In Acts 16:22-30, the Apostle Paul and Silas met with an experience on the way to the place of prayer - which set a girl free from a spirit of fortune telling and resulted in their being dragged before the magistrates. They were accused of advocating Jewish customs, stripped and severely flogged and thrown into prison. The Bible records that while Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns in their time of difficulty, there was a violent earthquake, the foundations of the prison were shaken, the prison doors were opened and their chains were loosened. The jailer and his household were even saved on the same day.
James encouraged believers to pray when they are suffering and sing when they are happy (James 5:13). It is a call to remember to be thankful for God’s blessings and provision. To maintain our joy, hope and trust in God even in difficult circumstances.
Ps David Peters talked about God wants us to have an expectation of new. When God is doing something new, there will also be increased opposition. God gives us new hope when we are in the new season. Difficult moments are akin to being chained in prison. As we choose to praise God in those times, sacrificial praise gets Heaven’s attention. God’s timing is always right and we are called to persevere in faith before the breakthrough comes which can come suddenly! Our faith is tested and developed as we remain steadfast in Him during the difficult times.
The Peters prophesied that though the world around is entering a winter, the Church is entering a spring. Ps David Peters exhorted believers to “start singing and spring will come” instead of “singing only when spring comes.” (Psalm 40:3, Psalm 42:5, Lamentations 3:22-23) He also exhorted the believers to rise up in intercession and worship in the midst of the ideological and spiritual prisons that are occurring in the world.
Discussion Questions
1) What was one take-away for you from the recent Teaching seminar ‘Call to Arms’ by David & Greta Peters over the weekend (10-11 July)? Share briefly. [10 min]
Leader’s Notes: This is a recap. For those who attended the seminar, give some air time for them to share and encourage. From the word of their testimony, faith can rise up among listeners.
2) What was one lesson you learnt in a ‘prison’ where you sang or prayed at that time? [10 min]
Leader’s Notes: A relate question. Members to recall past breakthroughs and lessons learnt either of their own or from others. Members can also share from the bible of those who sang or prayed while in a “prison”. Leader to share scriptures that will encourage members. Remind members that when we seek God for a breakthrough, their focus should still be God Himself & for His will to come through. When we break out of ‘prison’, we often discover that we need to re-align with God’s agenda and be transformed in Christ-likeness.
3) Ps David Peters said that “The world around is entering a winter but the church is entering spring.” How can the church respond against a backdrop of a world in winter? [10 min]
Leader’s Notes:This is a response question. There have been many world events i.e. refugee crisis, terrorism etc. that have brought about uncertainty. It is preferred not to stay stuck in recounting the above ills but to steer towards what the church in spring looks like. Spring is a time of new life and new blossoms that will in time bear fruits.
Pastor David quoted God’s promise in Joel 2:28-29: “And afterward, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy; Your old men will dream dreams; Your young men will see visions; Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days.”
In the midst of the uncertain world situations, the church will have the direction and guidance of the Holy Spirit as God is preparing the church to be the bride for Christ (Rev 19: 6-7). We will sing in our “prisons” just like Paul and Timothy did in Acts 16 and God will either deliver us from our “prisons” or allow us to see with eyes of faith on how the “prisons” will work out for our good. When we persevere in our love for God and extend His love to those around us while we are in the midst of trials, God will release a new joy into our hearts and draw men to Himself.
4) Share an area or the “prison” that you want to have a breakthrough and why. [10 min]
Leader’s Notes: This is a reflect question. Members to share struggles or difficult moments they are presently facing. If appropriate, members can pray for each other after sharing.
