Free Bible lesson for kids · Paul’s Journeys
Tentmakers in Corinth
In Corinth Paul stayed with Aquila and Priscilla and made tents with them. The Lord spoke to Paul in a vision and told him not to be afraid, because He was with him.
- Bible passage
- Acts 18:1–11
- Big idea
- God is with us wherever He sends us.
- Memory verse
Then spake the Lord to Paul in the night by a vision, Be not afraid, but speak, and hold not thy peace:
Acts 18:9 (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
Paul left Athens and came to the city of Corinth (Acts 18:1). There he met Aquila and his wife Priscilla, who had come from Italy (Acts 18:2). They made tents for a living, just like Paul, so he stayed and worked with them (Acts 18:3). Every sabbath Paul taught in the synagogue, and when Silas and Timotheus came, he testified that Jesus is the Christ (Acts 18:4–5).
When some opposed him, Paul taught next door to the synagogue, in the house of Justus (Acts 18:6–7). Crispus, the synagogue leader, believed in the Lord with his whole family, and many others believed and were baptized (Acts 18:8). Then the Lord spoke to Paul at night in a vision: “Be not afraid, but speak, and hold not thy peace” (Acts 18:9). He promised, “I am with thee” (Acts 18:10). Paul stayed a year and six months, teaching God’s word (Acts 18:11).
Read it in the Bible: Acts 18:1–11 (KJV)
1After these things Paul departed from Athens, and came to Corinth; 2And found a certain Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, lately come from Italy, with his wife Priscilla; (because that Claudius had commanded all Jews to depart from Rome:) and came unto them. 3And because he was of the same craft, he abode with them, and wrought: for by their occupation they were tentmakers. 4And he reasoned in the synagogue every sabbath, and persuaded the Jews and the Greeks. 5And when Silas and Timotheus were come from Macedonia, Paul was pressed in the spirit, and testified to the Jews that Jesus was Christ. 6And when they opposed themselves, and blasphemed, he shook his raiment, and said unto them, Your blood be upon your own heads; I am clean: from henceforth I will go unto the Gentiles. 7And he departed thence, and entered into a certain man’s house, named Justus, one that worshipped God, whose house joined hard to the synagogue. 8And Crispus, the chief ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord with all his house; and many of the Corinthians hearing believed, and were baptized. 9Then spake the Lord to Paul in the night by a vision, Be not afraid, but speak, and hold not thy peace: 10For I am with thee, and no man shall set on thee to hurt thee: for I have much people in this city. 11And he continued there a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them.
Questions to ask
Who did Paul stay with in Corinth?
Aquila and Priscilla.
What was their work?
They were tentmakers.
What did the Lord tell Paul?
Be not afraid, but speak; for I am with thee.
What this story teaches
- The Lord promised Paul, “I am with thee” (Acts 18:10).
- We do not need to be afraid when God is with us (Acts 18:9–10).
- Paul worked with his hands while he served the Lord (Acts 18:3–4).
- Jesus is the Christ, as Paul boldly testified (Acts 18:5).
- Whole families can believe in the Lord together (Acts 18:8).
Jesus Is Always with Us
The Lord told Paul He was with him. Jesus promises to be with all His followers always, even to the end of the world.
Matthew 28:20
A 45-minute lesson plan
| 5 min | Welcome and pray. Greet each child by name and pray: Thank God that He is always with us. |
|---|---|
| 10 min | The 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 min | Talk about it. Ask the three questions below. Then ask: “God is with us wherever He sends us.” What does that mean for us? |
| 5 min | Memory verse. Say Acts 18:9 together, covering one word at a time until the children can say it alone. |
| 10 min | Activity. 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 min | Pray 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 · activity · indoors · about 15 minutes
Build a Tent
You need: Sheets, chairs, clothespins, a flashlight
- In teams, build a tent big enough for everyone on the team.
- Climb inside and have the Bible story or snack in your tent with a flashlight.
- Talk about Paul, Aquila and Priscilla, who worked together making tents.
Paul worked hard making tents, and the Lord told him, “Be not afraid… For I am with thee.”
For youth group · game · outdoors · about 20 minutes
Tent Race
You need: Camping tents (one per team)
- Teams race to set up their tent with no instructions.
- Then they take it down and pack it back in its bag.
- Talk: how did your team work together, or not?
Aquila, Priscilla and Paul served God through ordinary work. Your work matters to God.
Pray
Thank God that He is always with us.