These small group Bible studies of Acts 16 contain commentary, discussion questions, and practical application. Visit our library of inductive Bible studies for more in depth inductive studies on this and other books of the Bible you can use in your small group.
Acts 16 Bible Study Guide – The Holy Spirit Changes Plans
Outline
I. Timothy joins the team (1-5)
II. The Holy Spirit at work (6-10)
III. Lydia believes (11-15)
I. Timothy joins the team (1-5)
Discussion Questions
• Where are Derbe and Lystra?
• What type of family situation did Timothy come from?
• What was his reputation?
• What do we know about Timothy and his family from other Scriptures?
• For what reasons did Paul have Timothy circumcised? Was he giving in to the circumcision party?
• What message was Paul sharing with the churches?
• How can you strengthen the church?
Cross-References
1 Corinthians 4:17 – That is why I sent you Timothy, my beloved and faithful child in the Lord.
Galatians 2:3-5 – But even Titus, who was with me, was not forced to be circumcised, though he was a Greek. Yet because of false brothers secretly brought in—who slipped in to spy out our freedom that we have in Christ Jesus, so that they might bring us into slavery— to them we did not yield in submission even for a moment, so that the truth of the gospel might be preserved for you.
Verse by Verse Commentary
1. Timothy joins the team –
Timothy became Paul’s closest disciple. Later, Paul would say that Timothy was like a son to him (2 Timothy 1:2).
Paul clearly loved Timothy. Most scholars agree that Paul never married or had children. Timothy was like the son he never had. This is the kind of son every man should aspire to have. A son who loves God. A son who shares the same vision. A son who can do ministry together with the father. Paul trusted Timothy.
Paul modelled the MAWL method, which stands for model, assist, watch, and launch.
After Timothy joined the team and learned from Paul for a period of time, Paul eventually launched him to other locations to serve.
After Timothy served on his own, Paul continued to affirm, empower, and support him. He wrote two personal letters to Timothy offering advice and instruction. He prayed for Timothy constantly (2 Timothy 1:3). He was there for Timothy as a counselor and a mentor.
If you want an example of how a father and son should relate to each other after the son has already grown up, Paul and Timothy are a good model to follow. If you have no children, you can still have the vision to raise up disciples as Paul did.
Thus, we see that the teams Paul established not only help others grow, but the people on the team grow as well.
I have been a part of multiple mission trips. Each experience showed that the members of the team, including myself, grew in their walk with the Lord. We learned to depend on God, be sensitive to the Holy Spirit, communicate with each other, be flexible, be bold, take advantage of opportunities to spread the Word, and much more. This is one reason why I encourage people to serve in their local church and not just go to watch. Participants get much more out of it than spectators.
Application – Do you want to grow? Join a ministry team and serve together.
2. Timothy’s family background –
His father was a Greek and his mother was a Jew. Timothy was blessed with a mother and grandmother who believed in God. They modeled faith to him and he learned from their example.
2 Timothy 1:5-6 – I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well. For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands.
Some of you, too, may be blessed with a godly heritage. People have blazed the way before you, teaching you the gospel and praying for you. Be grateful for that. Also desire to raise your children in the same way.
Reflect – Take a moment and consider those who came before you, mentoring and discipling you. Pray for them and consider sending them a note of thanks. Then consider whom you can invest your life in spiritually.
3. Paul has Timothy circumcised –
Acts 16:3 – Paul wanted Timothy to accompany him, and he took him and circumcised him because of the Jews who were in those places, for they all knew that his father was a Greek.
Paul had Timothy circumcised, but steadfastly refused to allow Titus to be circumcised.
Galatians 2:3-5 – But even Titus, who was with me, was not forced to be circumcised, though he was a Greek. Yet because of false brothers secretly brought in—who slipped in to spy out our freedom that we have in Christ Jesus, so that they might bring us into slavery— to them we did not yield in submission even for a moment, so that the truth of the gospel might be preserved for you.
Reflect – Why did Paul deal with these situations differently and what can we learn from it?
Firstly, we learn that there is nothing inherently sinful about either choice. It is not a sin to be circumcised, nor is it a requirement to be. This issue was decided on a case-by-case basis.
Secondly, Paul’s mission philosophy was to “make himself a servant to everyone to win as many as possible.” He adjusted and contextualized his approach for the “sake of the gospel.” (1 Corinthians 1:19-23) That did not include compromising on core issues. It did include interacting with others in a way that would not unnecessarily offend them.
Contextualizing the gospel is a Biblical concept. In Athens, Paul started his gospel message by talking about their shrine to the unknown god. In his gospel written primarily for Jews, Matthew quotes many Old Testament prophecies. Mark quotes far fewer Old Testament prophecies since his was targeted to the Gentiles.
Hudson Taylor dressed and did his hair like the Chinese to be more effective. Adoniram Judson translated the Bible into Burmese.
While contextualizing the gospel is beneficial, compromising it is not.
Paul had Timothy circumcised to remove an obstacle to ministry to the Jews in that area. Timothy’s mother was a Jew and his father was Greek. The Jews would clearly expect that he should be circumcised. If he weren’t, that would have been a major sticking point for them and many would not have been open to listening to Timothy. It would have become a major distraction. Paul deemed that for the sake of the gospel, it was best for Timothy to simply be circumcised.
Yet in Titus’ case, the opposite decision was made. Titus was 100% a Gentile without Jewish heritage. The Judaizers in that region were insistent that all believers must be circumcised. They were preaching a gospel of good works.
For the sake of the gospel, Paul would not budge or compromise one inch. One might question why Paul didn’t just let Titus be circumcised. After all, it is not sinful to be circumcised. The problem is that if he gave in, the false teachers would take it as proof that circumcision was always necessary. They would say, “Even Paul requires his disciples to be circumcised.” Then the true gospel would be in danger of being forever tainted by a works-based foundation.
The gospel would have been misrepresented and misunderstood if Titus had been circumcised. Bad actors would seize that to preach a salvation-by-works gospel.
Paul’s underlying standard did not change. Timothy was circumcised for the sake of the gospel and Titus was not circumcised for the sake of the gospel.
Application – Be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.
There are many areas we can and should compromise in. We should compromise when our personal preferences or convenience is at stake. For example, I shouldn’t always demand that my family eat what I like or go where I want. But on Biblical issues, where the Bible speaks clearly, we must not compromise. How do we balance Christian unity without compromising on truth?
Note that Paul refused to compromise on a gospel-essential issue. The entire gospel was at stake. We should not compromise on our Biblical convictions, nor should we promote disunity or gravitate to conflict.
This is a difficult balance to maintain. Many believers go off on one side or the other. Some enjoy arguing. They will latch on to any disagreement with other believers, even on small issues, and argue about it. Their attitude is often prideful, and they will look down on others if they disagree with them. Their first solution to many problems is to divide and start their own group/church.
Others prefer an ecumenical approach. They seemingly accept any and every doctrine and position. Doctrinal issues are not very important to them. In turn, they may look down pridefully on those who emphasize doctrine. How can we balance these problems?
We can serve in unity with believers of other viewpoints if we
cooperate in areas where we agree. For example, I can team up to share the gospel with a believer who doesn’t believe in predestination or who has a different view on eschatology. Cooperate with other believers as far as possible without violating your Scriptural convictions.
Don’t compromise, but also be diligent in maintaining unity. Regularly consider if the decisions you make are for “the sake of the gospel.”
3. Paul visits and strengthens the churches –
Acts 16:4-5 – As they went on their way through the cities, they delivered to them for observance the decisions that had been reached by the apostles and elders who were in Jerusalem. So the churches were strengthened in the faith, and they increased in numbers daily.
As Paul traveled, he passed on the decision of the Jerusalem Council. This message of inclusion encouraged the churches he visited, which were largely made up of Gentiles.
Application – All believers are called to build up and strengthen the church, which is the body of Christ. How can you strengthen the church?
II. The Holy Spirit at work (6-10)
Discussion Questions
• Where are Phrygia and Galatia?
• Why would the Holy Spirit prevent them from going to Asia and Bithynia? Does God not want the gospel preached everywhere?
• What methods might the Holy Spirit have used to forbid them from going there?
• What does this passage teach us about the Holy Spirit and how He works?
• Has the Holy Spirit ever prevented you from doing something or going somewhere? How did you respond?
• If the Holy Spirit blocked your plans, how would feel?
• What did the Holy Spirit want them to do instead?
• How did He get them from point A to point B?
• What are some ways that the Holy Spirit has led you?
• How is this passage encouraging to you?
• What was Paul’s conclusion about the vision and why?
Cross-References
Acts 10:19-20 – And while Peter was pondering the vision, the Spirit said to him, “Behold, three men are looking for you. Rise and go down and accompany them without hesitation, for I have sent them.”
Proverbs 16:9 – The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.
James 4:13-15 – Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit”— yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.”
Verse by Verse Commentary
1. Having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit –
Acts 16:6-7 – And they went through the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia. And when they had come up to Mysia, they attempted to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them.
Twice, Paul and his team attempted to enter a region to share the gospel, but they could not. Luke records that it was the Holy Spirit who did not allow them to go into these areas. This is the first record of this type of situation in the book of Acts.
Reflect – Why did the Holy Spirit not allow them to go to those places?
Paul was doing a good thing. He was sharing the gospel. It simply wasn’t God’s time for him to do it in those locations. We don’t know why God didn’t allow it. But we do know that God wanted the mission team to go somewhere else. They couldn’t be in more than one place at a time.
In the next verses, we see that Paul had a vision of a man in Macedonia urging him to come and help.
The simple truth is the Holy Spirit did not want the mission team to go to Asia or Bithynia. He wanted them to go to Macedonia. Therefore, God made sure that it happened. It is a reminder that the Holy Spirit was orchestrating every aspect of building the church.
It is also important to note that the mission team was sensitive to the Lord’s leading. They didn’t try to force their way into a place that God didn’t want them to be. Instead, they were willing to follow the Lord’s leading. They were flexible.
A Modern-Day Example
I have been on a mission team that had this same experience. Seventeen of us traveled to the Amazon rainforest area of Brazil to visit churches, train leaders, preach, and share the gospel. Some of the places we visited were very remote. The furthest place took almost 40 hours to get to by three different boats.
We had plans to go on another twelve-hour boat ride to visit the church on Sucuriju, which is near the mouth of the Amazon. A local pastor warned against this trip, telling us that the boat voyage was dangerous through big waves and that the island was extremely remote and difficult. Yet the pastor there was excitedly waiting for us and we still planned to go.
The next morning, we received a call from the pastor at Sucuriju. He had a family emergency and the visit had to be canceled. We didn’t yet know why, but the Holy Spirit had decided we shouldn’t go to that island.
Our team had been studying the importance of waiting for the Holy Spirit from Acts 1:4. Instead of immediately making plans to fill in our schedule, we decided to wait for God’s leading. We believed He would show us what to do with our now free days. Spoiler alert: he did.
At another church, we ran into a local pastor who had partnered with our team leader. He was disappointed that our team schedule was so full that we couldn’t go to his church. Only he did not know that now we had a free day. We told him and he invited us to come and lead the leadership training that was already scheduled for the day we were free.
We led a training on building up the body from Ephesians 4:11-16, a reminder that every believer is to use their gift to be involved in building the kingdom. We are all on a team and are to work together in unity toward the common goal of reaching the lost.
The pastor’s wife shared afterward that the training was a direct answer to pray. They had been having regular leadership training for a long time, but were struggling to find a direction and to know what to do next. She said that in this training, they saw the path forward and discovered a new way of interacting, training, and engaging with disciples.
The head pastor there supervises 12 churches. He shared a similar vision with us, wanting to see a relationship with Christ be the focus rather than a rules-based religion. We believe this cluster of churches can spark a change in that area and be a catalyst for revival.
Of all of the churches we visited during our three weeks in Brazil, this visit seemed the most productive. Throughout the whole meeting, we knew the Holy Spirit was present and working. There was such a spirit of joy from the believers there to open, study, and share the Word.
I share this story to remind us of one thing. The same God who was building the church in Acts is still building the church today. The same Holy Spirit who prevented Paul’s mission team from going to Asia and instead took them to Macedonia leads us today as well. God has not retired and left this work in our hands.
Application – We should have confidence in the Lord as we work to build His church. Do not put more pressure or burden on yourself because, in the end, it is not up to you. Knowing that the Holy Spirit is orchestrating the entire process, putting people exactly where He wants them, should help us to be humble and confident in the Lord.
Reflect – Have you had any experiences where the Holy Spirit clearly led you? How do those experiences encourage you?
2. Paul and the team immediately went –
Acts 16:10 – 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.
Paul gives us a good example of following God’s leading. He willingly gave up his own plans when the Lord showed him a different path. Are you likewise willing to give up your own plans to follow God’s? It is important that we learn to be flexible.
Proverbs 16:9 – The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.
Reflect – Reflect and share about a time when God changed your plans and how that worked out for good in your life.
3. The church of Philippi in Macedonia supported Paul –
This same area that the Holy Spirit led Paul to eventually became his best supporter. The church in Phillipi sent multiple financial gifts to help Paul in his mission.
Philippians 4:15-16 – And you Philippians yourselves know that in the beginning of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church entered into partnership with me in giving and receiving, except you only. Even in Thessalonica you sent me help for my needs once and again.
III. Lydia believes (11-15)
Discussion Questions
• How do you see Paul and the team’s obedience in this passage?
• Is there any directive from God you need to obey?
• Where and how did they share the gospel in this new place?
• What lessons can you learn from this about evangelism?
• What was one of the first things Lydia did after becoming a follower of Jesus?
• What resources or abilities did Lydia have available to serve God with?
• What resources or abilities do you have that you can serve God with?
• How did she influence her family?
• What can we learn from Lydia’s example?
Cross-References
Romans 15:20 – And thus I make it my ambition to preach the gospel, not where Christ has already been named, lest I build on someone else’s foundation.
Acts 16:33 – And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their wounds; and he was baptized at once, he and all his family.
Hebrews 13:16 – Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.
Verse by Verse Commentary
1. Share where the people are –
Acts 16:13 – 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.
Good fishermen these days use a fish finder. It is a machine that is installed on the bottom of a boat and can detect where the fish are. You won’t catch many fish if you fish in the wrong location.
Paul knew how to go to where the fish were! He went to the right place where people who were interested in spiritual things gathered together to pray. He went at the right time, on the Sabbath, when they would be there and available. The result was a fruitful conversation in which at least one person was led to the Lord.
Reflect – Where is a good place and time in your time to go fishing for people?
2. Lydia –
Acts 16:14-15 – 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. 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.
Lydia’s heart had already been prepared by the Lord. She was ready, immediately believing in Jesus and being baptized. Lydia had a significant influence on her family, who also believed.
After being saved, she didn’t wait to jump in and serve. She immediately offered her home to the mission team. They accepted and she hosted them. Perhaps Lydia was gifted in hospitality.
We can learn an important lesson from Lydia. Every believer should serve and use their gifting to build up the body. You don’t have to go to seminary first or even read the entire Bible. Even new believers can begin serving.
The Holy Spirit gifts believers according to His will (1 Corinthians 12:11). Paul was gifted in teaching. Lydia was gifted in hospitality. Both used their gifts for the good of others. Each believer is like a puzzle piece, handmade and fit into an exact place and ministry in the church by the Master Builder. God loves variety, as is clearly evidenced by creation. Every believer is unique, made by God for a specific purpose.
Application – Be like Lydia. Don’t wait to serve God until a better time in the future. Think about what resources, gifts, or abilities you have. How can you use those right now for serving the body of Christ?
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