The Story We Can’t Afford to Forget
Imagine you’re a teenager—far from home, alone, enslaved. You don’t know if you’ll ever see your family again. Your captors speak a language you barely understand, worship gods you don’t know, and treat you as nothing more than property.
This was Patrick’s reality. Stolen from his home in Britain, he spent years as a slave in Ireland. But in the midst of his suffering, he discovered something greater: the God who sees. The God who saves. The God who had a plan far beyond anything Patrick could have imagined.
Many years later, Patrick did something extraordinary. He went back. Not to seek revenge, but to bring the gospel to the very people who had enslaved him. His mission changed Ireland forever.
Yet today, for many children, Patrick is nothing more than a figure on a parade float—a symbol of green-clad celebrations stripped of his real story. And for a generation increasingly detached from history, does it even matter?
As Christians, we know it does. History is not just about the past; it is one of God’s greatest teachers. Patrick’s life is more than an inspiring tale—it is a testimony to the sovereignty of God, the power of the gospel, and the courage of faithful mission.
So how do we teach Patrick’s story well? And why should we?
Why Teach Children About Patrick?
1. Because History is God’s Story
God works in real time, through real people, in real places. The Bible is not just a book of doctrine—it is an historical account of God’s redemptive work through the ages. Scripture repeatedly commands us to remember what God has done (Deut. 6:20-25; Psalm 78:1-8), because when we forget, we lose our anchor in His truth.
In an age where children are discipled by the fleeting trends of social media, we must root them in something bigger. Patrick’s story reminds us that God is at work in every generation. Faith is not a modern invention—it is a legacy passed down through faithful believers, century after century.
2. Because Patrick’s Story is a Gospel Story
Children may know Patrick’s name, but do they know the real story? Not just the myths, but the gospel heart of his life?
Patrick wasn’t Irish—he was a kidnapped teenager, forced into slavery. But in captivity, he encountered Christ. When he eventually escaped and returned home, God placed an unlikely calling on his life: go back. Not to exact justice, but to bring salvation.
What a radical picture of grace! Instead of vengeance, Patrick chose mission. His life embodies Jesus’ words: “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” (Matt. 5:44). Teaching Patrick’s story is an opportunity to show children that mission isn’t just for far-off lands—it’s for their classmates, their neighbours, even those who have wronged them.
3. Because Patrick Stood for Truth in a Pagan Culture
Patrick returned to a land dominated by idol worship, superstition, and spiritual darkness. He was mocked, opposed, and even threatened. Yet he preached Christ boldly, undeterred by the culture around him.
Does that sound familiar?
Today’s young people are growing up in a world that often rejects biblical truth. They, too, will face opposition. They, too, will be tempted to stay silent. Patrick’s courage in standing firm is a powerful encouragement for them to do the same.
4. Because History Shapes Our Identity
Christianity is not a modern movement or a cultural trend—it is the great unfolding story of God’s work in the world. Children and young people need to see themselves in this bigger picture. Learning about faithful believers like Patrick connects them to their Christian heritage and reminds them that they stand on the shoulders of those who have gone before.
In a world that seeks to erase or rewrite history, teaching our children about men and women of faith roots them in something unshakable.
How to Teach Patrick’s Story Well
1. Make It About the Gospel, Not Just Irish History
Patrick was not just a cultural figure—he was a Christian who loved Christ and wanted others to know Him. Emphasise the biblical themes in his life: God’s sovereignty over suffering, the call to mission, the cost of discipleship, and the courage to stand for truth.
2. Highlight Biblical Parallels
Children will connect more deeply with Patrick’s story when they see how it mirrors Scripture:
- His captivity echoes Joseph’s suffering and ultimate redemption (Gen. 50:20).
- His mission resembles Paul’s travels and gospel-driven boldness (Acts 13-28).
- His return to Ireland reflects Jesus’ radical call to love our enemies (Luke 6:27).
Patrick’s life was extraordinary—not because of who he was, but because of what God did through him.
3. Encourage Mission-Mindedness
Patrick’s story is not just about the past—it is a call to action today. How might God use our children and young people for His kingdom? Encourage them to:
- Pray for unreached people groups.
- Support missionaries.
- Share their faith with friends.
Help them see that the Great Commission (Matt. 28:18-20) is not just for “missionaries”—it’s for them.
4. Teach Discernment About Legends
Did Patrick drive out snakes? Use a shamrock to explain the Trinity? Maybe, maybe not. While some of these stories make useful teaching tools, they should never overshadow the real history of Patrick’s faithfulness to Christ.
Teach children to discern between truth and legend while keeping the focus on what truly matters: the power of the gospel.
5. Celebrate His Faithfulness, Not Just a Festival
For many, Saint Patrick’s Day is just an excuse for parades and green decorations. But what if Christian parents and children’s and youth leaders reclaimed it as a gospel opportunity?
Instead of just observing the holiday, consider:
- Reading Patrick’s story together.
- Praying for mission work in Ireland.
- Challenging young people to think about where God might be calling them to serve.
Teaching History in an Ahistorical World
We live in a time when history is dismissed as irrelevant. But stories like Patrick’s remind us that the gospel is worth everything, that God’s mission is unstoppable, and that faithfulness in one generation shapes those who come after.
As parents, children’s and youth ministers, let’s reclaim history as a tool for discipleship. Let’s teach our children that they are part of a great and unfolding story—one where Christ is King, the gospel is the power of God, and His kingdom is advancing in every generation.
And perhaps, like Patrick, they too will hear God’s call and take up the mission of proclaiming Christ to a world that so desperately needs Him.
