Lydia, the first in Europe
Acts 16:11-15
Paul crossed over to Macedonia and, one sabbath, by a river at Philippi, he spoke with some women. The Lord opened the heart of Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth. She was baptized with her household and welcomed them into her home. Acts 16:11-15
The story, in plain words
One night Paul had a vision: a man of Macedonia was begging him to come and help them. Acts 16:9
Paul and his companions got ready to go at once, sure that God was calling them to proclaim the Gospel there. Acts 16:10
They sailed from Troas and came to Philippi, the leading city of that part of Macedonia. They stayed there some days. Acts 16:11-12
On the sabbath they went outside the city, along the river, where they thought there was a place of prayer. Acts 16:13 They sat down and began to speak with…
The rest of the story is part of the subscription.
See the mapWhat the Bible says
Acts 16:11-15
11And sailing from Troas, we came with a straight course to Samothracia, and the day following to Neapolis; 12And from thence to Philippi, which is the chief city of part of Macedonia, a colony. And we were in this city some days conferring together. 13And upon the sabbath day, we went forth without the gate by a river side, where it seemed that there was prayer; and sitting down, we spoke to the women that were assembled. 14And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, one that worshipped God, did hear: whose heart the Lord opened to attend to those things which were said by Paul. 15And when she was baptized, and her household, she besought us, saying: If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house, and abide there. And she constrained us.
Douay-Rheims Bible (Challoner revision), public domain.
To talk about together
- It says the Lord opened Lydia’s heart. What do you think it means to have a heart open to God?
- The first thing Lydia did after her baptism was to open her home. How do we welcome others into our home?
- For the child: if someone came from far away to your town, how would you welcome them?