Scripture: Acts 20:1-21:26
Learning Objectives:
- Students will learn Paul traveled to many countries to teach about Jesus.
- Students will learn Paul continued to preach about Jesus even though he was in danger most of the time.
- Students will learn God wants them to share their faith wherever He sends them, even if it is difficult or scary.
- Students will practice adding by calculating trip distances on a map.
Guiding Question: Why does God want us to share our faith wherever He sends us?
Materials: Paper maps, pencils, paper
Procedure: Review the story of Paul’s Missionary Journey. Remind the students that Paul went to many places to share the Word of Jesus and that some of those places were even dangerous. Have the students share why they think God sent Paul to some of those dangerous places. Explain that the Word of God was very much needed in those places and Paul had to trust that God would take care of Him while he shared his faith there. Explain that God may call us to share our faith with others that we may not know well or in places that make us uncomfortable. It is important to trust that God has a plan and will take care of us/provide for us no matter what situation we find ourselves in.
Introduce the activity. Give the students (can be individual or in pairs) printed maps with lines drawn between two cities and the mileage between those two cities written on the line. Have multiple lines between different cities and the distances. Have students figure the total mileage for a journey that requires them to add two or more distances. (Give at least 5 different journeys for them to add up).
Additional Questions: How can students practice adding through creating their own trips?
Supplemental Activity: Have students plan 1-2 trips that they would love to take, including places to visit along the way. Have the students research the mileage between each stop along the trip and add up the total mileage for the trip.