Paul Travels to Jerusalem

At the conclusion of his third missionary journey, Paul followed the direction of the Holy Spirit in making his way to Jerusalem.  As he stopped along the way, many Christians warned him of the dangers awaiting him.  In Caesarea, a man named Agabus prophesied that the Jews in Jerusalem would harm Paul if he went there. Despite all of these warnings, Paul was determined to obey the Holy Spirit.  In Jerusalem, Paul met with an angry crowd and was arrested.  None of this stopped Paul from preaching about Jesus.

Emphasise having the determination to do what is right even when challenges arise.

Bible verses used in this episode:

• Acts 20:13 through 22:29
• Galatians 6:9

Outline:

1. On the way to Jerusalem (Acts 20:13-21:14)
   1. Farewell to Ephesian Elders in Miletus (20:17-28)
   2. Other stops and farewells along the way (21:1-6)
   3. In Caesarea with Philip and Agabus (21:7-14)
2. In Jerusalem (Acts 21:15-22:29)
   1. Taking advice from James and others (21:15-25)
   2. An angry mob and an arrest-includes Paul’s sermon (21:26-22:22)
   3. Paul’s treatment as a prisoner (22:23-29) 

Tips for teaching children:

• Define “determination”: The feeling we have that makes us keep going even if things get difficult
• Help the children understand that mistakes can help us learn lessons.  Sometimes, the bad things that happen to us help us learn to be stronger.

Tips for teaching adults:

• Ask one of the more artistic members of the class to draw a blank map of Paul’s world and write in the places mentioned in the text where Paul and his companions travelled. The names of the places can be written on the map as the story of his journeys from Troas to Jerusalem is read.
• Paul meets with the elders from Ephesus and tells them things that are important.  This is is farewell address to them.  If you were to give a farewell talk to your church, what would you say to them? What would you want them to know and or do?
• Paul is given the opportunity to speak to a hostile group about how he became a follower of Jesus. What is your story? How did you become a follower of Jesus? How has your understanding of what was expected of you as a follower of Jesus changed since you began this journey?

Full teaching instructions free from Mission Bible Class:

Bible Lesson:  Paul Goes to Jerusalem 

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