Aim

To become familiar with some of the events of Paul's missionary journeys.
To begin to understand Paul's attitude towards suffering.

Preparation

Before the lesson obtain a large map of Mediterranean.

Lesson

Begin lesson by reminding children of what was taught in the course of the previous lesson. Paul was chosen by God to tell non-Jews about Jesus. Why was Paul chosen?

Last week the children read about Paul's first few days in his new job in Damascus. But his mission was to non-Jews. Therefore, he was soon to embark on a life-time of travel.

Discuss journeys which the children have made.

Where did they go? Who accompanied them? Who decided upon the destination and for what reason? Best / worst moments?

In contrast to the level of planning which undoubtedly went into the children's journeys, Paul appeared to make no plans. Instead, he allowed himself be led by the Holy Spirit.

'In the church at Antioch, there were prophets and teachers. They were all worshipping the Lord and gave up eating for a certain time. During this time, the Holy Spirit said to them, "Set aside for me Barnabus and Saul to do a special work for which I have chosen them."
So after they had given up eating and prayed, they laid their hands on Barnabus and Saul and sent them out. Barnabus and Saul, sent out by the Holy Spirit, went to the city of Seleucia. From there they sailed to the island of Cyprus.'

With the aid of a map of the Mediterranean, briefly outline the more noteworthy events of Paul's missionary journeys. (See Notes below)

In the course of all his journeys, fortunate and unfortunate occurences appeared to befall Paul in alternating succession, like in the game 'Fortunately / Unfortunately'.

Allow the children to play a few rounds of the game, (For rules, see Notes below) before distributing copies of either script to each group. (Paul and others set sail for Rome and Paul and Silas preached in Philippi.)

Following a period of rehearsal, allow a number of groups to perform in front of the rest of the class.

After the performances, point out that Paul, however, did not see his new life as a Christian in terms of 'fortunate / unfortunate'. He believed that it was an honour to suffer for the sake of Jesus. That's why he was able to sing in prison. Paul knew that eventually, like Jesus, he too would be killed for his beliefs. But even this prospect did not discourage him. In fact, he believed that by dying like Jesus, he would be resurrected like Jesus at the end of time.

Most people believe that Paul was killed (possibly beheaded) in Rome on the orders of the Emperor Nero.

Notes

Noteworthy events of Paul's missionary journeys:

• Cyprus converted the governor of the island.
• Lystra mistaken for the god Zeus, stoned by crowd, left for dead.
• Phillipi put in prison.
• Athens addressed the meeting of philosophers at Areopagus.
• Ephesus caused a major riot.
• Jerusalem arrested, appealed to be tried before Caesar.
• Off Malta shipwrecked en route to Rome.
• Malta bitten by a poisonous snake.
• Rome under house arrest.

Fortunately / Unfortunately is a game which can be played in pairs or small groups. The first person starts by making a statement, for example, "This morning I had Cornflakes for my breakfast." The next person follows up this statement with another, beginning with the word 'unfortunately'. For example, "Unfortunately, my cornflakes were stale." The next person counters with a statement beginning 'fortunately'. For example, "Fortunately, I like stale cornflakes." And so on, until the group's ideas are exhausted.

The two scripts are best suited to a mime/narration style of performance. The lines alternate between two narrators, while the rest of the group mime the events. Paul and Silas should be played by the same pair of actors throughout with the rest of the cast playing all the other parts.