PS-Kids • Ages 9–12

One Big Family

Paul’s letter to Rome reveals God’s vision for a church without walls

⭐ Ages 5–8 Little Learners

Why We Need JesusGod's Big FamilyWhat God Really WantsJoseph's Amazing JourneyYou Are Like a Tree!God's Shield (Pesach)Growing God's FruitGod's Amazing GiftThe Special Cup

📚 Ages 9–12 Growing Explorers

Sin and SalvationOne Big FamilyReal Worship vs. Fake WorshipJoseph: Pit to PalaceTrees in ScripturePassover: More Than Passing ByRooted: Growing Real FruitUndeserving FavorCup of Wrath

🔥 Ages 13–17 PS-Teens

Original Sin UnpackedGod's Family BlueprintFaith vs. PerformanceJoseph & the CurseTrees in ScripturePesach UnpackedRooted: Seed, Blood & FruitUndeserving FavorCup of God's Wrath← All PS-Kids

🎯 The Big Idea

Romans 16 shows that God’s family includes people of every background — and everyone has an important role to play.

📝 Paul’s Shout-Outs

At the end of Romans, Paul does something amazing — he names 26 specific people and thanks them. It’s like the credits at the end of a movie, but for God’s church. And when you look at who’s on the list, it’s incredible:

👩‍🏫 Phoebe

A deacon — a church leader. She was trusted to carry Paul’s letter (the book of Romans!) to Rome. That’s a massive responsibility.

👨‍👩‍👦 Prisca & Aquila

A married couple who hosted a whole church in their home. They even risked their lives for Paul.

🌍 Andronicus & Junia

A couple (likely Jewish) who Paul calls “outstanding among the apostles.” They were Christians before Paul was!

❤️ Rufus’s Mom

Paul says she was “like a mother to me.” She wasn’t biologically related to Paul, but she treated him like family.

🔍 Why This Matters

In the ancient Roman world, people were divided into strict categories:

  • Jews vs. Gentiles — They didn’t eat together or hang out
  • Slaves vs. Free — Slaves were treated like property
  • Men vs. Women — Women had very few rights

But Paul’s list smashes all those walls. Women are leaders. Former slaves are honored. Jews and Gentiles work side by side. It’s like if the popular kids, the quiet kids, the athletes, and the artists at school all decided they were one team.

📖 Key Verse (ESV)

“So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God.” — Ephesians 2:19

💡 Word to Know: Oikos

The Greek word oikos (οἶκος) means “household” or “family.” In Paul’s day, your oikos wasn’t just your parents and siblings — it was everyone who lived and worked together, including servants, guests, and business partners. When Paul calls the church God’s oikos, he means all believers are part of one household — sharing resources, responsibilities, and love.

🤔 Discussion Questions

  1. Look at your own church. Who are the different types of people you see? How is that like Paul’s list?
  2. At school, do you notice groups that don’t usually mix? What would it look like if everyone was part of “one big family”?
  3. Paul trusted Phoebe — a woman — with the most important letter in history. What does that tell you about who God can use?
  4. What’s one thing you can do this week to make someone who feels like an outsider feel like family?

🙏 Prayer

“God, thank You for building a family where everyone belongs. Help me to see people the way You see them — not by what group they’re in, but as part of Your household. Give me courage to include people who feel left out. Amen.”

Memory Verse

“You are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God.”

Ephesians 2:19 (ESV)

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