Lesson: Acts 16:26 (Ages 3-5)

📖 Acts 16:26 – Ages 3-5

Explanation

One day, there was a big earthquake that shook the ground so hard that even the jail where Paul and Silas were kept started to shake! Can you imagine how strong that earthquake must have been?

And you know what happened next? The doors of the jail all swung open, and the chains that were holding Paul and Silas just fell off! It was like a miracle!

God sent this earthquake to show His great power and to free Paul and Silas. It was His way of saying, "I am here, and I can do amazing things to help you."

Just like how God helped Paul and Silas, He is always with us too, ready to help us when we need Him. He is so powerful and loving that He can do incredible things in our lives, just like He did in the jail that day. Trust in God, and He will always be there for you.

Kid's Story

Once upon a time, a little squirrel named Sammy was stuck in a cage, feeling sad and lonely. One day, as Sammy sat, feeling trapped, a big earthquake shook the ground! The cage rattled and the door swung open! Sammy was amazed as all the other cages in the zoo opened too, and the animals were set free!

Just like in the Bible verse Acts 16:26, the earthquake freed Sammy and all the other animals from their chains. Sammy learned that even when things seem impossible, God can do amazing things to set us free. Sammy felt so happy and grateful to be out of the cage. From that day on, Sammy always remembered that God's power can bring freedom and joy, no matter how trapped we may feel.

Prayer Prompt

Dear God, thank you for your power and love. Just like how you shook the jail and set everyone free in Acts 16:26, help us remember that you can do amazing things in our lives too. Amen.

Discussion Questions

1. Why do you think there was an earthquake in the story?
2. How do you think the people felt when the doors of the jail opened and their chains came loose?
3. Do you think God helped the people in the jail? Why or why not?
4. Have you ever felt scared like the people in the story? How do you think they felt when they were free?
5. What do you think the people did after they were set free from the jail?

Life Application

God's power is so great that He can do amazing things, like causing an earthquake to free Paul and Silas from jail in Acts 16:26. Children can learn from this verse that God is always with them, even in tough situations. They can remember that when they feel scared or trapped, they can pray to God for help because He can make a way out, just like He did for Paul and Silas. Children can also learn to trust God and know that He is in control, no matter what happens in their lives.

Craft or Activity

Let's create a simple craft to help children understand Acts 16:26! You can make a paper chain with colorful strips of paper to represent the chains breaking. As you talk about the verse, have the child color or decorate the paper strips. Once they are done, you can help them link the strips together to form a chain. Then, demonstrate how easily the chain can be broken apart to represent the chains coming loose in the jail. This hands-on activity can help children visualize and remember the powerful message of this Bible verse.

Memory Verse or Rhyme

When God's power starts to shake,
Doors swing open, chains all break!
Acts sixteen, verse twenty-six,
God can do amazing tricks!

Songs or Videos

One song that relates to the message of Acts 16:26 is "Chain Breaker" by Zach Williams. This song talks about how Jesus can break the chains that bind us and set us free, just like how everyone's chains came loose in the jail in Acts 16. Another good song is "My Lighthouse" by Rend Collective, which speaks about how God is our light and refuge in times of trouble, just like how He rescued Paul and Silas in the midst of the earthquake in Acts 16. Both of these songs can help kids understand the power of God to break chains and bring freedom in our lives.

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