Posted by Milo Hurley for July 7, 2012 Sabbath School

“For you yourselves know, brethren, that our coming to you was not in vain. But even after we had suffered before and were spitefully treated at Philippi, as you know, we were bold in our God to speak to you the gospel of God in much conflict” (1 Thessalonians 2:1, 2).

Suffering at Philippi

Consider discussing these questions based on Acts 16:16-34:

1  The fortuneteller — she was a slave girl who made money for her masters. Is it possible to witness for Christ while being a slave to Satan?

2  How were the girl’s owners similar to the pig farmers in the country of the Gergesenes (Matthew 8:28-34)?

3  What can we learn from Paul and Silas about the power of song? How does this apply to spiritual warfare (Acts 16:26)?

4  According to verse 31, what is the requirement for salvation? How did good works fit into the jailer’s experience (verses 33, 34)?

Preaching the Gospel

1  What was Paul’s preaching strategy in Thessalonica (Acts 17:1-4)? How was it similar to Jesus’ teaching on the road to Emmaus (Luke 24:25-27)?

2  As the Suffering Servant, Jesus would secure the kingdom of grace. As the Conquering King, He will establish the kingdom of glory. Which kingdom is foretold in these verses?

• Jeremiah 23:3-6
• Isaiah 9:6, 7
• Isaiah 53:4-6

3  Not only did Paul have to show that the Messiah would play two roles, he also needed to prove their proper sequence. How could Isaiah 53:10-12 help him prove that Christ’s glory would come after His suffering?

4  The following table illustrates how suffering precedes glory: