This object lesson is all about getting free. If you have a set of keys, that’s all you need to teach children that sometimes, praise and worship can set us free! One of the most amazing true stories about freedom comes is memorialized in the Book of Acts, Chapter 16. Let’s check it out!
After they (Paul and Silas) had been severely flogged, they were thrown into prison, and the jailer was commanded to guard them carefully. When he received these orders, he put them in the inner cell and fastened their feet in the stocks. About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everyone’s chains came loose. Acts 16: 23-26
That is amazing, isn’t it? Here were God’s servants, Paul and Silas, mistreated and thrown into prison. The verses tell us that they weren’t just in a jail cell, their feet were clamped down in stocks. That’s a kind of chain. The men didn’t feel sorry for themselves, they didn’t scream and beg for help, they begin to sing hymns, that is songs to God. What happened next? An earthquake! Can you imagine that? The earthquake shook the whole prison and everyone was free!
What’s even more amazing was Paul and Silas didn’t make a run for it when the gates opened. (Shake your keys.) No, they stuck around because they didn’t want the jailer to get in trouble. The jailer was so amazed at their honesty and the power of their praise and the power of God that he gave his life to Jesus!
So what does all this mean? When you’re in a jam, when things go wrong, when you don’t know what to do, don’t panic. Praise the Lord! Miracles can happen!
Read more from Mimi by following her blog at Tools for Kids Church. Here are some more related lesson ideas:
- Paul’s Journeys in Acts 17 Sunday School Lesson
- Paul & Silas in Prison: Sunday School Lesson
- Freedom in Christ Object Lesson for Sunday School (Galatians 5:1)
- “Paul Preaching” Bible Coloring Page