The Church Begins · Lesson 11
Shipwrecked!
Acts 27:1-44; Jonah 1:4-5 New Testament PrinciplePerseverance
Paul was on a ship to Rome when a terrible storm raged for 14 days. Everyone lost hope, but God sent an angel to promise Paul that every person would live. Paul kept trusting God and encouraged everyone, and all 276 people made it safely to shore.
God keeps His promises, so we can keep going and not give up, even when the storm lasts a long time.
- CreationGod made it
- FallWe broke it
- RedemptionJesus fixes it (this lesson)
- RestorationJesus makes it new
Memory verse
“Let us not grow weary in well-doing, for in due time we will reap a harvest, if we do not give up.”
Galatians 6:9 BSB
Christ Connection · God’s character
The risen Jesus had told Paul, "Take courage! As you have testified about Me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome" (Acts 23:11). In the storm, God confirmed that promise. Paul persevered because "He who promised is faithful" (Hebrews 10:23), and Jesus is the same Lord who calmed the storm on Galilee.
Acts 23:11; Acts 27:23-25; Hebrews 10:23
The Big Story · Redemption
The story of the world is full of storms. But God's promises hold through every one of them, and He is bringing His people safely home to a new creation where there will be no more sea (Revelation 21:1).
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: Hold on
- Theo’s Workshop (build challenge): Keep it afloat
- A skit to act out the story
- Review game: Anchors away
- Pronunciation help, tips for every age, song ideas and a note for parents
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Preschool (ages 3–5)
God keeps me safe.
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: Rocking boat, Color the ship
- 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)
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Free preview · Kindergarten – 2nd grade
During a 14-day storm, Paul kept trusting God's promise and encouraged everyone not to give up. God kept all 276 people on the ship safe.
Memory verse
“Let us not grow weary in well-doing… if we do not give up.”
Adapted from Galatians 6:9
Start here
Ask, "What's something hard you wanted to quit?" Let kids share. Say, "Today a storm goes on so long that everyone wants to give up, except one man."
Bible story 6 min
Paul was a prisoner. He was sailing to Rome on a big ship. Paul said, "It's too late in the year. It's not safe to sail." But the captain sailed anyway.
Then a huge storm came! The wind blew hard. Big waves crashed. The sailors threw boxes off the ship to make it lighter.
Day after day, the storm went on. They could not see the sun or the stars. Everyone gave up hope.
The rest of the story, discussion questions, songs, Live It and prayer are for members.
Try an activity
Keep the boat afloat 8 min
You’ll need: A blue sheet or tarp
- Kids hold the edges of a sheet with a balled-up paper "ship" on top. Make waves without letting the ship fall off.
- Count to 14 together. Say, "Paul didn't give up for 14 days!"
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3rd – 4th grade
Caught in a 14-day storm on the way to Rome, Paul held on to God's promise and encouraged everyone not to give up. God brought all 276 people safely to land, showing that He keeps His promises through the longest storms.
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 storm log, Encouragement anchors
- 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 two-week storm, Paul persevered by holding to Jesus' promise that he would testify in Rome. Unlike Jonah, whose disobedience brought a storm, Paul's obedience brought God's protection to all 276 on board, showing that God's promises carry His people through every storm.
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: Two storms, My long storm
- 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 Perseverance
The same principle in other Bible stories.
