Acts Describe in your own words how God directed Paul and Timothy to go to Macedonia (vv. 6-10)?

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1 Acts 16 Tuesday 1. Paul was on his 2 nd missionary journey when he went through Philippi which was in Northern Macedonia (modern day Greece). Do you recognize any other cities? 2. Pray & then read Acts 16. Notice the path Paul took on the map. 3. Who did Paul ask to join him on his trip (vv. 1-3?) 4. How is this man described (vv. 1-3)? 5. How did God bless the ministry of Paul and Timothy (16:5)? 6. Describe in your own words how God directed Paul and Timothy to go to Macedonia (vv. 6-10)? _ 7. How is Philippi described (16:12)? 8. Who had assembled for prayer (16:13-14)? What was the name of the lady whose heart the Lord opened? How did she respond to the gospel that was spoken to her (16:15)? 9. Describe the girl in verses What caused the masters of the girl to seize Paul and Timothy (16:19)?

2 11. What persecution did Paul and Silas endure (16:19-24)? 12. How did Paul and Silas respond to the suffering (16:25)? 1. What do you think it means when we read of Lydia, whose heart the Lord opened (v.14)? 2. Why do you think Paul became grieved with the words of the slave girl (v. 18)? 3. What did both Lydia and the jailer do after they were saved to show others they were followers of Christ (vv. 15 & 33)? _ 1. After looking at the map and reading of Paul s 2nd missionary journey, how can our faith be encouraged as we press on in living for Christ (the Greatest Adventure)? 2. While Paul and Silas were praying and singing in Jail, others were listening (16:25)? How does this remind you of our testimony while going through tough times? 3. Would you be ready to share the gospel with someone who asks how to be saved like the jailer asked Paul and Silas? Philippians 1 Wednesday 1. Pray & then read Philippians 1. How are Paul and Timothy described (v. 1)? 2. What is Paul s attitude toward God when he prays (vv.3-4)? 3. What does Paul want the Philippian believers to understand about how God is using his imprisonment (v. 12) 4. What is the result of Paul s example to the believers (v. 14)? 5. What was Paul s attitude/mindset to his imprisonment and trial according to verse 20-21? 6. What was Paul s attitude toward death in verse 22-23? 7. What was his attitude toward living in verse 24 and 25? 1. Why was Paul put in bonds or chains and awaiting trial in Rome (Read: Acts 25:7-12)? Had he done anything wrong?

3 2. Jim Elliot, missionary to the Aucas in Ecuador, said, He is no fool to give what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose. How is this similar to Paul s statement in verse 21? 3. How can someone who is under house arrest, who has few possessions, and who is unpopular amongst his critics still have joy in Jesus Christ? 1. Paul's imprisonment consisted of being chained to a soldier 24 hours a day, 7 days a week (Acts 28:16). What would your testimony be like if someone was always chained to you? 2. Paul didn t see himself as an unwilling slave forced into chains, but as a willing bondservant of Jesus Christ serving out of joy and love. How could Paul have such an attitude? 3. How does his attitude help us when it comes to viewing the life of following Christ (the Greatest Adventure)? 3. If a doctor were able to examine your heart/inner man with a spiritual magnifying glass, who or what would he see as having the greatest influence in your life? (Christ, a friend, a sport, a job, etc.) Thursday Philippians 2 1. Pray & then read Philippians 2 paying attention to the selfless example of Christ and the admonitions that are given. 2. What two attitudes were not to be found in your life (v.3)? These attitudes will destroy unity with others. 4. What attitude/mindset does God desire (v.3)? 5. Describe how Christ was the ultimate example of this mindset according to verses 5-8? 6. What admonition does Paul give in verses 12-13? 7. What are the reasons for believers to do all things without murmurings and disputings according to verses 15 and 16? 8. What is the common attitude for many according to verses 21-22? 1. How can one esteem others better than himself? List some specific ways. 2. Made himself of no reputation has the idea of Jesus emptying himself (v.7). Colossians 2:9 confirms that Jesus remained fully God while on earth. What did Christ empty Himself of according to verses 7 8? 3. Why was the death of the cross such a horrible way to die?

4 4. Why do we complain? _ 5.What contrast do you see in verse 15? Give a few differences that should be noticeable between Christians and unsaved people. 1. Someone has said that the cross was the pulpit from which Christ displayed his love. Today, people are very conscious of their rights. Jesus gave up his rights (v.6) to serve us. In which areas of your life could you use a dose of humility? 2. Would those close to you describe you as a child of God or as part of a grumbling, complaining, perverse generation? 3. If people were to list different attributes to describe you, what would they say? Which of these are true of you: faithful, loyal, trustworthy, hardworking, persistent? 4. Epaphroditus was risking his life to minister to Paul in prison. Have you ever given up some of your own rights or freedoms to serve someone else? What is God calling you to give up to serve Christ? Friday Philippians 3 1. Pray & then read Philippians In verses 5 and 6, what are the lofty attainments of Paul as a Jew? 3. Notice the immense turn around in Paul s life. What he once viewed as essential in his life, he now considered to be of no value whatsoever. In the place of those things, what did he now consider to be more valuable according to verses 7-10? 4. Paul is using an illustration of an athlete in verses What is Paul resolved to do? 5. What kind of attitude does Paul encourage the believers to have in verse 15 and 16? 6. Who does Paul say to follow and not to follow (vv )? 7. In contrast to those who mind earthly things, what should be the Christian s focus according to verses 20-21?

5 1. Looking at the new way (vv.7-8) Paul viewed the former things (vv.4-7), was he indicating that earthly matters are unimportant?. 2. One definition of righteousness is being right in God s eyes. Could the keeping of the law help one to be righteous? How is the righteousness of God obtained v. 9? 3. Paul says that he is forgetting what lies behind. What exactly is he forgetting (3:13)? 1. What things do you now consider loss that you once considered gain? 2. What specific and practical things would be characteristic of your life if you were pressing on as Paul did? 3. Who are you observing and learning from with regards to how a mature Christian is to walk? Philippians 4 Bonus 1. Pray & then read Philippians How did Paul urge Euodia and Syntyche to live (v. 2)? What did Paul ask the Philippians to do with these woman (v. 3)? 3. What admonitions does Paul give in verses 4-9? 4. What is the believer to meditate on according to verse 8? 5. What had Paul learned to be according to verses 10 through 14? 6. Describe the Philippians financial gifts to Paul (vv ). 1. What do you think the Lord meant by the Lord is near in verse 5?

6 2. How will the peace of God guard your heart (v. 7)? 3. What does Paul mean by I seek the fruit that abounds to your account (v. 17)? 4. Why do you think it was a real blessing to read that those of Caesar's household wanted to especially great the Philippian believers? 1. It is important to understand that believers who are fellow workers may be at odds with one another for some reason or another at times (v. 2)? It is important to live in harmony and assist those who may not be in harmony with others. Is there anyone who God may be directing you to help get right with someone they are at odds with? 2. Verses 4-9 can really be helpful verses to heed and think on when we are tempted to have stinking thinking. How will you implement these verses when you start recognizing your thoughts to be going in a sinful direction? 3. We read of Paul learning to be content with little or much. How could Paul be content? Are there some areas God is working on you to be content with him? Read 1 Timothy 6:6-10.