Lydia Demonstrates Faithfulness

Lesson Plan for November 12, 2006

Lydia Demonstrates Faithfulness Hospitality: hos·pi·tal·i·ty [noun] 1) Given to generous and cordial reception of guests 2) promising or suggesting generous and cordial welcome 3) offering a pleasant or sustaining environment 4) readily receptive Devotional Reading – Acts 16:25-34 Background Scripture – Acts 16 Printed Text Acts 16:6-15, 40 Lesson Aim – 1. Understand Lydia’s Conversion 2. Compare and contrast the importance of hospitality in the ancient and modern worlds. 3. Personally plan two hospitality events: one for the believers and one for unbelievers. Key Verse - And when she was baptized, and her household, she besought us, saying, If ye have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house, and abide there. And she constrained us. Acts 16:15

Genuine Christian Hospitality is the Love of Christ. 1. Guidance from the spirit (Acts 16:610) A. Spirit’s Prohibition (v. 6,7) B. Man fro Macedonia (Acts 6:8-10)

What do you think? Paul and his companions immediately followed the leading of the Spirit. But, like Gideon in Judges 6, we often want further confirmation before obeying. Why are we this way? How can we more readily follow the Spirit’s leading? 2. Conversion of Lydia (Acts 16:11-14) A. Arrival in Philippi (v. 11,12) B. Response of Lydia (v.13,14) What do you think? Many like Lydia believe that God exists and so they worship him. How should the church respond to unchristian “Godfearers”? Who are the unsaved Godfearers in our community? 3. Hostility of Lydia (Acts 16:15, 40) A. Baptism of Lydia’s household (v.15) B. Paul’s farewell to Lydia (v. 40) What do you think? In this age of easy access to restaurants and motels, is “in-home hospitality really all that important? Why or why not? Questions: 1. What was Lydia’s source of livelihood? 2. Who comforted whom when Paul and Silas were finally released fro imprisonment?

The adult class of the Alexander City Apostolic Church The Pentecostals of Alex City

Lesson Plan for November 12, 2006 3. Where did Jewish believers assemble in Philippi? 4. Does the Holy Spirit ever say no to good plans? 5. What did Lydia and others in her household do when they accepted Jesus? 6. Did anyone else in Paul’s company have his same dream of a man in Macedonia? 7. What kind of sailing weather did Paul encounter from Troas to Neapolis? 8. The man of Macedonia called for Help; what is the best help anyone can be given?

Acts 16: 6 Now when they had gone throughout Phrygia and the region of Galatia, and were forbidden of the Holy Ghost to preach the word in Asia, 7 After they were come to Mysia, they assayed to go into Bithynia: but the Spirit suffered them not. 8 And they passing by Mysia came down to Troas. 9 And a vision appeared to Paul in the night; There stood a man of Macedonia, and prayed him, saying, Come over into Macedonia, and help us. 10 And after he had seen the vision, immediately we endeavoured to go into Macedonia, assuredly gathering that the Lord had called us for to preach the gospel unto them. 11 Therefore loosing from Troas, we came with a straight course to Samothracia, and the next day to Neapolis; 12 And from thence to Philippi, which is the chief city of that part of Macedonia, and a colony: and we were in that city abiding certain days. 13 And on the sabbath we went out of the city by a river side, where prayer was wont to be made; and we

sat down, and spake unto the women which resorted thither. 14 And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worshipped God, heard us: whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul. 15 And when she was baptized, and her household, she besought us, saying, If ye have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house, and abide there. And she constrained us. 40 And they went out of the prison, and entered into the house of Lydia: and when they had seen the brethren, they comforted them, and departed.

Thought to Remember Sometimes to open a door is the best way to open a heart. Daily Bible Reading: Monday: (November 13) Show Hospitality to strangers – Hebrews 13:1-6. Tuesday: (November 14) Mary and Martha welcome Jesus – Luke 10:38-42. Wednesday: (November 15) Serve one another with you gifts – 1 Peter 4:7-11. Thursday: (November 16) Lydia becomes a faithful follower – Acts 16:11-15. Friday: (November 17) Paul & Silas are imprisoned – Acts 16:16-24. Saturday: (November 18) The converted jailer shows Hospitality – Acts 16:25-34.

The adult class of the Alexander City Apostolic Church The Pentecostals of Alex City

Lesson Plan for November 12, 2006

Hebrew 13:2 Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. Notes:

The adult class of the Alexander City Apostolic Church The Pentecostals of Alex City