Acts 16:16 to 16:40 Joy in the Lord is not dependent on circumstances; praising God in trials brings spiritual freedom and opens doors for the gospel. Understand why Paul and Silas were unlawfully beaten and imprisoned in Philippi. Discover how they prayed and sang hymns to God at midnight in the inner cell. Witness the earthquake and the salvation of the Philippian jailer and his household. Following the Macedonian call, Paul and Silas entered [Philippi](/bible/explorer/place/philippi), a leading Roman colony in Macedonia, delivering a slave girl from a spirit of divination. Beaten and Locked in Stocks In the city of [Philippi](/bible/explorer/place/philippi), Paul delivered a slave girl who had been exploited by her masters for fortune-telling. Angry that their hope of making money was gone, the owners dragged Paul and Silas before the magistrates. The crowd attacked them, the magistrates tore off their clothes, and after inflicting many blows with rods, threw them into prison. The jailer put them into the dark inner dungeon and fastened their feet in heavy wooden stocks. Midnight Songs in the Dark Their backs were bleeding and in pain, their feet were locked in uncomfortable wood, and the dungeon was pitch black. But instead of grumbling, complaining, or crying in despair, around midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns of praise to God! The other prisoners were listening intently to them. Suddenly, there was a violent earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken. Immediately all the doors flew open, and everyone's bonds were unfastened! Believe in the Lord Jesus and You Will Be Saved The jailer woke up, saw the prison doors open, and drew his sword to take his own life, assuming the prisoners had escaped. But Paul shouted with a loud voice: 'Do not harm yourself, for we are all here!' The jailer called for lights, rushed in, and fell down trembling before Paul and Silas: 'Sirs, what must I do to be saved?' They said: 'Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.' That very night, the jailer washed their wounds, and he and his whole family believed, were baptized, and rejoiced with great joy! Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household. Acts 16:31 What were Paul and Silas doing at midnight in the inner prison cell? Sleeping soundly Praying and singing hymns of praise to God Complaining about their injuries Planning an escape Praying and singing hymns of praise to God Despite painful wounds, they prayed and sang praises to God at midnight. What happened while Paul and Silas were singing praises? A storm blew off the roof A great earthquake shook the foundations, doors opened, and chains were unfastened Guards gave them water Nothing happened A great earthquake shook the foundations, doors opened, and chains were unfastened God sent an earthquake that opened all the prison doors and loosened everyone's chains. What famous question did the jailer ask Paul and Silas? Where did you learn to sing? Sirs, what must I do to be saved? How did you open the doors? Can you teach me Roman law? Sirs, what must I do to be saved? Trembling before God's power, the jailer asked: 'Sirs, what must I do to be saved?' Whenever you feel frustrated, hurt, or disappointed this week, sing a praise song or thank God for three blessings instead of complaining. Lord Jesus, you give songs in the night! Teach us to praise you in good times and hard times. Fill our hearts with your joy, and use our lives to show your saving grace to those around us. Amen. How were Paul and Silas able to sing hymns when their bodies were hurting so badly? What does this story teach us about how our attitude during trials can impact people watching us? Demonstrate that praise in difficult circumstances releases spiritual power and leads to gospel breakthrough. Dim the lights and sing a joyful praise chorus together to feel what it was like for Paul and Silas to sing in the dark dungeon. Why didn't the prisoners run away when the doors opened? God's presence was so palpable that they were mesmerized and stayed to hear Paul. 5 minutes hook, 15 minutes story, 10 minutes discussion, 10 minutes prayer.