Paul in Ephesus – Bible lessons for kids

In this lesson, we’ll learn what happened when Paul visited a big city called Ephesus (Acts 19). He talked to people about Jesus, prayed for them, and even helped them get rid of things that didn’t honour God. But not everyone liked the message Paul shared.

Key Points

• The Holy Spirit helps us follow Jesus.
• God’s truth changes hearts and actions.
• Following Jesus means letting go of wrong things.
• We can be brave even when others don’t like what we believe.

Lesson Guide – Paul in Ephesus

Begin the lesson by asking, “Has someone ever told you something amazing that you had never heard before? And you thought, ‘Wow! I can’t believe I didn’t know that or try that sooner!’” Give your child a moment to share. You can also share something simple, like, “I remember the first time someone showed me how to peel a banana from the bottom instead of the top! I couldn’t believe I’d done it the hard way for so long!”

In today’s lesson, Paul met some people who loved God but had never heard about the Holy Spirit!

Hold up a toy that looks fine on the outside but has no batteries. Say, “This toy looks ready to go, right? But when we turn it on…” (flip the switch) “…nothing happens. It needs power!” Now add the batteries and switch it on. “Now it works the way it’s supposed to.”

Read Acts 19:1–7. Paul met some people who believed in God, but they didn’t know about the Holy Spirit. Paul told them more about Jesus, they believed, were baptised and when Paul prayed for them, they received the Holy Spirit! They were filled with joy and God’s power. Just like the toy needed power to work, we need the Holy Spirit to help us live for Jesus.

Read Acts 19:8–10. Paul taught in the synagogue. Some people listened, but others didn’t. So Paul moved to another place and kept teaching those who wanted to learn. For two years, he taught every day, and many people came to believe. Reinforce that Paul didn’t give up just because some didn’t want to listen.

Next, summarise Acts 19:17–20. When people heard the truth about Jesus, they realised they had been doing things that didn’t honour God, like using magic scrolls or worshipping fake gods. They brought those things and burned them to show they were choosing Jesus instead.

Bring out a paper towel roll tube. Before the lesson, loosely fill it with crumpled dark-coloured paper. Say, “Let’s pretend these dark papers are things that don’t belong when we follow Jesus, like lying, being selfish, or saying unkind words.” Then slowly push in white paper from one end. Let your child help. As the white paper goes in, the dark paper gets pushed out the other side.

When the Holy Spirit fills us, He fills our hearts with good things, called ‘the fruit of the Spirit’, like kindness, truth, and love. As He fills us, the wrong things start to get pushed out. Jesus doesn’t just tell us to stop doing wrong. He gives us His Spirit to help us live a new life.

Not everyone was happy about the changes in Ephesus (Acts 19:23–41). A man named Demetrius made silver statues of a false goddess. When people followed Jesus, they stopped buying statues, and Demetrius got angry. He started a noisy protest, and a big angry crowd gathered.

Ask, “Why do you think Demetrius was upset?” Help your child see that some people get mad when their way of life is challenged, even if it’s wrong. Ask, “Has anyone ever been upset with you for doing what’s right?” Say, “We can be brave like Paul. We don’t need to yell or fight. We can trust God and speak the truth in love.”

Finish the lesson by reminding your child that even with trouble and angry people, many still chose to follow Jesus.

Teach the memory verse: “The word of the Lord spread widely and grew in power” (Acts 19:20). Use hand motions like spread arms out wide, then flex muscles for “grew in power.”

Paul in Ephesus – Bible story for kids

Games and Activities

Scroll Toss

• (Based on Acts 19:17–20 – People burned their scrolls)
• Set out a red box with a picture of fire on the front. Crumple up paper “scrolls”.
• Let children take turns tossing scrolls into the “fire.”
• Say, “People in Ephesus burned their scrolls to show they wanted to follow Jesus. We can let go of things that don’t honour Him too!”

Fill-It Relay

• Set up a small bucket or bowl for each child or team. Place a pile of paper, rice, or cups of water a short distance away.
• Kids race back and forth to fill their bucket. If using water, place a light object (like a toy or sponge) inside so it floats as the water rises.
• Say, “As the bucket fills, the old things get pushed out—just like the Holy Spirit fills our hearts with what is good and true.”

Fill & Overflow Station

• Provide measuring cups, water, and clear containers. Challenge kids to measure, pour, and predict when it will overflow.
• Add floating items (like beads or corks) to show things rising and falling.
• Ask: “What happens as the water fills up? What gets pushed out?”
• Say, “When the Holy Spirit fills us, there’s no room for wrong things anymore!”

Example pages

Filled with Power! Holy Spirit Craft for Kids

What you need:

• Template page
• Colouring equipment
• Scissors
• Glue or tape
• Aluminium foil (optional)

What to do:

• Carefully cut the lines on the charging window. Thread the strip through the back of the battery.
• Colour the battery and the strip.
• Cut out the battery and the power strip. Add foil to the top if you like.

Download the lessons for FREE

Translations

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