EXAM ANSWERS FROM LAST TIME:
1.c - 2.d - 3.a - 4.c - 5.c - 6.a.b.d. - 7.d.

GOD SETS THE PRISONERS FREE!
The Bible tells us about many thrilling times when God worked miracles for His people. Today we will look at one of these times. This miracle happened in Paul and Silas’ lives. They were special followers of Jesus, they were His disciples. Jesus had gone to heaven when this wonderful experience happened to them.

Paul and Silas were in a place called Philippi, when a young woman came up to them. She had an evil spirit in her that made her able to tell fortunes! She made herself a real nuisance to God’s disciples because they were busy preaching the Gospel. This young woman followed them around singing out messages about the disciples Paul and Silas. She said some true things about them, but the evil spirit was making this poor girl its slave. So Paul felt sorry for her, he was upset by the crying out of the wicked spirit through the girl. So he said, “come out of her evil spirit, in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ.” And do you know that spirit came out straight away. It knew the power of God in action through Paul!

Now the young woman had masters who made money out of her, because she could tell people about the future, and they paid for this. When these men saw that the girl couldn’t make money for them any more, they were furious.  And they had the disciples put in prison. Poor Paul and Silas were whipped, and then they had their feet put in things called stocks - like hand cuffs for feet attached to the floor. Well, they were in a bad condition now. But were Paul and Silas worried and crying? No they were praying and singing with all their hearts to God, giving Him praise. All the prisoners heard it and were amazed.

Then the miracle happened! A great earthquake came and shook the foundations of the prison, and all the doors swung open! And all the bonds (the things that were keeping them tied up) were loosed. And the keeper of the prison woke up! He was so upset when he saw the prison doors open because he thought Paul and Silas had run off and he would be in terrible trouble! He was going to kill himself with a sword. But Paul and Silas hadn’t run off, and Paul cried, “don’t hurt yourself, we are still here!” The guard was shaking like a leaf, and he came and fell down at Paul’s feet. I guess he was awfully afraid of men who could have an earthquake come to set them free! He could see that God was real, and He was with these followers of Jesus.
The guard said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”

Paul said to him,

God has rescued many of His workers from danger over the centuries. He has shown His might and power over impossible situations, again and again. How wonderful that the jailer himself was saved. God is the same Lord today, He is our protector and deliverer. If you find yourself in danger, call upon the Lord God Almighty!