Big Idea: In the storms of life, we can choose to hold on to God's promises, because He is faithful and never lets go of us.

Bible Passage: Acts 27:13-44, 28:11-16

This week the kids learned that Paul was on board a prison ship as a prisoner  headed for Rome. While he was on board, there was a great hurricane, and the sailors and prisoners were afraid they would die. An angel of the Lord appeared to Paul one night and promised he would go to Rome, and they would be saved from the hurricane. Paul told this to the crew, and they listened. They were shipwrecked on the island of Malta, but all 276 men survived. Then, after winter, they sailed on another ship to Rome, where Paul was allowed to wait out his trial in a house with a guard, rather than in prison. Many people heard Paul's testimony of Jesus, and came to know Jesus because of Paul's faith. 

We can, like Paul, trust Jesus. Jesus promises to never leave us and never forsake us. Look up Matthew 28:19-20 together as a family and read it aloud. During the storms of our life, we have a choice. We can HOLD ON to the promises of God, and trust Him to care for us, or let go and try and survive on our own. We, like Paul, can trust God because He is faithful and never ever breaks his promises. He is with us in the storm, and He will hold us fast.

Family Activity 

Stand in a circle together and hold hands. Pretend together that you are in a storm and move around, making noises of thunder and rain. Move around like you are being blown by the rough winds. Make the "storm" as rough as possible, so that it is difficult to hold on to one another's hands. Challenge the kids to hold on no matter how rough the "storm" gets.

Sit down together in your circle and talk about how sometimes, when life gets rough and we face the 'storms' or tough times, that it makes it hard to hold on to God's promises. But we can HOLD ON and not let go because God is faithful and promises to be with us, no matter what. We are promised that when we are slipping, and find it hard to trust God, that He will never ever let go of us. He is much stronger than us, or any storm we face. Ask the children if they are facing any "storms" or tough times right now, and share your own struggles with them if appropriate. Then, in your circle, hold hands and pray, taking these things to Jesus, and asking for His help to HOLD ON, and thanking Him for never letting go of us.

Here's a great song to listen to together, called He Will Hold Me Fast.

https://soundcloud.com/timbettinson/he-will-hold-me-fast