In Corinth, Paul met a couple named Priscilla and Aquila. The three of them built tents together to earn a living. Whenever he was not making tents, Paul taught people about Jesus. After a year and a half, Paul, Priscilla and Aquila travelled to the city of Ephesus together. Priscilla and Aquila stayed in Ephesus to make tents and tell people about Jesus, while Paul went on to Antioch. A while later, when a great teacher named Apollos came to Ephesus, Priscilla and Aquila invited him to their house and explained baptism’s real meaning. Apollos was grateful and went on to Corinth, where he continued to share the good news of Jesus.
In whatever career or job we choose, we can play our part in helping others know about God.
Bible verses used in this episode:
Acts 18:1-28
Outline:
- Priscilla and Aquila meet Paul in Corinth (Acts 18:1-4)
- Paul teaches and troubles in Corinth (Acts 18:5-17)
- Priscilla and Aquila travel with Paul and stay in Ephesus (Acts 18:18-23)
- Priscilla and Aquila teach Apollos (Acts 18:24-28)
Tips for teaching children:
- Have the children make a tent using sheets and blankets
- Talk to the children about what they would like to do for a job when they grow up. In that job, how can they be a Christian, and how can they help others know about Jesus?
- Collect items relating to various jobs or careers (stethoscope, fireman’s hat, hammer, chef’s hat, etc.) Children can guess the job or career as you show each item. Next, ask the children to think about ways a person in that career might help others know about Jesus. A carpenter might fix something at the church that is broken. A doctor might pray with his patients. A chef might cook food for a teacher so he or she can have the energy to teach more people about Jesus. The children will help you think of more ideas.
Tips for teaching adults:
- As the teacher, it will be helpful to Google “Epicureanism” and “Stoicism” or find material in a Bible encyclopaedia/dictionary and write down summaries of their philosophies, especially as Paul touches on aspects of them in the speech on the Areopagus. Bring this info to class and share it with the class as a background to the story. Wikipedia links:
- Ask the class these kinds of questions: What does Paul affirm about this ‘unknown God’ that he is now making known to them? What are the attributes of God? What does he want them to know about the true and living God?
- Ask the follow-up questions: In what ways does this speech challenge us about who the true and living God is?
Full teaching instructions free from Mission Bible Class:
Bible Lesson: Priscilla and Aquila
Scriptures quoted from the International Children’s Bible®, copyright ©1986, 1988, 1999, 2015 by Tommy Nelson. Used by permission.
Excerpts from Mission Bible Class used by permission.
For questions or comments email: mary@missionbibleclass.org