Easter 7C (What Must I do to be Saved?)

What Must I Do To Be Saved?

Based on Acts 16:30

The Philippian jailer’s desperate cry, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" (Acts 16:30), came during a crisis. This handout explores the events leading to his question and the timeless answer.

1. Clash of Powers: Gospel vs. World

Scene: Paul & Silas jailed for freeing an exploited slave girl, disrupting unjust profit.

Truth: The Gospel liberates, restores, and challenges oppressive systems.

2. Clash of Songs: Hope vs. Despair

Scene: Beaten and imprisoned, Paul & Silas prayed and sang hymns at midnight; other prisoners listened.

Truth: Worship in suffering is a powerful witness, declaring God's presence even in darkness.

3. Clash of Foundations: Divine Intervention vs. Earthly Security

Scene: An earthquake shook the prison, opening doors and loosening chains. No one fled.

Truth: God's power can shake our foundations, leading to awakening. The jailer, facing ruin, was stopped by Paul’s words: "Do not harm yourself, for we are all here!" (Acts 16:28).

4. Life or Death: The Jailer's Question & The Simple Answer

Scene: The jailer, undone, asked, "What must I do to be saved?"

The Answer: "Believe on the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household." (Acts 16:31)

Believe = Trust, Surrender, Rely upon Jesus.

Salvation is a transforming relationship, not a ritual. It changed the jailer and his family.

What Must I Do To Be Saved? The Enduring Answer

Believe. Trust. Receive.

Salvation is a gift, received not achieved.

When life shakes, remember: You are not alone. A Savior calls.

Invitation: Trust Jesus. Let go. Let His grace find and transform you.

Discussion Questions:

When have you seen a "clash of powers" where doing the right thing went against a common or accepted practice?

How can worship or praise change the atmosphere during a difficult time, like it did for Paul and Silas in prison?

The earthquake shook the jailer's physical and emotional foundations. What are some "foundations" in our lives that can be shaken today? How can faith help in those moments?

The answer given to the jailer was simple: "Believe on the Lord Jesus." What does "believe" mean to you in a practical, everyday sense?

How can the story of the Philippian jailer encourage someone who feels like their life is in crisis?