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Ac16b2007Q.doc

THAT DISTRICT OF MACEDONIA

THAT DISTRICT OF MACEDONIA

Acts 16:11-15

Key Verse 16:14

“One of those listening was a woman named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth from the city of Thyatira, who was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to respond to Paul's message.”

1. Look at verses 11-12. What similarities and differences do you see between these verses and verses 6-7 of the previous passage? How is “journey mercy” related to doing God’s will? How do the results differ when we have clear revelations of God’s will for our life and ministry? How was the timing of these boats (“sailed straight”, “the next day”) important to the eventual meeting with Lydia? What similar “appointments” from the Bible can you think of? Have you made or missed any such appointments lately?

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2. Look at verse 13. What were Paul and his companions doing when they were in the Macedonian mission field? Though Paul and his companions were in the right mission field, what roll would prayer play in the success of their mission? Through seeking a place for prayer they inadvertently found a new convert. What can we learn from this? What did they put first, prayer or preaching? How do these two activities work together?

3. Look at verses 14-15. Based on the information given in the passage who was Lydia and how had God prepared her for this appointment? Verse 14 says, “The Lord opened her heart to respond to Paul’s message.” Who are the three active agents mentioned in this verse? Who is responsible for the conversion of Lydia? What would have happened if one of these agents had failed to apply themselves? What can we learn about preaching the gospel more effectively? Notice the following expressions in verse 15: “she invited”, “she said”, “she persuaded”. What does this show about genuine conversions? What roll did Paul play now that she was a believer?