Lesson 5: The Holy Spirit Calms (Acts 16:16-36)

Paul and Silas sat on the cold jail floor (shiver; hug self to keep warm). They had chains round their ankles (stretch legs out, grasp each ankle in turn, say cha-ching as if wrapping a chain round each one.) They did not want to be in jail! (shake head). But were their faces sad? (make a sad face). NO! Were they crying? (trace tears down face) NO! Were they trying to escape? (move legs up and down; wriggle around). NO! Were they singing? (make a happy face, say lalala.) YES! Paul and Silas knew that the Holy Spirit was with them, and so they were calm and relaxed (blow long breath out; put palms out and bring downwards). They sang praises to God! (Begin singing a song that the children know well so that they join in. For example: Jesus Loves Me/ My God is so Big, etc.)

It was midnight. Paul and Silas kept praying (put hands together in prayer) and singing (hum quietly). All the other prisoners were listening (cup hands over ears.) Suddenly, there was an earthquake! (say “rumble, rumble rumble;”shake legs around; tremble). All the prisoners’ chains fell off! (pretend to take chains off ankles; say cha-ching). Paul and Silas jumped up (jump up). They said, “Hooray!” (say that with me: Hooray!”) The jailer was scared (put fists to mouth, chatter teeth). He thought all the prisoners would escape. But Paul called out, “We’re all here!” (say that with me: “We’re all here!”) The jailer was amazed! He became calm! That day, the jailer and all his family were baptized and they all believed in God. (Sit down.)