The students will be able to explain that Paul's testimony to Timothy was thanksgiving to Jesus for loving him even though he was unworthy. Also, Paul was letting Timothy know there is victory in Jesus.
Introduction:
Bring a large trophy to class. Talk about how this is a symbol of being a winner, of winning a victory. Tell your students that today you are going to learn how a man who had suffered imprisonment, beatings, shipwrecks and many other persecutions could still thank and praise God for VICTORY.
Climax: Paul found victory in the power of Jesus Christ to transform a blasphemer, persecutor, and enemy of the Gospel into one who dedicated the remainder of his life to the spreading of the truth.
Conclusion: The story of Paul's conversion is proof that God can take anyone who will believe on Jesus and make him a worker for the Gospel.
Response: The students will be able to explain the transformation in Paul's life, and will be able to see that victory is assured for those who will follow his example of faithfulness.
The Apostle Paul was born in Tarsus of Cilicia into a strict Pharisee family, and he was given the Jewish name of Saul. He was well educated and studied under a famous teacher named Gamaliel. Although Saul never met Jesus during His earthly ministry, he met the disciples and realized that their teachings were a threat to Judaism. He started a campaign against the followers of the Lord and was a witness to the stoning of Stephen. He was on his way to Damascus to persecute the Christians there when the Lord met him, and his life was completely changed. He immediately began to preach Christ in the Damascus synagogues, but was forced to flee for his life. He came to the church in Jerusalem, but they feared him until Barnabas affirmed that Saul had been converted. He made three missionary journeys, spreading the Gospel in Asia Minor and southern Europe. He returned to Jerusalem and was imprisoned by the Jews. Because he was a free-born Roman, he appealed unto Caesar and was sent to Rome. On the way he was shipwrecked, but eventually reached his destination. Apparently he was freed for a time, but was later imprisoned and finally executed.
In the section of Scripture from 1 Timothy 1:12-18, Paul holds himself up as an example of God's abundant grace and mercy. Because Paul had so viciously persecuted God's church, he considered himself to be the chiefest of sinners (verse 13 and 15). However, in order to manifest His grace and give hope to all men, Christ Jesus was merciful to Paul and called him to be an Apostle to build the Church that he had sought to destroy. For this, Paul's heart overflowed with thanksgiving.
Special Instructions for Unit 27: Give each child the last page from their Praying Hands book and have them write their memory verse for this week. Also give them the cover for their book and a length of yarn. Help them to assemble their book.
Divide your group into two or more teams. Explain that Paul was thankful to God for many things, and that one of his theme words was VICTORY. Tell your class that you are going to give them time to think of different things they are thankful for that begin with each of the letters in that word. Give each team a pad of paper and a pencil, and have them write the letters down the left side of their paper, leaving room between each letter to write their word list. Allow about one minute for each letter. (If you wish, have an adult in each group write down the words suggested.) When time has been allowed for each letter, total the scores of each group and award a small prize to the winning team. Then share all the words suggested, and discuss how and why we should be thankful for each of the items mentioned.
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