In this lesson, children learn that Paul stayed calm and honest even when people were unfair to him, and that God was with him through every hard moment. This lesson is for children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes to teach.
Big Idea
God takes care of His people even when others are unfair to them. We can always tell the truth and trust God to be with 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)
Have the children stand tall with their feet planted apart, like they are standing firm. Then have them hold both hands up in front of them, palms out, saying the words slowly together. Repeat it three times, getting a little quieter each time.
The Story: Acts 25 for Kids
Paul had been in prison for a long time. A new governor named Festus came to take over the land, and the Jewish leaders wanted him to send Paul back to Jerusalem. They had a bad plan. They wanted to hurt Paul on the road before he ever got to court. Festus said no, and he asked Paul to come to Caesarea instead.
At the court, the Jewish leaders stood up and said many things against Paul. But they could not prove any of them. Paul simply said, “I have not done anything wrong against the Jewish law, against the temple, or against Caesar.” He was honest and calm, even with angry people shouting at him.
Festus wanted to please the Jewish leaders, so he asked Paul if he would go to Jerusalem to be judged there. Paul knew that would be dangerous. So he made a choice. He said, “I am standing before Caesar’s judgment seat. I want Caesar to hear my case.” Paul asked to be judged by the emperor in Rome.
Some days later, King Agrippa and his sister Bernice came to visit Festus. Festus told the king about Paul. Agrippa said, “I would like to hear this man myself.” So the next day, Paul was brought into a grand room full of important people, and he got to tell his story to the king.
Festus told everyone in the room that Paul had done nothing worth punishment. Festus did not know exactly what to write about Paul to the emperor, so he brought Paul before the king to help him figure it out. God was still watching over Paul, even in that big room.
Read It Together
Acts 25:4-5
4 However Festus answered that Paul should be kept in custody at Caesarea, and that he himself was about to depart shortly. 5 “Let them therefore”, said he, “that are in power among you go down with me, and if there is anything wrong in the man, let them accuse him.”
(WEB)
Point out that Festus said Paul should stay in prison, and that the people in charge should come with him and bring any charges they had. Ask the children how it feels when someone says you have to wait for a fair chance to speak.
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 that Paul spoke clearly and honestly about what he had and had not done. Remind them that telling the truth, even when it is hard, is something God loves to see in His children.
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)
Point out that Festus said Paul had done nothing worthy of death. Explain that people can be wrong about others, but God always knows the truth about each of His children.
Talk About It
- How do you think Paul felt when people were shouting lies about him?
- What is one thing Paul did that showed he trusted God?
- Why do you think it is important to tell the truth even when someone is angry?
- What can you do when someone says something unkind or untrue about you?
- How can you remember that God is with you when things feel scary or unfair?
Activity Ideas
Draw a Courtroom Picture
You will need paper, crayons or markers, and a pencil. Ask each child to draw Paul standing in front of the king and Festus. Have them add a small picture of God’s light shining down on Paul. Let them explain their drawing to you when they finish.
Stand Firm Game
You will need an open floor space and a friend or two. One child stands in the middle as Paul, and the others gently call out unkind words like “liar” or “wrong.” Paul stays calm, stands tall, and says, “I have done nothing wrong.” Switch roles so everyone gets a turn.
Truth Jar at Home
You will need a clear jar and some small paper squares. Each time your child tells the truth in a hard moment, have them write it on a square and drop it in the jar. At the end of the week, read the squares together and thank God for helping them be honest.
Teacher Notes
Acts 25 shows that God’s people can face unfair accusations and still stay faithful. Paul did not fight with anger. He spoke honestly, trusted God’s plan, and used the legal process he had to bring his case forward. For adults, this is a picture of patient faithfulness in a system that is not always fair.
Be careful not to suggest that children will always be treated fairly when they do the right thing, or that God will always rescue them from hard situations. Paul was kept in prison for a long time. Focus instead on God’s presence and faithfulness through difficulty, rather than promising an easy outcome.
A Prayer to Close
Dear God, thank You for being with us when people are unkind or unfair. Help us to tell the truth and stay calm, just like Paul did. Help us to trust that You see everything and You always take care of us. Amen.
