Week 12: Shipwrecked on Malta

Malta is a tiny island in the Mediterranean Sea, about 60 miles south of Sicily. The word "Malta" means refuge.

We reviewed the activities from last week and were reminded that Paul was defending himself in front of several different officials. During one of Paul's trials, he was asked to go back to Jerusalem to face the Jewish leadership. Paul knew that he would be killed if he went to Jerusalem, so he appealed to Caesar. The Roman soldiers guarded Paul and arranged for Paul's journey to Rome. Paul and the other prisoners boarded a ship that would carry them across the Mediterranean Sea to Rome.

We read from Acts 27 and listened to the events that happened on the way to Malta. Paul was confident that God would take care of him and that he would arrive safely in Rome. The travel was slow due to the wind blowing against them on the 1st leg of the trip. Paul told the sailors that their voyage would become dangerous on the 2nd leg of the trip due to the fact that they had entered the stormy season. The ship got caught in a terrible storm and everyone gave up hope that they would survive. Paul assured his fellow travelers that not one person would perish and the God had told him he would make it to Rome to stand trial before Caesar. They ran the ship aground and it was broken to pieces. Everyone made it safely to the small island of Malta.

(Hmmmm... looks like Ms. Susie lost her place!)

The islanders showed Paul and his traveling companions great kindness. As they were building a fire, Paul was bitten by a poisonous snake. Everyone expected Paul to die, but he shook off the snake into the fire and suffered no ill effects. The people decided that Paul must be some type of god. Paul healed many sick people while staying on the island and he was honored and taken care of by the islanders. Paul had faith that God would provide safe passage to Rome for him. He didn't doubt God's word even when times became difficult and it seemed like he might die.

The kids made snakes to remind them about Paul's faith that God would take care of him in all circumstances.

We've only got a few weeks left in this adventure. Please remind the kids to study the Bible Verse...

"Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!"
"I can do everything through him who gives me strength."
Philippians 4:4,13