Jesus. He wanted everyone to believe that Jesus is Lord. Because Jesus has the power to save people from sin, Paul was willing to do whatever it took to share the gospel.

Apply the Bible Lesson

Guide kids to open their Bibles to Acts 24.

Leader Say • In today’s Bible story, Paul was a prisoner when he was taken from Jerusalem to Caesarea (cess uh REE uh) because the Jews had planned to kill him. At that time, Judea was under the control of the Romans.

Choose a volunteer to read aloud Acts 24:10.

Leader Say • Some of the Jews accused Paul of being a troublemaker. They wanted the Romans to kill Paul, so Paul defended himself before rulers. He was a prisoner for years. Paul was willing to do hard things to share the gospel.

Ask the following questions. Lead your family to discuss:

(Take your time to ask, let the kids to ponder and answer the following questions)

1. How do you think Paul felt when he was a prisoner? (drop down for answer) ----->>

Guide kids to recall that Paul was treated unfairly and falsely accused. However, his friends were allowed to visit him in prison, and he was able to speak with governors. Prompt them to share how they might have felt if they were Paul.

(Option: Choose a volunteer to read Eph. 6:19-20.)

2. If you could talk to any leader in the world, who would you want to talk to? What would you say? (drop down for answer) ----->>

Remind kids that Paul met with Roman rulers. He talked to Felix the governor, Festus the governor, King Agrippa, and Queen Bernice. Paul told them about Jesus.

(Option: Choose a volunteer to read Prov. 21:1.)

3. What are you willing to do to share the gospel? Is there anything you aren’t willing to do? (drop down for answer) ----->>

Encourage kids to share and explain their answers. Acknowledge any fear or hesitation about sharing the gospel, and reassure kids that they can ask the Holy Spirit for help and boldness in telling others about Jesus.

Application: Questions from Kids

Leader Say: As you watch this video, think about whether or not you can share their faith with an adult.

After the video discuss any questions or concerns they have about sharing the gospel.

Sing the Song of Response below

A Missions Moment

Leader: Missionaries are willing to do hard things to share the gospel. The missionary we are going to hear about today had to do some very hard things, like show people how Jesus had changed his life, when he went back to his homeland of Puerto Rico.

Watch the missions video.

After the video ask kids how Jorge’s (HOR-hayz) life changed when he met Jesus.

Closing Prayer - Leader

Praise and thanksgiving to God that the Holy Spirit helps us to listen and obey God.
Thank you, our Heavenly Father for our earthly fathers and mothers.
Protection from COVID-19 throughout the summer especially for people who will be traveling.
For those who are sick or looking for a new job.
For our family, our church, our nation our leaders to repent, to honor and to follow God.
For missionary Jorge and family planting a new church.

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!

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