Acts 16 – Circle Group Questions – Redirected to Philippi
Ice Breaker: Tell about a time you did something so you could fit in with others or to win their respect.
Timothy and Luke Join Paul and Silas – Acts 15:41-16:12
1. What do we know about Timothy’s background? (2 Tim 1:5, 2 Tim 3:15) Why do you think Paul wanted to take Timothy with him?
2. Who can you bring alongside to share in your life and ministry?
3. Why do you think Timothy was circumcised even though it was not needed according to the letter from Jerusalem council which was brought with them? (Acts 15:23-29; 16:4)
4. To what extent are you willing to sacrifice to make your witness effective?
Paul’s First and Second Journeys | Nelson’s Complete Book of Bible Maps and Charts, Revised
5. What places did Paul and Silas pass through? (Acts 15:41, 16:1, 6, 8,11) Where did they end up staying? (12) Refer to the map provided for context. (For an additional question, see extra credit #1 below.)
6. In what places were they kept from speaking the Word to or going to? (6-10) Who kept them from what they were trying to do? How did Paul get direction for the next part of the journey?
7 How do we receive God’s direction today?
8. Describe a time when you wanted to do something or thought you should do something, only to find closed doors or you were redirected.
Lydia’s Conversion in Philippi – Acts 16:13-15
9. Where did they go on the Sabbath and why? What could be assumed about the women who had assembled?
10. What did Lydia do in response to Paul’s words? Who does the passage in Acts 16:14 credit for Lydia’s response to Paul’s words?
11. What are some places or opportunities where people might be open to listen to words of hope? What can we do to bring the Gospel to them in that place or circumstance when they are willing to listen?
Paul and Silas in Prison – Acts 16:16-30
12. What was the slave girl saying about Paul and the people with him? Why do you think this annoyed Paul and what did he do about it?
13. Why did this upset the owner of the slave girl and what did he do about it? How did the authorities, crowds and chief magistrates respond to the accusation of the slave owner?
14. What were Paul and Silas doing while in prison? What did they do once they knew they could be free? Why do you think the other people in the prison didn’t leave? (For an additional question, see extra credit #2 below.)
15. Can you describe a time when prayer and singing or other forms of worship helped you during a difficult situation? How can our response to difficult situations help others to see God in their midst?
16. How did the Jailer respond to the earthquake? How did he respond to finding out that no one escaped?
17. Can you think of a time you remained in a difficult situation for the sake of your witness, rather than taking the easy way out? If so, what happened?
The Jailer Converted – Acts 16:31-40
18. In Verse 30, Paul and Silas are asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” Are you prepared to answer that question if asked? In your own words, how would you respond?
19. What did the Jailer do that demonstrated a change in perspective? How has your life perspective changed in response to the Gospel?
Extra Credit (If you have time at the end)
- Many scholars believe that Luke, who was a Gentile and doctor, joined Paul, Silas and Timothy at Troas. (Compare vss. 4 and 10-11)
a. How would including Timothy and Luke in the mission work help Paul and Silas in reaching the new mission’s field?
b. How can the church use indigenous people to help with mission’s work?
2. Why do you think Paul and Silas acted differently than Peter in did in Acts 4:18-19 and Acts 12:6-10? (Also consider 16:37-39 and commentary note below:)
Note: Here a new element of resistance to the gospel is experienced by the missionaries—arrest by the civil authorities, not the religious Jews. It was important that Christianity not be seen by Rome as an illegal religion. The false accusations (16:19–21) sought to brand Paul and Silas as Jewish subverters of Roman law and order (16:20–21). (Hughes, Robert B., and J. Carl Laney. Tyndale Concise Bible Commentary. Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, 2001. Print. The Tyndale Reference Library.)
3. With the above note in mind, why would Paul insist on a public escort out of prison?