Parents' Corner | August 26, 2018
Dear Parents,
Paul was in Roman custody because the Jews said things about Paul that were untrue. Paul had stood before rulers in Caesarea and invoked his right as a Roman citizen to appeal to Caesar. So Festus the governor arranged for Paul to go to Rome. Paul got onto a ship going toward Rome. As if Paul’s journey to Rome had not already been delayed and complicated enough, the ship was caught up in a terrible storm.
Paul had warned the crew not to sail from Crete because they would lose everything and die. But they didn’t listen. But Paul still gave them hope. An angel had appeared to Paul. He said Paul would make it to Rome and all of the people with him would survive.
Paul urged everyone on the ship to eat so they would have energy. The sailors planned to run the ship ashore on an island, but the ship got stuck on a sandbar. The waves battered the ship and it broke into pieces; however, all of the people survived and made it safely to shore.
Paul suffered for Christ. In his letter to the church at Corinth, Paul listed the kinds of things he faced: beatings, stoning, shipwrecks, various dangers, hardship, sleepless nights, hunger and thirst, nakedness, and other daily pressures. (See 2 Cor. 11:24-29.) Again and again, Paul saw evidence of God’s control over his life and the gospel was advanced.
As you talk with your kids about this story, emphasize that Paul trusted God to keep His promise to rescue them from the storm. He also encouraged the sailors to trust God too. God calls us to trust in His Son, Jesus, who died to rescue us from sin and death and to tell others this good news. We can encourage others to trust God because we know He is good and in control.
God Bless,
David Feiser
Family Ministry Director
The Well Community Church
Family Starting Points
Scripture Memory: 1 Chronicles 16:9-10
“Sing to him, sing praise to him; tell of all his wonderful acts. Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice.”
Big Picture Question:
When should we tell others about Jesus? We should always tell other about Jesus even when it is hard.
Bible Story: "Paul Before Rulers” (Acts 27:13-44; 28:11-16)
- Paul got on a ship with other prisoners heading to Rome.
- A big storm came and the ship wrecked on a sandbar.
- God kept everyone safe.
- God protected Paul in the shipwreck.
Family Discussion Starters:
- How would you feel on a ship in the middle of a storm?
- How would you feel in that same storm if God said He would keep you and everyone else safe?
- Who died to keep us safe from sin and death?
Family Activity:
- Join a few other families and take a boat ride. Talk about the Bible story on your boat trip.
- Look online for suggested items and assemble a few natural disasters kits. Keep one for your family and give the others away.
Next Week:
- “Paul’s Joy in Prison” (Philippians 1:12-30)
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