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Serve God
while Working your Job Aquila and Priscilla, and the Apostle
Paul, worked Lord, please use this study to help the children learn why Christian workers often have two jobs. Most Christian workers must work with their hands to earn their living, while they also serve Jesus as shepherds and evangelists. In Jesus’ name, Amen. Choose learning activities that fit current needs and opportunities. 1. Let an older child or teacher read the story of the tentmakers in Acts 18:1–11. It tells how God used the work skills of Priscilla, Aquila, and Paul to start a church in the city of Corinth. They made tents to earn their living. After relating the story, ask these questions. Where did Paul find a place to stay in Corinth? (Answer, see Acts 18:3) How was Paul able to support himself in Corinth? (Verse 3) What did Paul do when the Jews refused to listen to him? (6) What was the result of Paul’s teaching in Corinth? (8) How did Paul know that God was blessing his
ministry? (9–10)
2. Draw a tent and let the children copy or color it. · Older children help the younger ones. · Some children might like to copy or colour the picture found on the last page of this lesson. · Show the pictures to parents and explain that it illustrates how the Apostle Paul earned his living in Corinth and other cities.
3. Dramatize parts of the story. Use your time with the children to prepare the drama. You may shorten it. Older children or adults play these parts: Narrator. Summarize the story and help the children remember what to say. Priscilla and Aquila. Hold a piece of cloth and pretend to sew. Paul Younger children play these parts: Jews Crispus Gentiles
Narrator Tell
the first part of the story (Acts 18:1–4). Say, Aquila Give
some cloth to Paul and say, Priscilla “Yes.
We will help you earn enough money so that you can Paul “Thank
you for helping me to support myself. Narrator Tell
the second part of the story (Acts 18:5–11). Say, Jews (Shout) “Paul, we will not listen to you. Go away!” Paul
“I am not responsible for you any longer. Justus “Paul,
you cannot teach in the synagogue any more. Gentiles “We Gentiles can listen to Paul at Crispus’ house.” Crispus “Paul,
I have listened to the good news that you teach. Paul “I
am so thankful for all of you who have helped me stay here in Corinth. Gentiles (Some
say) “Paul, we are glad that you stayed to teach in Corinth. Narrator Thank the children and anyone else who helped with the drama.
4. Ask
the children to give other examples of ways besides making tents that people
work 5. Arrange with the congregation’s worship leader for the children to… · Present their drama to the adults during the worship time. · Ask the adults the questions that are listed above under #1. · Present the poem and anything else that the children have prepared. ·
The children may also recite their memory
work. 6. Memorize 1 Corinthians 10:31. 7. Let four children each recite a verse from 2 Thessalonians 3:7, 8, 9 &10. 8. Let the older children write a poem, song or short story. Or
they might tell about ways they have seen Christians earn their living while
serving Jesus. 9. Let an older child pray: “Dear Lord, we thank you that you have given to us all many different abilities. Help us to use for you every skill and ability that we have. Teach us to work cheerfully and to use our work to help others, as Priscilla and Aquila helped Paul.”
A more detailed drama
to act out, about how Paul took the gospel to the gentiles:
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