Free Gospel-Centered Sunday School Curriculum
for Elementary Kids

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Paul's Bold Message About the Gospel
(Romans 1:1-17)

This letter is from Paul. He was a man who used to hurt people who followed Jesus. But then Jesus appeared to him and changed his whole life. Now Paul loved Jesus more than anything. He calls himself a slave of Christ Jesus. That means he belongs completely to Jesus and does whatever Jesus says.

Paul was not just any believer. God chose him for a special job. He was called to be an apostle. An apostle is someone sent out with a very important message. God set Paul apart for a special purpose. That purpose was to tell everyone about the gospel. The word gospel means "good news."

What is this good news? It is about God's Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Jesus was born as a human. He came from the family line of King David. But Jesus is not just a man. He was shown to be the Son of God with power. How? By the Holy Spirit and by rising from the dead. Jesus died on a cross for our sins. Then he rose again. That is the best news ever.

Paul says this good news was not a new idea. God promised it long ago through the prophets in the Holy Scriptures. The Old Testament talked about Jesus coming. Now that promise has come true. Through Jesus, Paul received grace and the job of telling people about Jesus. He was sent to bring people from every nation to believe in Jesus and obey him.

Paul wrote this letter to the Christians in Rome. Rome was a huge city, the capital of the whole empire. Paul had never been there before. But he heard about their faith. He thanked God for them. He prayed for them all the time. He really wanted to go see them. He wanted to share some spiritual gift with them to make them stronger. He also wanted to be encouraged by their faith. He said they could encourage each other.

Paul had tried many times to visit Rome. But something always stopped him. Now he was ready to come. He felt he owed a duty to everyone. He wanted to preach the gospel to the Greeks and to people who were not Greek. He wanted to preach to the wise and to the foolish. He wanted to tell everyone.

Paul was not embarrassed about the gospel. He was proud of it. He said, "I am not ashamed of the gospel." Why? Because it is the power of God. This power brings salvation to everyone who believes. It does not matter if you are a Jew first or a Gentile. Anyone who believes can be saved. The gospel shows us how God makes us right with him. This righteousness comes by faith. It is a gift we receive when we trust Jesus. As the Scripture says, "The righteous by faith will live."

Paul was ready to tell everyone about Jesus. He knew the gospel could change anyone. It had changed him. It could change people in Rome. It could change people everywhere. The good news is for everyone who believes.

A Curious Question

Why does Paul say he is not ashamed of the gospel instead of just saying he is proud of it?

Old Testament Connection

Paul says the gospel was promised beforehand through the prophets in the Holy Scriptures. For hundreds of years, God's prophets wrote about a coming Savior. Isaiah said a virgin would give birth to a son named Immanuel, which means "God with us." Micah said the Savior would be born in Bethlehem. The Psalms talked about the Messiah's suffering and his resurrection. All these promises pointed forward to Jesus. When Jesus came, died, and rose again, every one of those promises came true. Paul is saying that the gospel is not a new story. It is the completion of God's big plan that started in the Old Testament. Jesus is the promised Messiah who brings salvation to everyone who believes. The Old Testament is like a treasure map, and Jesus is the treasure at the end.

Discussion Questions

  • Paul calls himself a slave of Christ Jesus. What does it mean to be a slave to Jesus, and why would that be a good thing?
  • Paul was not ashamed of the gospel. What are some things that might make people feel ashamed to talk about Jesus today?
  • The gospel is God's power for salvation to everyone who believes. What does it mean to believe? How do we show we believe?

So What? What Can I Do?

  • Pray for missionaries. Paul wanted to go to Rome to share the gospel. Today, missionaries go all over the world. You can pray for them and their work.
  • Tell someone the good news. The gospel is for everyone. Think of one person you can tell about Jesus this week.
  • Be bold, not embarrassed. Sometimes it is hard to talk about Jesus. But the gospel is powerful. Ask God to help you be brave.

Memorize God's Word

Romans 1:16

• For I am not ashamed of the gospel stand tall and look straight ahead with confidence.

• for it is the power of God make a muscle with one arm to show strength.

• for salvation cup both hands together as if receiving a gift.

• to everyone who believes point outward in a big circle to show everyone.

Praying with Kids

Dear Father, thank you for the good news about Jesus. Help us to believe in him with all our hearts. Give us courage to tell others about your love. We are not ashamed of the gospel because it is your power to save. In Jesus' name, amen.

Craft or Activity

Gospel Power Scroll

Materials Checklist:

How to Make the Gospel Power Scroll:

  1. Cut a large rectangle from a brown paper bag. Crumple it up and then smooth it out to make it look old.
  2. Write "THE GOSPEL IS GOD'S POWER FOR SALVATION" in big letters across the paper.
  3. Decorate the scroll with drawings that remind you of the good news: a cross, an empty tomb, a heart.
  4. Punch holes in the top and bottom edges of the scroll.
  5. Thread yarn or twine through the holes. Tie the ends so the scroll can hang on the wall.
  6. Roll up the scroll and tie it with a piece of twine to keep it closed.

Effective Teaching Techniques

For Younger Children: Focus on the idea that the gospel is good news. Ask them, "What is the best news you have ever heard?" Then explain that the gospel is even better because it tells us Jesus loves us and saves us.

For Older Kids: Dive deeper into the meaning of "righteousness by faith." Explain that we cannot earn our way to heaven by being good. We can only be made right with God by trusting in Jesus. Use an illustration like a gift that is free but must be received.

Classroom Management: When teaching the memory verse, have the kids stand up and do the motions together. Repeat the verse several times. The physical activity will help them remember the words.