City of Philippi

• Located about 9 miles from Neapolis and the shore
• Located on the Egnatian way, a major Roman road from Italy to Turkey
• In the neighborhood of gold and silver mines
• After Antony and Octavius defeated Brutus there it became a Roman colony and place of retirement for Roman soldiers.

Macedonian Call (Acts 16:9-13)

• What was the foremost city of Macedonia?
• What help did the Macedonians need?
• How did Paul react to the need?
• What is similar and what is different to today?

First Converts

Lydia (Acts 16:14-15)

• Why were they meeting at the riverside and not at the synagogue?
• What was Lydia’s occupation?
• How did she heed Paul’s words (v15)?

Philippian Jailer (Acts 16:16-33)

• Why did they drag Paul and Silas to the magistrates?
• How were they described to the magistrates?
• What action did the jailer take upon being charged to keep them securely?
• What were Paul and Silas doing at midnight and how did the other prisoners react?
• At the same hour, what did the jailer immediately do?

Epistle to the Philippians

• What is an epistle?
• How do you think it was read?

Read through the whole book of Philippians (estimate about 14 minutes)

Overview

• What main themes (topics) do you see in Philippians?
• Describe Paul’s relation to the Philippians?
• What does this imply about the Philippians?
• Were the Philippians a diverse group?
• Are there indications the Philippians were mature?

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