2/2 The Gospel Project Unit 35
Session 5: Paul Preached in Rome

Read all or parts of Acts 28:11-31

The clock in Salisbury Cathedral of Wiltshire, UK is known as the longest working clock. Beginning in 1386, the clock ran continuously for 498 years. That means the clock went ‘tick- tock’ more than 500 million times without stopping!

Paul faced one setback after another on his journeys to share the gospel. Paul had plenty of reasons to give up on the mission God had called him to complete, but Paul endured it all so that people could hear about Jesus. Dangerous threats, shipwrecks, nor imprisonment could stop Paul from continuing to tell others how Jesus lived, died, and rose again to save people from their sin.

There are a lot of things that might keep us from telling others about Jesus. Fear, busyness, or lack of concern can stop us from sharing the gospel, but God’s message is too important to keep quiet. We can ask God for the courage and the opportunity to tell others about Jesus because it is the message they need to be saved.

Being a prisoner in Rome did not stop Paul from sharing his faith. He continued to share the gospel even when people disagreed. The message about Jesus seems foolish to some, but everyone who trusts in Jesus will be saved.

PRAYER PROMPTS AND DISCUSSION STARTERS

• Jesus, we praise You because You gave Your life to save all who trust in You. This message is worth believing and worth sharing—no matter what it costs. Teach us to follow the examples of Paul and other Christians who endured hard things to preach the gospel to the world. Amen.
• Ask God to give you the opportunity to pray with someone today. Pay attention to those who may be sad, hurting, or in need. Take the initiative to talk with them and pray for their needs. Remind them that God is faithful to be with His followers and to help them carry out the plans He has for their life.
• Ask God to help you trust Him even when the hard things in life don’t stop or go away. Remember that God’s promise is to be with you even in the hard times. How does God’s presence help you to face hard or unexpected times?

UNIT 35 OVERVIEW: PAUL’S MISSION TO ROME
After three missionary journeys on which God used Paul to plant many churches and see many people trust in Christ, Paul returned to Jerusalem where he was arrested. Paul would eventually be sent to Rome as a prisoner, but this did not stop him from doing everything he could to preach the gospel and make much of Jesus.

BIG PICTURE QUESTION
This is an important biblical truth that your child will encounter each week of this unit.

• Preschool: Why should we praise Jesus? We should praise Jesus for all He has done for us.
• Elementary:  Why should we praise Jesus? We should praise Jesus for what He has done to provide our salvation and also because He is returning one day to make all things right. 

KEY PASSAGE
This is a Bible verse that relates to our unit emphasis. Encourage your kids to memorize the verse.

• Preschool: Lord, I will praise Your name. Isaiah 25:1 
• Elementary: O Lord, you are my God; I will exalt you; I will praise your name, for you have done wonderful things, plans formed of old, faithful and sure. Isaiah 25:1

UPPER ELEMENTARY:

• Acts 15
• In class, students watched the Acts part 2 from the Bible Project
• Application focus: when you encounter something challenging or confusing in your faith, are you willing to ask input from more experienced Christians and the Bible?

** Next week: Jesus is worthy of Worship (Revelation 4-5)