Week 99
Paul and Silas—Their Reactions Caused a Jailer and His Household to be Saved
Point to Emphasize: Our reactions broadcast what kind of person we truly are.
Reference Reading: Acts 16:20-34, footnote 241
Memory Verse: Do all things without murmurings and reasonings. (Philippians 2:14)
Sample Story
There was a young girl who went to her first junior high conference up in the mountains, staying in cabins with other girls for the weekend. When she picked up her room assignment, she demanded to know who had assigned her to that particular room. She wanted it changed! Now, what does this incident say about this young person? [Let them discuss that it shows she is used to getting her own way, used to being the boss.] It is easy to know a person by how they react in a situation they don’t consider so pleasant or to their liking. I am sure that the young person mentioned above didn’t realize that her actions were broadcasting that she thought things should go her way, but those around her did. What kind of heart is this? This is a heart that is centered on itself.
Remember that Paul and the brothers had gone forth into Macedonia, and there they were put into a situation that was not good at all. Paul and Silas were dragged before the magistrates (those who enforced Roman law) and were falsely accused of things they had not done. They were beaten and thrown into prison. The jailer then put them into stocks (an instrument of torture with holes to hold the wrists, ankles, and neck in place). Now, let’s consider what some reactions to this awful thing might be. [Let them discuss what reactions one might expect to see in this situation—e.g., feeling sorry for yourself, feeling anger over being treated unjustly, placing blame on God.] If the young girl we mentioned before were there, she would demand to know who arranged this kind of awful treatment and demand that she be released right NOW! And how would a “complainer” react? [Let them discuss it.] And what do these reactions show? [Let them discuss it.]
Let’s read how Paul and Silas reacted (Acts 16:20-25):
Acts 16:20-25—And when they had brought them to the magistrates, they said, These men, being Jews, are throwing our city into confusion, 21And they are announcing customs which are not lawful for us, being Romans, to accept or do. 22And the crowd rose up together against them, and the magistrates tore off their garments and ordered some to beat them with rods. 23And when they had laid many stripes upon them, they threw them into prison, charging the jailer to keep them securely, 24Who, having received such a charge, threw them into the inner prison and secured their feet in the stocks. 25And about midnight Paul and Silas, while praying, sang hymns of praise to God; and the prisoners were listening to them.
If you had never heard this story before, you probably would never guess that they would react this way. No one expected to hear singing and praying. All the prisoners in the jail—and even the jailer—were amazed. They listened as Paul and Silas prayed and sang hymns of praise. In the end, their reaction led the jailer and everyone in his household to be saved.
So many things we read and hear today are the opposite of what we just read about Paul and Silas. The books you read and the things you watch might teach you that you must voice your opinion and that you need to let others know what you think. Many say, “If you don’t like it, just tell everyone. You don’t have to put up with anything you don’t like.” But in the story of Paul and Silas, we see something VERY different. They did not broadcast their opinion. They did not blurt out a complaint. They simply prayed and thanked the Lord.
Today, I have shared with you two examples of how a young girl, and then Paul and Silas, reacted to unpleasant situations. One was centered on herself, and the others turned their hearts to God. I hope that this conversation helps you remember all the times you have been centered on yourself and have broadcasted your opinions and complaints. Even if you didn’t say them out loud, this is what you were thinking. I hope that the next time you are in an unpleasant situation, you will remember what we talked about today and that your reaction will be different.