Paul Shipwreck Sunday School Lesson for Kids

This free Paul shipwreck Sunday school lesson teaches kids that we can trust God in the storm, because God keeps His word. In a storm so long that "neither sun nor stars in many days appeared," Paul said, "I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told me" (Acts 27:20, 27:25), and all 276 people on the ship escaped safe to land. It comes in four age levels, each a separate printable teacher lesson, plus one take-home sheet for families. Pick the one that fits your class. Everything is in the order you teach it.

Choose your age level

• Preschool (ages 3–5), 20–30 minutes, 2 pages: a calm story with hand motions and repeat-after-me lines (a blanket makes gentle waves), three simple questions, a shortened memory verse ("I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told me") with a point-up motion, and a drawing activity.
• Kindergarten to 2nd grade, 45 minutes, 4 pages: the story in simple words, from the storm to the fire on the island, five recall questions with answers, the Cheer Up Cards verse game, and a Safe to Land question game where the whole class reaches the shore together.
• 3rd to 5th grade, 45–60 minutes, 4 pages: a number puzzle from the King James Bible (two hundred threescore and sixteen), kids look up verses in their own Bibles during a fuller story (Paul's warning, the wind called Euroclydon, four anchors, bread and thanks, Melita and Publius), five thinking questions and three recall questions, and a Bible look-up race.
• Preteens (ages 11–12), 45–60 minutes, 4 pages: students read Acts 27:9–26 and 27:33–44 out loud themselves, with every old word explained, then discuss hope when all hope is gone, belonging to God, and how one person's faith changed a whole ship. Six discussion questions and a journal page.

Lesson at a glance

• Bible passage: Acts 27:9–44 and 28:1–9, with Acts 27:1–28:16 for older kids
• Main point: we can trust God in the storm. God keeps His word.
• Memory verse: Acts 27:25 (KJV)
• Ages: preschool to preteen, in four versions

Lesson outline (the same in every version)

1. Opening game: a short wind-and-waves game, a number puzzle, or a "who would you believe?" warm-up.
2. Bible story: Paul sails to Rome as a prisoner, the great storm, the angel of God's promise, "I believe God," bread and thanks, the ship broken, and all 276 safe to land on Melita. Every fact has its verse reference so you can check it.
3. Questions to ask: with answers, at the right level for each age.
4. Memory verse: a game or motion to help kids learn Acts 27:25.
5. What this means for us: belonging to God like Paul ("whose I am, and whom I serve"), the gospel (Acts 2:38), and a challenge for the week.
6. Activity: the Paul shipwreck word search, the Paul shipwreck craft, a drawing, a Safe to Land game, a Bible look-up race or a journal page, depending on the age.
7. Prayer.

Tips for teaching Paul's shipwreck

• Tell the storm calmly, especially for little ones. The heart of the story is Acts 27:25: Paul believed God before he saw the shore.
• Use the King James words. The island is Melita (Acts 28:1), known today as Malta; "two hundred threescore and sixteen souls" (27:37) is 276 people.
• Tell the viper simply: God kept Paul from harm (28:5). No snake games. The soldiers' plan in 27:42–43 is a teacher note for older classes only.
• Short on time? Do the story, three questions and the memory verse. That is a solid 25-minute lesson.