Lydia - a very cool woman!

Our conversation over coffee study sheet went out today. Participants are taking a closer look at Acts 16:6-40, in which we are introduced to a woman named Lydia. She is a neat Bible lady to get to know. She was head of a household as well as a business woman. She was used in the early stages of the church in Phillipi and respected by Paul.

Some time ago, I taught about Lydia to a group of women in Greenville. If I recall correctly, we met down by a river in Greenville. In a neat way, the spot we picked to host the class had a bench painted in guess what color? Purple! A light breeze blew at just the right time...God smiled on the lesson of a small group of women worshipping by a riverside. Here are some insights about Lydia:

She was successful.

-A savvy business woman, she dealt in a purple cloth
-color associated with high rank and great wealth.
-dye came from shells of a mollusk in the coition. Not easy to produce.
-Probably used to being around people of a comfortable socio-economic level
-Large home with enough room for missionary party indicates comfortable finances. Believers also assembled at her house.

Lesson: it is not wrong to be comfortable financially or with possessions. However, indications are that Lydia did not live for these things. She offered them for a blessing.


She was strong.

-Scripture indicates she was “head of the household,” meaning either that she was single or widowed.
-She had a number of servants.
-She was said to have “persuaded” the missionary party to stay with her.
-It is likely she played a leadership role with the group that prayed and met at her house. No other woman in the group is named, so that could mean she was the leader.
-She continued to host the church at her home even after Paul and Silas had been imprisoned and beaten.

Lesson: When God provides and calls us to a responsibility, we do not need to act in fear. Lydia accomplished much though God chose to keep her single. Notice that God used her in an influential position in this church plant, indicating Paul’s respect. She obeyed God rather than being concerned about a “woman’s place” or even what the community might think of her.

Also, she balanced her strength with an attitude of hospitality.

She was surrendered.

-She accepted Christ with enthusiasm and her household also believed and were baptized.
-She was leader of a prayer group. It’s been said that her prayer group may have been the magnet to draw the gospel to that area.
-Probably was what was considered a God fearer, those who worshiped God though not recognized as Jewish.
-The Lord opened her heart to respond.

Lesson: God knows our hearts. God can provide the guidance and information we need for every decision. God is in the business of drawing people to Himself. Where do you feel Him tugging? Are you surrendered to walk the path He lays out for you? (I struggle with that.)

Also, there is power in prayer groups. Sometimes we may think less of the power of prayer than we ought. These women faithfully prayed. Paul was stopped by a vision from going where he thought he should go, and instead headed to Phillipi. Their prayers prepared them and their country for the gospel.

Image: Salvatore Vuono / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

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