Lydia Welcomes Paul

modern outdoor chapel at the site believed to be where Paul baptized Lydia. Ian W. Scott, CC BY-SA 3.0 , via Wikimedia Commons

READ: Paul returns to our story today. After he had heard Jesus’ voice when he was traveling on the road to Damascus, Paul became a follower of Jesus. He traveled to tell people about Jesus and God’s love. Everywhere he went he told others about Jesus, and many people believed in Jesus. They began to meet in each other’s homes to pray and learn more about Jesus. One night Paul had a dream in which a man asked him to come to Macedonia. The next day Paul made his way over to Macedonia and went to a city there called Philippi. He and his friends were looking for a place to pray, and they went down to the bank of a nearby river.
There they saw some women praying. One of the women was named Lydia, she was a business woman who bought and sold expensive purple cloth. Peter and his friends talked about Jesus, and Lydia listened closely. Listening to Paul telling how Jesus had changed his life, Lydia was moved. In her heart she knew she wanted to follow Jesus, too. She and her whole family listened to Paul, and they believed in Jesus. Paul baptized Lydia and her family in the river where they had met.
Lydia was happy to learn more about Jesus, so she invited Paul and his friends to stay at her home. While they were there, Paul continued to teach about Jesus. After Paul and his friends left, Lydia continued to welcome other followers of Jesus into her home, where they could worship and pray together. Her home became what was called a house church. (Acts 16:9-15)
WONDER: I wonder why the women were praying at the river? 
I wonder how it felt to hear Paul’s story of Jesus? 
I wonder what it feels like to be baptized? 
I wonder why Lydia invited Paul and his friends to stay with her?
I wonder what is the most important part of this story?
I wonder where you are in this story?
SAY: Today we heard the story of the beginning of a house church, when Lydia opened her home to others who wanted to follow Jesus.
PRAY: Let’s pray. Dear God, thank you for people who welcome us, who make space for others. Help us to be people who welcome others as we share your love with our world. Amen.
EXTEND

• How do you and your family welcome others? Who welcomes you? Choose your favorite art materials and create a welcome sign. Is the sign for your home? Or is there someone you want to give it to?
• Do you live near a river or creek? Plan a walk there. Talk about the water and how it makes you feel. What would you want to pray for as you stand next to the river?
• Read But Not the Hippopotamus by Sandra Boynton. In the book animals enjoy many different activities, but not the hippopotamus. Until one day the animals shout, “Hey! Come join the lot of us!” and welcome the hippopotamus to join them. Have you ever been invited to join others? I wonder how that invitation made you feel?

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