We Meet Again, My Friends

To help the children understand Saint Paul's conversion and his care for others' salvation as shown through his letters

The children will be able to describe Paul's transformation after his encounter with Christ and tell how his letters helped others to be faithful followers.

• Tell the children that this role-play activity will help them to understand Paul's great love of Jesus and of the friends to whom he wrote letters.
• Read aloud about Paul's conversion and his missionary journeys and letters:

We read about Saint Paul in the Acts of the Apostles. Paul was born in Tarsus, in what is now the country of Turkey. He went to school in Jerusalem and studied Jewish law. Paul did not believe that the followers of Jesus were faithful to Jewish tradition. Paul wanted to destroy the Church. Paul was there when Stephen, a follower of Jesus, was killed because he was Christian. Paul then went to Damascus to arrest more Christians. On the way, a bright light blinded him. He heard the voice of Jesus Christ, who had chosen him to become a follower. Paul changed his ways, regained his sight, and was baptized. Paul made long journeys to places around the Mediterranean Sea to tell people about Jesus. He started churches in many cities. He wrote letters to the people to help them become better Christians. These letters are found in the Bible. When we read them, we learn of Paul's love for Jesus. The feast of Saint Paul is June 29.

• Ask the children to sit on the floor facing you. Choose a child to be Paul and to stand with you.
• Ask the children to close their eyes and imagine themselves in the scene you set. Say: Imagine that you are one of the friends to whom Paul wrote letters. You meet him now on another of his missionary journeys. What will you tell him?
• Suggest that the children close their eyes for a few moments and think about some things they might want to say to Paul.
• During this quiet time, talk to the child playing Paul, suggesting that he or she try to speak in Paul's style, to welcome his friends, to talk about his own faith, to ask them how they are doing, and to use appropriate body language.
• Tell the children that when they open their eyes they will be in Corinth, excited that Paul has come back to visit them. Have Paul welcome his friends and talk with them.
• Conclude by thanking Paul for his care and concern for his friends, and thanking the children for following Paul's good example in spreading the Word of Jesus among their friends.

Body Smart, People Smart

To encourage more responses, quietly ask questions during the role-playing. (How has he changed their lives? What do they believe? How are they following his example in their own lives? How have they helped their friends?)