Christian Education for Sunday May 5 - Acts 16:9-15; Paul's Vision of the Man of Macedonia and the Conversion of Lydia

May 5, 2013 – 6 Easter

Acts 16:9-15

Paul’s Vision of the Man of Macedonia

The Conversion of Lydia

 

Background: The Acts of the Apostles is a unique book in the New Testament. This book is the companion to the Gospel of Luke and provides much of the history of the early church. This section provides some details about the growing mission to the Gentiles in Asia Minor and Europe.

 

Theme: Paul is beginning his missionary career to the Provinces of Rome in Asia Minor and Europe. His ministry commences with his immediate response to a vision and his welcoming of a gentile believer into the Christian cult.

 

Questions to Ponder:

* Please read Acts 15:36-16:8 in addition to the assigned passage as background for today’s reading. Briefly describe the setting for this passage.

* Identify the places named in today’s reading: Macedonia, Troas, Samothrace, Neapolis, Philippi, Thyatira, and Lydia. Briefly describe their significance in their social and religious context.

* Much of the message of scripture lies not only in what is said but also in what isn’t said. What strikes you as intriguing in today’s reading, especially in regard to the things not said directly?

* What is the significance of Thyatira in the entirety of the New Testament?

* What do you find intriguing about the description of Lydia? What do you find intriguing about Lydia’s living arrangement and the descriptions of her household?

* What do you think Lydia’s (the person) nationality/religious background is? What causes you to think that way?

* Do you think Lydia is rich, wealthy, or prominent? Why or why not?

* What do you think the significance is of Lydia dealing in purple cloth? Why might that make her more worthy of acceptance by Paul? Why might her acceptance by Paul be more moving than if she had a different profession?

* How do you think Lydia came to be a believer in God? Especially considering she was identified as a “believer in God” before she met and was baptized by Paul.

* Why do you think the author mentioned that Paul and his friends “remained in the city for some days” in verse 12?

* Why might the place of prayer be situated outside the walls of the city?

* What is striking about the place where Paul meets Lydia? How would the “place of prayer” outside the city walls be an odd place for a Jew to go on the Sabbath?

* Why do you think it was important that the writer identify that Lydia was from Thyatira when she was later identified as a resident of Philippi?

* What do you think the “place of prayer” was? Do you think it was a house church, a shrine, or some other building for prayer like the Temple?

* What is the message for Paul’s society?

* What is the message for our society and how does this passage spur us to action?