Family Worship (April 13)
The Kingdom Come
How God Changes a City
Imagine you’re on a secret mission—not to find treasure, but to change a whole city! You don’t have superpowers or a big team. All you’ve got is a Bible, a heart full of love for Jesus, and maybe a backpack. That’s kind of what happened in Acts 16. Paul and Silas went to a place called Philippi. It didn’t seem like a great place to start a church—no big buildings, no fancy worship services, not even a good meeting spot! But God was at work in a big way. He used small things—like prayer, a song in prison, and sharing the good news—to build something amazing.
God still works like that today. He uses regular people—moms, dads, kids, and even weird moments like family dinner—to show His love and grow His Kingdom. You are part of His mission!
Acts 16:25–26 (NIV)
25 About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. 26 Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everyone’s chains came loose.
Discussion Questions
Activity: “Praise and Chains”
You’ll need: paper strips, tape, and a song to sing together.
Make a paper chain using strips of paper and tape or a stapler. Each person can write one thing that makes them feel stuck or sad on a strip (like “feeling scared,” “getting picked on,” or “making mistakes”). After everyone finishes writing, tape or staple them into a chain.
Now, choose a song to sing as a family—something that praises God. While you sing, have one person gently shake the chain (like an earthquake!) and then rip it apart at the end of the song. Talk about how God’s love and power can break every chain, just like in the Bible story.
Prayer
Dear God, Thank You that You are strong and kind. Thank You that You can use prayer, singing, and people like us to help others and show Your love. Help us to trust You when we feel stuck or scared. Use our family to bring Your kingdom to our neighborhood. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Memory Work:
New City Catechism
15. Since no one can keep the law, what is its purpose?
That we may know the holy nature and will of God, and the sinful nature and disobedience of our hearts; and thus our need of a Savior. The law also teaches and exhorts us to live a life worthy of our Savior.
Ezekiel 36:26
And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you.
Imagine you’re on a secret mission—not to find treasure, but to change a whole city! You don’t have superpowers or a big team. All you’ve got is a Bible, a heart full of love for Jesus, and maybe a backpack. That’s kind of what happened in Acts 16. Paul and Silas went to a place called Philippi. It didn’t seem like a great place to start a church—no big buildings, no fancy worship services, not even a good meeting spot! But God was at work in a big way. He used small things—like prayer, a song in prison, and sharing the good news—to build something amazing.
God still works like that today. He uses regular people—moms, dads, kids, and even weird moments like family dinner—to show His love and grow His Kingdom. You are part of His mission!
Acts 16:25–26 (NIV)
25 About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. 26 Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everyone’s chains came loose.
Discussion Questions
- Why do you think Paul and Silas were singing even though they were in jail?
- What happened when they sang and prayed? How do you think the other prisoners felt?
- Can you think of a time when praising God helped you feel brave, happy, or close to Him?
Activity: “Praise and Chains”
You’ll need: paper strips, tape, and a song to sing together.
Make a paper chain using strips of paper and tape or a stapler. Each person can write one thing that makes them feel stuck or sad on a strip (like “feeling scared,” “getting picked on,” or “making mistakes”). After everyone finishes writing, tape or staple them into a chain.
Now, choose a song to sing as a family—something that praises God. While you sing, have one person gently shake the chain (like an earthquake!) and then rip it apart at the end of the song. Talk about how God’s love and power can break every chain, just like in the Bible story.
Prayer
Dear God, Thank You that You are strong and kind. Thank You that You can use prayer, singing, and people like us to help others and show Your love. Help us to trust You when we feel stuck or scared. Use our family to bring Your kingdom to our neighborhood. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Memory Work:
New City Catechism
15. Since no one can keep the law, what is its purpose?
That we may know the holy nature and will of God, and the sinful nature and disobedience of our hearts; and thus our need of a Savior. The law also teaches and exhorts us to live a life worthy of our Savior.
Ezekiel 36:26
And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you.
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