In Acts 25, Paul stays faithful to God even when powerful people want him harmed, and God keeps him safe while he speaks boldly. Children can remember it this way: God is with us even in scary places. This lesson works well for ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes.
Big Idea
God is with us even when people are unfair to us. We can keep doing what is right and trust God to take care of us.
Memory Verse
Acts 25:11
For if I have done wrong, and have committed anything worthy of death, I don’t refuse to die; but if none of those things is true that they accuse me of, no one can give me up to them. I appeal to Caesar!”
(WEB)
Put one hand on your chest and say, “I am not afraid.” Then hold both hands up like you are standing tall. Do this each time you say the verse out loud together.
The Story: Acts 25 for Kids
Paul had been put in prison in the city of Caesarea. A new governor named Festus came to take charge of the land. Some of the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem wanted Paul to come back to their city so they could hurt him. They had a secret plan to attack him on the road.
Festus did not send Paul to Jerusalem. He said Paul would stay in prison at Caesarea. Then Festus asked the leaders to come down to Caesarea with him, so they could say what Paul had done wrong. The leaders came, and they made many serious claims against Paul. But they could not prove any of them.
Paul spoke up for himself. He said he had not broken the Jewish law, had not disrespected the temple, and had not done wrong against the Emperor. Festus wanted to please the Jewish leaders. So he asked Paul if he would go to Jerusalem to be judged there.
Paul answered, “I am standing in front of the Emperor’s judgment seat, and this is where I should be tried.” Paul knew he could ask for the Emperor to hear his case. So he asked to appeal to Caesar. Festus agreed, and Paul was sent on toward Rome.
Later, King Agrippa and his sister Bernice came to visit. Festus told the king all about Paul. Agrippa said he wanted to hear Paul too. The next day Paul was brought in to speak, and Festus said that Paul had done nothing deserving death. Paul kept trusting God through every step.
Read It Together
Acts 25:1-3
1 Festus therefore, having come into the province, after three days went up to Jerusalem from Caesarea. 2 Then the high priest and the principal men of the Jews informed him against Paul, and they begged him, 3 asking a favor against him, that he would summon him to Jerusalem; plotting to kill him on the way.
(WEB)
Point out that the leaders had a bad plan to hurt Paul on the road. Ask the children what they think about people who plan to hurt others. Explain that God saw everything, even when no one else did.
Acts 25:8
While he said in his defense, “Neither against the law of the Jews, nor against the temple, nor against Caesar, have I sinned at all.”
(WEB)
Show the children how Paul calmly answered the charges. Point out that he did not get angry or shout. Talk about how we can answer hard questions with a calm and honest voice.
Acts 25:24-25
24 Festus said, “King Agrippa, and all men who are here present with us, you see this man, about whom all the multitude of the Jews petitioned me, both at Jerusalem and here, crying that he ought not to live any longer. 25 But when I found that he had committed nothing worthy of death, and as he himself appealed to the emperor I determined to send him…
(WEB)
Explain that Festus found nothing worthy of death in Paul. Remind the children that people may make false claims about us, but God knows the truth about who we are.
Talk About It
- How do you think Paul felt when people made false claims against him?
- What is one way you can tell the truth when you feel scared?
- Why do you think Paul kept trusting God even in a prison cell?
- What can you do when someone says something unfair about you?
- How did God take care of Paul in this story, even when things were hard?
Activity Ideas
Draw a Brave Friend
You will need paper, crayons, and a pencil. Ask each child to draw a picture of a person standing tall and speaking the truth. Have them write one word on the drawing, such as “Brave,” “Truth,” or “God.” Let them share their picture with the group and explain why they chose that word.
Stand Tall Freeze Game
You will need an open space and a timer or a clap. Call out a simple movement, such as “stand tall,” “hands up,” or “stay calm.” When you clap, the children freeze in that position. Repeat the game a few times, and then say the memory verse together while standing tall.
Brave Words Card
You will need index cards, markers, and a small envelope for each child. Have the children write one brave sentence on the card, such as “God is with me.” Encourage them to keep the card in a pocket or on a desk as a reminder. Ask them to read it aloud at bedtime for one week.
Teacher Notes
For adults, this chapter shows that faithfulness to God does not guarantee an easy path. Paul remained in custody for a long time, yet his trust in God never wavered. The chapter also shows the difference between honest testimony and the false accusations that were brought against him.
When teaching children, avoid suggesting that God always makes things turn out well for those who are faithful. Paul’s story is one of God’s presence in hard circumstances, not a promise of an easy outcome. Keep the focus on God’s faithfulness and the call to speak truthfully.
A Prayer to Close
Dear God, thank you for being with us when we feel scared. Help us to speak the truth and to do what is right, even when it is hard. We trust that you are always with us and that you see everything we do. Amen.
