Acts 16 v 11 – 40

Lesson Aim

To understand how to become a Christian

Hook 1: Objects

A length of purple cloth, a large pile of paper money (e.g. ‘Monopoly’ money), a horoscope page from a newspaper, some handcuffs, a recording of a children’s Christian song (one which the children know well enough to join in) and a toy sword. Use each one at the appropriate point to illustrate the story.

Hook 2: Children’s story books

My church library has several different children’s books giving an account of this story. Use the illustrations from the different books as visuals when telling the story. Different styles of illustrations will add to the richness of the story. This is particularly successful if you are able to enlarge the pictures or have access to a visualizer which can enlarge and project an image at the same time.

Hook 3: Questions

What is the most important question which any person can ask?

We have this question in today’s story and better still the answer. Listen and see if you can pick out this question and answer in our Bible story.

Story tips:

There is a lot of good action packed detail in the story of Paul at Philippi. As a result I would usually split the story in two, dividing the story at the point of Paul’s arrest.

Application

The jailor asked the really important question ‘How can I be saved?’ Paul’s answer tells us how we can be saved, how we can become Christians. We need to believe in the Lord Jesus as our saviour. Have you realised that you have sinned and told Jesus how sorry you are for your sins (all the wrong things which you have ever done)? Have you trusted in Jesus and made him Lord of your life? In our story today Lydia put her trust in Jesus and so did the jailor. Will you do the same?