Treasuring God's Word: Week 11: Chained in Caesarea

The city of Caesarea is located on one of the three international north/south roads running through Israel. King Herod built Caesarea on the Roman pattern with an ampitheater, market, harbor, temple to Augustus, fountains, good streets and houses. Roman procurators were based in Caesarea.

We started the class by making chains and pairing the children up to be handcuffed together for the entire class. We reviewed the riot that occurred in Jerusalem last week and how Paul was arrested. We were reminded that the Jewish leaders did not like Paul because he preached the good news about Jesus. Paul was going to be chained and in prison from this time forward. The kids were chained together while they completed their papers, listened to the Bible Story and played a relay game. Several of the kids learned that even going to the restroom would have to be done while chained up!

Paul was taken to Caesarea under the protection of the Roman guards when they learned that there was a plot to kill him in Jerusalem. Paul was held in Caesarea for over two years. During that time he defended himself in front of various officials. He presented his story to these officials and was able to tell his conversion story and God's plan of salvation. His defense was the same each time... Paul told them the following things about himself in his defense:

1) He was born Jewish

2) He studied the scriptures since he was a child

3) He persecuted the followers of Jesus

4) Jesus spoke to him on the road to Damascus and Paul was converted to a believer

5) He was doing God's will by preaching the good news

The officials did not feel that Paul had done anything that deserved punishment. They understood that there were strong disagreements between Paul and the Jewish leaders. Because Paul appealed to Caesar for judgement, he was required to be sent to Rome for a trial.