Announcements, Scripture & Questions for Sunday (4/26/15)

Announcements:

• From Barbara Smith, Methodist Church Secretary – Request:  please bring to the church office recycled bags (plastic groceries bags) for use in the Food Bank.  
• Men mark your calendars for Saturday May 2, 2015, our normal men's breakfast will be held at Kelly Kothman's and we will have a special Dutch oven menu.

Scripture

Acts 16:9-15 (ESV)  

And a vision appeared to Paul in the night: a man of Macedonia was standing there, urging him and saying, "Come over to Macedonia and help us."  [10] And when Paul had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go on into Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them. 

[11] So, setting sail from Troas, we made a direct voyage to Samothrace, and the following day to Neapolis,  [12] and from there to Philippi, which is a leading city of the district of Macedonia and a Roman colony. We remained in this city some days.  [13] And on the Sabbath day we went outside the gate to the riverside, where we supposed there was a place of prayer, and we sat down and spoke to the women who had come together.  [14] One who heard us was a woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira, a seller of purple goods, who was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to pay attention to what was said by Paul.  [15] And after she was baptized, and her household as well, she urged us, saying, "If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come to my house and stay." And she prevailed upon us. 

Questions for Reflection

1. If you arranged a long vacation and you were suddenly required to cancel it for business, what would you do?
2. How did God guide the missionaries in their travels? (16:6-7)
3. What did the missionaries do after they understood what God wanted them to do? (16:10)
4. When did Paul and his companions respond to God’s instructions? (16:10)
5. How do you think Paul, Silas, and Timothy recognized the Holy Spirit’s directions as they traveled around Asia Minor?
6. How can we be receptive to the Holy Spirit’s guidance?
7. What do you do when the Holy Spirit thwarts your plans?
8. How does God usually speak to His children?
9. How does God speak to you?
10. What does the example of Paul and his companions teach us about obedience to God?