Acts 16 Archives - Let their light shine!

Lydia hears about Jesus when Paul and Silas visit the town of Philippi where she lived. The story of Lydia is from Acts 16:11-15.

Lydia, Paul and Silas Props for Toddler Group Bible Story

Lydia hears about Jesus Toddler Group Bible Story

Bible Truth for toddlers – Believing in Jesus is for everyone

Say hello to Paul and Silas! (everyone say ‘hello Paul’, ‘hello Barnabas’ and wave – get you puppets to wave too!) Paul and Silas believed in Jesus and so they went to all sorts of different places to tell everyone that they met that Jesus was the Saviour sent from God. They went to big towns and small villages, they told men, women and children all about Jesus. And today in our story they were travelling to a new place – and they weren’t walking there, they weren’t running there, they were sailing in a boat!

When they arrived at the town of Philippi (a very important place) they told people about Jesus.

One day they decided to go down to the river – they were sure that there would be a place by the river where people went to pray. They found a group who were praying to God and so they sat down with them and began to tell them all about Jesus.

Now one of the people sitting by the river was Lydia. She was a rich successful woman who had money and a lovely home and a great job selling purple cloth (which was very expensive!) but still, something was missing in her life.

She sat and she listened. She realised that she needed to believe in and follow Jesus. So that is what she did! Lydia now knew Jesus as her Saviour. Jesus came to save all sorts of people – people just like you and me.’

Lydia Bible Story Toddler Group Craft

A simple craft idea – we had a washing line and purple pieces of material.

Materials needed

printout of washing line
purple cloth cut into different shapes,
thin lollipop sticks (optional, although they do look lovely added to the craft)
glue (if using lollipop sticks make sure any glue you use will work)

Step by step instructions

Set up your craft table with supplies of purple cloth shapes, glue, lollipop sticks and the washing line printable.

Display a washing line craft that you have already made

Let the children choose the colour of the lollipop sticks and encourage them to glue and match to the shape on the printable. This is tricky for toddlers so don’t worry if it’s not an exact match.

Let the children glue the purple cloth shapes to the washing line. It’s fine if they only want to glue one piece of fabric.

Lydia hears about Jesus craft. Purple cloth on a washing line.

Lydia Toddler Group Craft Printable Resource

Lydia-made-purple-cloth-Washing-line Download

The Philippian Jailer Toddler Bible story

In the story bag – dolls/puppets representing Paul, Silas, the jailer, some play food. Take the items from the bag as you need them. You can add some movement in the story too.This is indicated in the text below.

Telling the story

‘Say hello to Paul and Silas. They had had a very tough day. People in the town of Phillipi weren’t happy with them talking about Jesus. They had been locked up in Jail! It wasn’t very nice at all. It wasn’t clean and tidy and it definitely wasn’t comfortable.

What could they do? They might have decided to moan and groan. They might have decided to be really angry and upset. But they didn’t do any of those things.

In the middle of the night when it was dark, they were praying to God and singing.

I think they were singing quite loudly because the Bible tells us that all the other people in the jail could hear them!

Suddenly the ground began to shake and shudder! (you could all shake and shudder here).The jail walls moved! The jail doors opened! Everyone’s chains fell off!

The man in charge of the jail was frightened. He would be in big trouble if Paul and Silas escaped. But they didn’t. Paul called out,’ Don’t worry, we are still here’.

The jailer ran into the room, he was shaking with fear, ‘What do I need to do to be saved?’ he asked Paul.

What would Paul say? He told the jailer about the Lord Jesus, the only one who can save. And the jailer believed in Jesus.

The jailer took Paul and Silas into his home and he and his family looked after them and they had some yummy food to eat.

The next day Paul and Silas were set free and the people who had hurt them and put them in jail said, ‘We are sorry Paul and Silas.’

This was the beginning of the church in the town of Phillipi.’

For another story about the new church in Philippi have a look at Lydia hears about Jesus

Philippian Jailer Bible Story Toddler Play Ideas

Make a music area for the children to explore. Collect toddler friendly musical shakers and drums and place on a mat. Allow children to explore making music. You could do this at the end of song time and play some music/songs in the background.

colorful xylophones and hand bells on display — Photo by Lena Ti on Pexels.com

a kid covering his eyes with maracas — Photo by Lena Ti on Pexels.com

Make musical instruments using yogurt pots, uncooked rice, lentils and beans and paper lids secured with tape. Decorate the pots with stickers and glitter glue

Decorated transparent cup filled with grains and covered with colourful paper — A colorful homemade shaker filled with dried grains brings creativity to sensory play.

Song ideas For Toddler Group

Paul and Silas were singing praises to God in prison – here are some songs you could sing with the children in your T

From my head down to my toes God loves me

If you’re happy and you know it clap your hands

My God is so great so strong and so mighty

Paul and Silas in Jail craft For Toddler Group

Paul and Silas collage showing them singing in Philippian Jail

Scroll down for the printable downloads you need for the above craft. Cut out the pieces you need and provide an A4 piece of sugar paper for the background. You also need crayons and glue.