Wasted Opportunity?

Have your response to something or action ever caused someone to be completely surprised? For example, have you ever turned down a gift unexpectedly? What was the situation?




Read Acts 16:16-36

Why was Paul and Silas thrown into prison?



When the Earthquake hit, what happened to Paul and Silas? What did they do?



What was the Guard going to do when he woke up? Why would he have done that?



When the Guard saw that Paul and Silas were still there, how did he respond? Why do you think he responded that way?



What else did the Guard do after he came to believe in Christ?



Application

What would you have done if you were in prison for a punishment that didn’t fit the crime? Would you be rejoicing? What would happened if you were unexpectedly freed? Would you have stayed like Paul and Silas or left?

Paul and Silas were rejoicing in prison and when the opportunity came for them to leave, they stayed. Because of these actions, they were blessed and lives were changed. The Guard was ready to kill himself when he saw what had happened because if they had escaped under his care, he would have had to suffer that prisoner’s punishment (“Believers Church Bible Commentary: Acts”, p. 186). But, Paul & Silas stopped him and revealed that they did not escape.

Why would they do such a thing? We do not know for sure, but because they stayed, it caused the Guard to ask, “What must I do to be saved?” He had just experienced an event unlike any other in which Paul and Silas had an opportunity to leave, but didn’t. He was going to kill himself to avoid severe punishment, but then realized that he had been saved from that as they were still in jail.

So, why ask to be saved? Again, we do not know for sure, but the fact remains that the Guard wanted to come to know what Paul and Silas had – a relationship with Christ. But, it didn’t stop there. Once he heard the truth, he brought his family in to be baptized and also took care of Paul and Silas – washing their wounds from the flogging they received.

All this happened because they were salt and light to the Guard when they could have been anything but. They could have easily left and I doubt people would not have thought any less of them.  But they stayed and utilized this situation for Christ.  

What can you do this week to be salt and light to those you are close too?  Pray this week that God provides you with an opportunity to make the most out of every opportunity for Him and when the opportunity presents itself, don't make it a wasted opportunity.

Pray

Whose God is Greater?

1. Have you ever been challenged to a duel of sorts? What was it and what was the outcome?



Read 1 Kings 18:16-39

2. Elijah was known as a “troubler of Isreal”. Why was that? 



3. What did Elijah challenge Obadiah to?



4. How did the Prophets of Baal do? What kind of “encouragement” did Elijah offer them?



5. What did Elijah have done to his sacrifice in order to prove to greatness and power of God? What happened to Elijah’s sacrifice?



6. How did the people respond to this?





Application

Elijah had a reputation as being a troubler of Israel. He was not viewed positively in the King's eyes because he spread the word of the true God.

Finally, Elijah had enough with Israel's unbelief and decided to challenge the 450 Prophets of Baal to a "Whose God is Greater" duel. He had word sent throughout all of Israel to come and watch. Talk about pressure.

How much faith do you think Elijah had in God that He would prevail over Baal? Do you have that kind of faith in God?

As we read, God did come through while Baal was a no show. Or, as Elijah taunted, "Perhaps he [Baal] is deep in thought, or busy, or traveling. Maybe he is sleeping and must be awakened." (v.27)

In this story, Elijah believed and did something about it. He didn't just call himself a follower of God, he took action.  Because of that, lives where impacted for God and many believed in Him.

How was Elijah salt and light to Israel in this story? How did he penetrate Israel with the light of God? How can you act similar this week?

Pray