Session 8: Faith That Adapts – Paul in Athens & Hudson Taylor

Scripture: Acts 17:16–34; 1 Corinthians 9:19–23
Memory Verse: 1 Corinthians 9:22
Mission Focus: Hudson Taylor (England → China)
Theme: Reach others God’s way

Series: https://truewaykids.com/missions-big-world-bigger-god/

Lesson Overview

Welcome to Session 8 of Missions: Big World, Bigger God—where children continue discovering how God’s big love reaches across cultures, countries, and languages.

In this session, children explore Paul’s visit to Athens and then step into the life of Hudson Taylor—a missionary who adapted the way he dressed, lived, and served so more people in China could hear about Jesus.

This lesson helps children understand that the Gospel message never changes, but the way we share it can.

• We can listen.
• We can learn.
• We can build bridges.
• We can meet people where they are.

Through Paul in Athens and Hudson Taylor in China, children will see that sharing Jesus often means noticing what others care about, respecting their world, and communicating God’s truth in a way they can understand.

• The message stays the same.
• The method can change.
• God’s love builds bridges.

What Children Will Learn

Children will learn that:

• Jesus’ good news is for all people
• Paul noticed what the people in Athens already understood
• We can build bridges to help others understand God’s truth
• The Gospel never changes, but the way we share it can
• Hudson Taylor adapted to Chinese culture so people could listen
• God can use learners, listeners, and bridge-builders to share His love
• We show love by respecting others and reaching them God’s way

📖 Bible Focus: Paul in Athens

This session begins with Paul’s visit to Athens from Acts 17:16–34.

Paul arrived in a city full of idols and statues. As he walked around, he noticed an altar with the words, “To an unknown god.” Instead of ignoring the people or only pointing out what was wrong, Paul used something they already knew to begin talking about the true God.

Children discover that:

• Paul noticed what the people cared about
• he spoke in a way they could understand
• he used a familiar idea to build a bridge to God’s truth
• he did not change the message about Jesus
• some people laughed, some wanted to hear more, and some believed

Paul shows us that sharing God’s truth means meeting people where they are.

We can build bridges, just like Paul did, so others can understand who Jesus is.

🌏 Mission Story: Hudson Taylor

Children are then introduced to Hudson Taylor, a missionary from England who served in China.

Hudson grew up in a family that loved Jesus and prayed for China. As a teenager, he chose to follow Jesus and later felt God calling him to go to China.

When Hudson first arrived, he wore English clothes like many other missionaries. But people stared, laughed, and kept their distance. Hudson realised they were noticing his differences more than hearing his message.

So Hudson made a brave choice.

He began to dress like the Chinese people, learn their customs, and live in a way that helped people feel comfortable listening to him.

Children will learn how Hudson:

• trusted God’s call to go to China
• learned and prepared before he went
• changed his outside appearance while keeping God’s truth the same
• travelled to places where people had never heard about Jesus
• started a mission to send others across China
• served faithfully even when life was difficult
• showed that we can reach others best when we meet them where they are

Hudson’s life helps children see that adapting is not changing the truth. It is removing barriers so people can hear the truth clearly.

His famous saying becomes a key thought for this lesson: “God’s work done in God’s way will never lack God’s supply.”

🎥 Watch the Story Videos

Paul in Athens Bible Story (1:56)

Hudson Taylor Story Video (6:06)

Hudson Taylor Short Story Video (1:45)

Lesson Resources

Everything you need to teach this session in one place:

• Clear teaching guide with step-by-step lesson flow
• Interactive opening activity: The Adaptation Challenge
• Group games including Chopstick Relay and Same Message
• Bible teaching from Acts 17:16–34
• Teaching focus from 1 Corinthians 9:19–23
• Missionary focus on Hudson Taylor in China
• Memory verse activity for 1 Corinthians 9:22
• Discussion questions and prayer prompts
• Printable worksheets and reinforcement pages
• Crafts including Chinese Lantern, Laurel Crown, and Same Person, Different Way
• Take-home challenge and reward badge

Printable Story Booklets Optional:

Includes fully illustrated Hudson Taylor story pages, available in colour and black-and-white. Ideal for take-home use, review, and helping children retell the lesson.

FREE DOWNLOAD

Translations