In this lesson, children learn that God keeps His promises even when a situation looks frightening and out of control. This lesson suits children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes to teach.
Big Idea
God is with us in the storms, and He keeps His promises even when we cannot see how things will turn out. We can trust Him and stay calm because He is in charge.
Memory Verse
Acts 27:25
Therefore, sirs, cheer up! For I believe God, that it will be just as it has been spoken to me.
(WEB)
Have children cup their hands together in front of their chest, then slowly open them like a bird flying away. Each time they open their hands, they say “I believe God” out loud, so the words stick.
The Story: Acts 27 for Kids
Paul was a prisoner, but he was still a friend of God. The soldiers put Paul and some other prisoners on a big ship that was sailing to Italy. Julius, the captain of the soldiers, was kind to Paul. He even let Paul visit his friends when the ship stopped at a city called Sidon.
The trip was slow, and the winds kept blowing against them. Then they found a safe harbor on the island of Crete. Paul warned the people on the ship that it was not a good time to keep sailing. But the captain and the ship’s owner did not listen, and they set off anyway. Soon a huge, terrible storm hit the ship.
For many days the storm pushed the ship back and forth. The sailors threw cargo and even the ship’s tools into the sea to make the ship lighter. No sun or stars could be seen, and everyone felt very afraid. They thought they would never be saved.
Then Paul stood up in front of everyone and said, “Do not be afraid. An angel of God stood beside me last night, and God told me that you will all be safe. We will run onto an island, but not one of us will die.” Paul believed God would keep His word, even though the storm was still raging.
The sailors tried to escape in a little boat, but Paul told the soldiers to stop them. The soldiers cut the rope so the boat fell away into the sea. Paul also asked everyone to eat some food so they would have strength. He thanked God for the bread in front of all of them, and then they all ate and felt better.
When morning came, the ship ran aground on a beach. The waves broke the back of the ship, but the soldiers did not hurt the prisoners. Everyone swam or floated safely to shore, just as God had promised Paul.
Read It Together
Acts 27:22
Now I exhort you to cheer up, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship.
(WEB)
Point out that Paul told the frightened people to cheer up. Explain that he could say this because he knew God was going to keep His promise to them.
Acts 27:23-24
23 For there stood by me this night an angel, belonging to the God whose I am and whom I serve, 24 saying, ‘Don’t be afraid, Paul. You must stand before Caesar. Behold, God has granted you all those who sail with you.’
(WEB)
Show children that God sent an angel to comfort Paul. Ask them to notice that God spoke to Paul in the middle of a scary night.
Acts 27:44
And the rest should follow, some on planks, and some on other things from the ship. So they all escaped safely to the land.
(WEB)
Point to the ending of the story. Remind children that everyone was saved, just as God said they would be, even though the ship was broken.
Talk About It
- What did the storm make the people on the ship feel, and how do you think they felt when the wind kept blowing for many days?
- Why did Paul stay calm when everyone else was scared?
- What did Paul do to help the people feel strong and brave?
- How do you think Paul knew that God was still in control of the storm?
- What is one storm in your life where you can remember that God is with you?
Activity Ideas
Paper Plate Ship in a Storm
You will need a paper plate, crayons, cotton balls, and tape. Have children draw a ship on the plate and color waves around it. Then they glue cotton balls on top as clouds. As they work, talk about how God can calm the storms in our lives, and have each child say one thing they can trust God with.
Wind and Waves Game
Clear some open space in the room. Call out “wind” and have children wave their arms back and forth like the sea. Call out “storm” and have them spin slowly. Call out “calm” and have them freeze and stand still with their hands at their sides. Keep the game short and cheerful, and end by saying “God is with us, even in the storm.”
Storm Promise Card
You will need an index card, markers, and a small paper bag or envelope. Help each child write or draw a picture of God keeping His promise. Let them take the card home and put it somewhere they will see it at night. Encourage them to read it aloud whenever they feel scared about something.
Teacher Notes
For adults, this chapter shows that God’s plans do not depend on human choices or on the weather. Paul was a prisoner and the ship was in danger, yet God kept His promise to bring everyone safely to land. It teaches that faithfulness to God can remain steady even when circumstances are uncertain.
When teaching children, avoid promising that bad things will never happen to people who trust God. Paul and his companions did lose the ship and cargo. The lesson is that God stays with us and keeps His promises, not that we will always avoid hardship.
A Prayer to Close
Dear God, thank You that You are with us in every storm. Help us to stay calm and trust You, even when we feel scared. Thank You for keeping Your promises to us. Amen.
