The Spirit on the Move
Kindergarten: The Spirit on the Move

Lesson 6: The Holy Spirit Protects (Acts 27)

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LESSON INFORMATION

Unit Essential Questions:

  • How was the Holy Spirit on the move during the early church?

  • How is the Holy Spirit on the move today?

  • How does the Holy Spirit work through followers of Jesus?


Lesson Essential Questions:

  • How did the Holy Spirit protect Paul on the boat?

  • How did Paul tell others about the Holy Spirit?

  • How does the Holy Spirit protect us today? 

Bible Text:

  • Acts 4:27

Contextual Lenses:

Learning Goals:

  • Students will be able to identify ways that the Holy Spirit protected Paul on the boat. 

  • Students will be able to explain the significance of what Paul told the other people on the boat about the Holy Spirit. 

  • Students will be able to explore ways that the Holy Spirit protects us today. 

Common Core ELA:

  • CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.K.3- Ask and answer questions in order to seek help, get information, or clarify something that is not understood.

  • CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.K.5- Add drawings or other visual displays to descriptions as desired to provide additional detail.

  • CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.K.1.a- Follow agreed-upon rules for discussions (e.g., listening to others and taking turns speaking about the topics and texts under discussion).

Teaching Points:

  • Jesus went UP (point up)

  • The Holy Spirit came DOWN (point down)

  • The disciples went OUT (point anywhere using both hands) 

  • Just as God protected Paul and the people on the ship, the Holy Spirit is always protecting us, even when things seem scary or uncertain.

LESSON PREPARATION

What you should prepare . . .

  • Print out the arrow symbol to use as a visual anchor.

  • Get the presentation slides ready on your computer, screen, or smart board. 

  • Get a large piece of paper. Set up art materials such as paints/crayons/tissue, paper, and glue for the response activity. 

What you should know . . .

These lessons focus on the powerful stories of the Holy Spirit’s work in the early followers of Jesus. Jesus promised that after He ascended into heaven, He would send a Helper to be with His followers. That Helper is the Holy Spirit, who now dwells within everyone who believes in Jesus.

To help reinforce this lesson, you can use the phrase "The Holy Spirit came!" as you review the story with your learners. Additionally, you might consider revisiting the story of Paul’s transformative encounter with Jesus, using the phrase "The Holy Spirit changes lives!" to highlight the life-changing power of the Spirit.

LESSON INTRODUCTION

Where are we? (time and location):

  • Off the coast of Malta in the Adriatic Sea (Slide 1: Map of Malta)

  • Paul is on his way to Rome to face trial before the Emperor

Do you remember: (Show arrow symbol.)

  • Jesus went UP (point up)

  • The Holy Spirit came DOWN (point down)

  • The disciples went OUT (point anywhere using both hands)

Today we are going to join Paul onboard a ship as it sails for Rome, but guess what? Paul was being taken to Rome so the Romans could put him in jail… AGAIN! The ship that Paul was on might have looked something like this. (Slide 2: Boat.) Let’s look at the route the ship took as it sailed across the ocean. (Slide 3: Map of Boat travel) But you’ll never guess what happened. There was a huge storm! I wonder if the ship is going to sink? Are you ready to find out? Let’s go!

GOD-CENTERED STORYTELLING

Paul sat on the ship and hugged his knees as the boat rocked from side to side (hug knees, rock side to side). He looked up at the clouds that were gathering above (look up, shield eyes). He prayed that God would keep them all safe as they sailed to Rome (put hands together in prayer). Paul looked around at all the other men who were on board (look around at everyone). Some were sailors, some were soldiers and some were prisoners, like him. 

The wind began to blow (blow softly). The waves began to crash over the edge of the ship (lean back, protect face with hands). Rain started beating down (raise fingers, shake them and bring them down, say pitter-patter, pitter-patter). Paul was soaking wet (hug self, shiver). The sailors started to panic (put fists to mouth, chatter teeth, look scared.). “The ship’s going to sink!” they cried.

But Paul stood up (stand). He talked to the men. (Ask children to repeat each phrase after you.) Men, listen to me!... God is with us…. Do not be afraid!... This boat will not sink… We’ve been sailing for fourteen days!... We are all hungry…. Let’s eat. 

Then Paul sat down (sit down.) Paul took some bread (pick up imaginary loaf), held it up to God (hold it up) and prayed:  “Dear God, (Pause after each phrase so children can repeat it.)  Thank you for being with us… Thank you for sending the Holy Spirit…. To protect us on this ship… Thank you for this bread… Amen”) 

Then Paul broke the bread (pretend to break bread) and handed it out to everyone on board (pretend to offer it out). Everyone ate (pretend to eat). The ship was still rocking up and down (rock side to side). But everyone was tired and they fell asleep (put hands near face. Close eyes as if falling asleep).

In the morning, there was a loud bang and everyone woke up (wake up/ clap hands). The ship had hit a sandbar and Paul saw an island nearby! (shield eyes and peer into distance). The men jumped overboard (pretend to jump) and swam to shore (swim) or floated on pieces of the ship. Everyone was saved! (cheer/clap).

Phew…what an exciting story! The Holy Spirit protected Paul again! The Holy Spirit was on the move. After that, even when Paul was in prison in Rome, he never stopped telling other people about Jesus.

EXPLORE THE STORY

Spend five minutes discussing the story. Possible wondering questions/starter points:

  • I wonder how Paul knew that the ship wasn’t going to sink?

  • I wonder if the Holy Spirit still protects people?

  • I wonder if the other men on the ship believed in the Holy Spirit after that?

  • I wonder what the most important part of this story is?

RESPOND TO THE STORY

Work together on a collective collage/picture. On a large sheet of paper, have someone draw a ship. Let some children work on the waves, using paint, marker or fabrics. Paul, the soldiers and the sailors can either be drawn directly on the paper, or have several children draw one figure each. Cut them out and glue them to the picture.

In the sky above, have someone write: The Holy Spirit Protects!

Lesson Files Include:

  • Lesson PDF

  • Presentations Files (Keynote, Power Point, Google Slides)

  • Additional Lesson Resources

Contact info@lovegodloveothers.com if you are interested in trying out this unit with your students!