Free for every church

Free Bible lesson for kids · Paul’s Journeys

Preaching in Rome

In Rome Paul lived two years in his own rented house, guarded by a soldier. He welcomed everyone who came and preached the kingdom of God with all confidence.

Bible passage
Acts 28:16–31
Big idea
Nothing can stop the good news of Jesus.
Memory verse
Preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, no man forbidding him. Acts 28:31 (KJV)
Ages
Preschool to preteen (3 to 12), with tips for each age
Time
About 45 minutes
Included, free
Animated story film, coloring page, class sheet, teacher guide, questions and answers, a game

The story

In Rome, Paul was allowed to live by himself, with a soldier to guard him (Acts 28:16). After three days he called the Jewish leaders together. He said he had done nothing against his people, yet he was bound with a chain “for the hope of Israel” (Acts 28:17, 20). They wanted to hear more, so they set a day to meet (Acts 28:22–23).

Many came to his lodging. From morning until evening Paul taught them about the kingdom of God. He showed them Jesus from the law of Moses and the prophets (Acts 28:23). Some believed, and some did not (Acts 28:24). Paul said God’s salvation was sent to the Gentiles too (Acts 28:28). For two whole years Paul lived in his own rented house. He welcomed everyone who came and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ “with all confidence, no man forbidding him” (Acts 28:30–31).

Read it in the Bible: Acts 28:16–31 (KJV)

16And when we came to Rome, the centurion delivered the prisoners to the captain of the guard: but Paul was suffered to dwell by himself with a soldier that kept him. 17And it came to pass, that after three days Paul called the chief of the Jews together: and when they were come together, he said unto them, Men and brethren, though I have committed nothing against the people, or customs of our fathers, yet was I delivered prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans. 18Who, when they had examined me, would have let me go, because there was no cause of death in me. 19But when the Jews spake against it, I was constrained to appeal unto Caesar; not that I had ought to accuse my nation of. 20For this cause therefore have I called for you, to see you, and to speak with you: because that for the hope of Israel I am bound with this chain. 21And they said unto him, We neither received letters out of Judaea concerning thee, neither any of the brethren that came shewed or spake any harm of thee. 22But we desire to hear of thee what thou thinkest: for as concerning this sect, we know that every where it is spoken against. 23And when they had appointed him a day, there came many to him into his lodging; to whom he expounded and testified the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus, both out of the law of Moses, and out of the prophets, from morning till evening. 24And some believed the things which were spoken, and some believed not. 25And when they agreed not among themselves, they departed, after that Paul had spoken one word, Well spake the Holy Ghost by Esaias the prophet unto our fathers, 26Saying, Go unto this people, and say, Hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and not perceive: 27For the heart of this people is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes have they closed; lest they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them. 28Be it known therefore unto you, that the salvation of God is sent unto the Gentiles, and that they will hear it. 29And when he had said these words, the Jews departed, and had great reasoning among themselves. 30And Paul dwelt two whole years in his own hired house, and received all that came in unto him, 31Preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, no man forbidding him.

Questions to ask

  1. How long did Paul live in his own hired house?

    Two whole years.

  2. Who did Paul welcome?

    All that came in unto him.

  3. How did Paul preach?

    With all confidence, no man forbidding him.

What this story teaches

  • The law and the prophets tell about Jesus (Acts 28:23).
  • God’s salvation is for people of every nation (Acts 28:28).
  • Some people believe the gospel, and some do not (Acts 28:24).
  • Chains cannot stop the good news about Jesus (Acts 28:20, 31).
  • We should welcome anyone who wants to hear about Jesus (Acts 28:30–31).

Jesus Saves All Who Believe

Paul boldly preached Jesus in Rome. The good news of Jesus is God’s power to save everyone who believes, from every nation.

Romans 1:16

A 45-minute lesson plan

5 minWelcome and pray. Greet each child by name and pray: Pray that the gospel keeps going to every nation.
10 minThe story. Play the story film: each verse appears on screen in the King James Version while the scene plays. Pause to ask what happens next.
10 minTalk about it. Ask the three questions below. Then ask: “Nothing can stop the good news of Jesus.” What does that mean for us?
5 minMemory verse. Say Acts 28:31 together, covering one word at a time until the children can say it alone.
10 minActivity. Younger children color the coloring page while you retell the story; older children do the class sheet (memory-verse fill-in, word search and questions).
5 minPray and send home. Pray together and send the sheet home so families can talk about the first question this week.
  • Preschool: keep it short and physical. Act out the story, use a simple prop, and repeat the big idea in one sentence.
  • Elementary: let children find the passage in their own Bibles. Ask “who, what, where” questions first, then “why.”
  • Preteens: read the verses before and after the passage, and ask how this story fits the whole story of the Bible.

Game time

For kids · game · indoors or out · about 10 minutes

Chained Together Tag

You need: Open space

  1. Kids pair up and hold hands: one is Paul and one is the soldier chained to him.
  2. Play tag in pairs. A tagged pair becomes the taggers.
  3. Pairs must stay “chained” the whole time!

Even chained to a soldier in Rome, Paul welcomed everyone and preached the kingdom of God with all confidence.

For youth group · activity · indoors · about 25 minutes

Letters of Hope

You need: Cards, the address of a prison ministry or a missionary family

  1. Paul wrote letters from prison that still encourage people today.
  2. Write letters of hope through a prison ministry, or to missionaries your church supports.
  3. Include a verse and a prayer.

Paul couldn’t leave his house, but God used his letters to reach the world.

Pray

Pray that the gospel keeps going to every nation.

Questions people ask

How long did Paul live in his own hired house?

Two whole years.

Who did Paul welcome?

All that came in unto him.

How did Paul preach?

With all confidence, no man forbidding him.