Deliverance

CONNECT

Here is what it means when a prisoner is in stocks:

Prisoners who are in stocks will have their feet locked in a device. Movement of the lower part of the body is almost impossible, and the prisoner would have to endure and sit the whole time. The purpose of the stocks is to make it impossible for prisoners to escape.

Imagine if you were a prisoner. What would you feel? Do you think you will still be able to go around as you please? This is where we find Paul and Silas in our lesson today. Let’s check out what happened.

READ THE WORD

In Acts 16, Paul and Silas were in Philippi, where they met a slave girl who was possessed by a demon which enabled her to tell fortunes. Her owners used her to make a lot of money. Paul cast out the demon in the name of Jesus, and the girl was delivered from its control. However, this act led him and Silas to be beaten and thrown into jail, with their hands and feet bound and locked.

About midnight Paul and Silas were praying. They were also singing hymns to God. The other prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was a powerful earthquake. It shook the prison from top to bottom. All at once the prison doors flew open. Everyone’s chains came loose. The jailer woke up. He saw that the prison doors were open. He pulled out his sword and was going to kill himself. He thought the prisoners had escaped. “Don’t harm yourself!” Paul shouted. “We are all here!” The jailer called out for some lights. He rushed in, shaking with fear. He fell down in front of Paul and Silas. Then he brought them out. He asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus. Then you and everyone living in your house will be saved.” They spoke the word of the Lord to him. They also spoke to all the others in his house. At that hour of the night, the jailer took Paul and Silas and washed their wounds. Right away he and everyone who lived with him were baptized. The jailer brought them into his house. He set a meal in front of them. He and everyone who lived with him were filled with joy. They had become believers in God. Acts 16:25–34

In the middle of the night, in the deep dungeons, God delivered Paul and Silas from imprisonment and probably harsh judgment by opening the prison doors and unfastening their stocks. This was already a miracle by itself, but it did not end there. The jailer who feared being punished physically was delivered spiritually. He and his entire family came to know Jesus and were baptized!

This story speaks of the limitless power of God to deliver or free His people from any form of bondage. First, the servant girl was delivered from her bondage to the evil spirit. Then, Paul and Silas were delivered physically from their prison cell. And lastly, the jailer and his family were delivered spiritually. Knowing this, we can be assured that God sees our needs and He will deliver us from our situations.

HUDDLE

Parents to Kids

2–6 years old

• What part of the story did you like the most?

7–12 years old

• What is an area of your life where you think you are not free and you want God to deliver you from? (Some examples are spending too much time on the internet or on social media, seeking approval from others all the time, and needing attention from other people.)

Kids to Parents

• Have you experienced God’s deliverance in your life? Tell us about it.
• Is there any area in your life where you need deliverance? Will you share it with us?

Nothing is too difficult for God. Armed with this knowledge, we can trust God in all situations, whether light or grim.

PRAYER

Dear God, thank You because we can trust You. Thank You for Your promise of deliverance, for setting us free from any bondage we are in. Give us strength to overcome any fear in our hearts. Please help us trust You and Your plans for us always. In Jesus’ name, amen.

DISCOVER

Here are some interesting facts about Roman prisons:

“One was called ‘Communiora,’ which had light and fresh air. The second was called ‘Interiora.’ This was shut off by strong iron bars and locks. Paul and Silas were in the ‘Tullainium,’ which is a dungeon where people were placed to die. This was top security. Their feet were placed in stocks which were heavy pieces of wood with holes similar to the medieval British stocks into which the prisoner’s feet were placed and stretched in such a way as to cause constant agonizing pain.”

Source:

“Apostle Paul Life, Teaching & Theology.” Christian Pilgrimage Journeys