Scripture Reading
Acts 16:11-15,40 (CEB)
We sailed from Troas straight for Samothrace and came to Neapolis the following day. From there we went to Philippi, a city of Macedonia’s first district and a Roman colony. We stayed in that city several days. On the Sabbath we went outside the city gate to the riverbank, where we thought there might be a place for prayer. We sat down and began to talk with the women who had gathered. One of those women was Lydia, a Gentile God-worshipper from the city of Thyatira, a dealer in purple cloth. As she listened, the Lord enabled her to embrace Paul’s message. Once she and her household were baptized, she urged, “Now that you have decided that I am a believer in the Lord, come and stay in my house.” And she persuaded us.
Paul and Silas left the prison and made their way to Lydia’s house where they encouraged the brothers and sisters. Then they left Philippi.
Discussion Questions
● Who are the leaders in this story?
● Who does Lydia follow?
● Who is Lydia leading?
● How does Lydia lead?
Digging Deeper Questions
Surface:
Who are leaders in your own community?
What words would you use to describe leaders in your community?
Who are leaders in your church?
How do leaders serve others?
Deeper:
How does Lydia’s home become useful for ministry?
What kind of leadership skills do you see in Lydia?
Has your home ever been a place where people gather?
What does it mean for Lydia to open her home to Paul and Silas and for the
church?
What does it feel like to open your home up to other people?
Besides opening up your home, what are other simple ways to be a leader?
Deepest:
Upon Lydia’s baptism, she opens her doors to fellow believers to gather. How do you have an open door for ministry in your home? School? Work? Community?
How do you see Lydia living out her call to lead in her faith community through her prayers, presence, gifts, service and witness?
How do we live out our call to lead in our faith communities through our prayers, presence, gifts, service and witness?