Children STS Lesson 13 Vol 5 – The Journey to Rome (Acts 27-28)

Memory Verse: “And when we came to Rome, the centurion delivered the prisoners to the captain of the guard: but Paul was suffered to dwell by himself with a soldier that kept him” (Acts 28:16).

Text: Acts 27:1-44; 28:1-31

Age Group: Children (Ages 6-12)

Lesson: Apostle Paul committed his whole life to the preaching of the gospel.

Thought: I will preach the gospel.

Introduction: Paul’s Long Journey to Rome

Apostle Paul was arrested for preaching the gospel of Jesus. He was brought before many rulers to face trial, but nobody could prove he had done anything wrong. He defended himself and appealed to Caesar — the highest ruler in Rome — and was sent from Jerusalem to Rome. You can read about those trials in Children STS Lesson 12 Vol 5 – Paul’s Defence Before the Roman Rulers.

Rome was a very important city. It was the capital of the Roman Empire, and the Emperor himself lived there. In those days there were no cars or aeroplanes. People travelled long distances by sea. Paul was sent to Rome as a prisoner, guarded by soldiers and a centurion named Julius. Some of his Christian friends also travelled with him.

The journey to Rome was full of trouble and danger at sea. But God promised Paul that everyone would be safe — and God kept His word. It was Paul’s great desire to preach the gospel in Rome, and it was also God’s will that he should do so (Acts 23:11). No matter what came against him, Paul trusted God completely and kept preaching.

1. A Windy and Dangerous Journey to Rome (Acts 27:1-44)

The voyage started from Caesarea. It quickly became very rough. The winds were against them, the weather was dangerous, and Paul had warned the soldiers at the beginning that it was not safe to sail. But the centurion chose to believe the ship’s captain instead of Paul. So they continued — and soon ran into a terrible storm called Euroclydon.

The storm was so strong it took full control of the ship. The crew threw cargo overboard to lighten the load. They could not see the sun or the stars. They stopped eating. They gave up all hope of surviving.

But Paul stood up in the middle of everyone and said: “Be of good cheer! God spoke to me last night. An angel stood beside me and told me that not one person on this ship will die. I believe God.” (Acts 27:22-25)

After fourteen long days at sea, the ship finally crashed near the shore and broke apart. But every single person made it safely to land — some swimming, some floating on planks, some holding onto pieces of the broken ship. Just as God had promised, not one person died.

What can we learn?

• Being faithful to God does not mean life will always be easy. Paul was doing God’s will and still went through a terrible storm.
• God is always with us, even in the most frightening situations. He never breaks His promises.
• Even in trouble, Paul encouraged others and took care of people around him. We should do the same.

2. A Warm Welcome and Wonderful Things on the Island of Melita (Acts 28:1-16)

After the shipwreck, the survivors found themselves on an island called Melita (now called Malta). The people who lived there were known as Barbarians because they spoke a different language. Even though they did not know Paul or any of the others, they were very kind. It was raining and cold, so they made a big fire to warm everyone up.

Paul, who was always hardworking, joined in gathering wood for the fire. But as he added sticks to the flames, a very poisonous snake shot out of the heat and bit onto Paul’s hand! The islanders watched, expecting him to fall down dead. But Paul simply shook the snake into the fire and was completely fine. The people were amazed. God had protected His servant exactly as He promised.

The island’s chief, a man named Publius, welcomed Paul and the others into his home for three days. Publius’ father was very sick with fever. Paul went to him, prayed in the name of Jesus, and he was healed completely. When the rest of the island heard what had happened, they brought all their sick relatives to Paul. He prayed for all of them — and they were all healed.

What can we learn from Paul in Melita?

• God protected Paul just as He promised. God’s promises are always sure.
• God’s presence is with His children at all times, even on a faraway island after a shipwreck.
• Paul turned every situation into an opportunity to preach and show God’s love. Friends of Jesus should always point people to Christ.
• God can turn our trials into testimonies. What looks like a disaster can become an open door for the gospel.

Paul and his companions stayed on the island for three months. When it was time to leave, the kind people of Melita gave them everything they needed for the rest of the journey.

3. Witnessing, Healing, and Preaching in Rome (Acts 28:7-31)

When Paul finally arrived in Rome, he was placed under house arrest. He could not move around freely, but he was allowed to stay in a rented house with only one soldier guarding him. God had shown him favour even as a prisoner.

Paul did not waste a single day. He called the Jewish leaders in Rome to his house and talked to them all day long — from morning until evening — about the kingdom of God and Jesus the Messiah. He showed them from the Old Testament that Jesus was the one the prophets had spoken about. Some of them believed and gave their lives to Christ. Others did not.

Paul spent two full years in that rented house, receiving everyone who came to visit him and preaching boldly about Jesus. Nobody could stop him. The Bible says he preached “with all confidence, no man forbidding him” (Acts 28:31).

What can we learn from Paul in Rome?

• The kingdom of God is heavenly, spiritual, and holy.
• Jesus is the Messiah that all the Bible prophecies pointed to.
• Paul preached to everyone — he never gave up, even as a prisoner.
• We must also preach the gospel wherever we are — at school, at home, in our neighbourhoods.

Activity: Prayer Time!

Let us pray together as Paul taught us to do. Pray for:

1. Sinners — that they will be saved
2. Saved children — that they will grow strong in faith
3. Mission work — that the gospel will reach everywhere
4. The church
5. Our nation
6. The sick and those going through hard times
7. Yourself — that God will use you to preach the gospel

Bible Word Search

Find the meaning of these words in your dictionary:

1. Centurion
2. Tempest
3. Persecution
4. Shipwreck
5. Journey

Homework

Search the Old and New Testaments and write out the names of four people whom God also used to do great wonders.

Questions for Review

1. Why did Paul appeal to Caesar?
2. What happened to the ship on which Paul and his companions travelled?
3. Why were the people of Melita surprised at what happened to Paul?
4. Mention two important things that Paul did among the Barbarians at Melita.
5. Paul’s ministry in Rome involved preaching about the kingdom of God. True or False?
6. What is the most important work that friends of Jesus are called to do?

Congregational Song

GHS 78 — FAITH OF OUR FATHERS

Choruses

1. All power belongs to Jesus.
2. Lift Jesus higher.
3. Go tell it on the mountain.

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