In this lesson, children learn that Paul was happy to serve Jesus even while he was in prison, because God keeps working in people’s lives. This lesson suits children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes.
Big Idea
God is always working in us and around us, so we can have joy even when things are hard.
Memory Verse
Philippians 1:6
Being confident of this very thing, that he who began a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.
(WEB)
Put your hands on your heart, then slowly open them outward like a flower blooming. Say the verse together while you open your hands, and repeat it three times.
The Story: Philippians 1 for Kids
Paul was a missionary who loved Jesus very much. He traveled from town to town telling people about Jesus. Sometimes people were not kind to him, and he was put in jail for teaching about Jesus.
Paul wrote a letter to the church in the city of Philippi. He was still in prison when he wrote it. He wanted the friends there to know that he was praying for them every time he thought of them. He prayed with joy because he knew they were working together to spread the good news about Jesus.
Even though Paul was locked up, he noticed something wonderful. The guards at the prison heard about Jesus from him, and many other brothers and sisters in Christ became brave and began telling others about Jesus too. Paul said, “I am glad, because Jesus is being told to everyone.” Paul was not sad about his chains. He was thankful that God was using even this hard time to help people learn about Jesus.
Paul also told the Philippians that they should live in a way that shows they belong to Jesus. He wanted them to stand strong together, helping one another and trusting God. He said they could be brave even when people were unkind to them, because God was with them.
Paul believed that God, who started a good work in the Philippians, would finish that work. God does not stop loving his children or helping them grow. Paul trusted God to take care of him and his friends no matter what happened next.
Read It Together
Philippians 1:3-4
3 I thank my God whenever I remember you, 4 always in every request of mine on behalf of you all, making my requests with joy…
(WEB)
Point out that Paul thanked God every time he remembered his friends, and he prayed for them with joy. Ask the children who they can thank God for today.
Philippians 1:12-14
12 Now I desire to have you know, brothers, that the things which happened to me have turned out rather to the progress of the Good News; 13 so that it became evident to the whole palace guard, and to all the rest, that my bonds are in Christ; 14 and that most of the brothers in the Lord, being confident through my bonds, are more abundantly bold to speak the word of God without fear.
(WEB)
Show the children that Paul’s hard time in prison helped the good news spread to new people. Explain that God can use hard things to help his work go forward.
Philippians 1:27
Only let your way of life be worthy of the Good News of Christ, that, whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your state, that you stand firm in one spirit, with one soul striving for the faith of the Good News…
(WEB)
Point out that Paul wanted the Philippians to live in a way that is worthy of Jesus and to stand firm together. Talk about simple ways children can help their friends stay strong and kind.
Talk About It
- What did Paul do when he was in prison, and how did he feel about it?
- How did God use Paul’s time in prison to help other people hear about Jesus?
- What is one thing you can thank God for when you pray, like Paul did?
- How can you be a good friend to someone who is going through a hard time?
- What does it mean that God will finish the good work he started in you?
Activity Ideas
Flower Joy Craft
You will need paper, crayons or markers, scissors, and glue. Have each child draw a large flower with a yellow center and colorful petals. On each petal, they can write or draw one thing they are thankful for, just as Paul was thankful for his friends. Then glue the flowers onto a poster that says “God Is Working in Us.”
Hands Up for Jesus Game
Gather the children in a circle. Call out things that might be hard, like “a rainy day” or “a grumpy friend,” and have the children respond by holding both hands up high and saying “God is with us!” Then call out something happy, and they can clap. This helps children remember that joy can grow even in difficult moments.
Thankful Jar at Home
You will need an empty jar, paper strips, and a pen. Each day for a week, have the family write one thing they are thankful for on a strip and place it in the jar. At the end of the week, read the notes aloud together and thank God for each one, remembering how Paul gave thanks for his friends.
Teacher Notes
For adults, this chapter shows that Paul’s joy did not depend on his circumstances. He rejoiced because the gospel was going forward and because he trusted God to complete the work he had begun in the Philippian believers. His imprisonment became an opportunity for the gospel to advance, which reminds us that God can work through difficulty in ways we do not expect.
Be careful not to suggest to children that God will always make hard things turn out well in the way we want, or that faith means we will never feel sad. Paul himself faced real suffering and uncertainty. Focus instead on God’s faithfulness and his presence with us in every situation.
A Prayer to Close
Dear Jesus, thank you that you are always working in our lives, even when things feel hard. Help us to be joyful and to thank you for our friends, just as Paul did. Help us to stand strong together and to trust that you will finish the good work you started in us. Amen.
