Free Bible lesson for kids · Paul’s Journeys
Paul’s Farewell
At Miletus Paul said goodbye to the elders of Ephesus. He reminded them to care for the church and to remember that it is more blessed to give than to receive. They knelt and prayed together.
- Bible passage
- Acts 20:17–38
- Big idea
- Giving brings more blessing than getting.
- Memory verse
I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.
Acts 20:35 (KJV)- Ages
- Preschool to preteen (3 to 12), with tips for each age
- Time
- About 45 minutes
- Included, free
- Animated story film, coloring page, class sheet, teacher guide, questions and answers, a game
The story
Paul stopped at Miletus and sent for the elders of the church at Ephesus (Acts 20:17). He reminded them how he had served the Lord humbly and taught them in public and from house to house (Acts 20:19–20). Hard times were waiting for him, but Paul did not count his life dear. He only wanted to finish his course with joy and tell “the gospel of the grace of God” (Acts 20:22–24).
Paul told the elders to care for all the flock, the church God “hath purchased with his own blood” (Acts 20:28). He had worked with his own hands to help others (Acts 20:34). He said to remember the words of the Lord Jesus: “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35). Then Paul knelt down and prayed with them all. They wept, hugged him, and walked with him to the ship (Acts 20:36–38).
Read it in the Bible: Acts 20:17–38 (KJV)
17And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the church. 18And when they were come to him, he said unto them, Ye know, from the first day that I came into Asia, after what manner I have been with you at all seasons, 19Serving the Lord with all humility of mind, and with many tears, and temptations, which befell me by the lying in wait of the Jews: 20And how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have shewed you, and have taught you publickly, and from house to house, 21Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ. 22And now, behold, I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there: 23Save that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me. 24But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God. 25And now, behold, I know that ye all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, shall see my face no more. 26Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men. 27For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God. 28Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. 29For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. 30Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. 31Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears. 32And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified. 33I have coveted no man’s silver, or gold, or apparel. 34Yea, ye yourselves know, that these hands have ministered unto my necessities, and to them that were with me. 35I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive. 36And when he had thus spoken, he kneeled down, and prayed with them all. 37And they all wept sore, and fell on Paul’s neck, and kissed him, 38Sorrowing most of all for the words which he spake, that they should see his face no more. And they accompanied him unto the ship.
Questions to ask
Who did Paul say goodbye to?
The elders of the church at Ephesus.
What words of Jesus did Paul remind them of?
“It is more blessed to give than to receive.”
What did they do before Paul sailed?
They knelt down and prayed together.
What this story teaches
- The gospel is the good news of God’s grace (Acts 20:24).
- We must turn from sin to God and trust in Jesus (Acts 20:21).
- God’s church is precious, bought with His own blood (Acts 20:28).
- God’s Word of grace builds us up (Acts 20:32).
- Jesus taught that giving is more blessed than receiving (Acts 20:35).
Jesus Gave Himself for Us
Paul remembered Jesus’ words about giving. Jesus gave the greatest gift of all when He gave Himself for our sins to rescue us.
Galatians 1:4
A 45-minute lesson plan
| 5 min | Welcome and pray. Greet each child by name and pray: Ask God to make us cheerful givers. |
|---|---|
| 10 min | The story. Play the story film: each verse appears on screen in the King James Version while the scene plays. Pause to ask what happens next. |
| 10 min | Talk about it. Ask the three questions below. Then ask: “Giving brings more blessing than getting.” What does that mean for us? |
| 5 min | Memory verse. Say Acts 20:35 together, covering one word at a time until the children can say it alone. |
| 10 min | Activity. Younger children color the coloring page while you retell the story; older children do the class sheet (memory-verse fill-in, word search and questions). |
| 5 min | Pray and send home. Pray together and send the sheet home so families can talk about the first question this week. |
- Preschool: keep it short and physical. Act out the story, use a simple prop, and repeat the big idea in one sentence.
- Elementary: let children find the passage in their own Bibles. Ask “who, what, where” questions first, then “why.”
- Preteens: read the verses before and after the passage, and ask how this story fits the whole story of the Bible.
Game time
For kids · game · indoors · about 10 minutes
Give It Away
You need: Three paper hearts or tokens for each child
- Everyone starts with three hearts.
- The goal is to give them all away, but you must say something kind each time you give one.
- When everyone has given all theirs, ask: how did it feel to give?
Paul said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.”
For youth group · activity · indoors · about 20 minutes
Letters of Thanks
You need: Paper, envelopes, pens
- Think of a mentor, teacher or older believer who helped you grow.
- Write them a real letter telling them what they did and what it meant.
- Deliver or mail it this week.
The elders wept when Paul left, because he had poured his life into them. Thank the people who poured into you.
Pray
Ask God to make us cheerful givers.