Meet: Lydia
For the month of August we will discover some the many lessons that can be learned from studying the life of Lydia.
Overview – Disciple in the Making
Lydia was a businesswoman who lived in Philippi. She was a dealer in purple cloth which was a luxury that only the wealthy could afford. Her business provided a large household for which Lydia was responsible. She was also a spiritual seeker.
One day when she had gathered by the river with other women to pray she met the apostle Paul. He had traveled to the region because of a vision that the Lord had given him and that vision led him to Lydia.
The Lord opened her heart to respond to the Gospel message and then she and the members of her household were baptized. Lydia was the first European convert. She then invited Paul and Silas to her home and made it available to them whenever it was needed.
She immediately understood that her new faith created all kinds of opportunities for practical application. She learned that the gospel has life-changing effects.
Lessons from her life
- She pursued opportunities to seek the truth and gathered with others to pray
- She had an open heart to the things of God
- She responded to her conversion by immediately serving others
Life Application
When you accepted Christ, what changes did others notice in you? How did Christ’s presence affect your behavior? To what degree has your life continued to display the gratefulness you felt when you first believed?
Remember
We are all disciples in the making.