“Snake Bite!”

​B I B L E  B I T S  &  B I T E S
Devotions for Families

Season: Book of Acts
Episode 32: “Snake Bite!”
Today’s Bible Bite: Acts 28:1-10

Video Story:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JF0BXwn9plA (Sharefaith Kids – Malta)

“As Paul gathered an armful of sticks and was laying them on the fire, a poisonous snake, driven out by the heat, bit him on the hand.” (Acts 28:3, NLT)

After escaping the wrecked ship, all the men—prisoners, soldiers and sailors—found themselves on the island of Malta. The people of Malta were very kind and built fires to help keep everyone warm. Paul gathered sticks to add to the fire, but as he was adding his wood, a snake that had been hiding in his bundle bit him. He shook the snake off and continued to go about his business…much to the amazement of the islanders. They recognized this snake as one that was particularly deadly and assumed that he had been bitten because he had committed some horrible crime; but when nothing happened to Paul, they then believed he must be a god. Of course, neither of these things were true; God had protected Paul and soon he had a chance to tell the islanders about God, too.

The local official, Publius, hosted everyone for three days and during that time Paul learned that Publius’ father was sick. Paul prayed for him and he was healed. After that everyone on the island who was sick was brought to Paul, who would pray for them and they would get better. Paul and all those from the shipwrecked boat stayed on the island for three months and by the time it was safe to leave on a new ship, the islanders happily supplied the group with everything they would need.

Think about it...
• The islanders of Malta were very kind, but they thought Paul must be a terrible murderer. Why did they think this?
• When Paul stayed healthy, they changed their minds and assumed he was a god. Why didn’t Paul die from the snake bite?
• Publius, the chief official, hosted the men at his home and Paul found out his father was sick. What did Paul do?
• Paul was able to heal many sick people and tell them about Jesus at the same time. Could it be that God allowed the shipwreck so that the people of the island would have an opportunity to have Paul teach them about Jesus?
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Prayer: Thank you, God, that even the bad things that happen in our lives can be used by you to bring about something really good. Thank you that the people of Malta got to meet Paul, have sick people healed and learn about Jesus. Help me to see how you bring about good things from bad situations still.
~ Pastor Jane