Persecution

GETTING STARTED

In yesterday’s reading, we learned about a slave girl held in bondage by the power of an evil spirit. Through her ability as a fortune-teller, she brought her owners a lot of money. God used Paul to set her free from her spiritual bondage, through the name of Jesus Christ. In today’s reading, we see how the girl’s owners responded and what happened to Paul and Silas as a result.

  • What are some of the ways you hear about Christians being persecuted today?

READ THE WORD: ACTS 16:19-24 (ESV)

19 But when her owners saw that their hope of gain was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace before the rulers. 20 And when they had brought them to the magistrates, they said, “These men are Jews, and they are disturbing our city. 21 They advocate customs that are not lawful for us as Romans to accept or practice.”22 The crowd joined in attacking them, and the magistrates tore the garments off them and gave orders to beat them with rods. 23 And when they had inflicted many blows upon them, they threw them into prison, ordering the jailer to keep them safely. 24 Having received this order, he put them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks.

English Standard Version, copyright 2001 by Crossway Bibles. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

DIGGING DEEPER

  1. How did the slave owners react when this girl was delivered from the evil spirit?
  2. What did they accuse Paul and Silas of doing? What were they really upset about?What happened to Paul and Silas as a result of preaching the gospel?
  3. How does the message of Jesus sometimes disturb people in our city?
  4. How do you react to what God is doing in people’s lives? Does it make you joyful? Do you still get excited when someone comes to faith in Jesus, or have you grown a little cold in your heart?

RESPOND TO GOD

When Jesus walked the earth, he had explained to his followers that just as he was persecuted, they surely would be as well. Paul and Silas were serving Jesus, faithfully preaching the gospel and seeing lives changed as people were delivered from sin. As a result, they didn’t receive accolades and applause; rather, they were persecuted and beaten and thrown into prison. Paul later wrote that those who live godly lives in Christ Jesus would be persecuted. And as we will see, persecution doesn’t stop Paul and Silas from preaching about Jesus. Let’s be faithful to the work of Jesus no matter the consequences!

  • Pray for our brothers and sisters around the world who are being persecuted because of their faith in Jesus.
  • Ask the Lord to renew your heart for people who don’t know Jesus, so you will rejoice when people come to faith in Jesus.