Acts 16 · ESV memory verse below
Lydia Opens Her Home
Who is this?
Lydia sold purple cloth in Philippi. She already worshiped God. Paul told her the good news about Jesus.
What happened?
The Lord opened her heart to the word. She and her household were baptized. Then she opened her home to help the saints.
The story
Paul saw a vision in the night: a man of Macedonia saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” Paul and his friends went. They came to Philippi.
On the Sabbath they went outside the gate to the riverside, where they supposed there was a place of prayer. They sat down and spoke to the women who had come together.
One who heard them was Lydia, from the city of Thyatira, a seller of purple goods, who was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to pay attention to what was said by Paul.
She was baptized, and her household as well. She urged them, “If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come to my house and stay.” Later the believers were comforted in her home. An open heart led to an open door.
Memory verse (ESV)
The Lord opened her heart to pay attention to what was said by Paul.
Acts 16:14
Talk about it
Ages ~4–7
- Where did Paul meet Lydia—by a river or in a palace?
- Did Lydia open her house after she was baptized?
Ages ~8–12
- What does it mean that the Lord opened her heart?
- Why does baptism belong with hearing and believing in this story?
- How can we practice hospitality without showing off?
Family activity
Set an extra place at the table this week for hospitality. Pray for someone who needs an open home.
Parent take-home
Read Acts 16:11–15. The Lord opened Lydia’s heart to the word; she and her household were baptized; she opened her home. Practice a short thank-you that God still opens hearts.
Talk on the way home
- Where did Paul meet Lydia?
- Who opened her heart?
- How did she use her home after she was baptized?
More family reading ideas: family Bible study guides.
In the PDF: coloring page, memory verse with blanks, plus kid activities (circle). Circle only one answer. Talk about why the others are wrong.
For parents and teachers
The Lord opened her heart; she opened her house. Both matter. Talk with children about listening to the word and about using what we have—a table, a room—to help the saints.