Study together · The Cast

Lydia

A businesswoman whose heart the Lord opened by a river.

The story

1. Prayer by the river Acts 16:13-14

   On the Sabbath she gathers with other women at a place of prayer outside the city. Paul sits down and speaks.

2. Heart opened, home opened Acts 16:14-15

   The Lord opens her heart. She and her household are baptized, and she insists the missionaries stay with her.

3. Host after the prison Acts 16:40

   Freed from jail, Paul and Silas go to Lydia's house, see the brothers, and encourage them.

Key verses

“The Lord opened her heart to pay attention to what was said by Paul.” Acts 16:14 (ESV)

Read together: Acts 16:13-14 · Acts 16:14-15 · Acts 16:40

Questions to sit with

1. How have you seen God open a heart, maybe your own, rather than argue it open?
2. What would it look like to use what you have, a home or a business, for the church?

Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible, © 2001 by Crossway. Used by permission.