The Church Begins · Lesson 10
Paul and Silas Sing in Jail
Acts 16:16-34; Philippians 4:4 New Testament PrincipleJoy
Paul and Silas were hurt and locked in jail for telling about Jesus. At midnight they prayed and sang to God. An earthquake opened the doors, and the jailer and his family believed in Jesus and were filled with joy.
Joy in Jesus doesn't depend on how things are going. Because He is always with us and always good, we can praise Him even in hard times.
- CreationGod made it
- FallWe broke it
- RedemptionJesus fixes it (this lesson)
- RestorationJesus makes it new
Memory verse
“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!”
Philippians 4:4 BSB
Christ Connection · The gospel
The jailer asked, "What must I do to be saved?" and Paul answered, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved" (Acts 16:30-31). Salvation is a gift received by trusting Jesus. The joy that let Paul and Silas sing in chains came from the same Jesus who saved the jailer.
Acts 16:30-34; Philippians 4:4; Romans 10:9
The Big Story · Redemption
Since the Fall, the world has been full of chains, fear and darkness. Jesus brings joy that can sing in the dark, and He sets captives free, a preview of the day when every chain is broken.
Teacher Guide
This version includes:
- Background and context for the passage
- Hidden in Plain Sight: the detail most people miss
- The Christ Connection: how this story points to Jesus
- A 45-minute class plan and prep checklist
- Object lesson: Singing in the dark
- Ellie’s Lab (science experiment): Songs that shake
- A skit to act out the story
- Review game: Shake, rattle and answer
- Pronunciation help, tips for every age, song ideas and a note for parents
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Preschool (ages 3–5)
I can sing to God anytime.
This version includes:
- An opening hook and a 4-minute Bible story written for this age, with a Hidden in Plain Sight moment
- 3 discussion questions
- 2 activities: Shake and sing, Color the singers
- 6 “Dasch Digs Up” facts
- Real-life connections: at home, at church
- Song ideas, Live It, a prayer, and a printable student handout (preview below)
Every lesson, every age, from $25 a month. · Log in
Free preview · Kindergarten – 2nd grade
Paul and Silas were put in jail for telling about Jesus, but they sang to God. An earthquake opened the doors, and the jailer and his family believed in Jesus with great joy.
Memory verse
“Rejoice in the Lord always!”
Adapted from Philippians 4:4
Start here
Ask, "What makes you happy?" Let kids share. Then ask, "Could you be happy in a dark jail?" Say, "Today two men find joy in a very hard place."
Bible story 6 min
Paul and Silas went to the city of Philippi. They told people about Jesus. Some men got angry at them.
The men had Paul and Silas hurt. Then they threw them in jail. The jailer locked their feet in wooden blocks.
It was dark and cold. But at midnight, Paul and Silas prayed. Then they sang songs to God! The other prisoners listened.
The rest of the story, discussion questions, songs, Live It and prayer are for members.
Try an activity
Earthquake freeze 8 min
You’ll need: Paper chain
- Kids sit "in jail" and sing a praise song. When you shout "Earthquake!", everyone shakes, then jumps up free.
- Shout together, "Believe in the Lord Jesus!"
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3rd – 4th grade
Beaten and jailed in Philippi, Paul and Silas prayed and sang to God at midnight. God shook the prison open, and the jailer asked how to be saved, believed in Jesus with his family, and was filled with joy.
This version includes:
- An opening hook and a 8-minute Bible story written for this age, with a Hidden in Plain Sight moment
- 5 discussion questions
- 2 activities: The longest night, Joy jar
- 6 “Dasch Digs Up” facts
- Real-life connections: at school, at home, at church
- Song ideas, Live It, a prayer, and a printable student handout (preview below)
Every lesson, every age, from $25 a month. · Log in
5th – 6th grade
In a Philippian jail, Paul and Silas's midnight praise preached before the earthquake did. The jailer's question, "What must I do to be saved?", received the gospel answer, and years later Paul wrote this same church from prison, "Rejoice in the Lord always."
This version includes:
- An opening hook and a 10-minute Bible story written for this age, with a Hidden in Plain Sight moment
- 5 discussion questions
- 2 activities: Joy in the Lord, Midnight songs
- 6 “Dasch Digs Up” facts
- Real-life connections: online and on screens, at school, at church
- Song ideas, Live It, a prayer, and a printable student handout (preview below)
Every lesson, every age, from $25 a month. · Log in
More lessons on Joy
The same principle in other Bible stories.
The Church BeginsThe Holy Spirit ComesActs 2:1-47; Genesis 11:1-9On Pentecost, Jesus sent the Holy Spirit like a rushing wind and tongues of fire. The disciples told about Jesus in many languages, Peter preached, and 3,000 people believed. The church was born with great joy.New TestamentJoy
Jesus the KingJesus Is BornLuke 2:1-20; Micah 5:2In Bethlehem, God's Son was born as a baby and laid in a manger, and angels told shepherds the good news of great joy that a Savior was born.New TestamentJoy
The Church BeginsPhilip and the EthiopianActs 8:26-40; Isaiah 53:7-8God sent Philip to a desert road to meet an important man from Ethiopia who was reading the Bible. Philip told him the good news about Jesus, the man was baptized, and he went home full of joy.New TestamentJoy