Lydia: Hearts Wide Open
Bible Readings
Take a few minutes to read the Bible verses listed and ask the Holy Spirit to lead you in how this verse applies to you this week.
11 We sailed straight from Troas to Samothrace, and the next day we arrived in Neapolis. 12 From there we went to Philippi, which is a Roman colony in the first district of Macedonia. We spent several days in Philippi. 13 Then on the Sabbath we went outside the city gate to a place by the river, where we thought there would be a Jewish meeting place for prayer. We sat down and talked with the women who came. 14 One of them was Lydia, who was from the city of Thyatira and sold expensive purple cloth. She was a worshiper of the Lord God, and he made her willing to accept what Paul was saying. 15 Then after she and her family were baptized, she kept on begging us, “If you think I really do have faith in the Lord, come stay in my home.” Finally, we accepted her invitation.
Acts 16:11-15
Memory Verse
Acts 16:14
14 One of them was Lydia, who was from the city of Thyatira and sold expensive purple cloth. She was a worshiper of the Lord God, and he made her willing to accept what Paul was saying.
Have you ever had a moment where something just clicked? Like, you heard something about God, and it suddenly made sense in your heart? That’s kinda what happened to Lydia. She already believed in God, had a cool job, and probably had a really nice house. But when she heard Paul talking about Jesus, something changed—boom! The Bible says God “made her willing to accept what Paul was saying.” God opened her heart! Do you think that could happen to you, too?
Paul and his friends were walking around Philippi and met Lydia by the river. While Paul was talking about Jesus, God opened Lydia’s heart so she could really understand. She didn’t just sit there—she believed! Then she got baptized and even asked Paul and the others to come hang out at her house. Her home became a place where people could hear about Jesus. Lydia didn’t keep the good news to herself. She shared it!
What about you? This week, ask God to open your heart, just like Lydia. Try reading a Bible story and asking, “God, what do you want me to know about you?” If you feel something special inside, like a little nudge or a big “yes!”, talk about it with someone you trust. And here’s a challenge: tell one person something true about Jesus this week. Maybe it’s as simple as “Jesus loves you!” That could be the start of something super big!
Prayer
Dear God, thank you for opening Lydia’s heart. Please help me listen for you too. Sometimes I don’t pay attention, but I want to know you better. I’m glad you love me and want to help me share your love. Open my heart this week, and help me tell someone else about Jesus. Amen.Related Resources
Tanya Yuen
Tanya Yuen is a pastor who serves in the denominational office of the Canadian Baptists of Ontario and Quebec with the privilege of supporting pastors in children and family ministry. She also gets to spend time in Muskoka at Camp Kwasind in the summer, sharing about Jesus with kids. She is mom to 3 girls and together with her husband, Alfred. They spend as much time as possible hiking the trails around the Niagara Escarpment in Ontario.