Bible Study Snacks, Acts 16:16-40

Hi, everyone!

Happy Friday, and welcome back to another presentation of Bible Study Snacks! As always, I thank you so much for joining me as we walk together through the richness of God's spoken word, and wisdom. I pray that today finds you in good health and strong in faith!

This week, I would like to continue our study of the Book of Acts, with Chapter Sixteen, Verses 16-40.

I have designed these studies to be brief, yet packed full of good information for everyone regardless of your level of biblical knowledge. I might add that these quick studies make perfect small group discussion starters, as well!

As always, I whole-heartedly believe in the importance that any Bible study should begin with prayer. If you have your Bible ready, let's pray together...

Heavenly father, please guide us as we study your Word today; I pray that our hearts and our minds will be open so that we will not only receive your Gospel, but learn from it as well; you are the Light of the world, Lord, and your Spirit will illuminate our path as we journey through your teachings. In the name of Jesus Christ, Our Lord and Savior. Amen

If you are taking notes for yourself, or using this for a bible study with others, here are the objectives for this week's lesson...

OBJECTIVES: This week, the reader will...

1) Study carefully the conversions of Lydia and the Philippian jailer

For your convenience, here is a summary of Acts 16:16-40...  

Paul and his company were soon followed by a slave girl possessed by a spirit of divination that made money for her owners through fortune telling. For days she cried out, "These men are the servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to us the way of salvation." While true, itvannoyed Paul (probably because it was not of her own free will) and he cast the spirit out in the name of Jesus. This greatly angered the girl's masters, who had Paul and Silas beaten and imprisoned. At midnight while Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns, a great earthquake shook the prison and broke free their chains. Assuming all had fled, the jailer was about to kill himself when Paul stopped him. When the jailor asked what he must do to be saved, Paul and Silas told him to believe on the Lord Jesus, and then proceeded to teach him and his family the word of the Lord.

That same night, the entire family was baptized. In the morning, the magistrates sent word to release Paul and Silas, but Paul demanded a personal release as they were Roman citizens who were beaten and imprisoned without trial. Scared, the magistrates came and pleaded with Paul and Silas to leave the city, which they did after a short visit to Lydia's house to encourage the brethren. Note that the author's return to the use of "they" indicates that Luke stayed behind in Philippi (16-40).

REVIEW QUESTIONS:  

1) Who began to follow Paul and his company?  What did she do? (Acts 16:16-17)
2) Why do you think Paul was greatly annoyed? What did he then do? (Acts 16:18)
3) What sequence of events followed this miracle? (Acts 16:19-24)
4) What did Paul and Silas do while imprisoned? (Acts 16:25)
5) What led to the jailer asking what he must do to be saved? (Acts 16:26-30)
6) What does Paul say and do in answer to the jailor's question? (Acts 16:31-32)
7) What happened that same hour of the night? (Acts 16:33)
8) What else did the jailer do for Paul and Silas?  How would you describe his attitude? (Acts 16:34)
9) When word was sent for Paul and Silas to be released, how did Paul respond? (Acts 16:35-37)
10) How did the magistrates respond? (Acts 16:38-39)
11) Leaving the prison, what did Paul and Silas do before departing the city? (Acts 16:40)
12) Who evidently stayed behind at Philippi? (40)

After completing this week's study, I encourage you to go back and read through the material again. Take your time and read each topic and scripture reference as many times as you feel necessary. Keep in mind that by doing this, you just might see something new that you overlooked the first time around!

As we journey through the Bible together, I will continue to pray that God’s message will come through to you loud and crystal clear. Until next time, I wish everyone a blessed week!

God bless you!  

Sheri