Patrick: From Slave to Missionary
 Patrick
arrives in Ireland.
Return to Ireland
Once in Ireland, I preached first to the kings who ruled the island's
many kingdoms. The people naturally followed their king's religion, so
I walked among the Irish, preaching, working, starting churches, and training
new converts to become leaders of the churches. More importantly, I prayed
continuously to God for guidance. God enraptured me and I loved his sacred
scriptures. I loved to talk to him under trees, in caves, on high hills,
and under the crevice of mountain rocks. He offered me his friendship
and, when needed, he gave me dreams.
 I
had eight dreams that guided my path from Ireland to Britain and back
to Ireland again. God gave me such grace that many thousands of Ireland's
poor sinners were saved and brought into God's kingdom. Some call me a
great missionary because of this. But I am happier to be called the friend
of God who walked with God on the green hills of Ireland.
His Lasting Legacy
During Patrick's 30 years in Ireland, he evangelized and baptized thousands
of people--as many as 100,000! He helped to establish some 200 churches.
Within a few hundred years, the Irish became leaders in both spreading
and preserving the Christian faith. Patrick's decision to return to the
land of his captivity to spread the gospel truly had a lasting impact.
Make It Real! Questions to help you dig a little
deeper and think a little harder.
- What made Patrick so sure that his dreams were from God?
- How did Patrick become tuned in to hearing God's voice?
- Does your school or family celebrate St. Patrick's Day in March?
- Why do you think the color green is the color of St. Patrick's Day?
- Do you think that our modern day St. Patrick's Day celebrations
have much to do with the story of Patrick? Give examples.
- Video:
- Patrick:
Brave Shepherd of the Emerald Isle is an animated version of Patrick's
story that you can buy from Vision Video with a parent's assistance.
- Patrick
is a docu-drama from Faith & Values Media that your parents can
order from Vision Video online or by calling 1-800-523-0226)
- Websites:
- Activities:
Back to part one of this Patrick "Glimpses for
Kids" children's worship bulletin insert.
©2005 by Christian History Institute, Box 540, Worcester, PA19490.
Tel.: 610-584-3500, Fax: 610-584-6643, E-mail: glimpses@chinstitute.org,
Web: www.chinstitute.org or www.glimpsesforkids.org. Prepared by C. Hope
Flinchbaugh with Ken Curtis, PhD, Dawn Moore, Ann T. Snyder and Beth Jacobson.
Photo credits: p. 1 – CHI Archives; p. 2 – North Wind Picture
Archives
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