Problems & Pain
Read Acts 16:16-24. The owners of the slave girl grabbed Paul and Silas and dragged them before the authorities (16:19).

1. What accusations did they make against Paul and Silas? What was their motivation for making these accusations? (16:16, 19-21)

* Everyone turned against Paul and Silas, and the magistrates (governmental authorities) had them severely beaten and thrown into jail (16:22-23). No trial took place and apparently no questions were asked.

* The jailer was "commanded to guard them carefully" (16:23). So "he put them in the inner cell and fastened their feet in the stocks" (16:24, NIV).

* After being severely beaten and fastened in stocks, Paul and Silas would be in great physical pain.

Prison & Praise
Read Acts 16:25-26.

2. Considering their painful situation, why do you think Paul and Silas were praying? Why were they singing hymns? How could they sing at a time like this?! How can we apply their example to our lives today?

† "Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:4-7, NIV).

3. What were the effects of their prayers and singing?

Personal Crisis
Read Acts 16:27-30. The jailer was ready to kill himself, but Paul intervened. "The prison doors flew open, and everybody's chains came loose" (4:26), but no one had fled.

4. The jailer asked Paul and Silas, "What must I do to be saved?" after he realized that no one had escaped. Why do you think he asked this question at this time?

Peace & Joy
Read Acts 16:31-34. In response to the jailer's question, they replied, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved" (16:31). Then they spoke "the word of the Lord to him and to all the others in his house" (16:32).

† "…if you confess with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved." (Romans 10:9, NIV)

† "By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you…that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that he appeared to [many]." (1 Corinthians 15:2-5, NIV)

* The jailer and his family believed, and they were immediately baptized (16:33-34).

5. What immediate changes are evident in the jailer?

Propriety
Read Acts 16:35-40. The authorities wanted Paul and Silas to leave town quietly. But the injustice they endured needed correction, for the benefit of the Christian message and church in Philippi.

Reflection/Application

† When you face problems and pain, what do you think about? As a Christian, do you turn to God with an attitude of trust and praise? Reflect on passages like Romans 8:18-39 and 2 Corinthians 4:16-18, which teach us to focus not on our troubles, but on God and his good purposes and promises. We never know how God might use our troubles for good!

† The jailer realized his need to ask the question, "What must I do to be saved?" Have you asked that question? Do you need to ask that question? If you want true peace and joy, "believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved." If you have any questions, ask Jay.