For Kids · 4 min with a grown-up
Paul and Silas get thrown in jail for helping people — but what they do at midnight turns the whole prison upside down.
Today's Story
Paul and his friend Silas traveled to tell people about Jesus. In one city, a kind woman named Lydia heard them and believed, and she happily opened her home to them.
But some people got angry at Paul and Silas for the good they were doing, and had them thrown into prison — locked in chains, in the darkest cell.
Now, what would YOU do, stuck in a dark prison at midnight? Paul and Silas… started to SING! They sang songs of praise to God, right there in their chains. The other prisoners listened, amazed.
Suddenly — a huge EARTHQUAKE shook the prison! The doors flew open and everyone's chains fell off!
The jailer woke up terrified, sure the prisoners had escaped. But Paul called out, “Don't worry! We're all still here!”
The jailer was amazed. He fell down and asked, “What must I do to be saved?” Paul said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus.” And that very night, the jailer and his whole family believed — and the jailer joyfully cleaned Paul and Silas's wounds and made them a meal.
Even in a dark prison, Paul and Silas trusted God and sang — and God used it to bring a whole family to Him.
A Big Word
Memory Verse
Talk About It
- Paul and Silas sang to God even in prison at midnight. What helps you find joy when things are hard?
- The jailer went from terrified to joyful in one night. What changed for him?
- Lydia opened her home, and the jailer made a meal — both showed kindness. How could you show kindness to someone who serves God?