Superbook

Lesson:

Be joyful, even in the worst circumstances.

Extras

• Character Profiles

  • Paul (With Silas)

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    Paul (With Silas)

    

    There was never a dull moment around Paul and Silas! They were directed by God in a vision to travel to Macedonia. In the city of Philippi, Paul and Silas taught about Jesus, where Lydia and her household believed, and were baptized. Paul commanded a demon to leave a fortune-teller. As a result, Paul and Silas were beaten and thrown into the prison dungeon. They then showed their unwavering faith when they prayed and sang to God. All of the prisoners heard! God responded with an earthquake that shook the prison and opened the doors. Paul and Silas shared the Good News with the jailer and his family. Everyone believed in Jesus, was baptized, and rejoiced in God!

    • Bible References

      • Acts 15:40
      • Acts 15:36-41
      • Acts 16:1-5
      • Acts 16:6-10
      • Acts 16:13-15
      • Acts 16:16-23
      • Acts 16:24-34
      • Acts 17:1-8
      • Acts 17:10-15
      • Acts 18:1-8
      • Acts 18:19

  • Silas

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    Silas

    

    Silas traveled with Paul to Philippi. This was by the direction of the Holy Spirit in a vision. They were arrested, beaten and thrown into the prison dungeon. Instead of complaining, they prayed and sang songs to God which all the prisoner's heard! God sent an earthquake that shook the prison and opened the doors. Silas and Paul then led the jailer and his family to salvation in Jesus and baptized them in water. Silas' obedience and trust in God turned a very bad circumstance into sounds of rejoicing!

    • Bible References

      • 1 Peter 5:12
      • Acts 16:21
      • Acts 15:22
      • Acts 17:4
      • Acts 17:10-16
      • 2 Corinthians 1:19
      • 1 Peter 5:12

  • Timothy

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    Timothy

    

    In "Paul and Silas," Timothy witnessed how Paul and Silas willingly adjusted their own plans to follow the leading of the Holy Spirit. Timothy was a young man who was raised with a strong faith and knowledge of the word of God. He was well thought of by the believers where he lived. Paul chose Timothy and Silas to travel with him on his missionary journeys. This included the trip to Macedonia and the city of Philippi.

    • Bible References

      • 1 Corinthians 4:17
      • 1 Timothy 4:14
      • 2 Timothy 1:5
      • Acts 16:8
      • 1 Timothy 1:3
      • 1 Corinthians 4:17
      • 2 Timothy 1:2, 5
      • 1 Timothy 5:23
      • Philippians 2:22
      • 2 Timothy 3:15

  • Jailer

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    Jailer

    

    The Philippian jailer placed Paul and Silas in the inner-dungeon and placed stocks on their feet. No one was going anywhere... or so he thought! God sent an earthquake in response to Paul and Silas' songs of praise and prayer. The jailer believed Paul and Silas had escaped and drew his sword to kill himself but Paul and Silas stopped him.The jailer asked what he must do to be saved. The jailer and his entire family believed in Jesus Christ, were saved and then baptized. All of this happened after midnight - what an amazing start to their day! The entire family rejoiced because they believed in God!

    • Bible References

      • Acts 16:30
      • Acts 16:22-36

  • The Fortune Teller

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    The Fortune Teller

    

    The fortune teller was a slave girl who was possessed by an evil spirit and controlled by her wicked masters. She earned lots of money for them by telling fortunes. This girl followed Paul and Silas around the city for many days. Paul finally had enough and instantly cast the evil spirit out of the girl in the name of Jesus Christ! Her masters hope of wealth was now gone and they quickly had Paul and Silas arrested.

    • Bible References

      • Acts 16:18
      • Acts 8:7-24
      • Acts 16:16-19
      • Daniel 2:1-2
      • James 1:5
      • Deuteronomy 18:10-12
      • Jeremiah 10:2
      • Micah 5:12
      • Leviticus 20:27
      • 1 Chronicles 10:13-14
      • John 16:13

  • Lydia of Thyatira

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    Lydia of Thyatira

    

    Lydia was a wealthy woman who sold expensive purple cloth in the city of Philippi. The Bible says she received Paul's message and was saved and baptized - along with her household - this became the beginning of the Philippian church. After her baptism, she invited Paul and Silas to be guests in her house. Later, following their release from prison, Paul and Silas returned to Lydia's house and encouraged the believers once more before leaving the city.

    • Bible References

      • Acts 16:14
      • Acts 16:14
      • Revelation 2:18-29
      • Acts 16:14
      • Acts 16:9-12

• Adventure Guide

  • 

    Gizmo's Bible Adventures - Your New Journey with God

  • 

    Paul and Silas - Family Discussion Guide

• Videos

  Paul Baptizes Lydia

  • 

    Paul Baptizes The Jailer


• Q & A

  • How can you always be joyful?

    Paul and Silas had been arrested, beaten, and thrown into prison. Their feet were chained and placed in stocks so they couldn't move. How could things be worse? (Acts 16:22-24). So, did the other prisoners hear them blame God and complain? No! Paul and Silas were full of joy; they prayed and sang praises to God around midnight! How can that be? Paul and Silas' joy was not based on their outward circumstances, but deep within them. The world cannot give this kind of joy - only having Jesus in your heart can! This joy is produced by the Holy Spirit that lives inside of every believer (Galatians 5:22). The Bible says that it is God's will that we always be full of joy, to pray always and be thankful in all circumstances (1 Thessalonians 6:16-18).
    
    When we do this - we reflect the, peace, love and hope of our amazing God to others. When Peter and Silas sang to God, the other prisoners in the jail listened (Acts 16:25). As followers of Jesus, let the joy of the Lord be seen no matter what the circumstances! 2 Corinthians 6:10 says, "Our hearts ache, but we always have joy. We are poor, but we give spiritual riches to others. We own nothing, and yet we have everything." The world doesn't give us our joy, and the world cannot take it way!
    
    
    Discover God's love and plan for you

    • 1 Thessalonians 5:16

  • Does God guide us?

    Paul and Silas attempted to go to several countries on their missionary journey. However, the Holy Spirit did not allow them to enter certain areas. God then spoke to Paul in a vision instructing him to go to Macedonia in the country of Greece. Paul and Silas immediately boarded a boat to sail there. Paul and Silas listened to the Holy Spirit and followed God's plan rather than their own (Acts 16:6-10). As followers of Christ, God's Spirit lives in us. The Holy Spirit will guide us, as He did Paul and Silas, if we are willing to follow His voice. Galatians 5:25, says, "Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit's leading in every part of our lives."
    
    As with Paul, the Holy Spirit will lead us to people that need to hear the Good News of Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit will also illuminate God's word and give us wisdom and understanding to make right choices and decisions. Psalm 119:105 says, "Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path." Jesus called His followers sheep. Sheep need a shepherd to care for them, to lead, and to protect them. Jesus said in John 10:27, "My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me." Yes, God's Spirit will guide us - will we follow?
    
    
    Discover God's love and plan for you
    

    • Galatians 5:25

  • Can we be good examples?

    The prisoners in the jail heard Paul and Silas praying and singing hymns to God (Acts 16:25). These sounds were very unusual sounds to be heard in a prison! What a testimony to God! No doubt, this made an impact on the all who listened! The jailer later came to Christ, along with his entire family. As followers of Christ, we reflect God in our words, attitudes and actions. Paul and Silas had been accused of wrongdoing by the fortune-teller's masters and an angry mob. It would have been easy to have been bitter and angry, yet they chose to honor God and be a bright light shining in a dark place. 1 Peter 2:12 says, "Be careful to live properly among your unbelieving neighbors.
    
    Then even if they accuse you of doing wrong, they will see your honorable behavior, and they will give honor to God when he judges the world." Are others attracted to Christ by our daily walk? Paul lived his life as such an example that others could follow to know Christ. In his letter to the Philippians, Paul wrote, "Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me--everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you." (Philippians 4:9) Do we reflect God's peace and love in our lives each day? It is never too early to be a Christ-like example to others in our daily walk. The Apostle Paul encouraged Timothy to be an example to others even at a young age; he wrote, "Don't let anyone think less of you because you are young. Be an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity (1 Timothy 4:12). Let us always strive to be an example others can follow to Christ!"
    
    
    Discover God's love and plan for you

    • 1 Timothy 4:12

  • How are we saved?

    Following the miraculous earthquake that shook the foundation of the prison, the trembling jailer fell down before Paul and Silas. He asked, "what he must do to be saved? (Acts 16:25-29). They replied, "Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved, along with everyone in your household.” (Acts 10:31). Paul and Silas shared the word of the Lord with the jailer and his family that night. They believed, were saved, and even baptized in water - all after midnight! Is it the same today? Is it really that simple? Romans 10:9 says, "If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved."
    
    God's word doesn't change - there is salvation today for all who believe in Jesus! Acts 4:12 tells us, "There is salvation in no one else! God has given no other name under heaven by which we must be saved." God loved us so much that He provided a way for us to have our sins forgiven and spend eternity with Him in heaven. John 3:16 says, "For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life."
    
    
    Discover God's love and plan for you

    • Acts 4:12

  • What can I sing to God about?

    Paul and Silas prayed and sang to God as they sat, chained in a jail cell, their feet in stocks (Acts 16:24-25). What could they possibly have been singing about? They sang because they served the Almighty God. Regardless of where they were or what had happened - God was still God and His name alone was worthy of praise! Psalm 68:4 tells us, "Sing praises to God and to his name! Sing loud praises to him who rides the clouds. His name is the LORD--rejoice in his presence!"
    
    We often sing praises to God for something good that has happened in our lives - and we absolutely should! However, as this verse says, we also need to sing loud praises to Him who rides the clouds, He is above all and His name is the Lord! We can rejoice that we may enter and stay in His mighty presence! Psalm 145:3, "Great is the LORD! He is most worthy of praise! No one can measure his greatness." We don't have to wait to sing praises to to God! He is great beyond measure and worthy of our praise - always! Regardless of any circumstance, He is still God!
    
    
    Discover God's love and plan for you

    • Psalms 68:4