08/29/2026
Join us broadcasting on Facebook from 411 Gilbert Lane, Gladys, VA, on this page for On The Wall E-Ministries Sunday School at 9:00 am & Worship Hour at 9:30 am each Sunday morning followed by Holy Communion on 1st Sundays. You can also follow us later on YouTube & Spotify, our “On The Wall Ministries page”, or our renewed “Faith, Food, & Fitness” page for reels, classes, lessons and sermons.
For Sunday School follow along with our Standard Commentary Lesson guide below:
August 30
Lesson 13 (KJV)
“Lydia, the Generous Hostess!”
Devotional Reading:
James 2:14–26
Background Scripture:
Acts 16:11–15, 40
Acts 16:11–15, 40
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.
Lesson Aims:
After participating in this lesson, each learner will be able to:
1. Summarize the circumstances that God used to bring the good news of Jesus to Lydia’s household.
2. Explain why acts of hospitality were vital for Christians of the first century.
3. Make a plan to practice hospitality as a characteristic of his or her own faithful witness.
Introduction:
“I Was a Stranger!”
After college, I accepted an internship on the other side of the country. For the first time, I was far away from family, friends, and everything familiar. The roads were confusing, the air smelled different, and the local accents took some time to decode. I loved my internship but often felt alone in this unfamiliar place. I tried to find new friends at church, but the hospitality felt quite cold. While some people greeted me at the door with smiles and goodie bags, no one tried to learn my name or where I was from. Even after attending services for a few weeks, no one seemed to recognize me. However, an older couple from work showed me generous hospitality that changed everything. They took time to listen to me, invited me into their home for meals, and even took me to the doctor’s office when I was sick. When I felt unsafe in my housing situation, they offered me a place to stay. Their kindness and generosity made all the difference. I was a stranger, but they showed me hospitality (compare Hebrews 13:2). The Bible teaches us to show hospitality to others (Romans 12:13; Hebrews 13:2; 1 Peter 4:9; 3 John 8; etc.). Jesus Himself teaches that when believers extend hospitality to “the least of these my brethren,” it is regarded as being done unto the Lord Himself (Matthew 25:34–40). Today’s study provides a first-century example of hospitality toward a stranger. Through this example, we will see how Christian love is embodied.
Lesson Context:
Beginning in Acts 13:1, the book of Acts focuses on the missionary travels of the apostle Paul. The church in Antioch commissioned Paul and Barnabas to carry the gospel beyond that Syrian city to the regions of Cyprus (a large island), Pisidia, Pamphylia, and Galatia. We often refer to this as Paul’s first missionary journey (Acts 13:1–14:28). On the next missionary journey (Acts 15:36–18:22), Paul and Silas visited the previous locations but also pushed farther west toward Roman Asia. This expedition was almost blown apart at the outset when Paul and Barnabas had a tense disagreement over the advisability of taking along John Mark, a relative of Barnabas (Colossians 4:10). Therefore, they divided into two teams: Barnabas and John Mark returned to the island of Cyprus (Acts 15:39), the home territory of Barnabas (4:36), while Paul recruited Silas, a respected church leader (15:22), to accompany him (15:40–41). Paul then traveled to Lystra, where he met with Timothy and invited him to join the missionary journey (Acts 16:1–5). Paul and his companions then traveled through the regions of Phrygia and Galatia. They reached the port city of Troas, located at the northern end of the Aegean Sea, where Paul received a vision of an unknown man from Macedonia who invited the apostle to come to that region (16:8–10). It is at this point in Paul’s second missionary journey that we arrive at today’s lesson. The year is around AD 50, and it has been some 15 years since Paul’s encounter with the resurrected Christ (see lesson 11).
Conclusion:
“Practicing Hospitality!”
Acts of hospitality serve as a faithful witness to the life-changing effect of the gospel. Hospitality is essentially “love in action.” When we show hospitality, we demonstrate our love for God and others. Lydia exemplified this by providing a welcoming space for people to gather, share meals, engage in fellowship and prayer, and encounter Christ. Imagine Paul’s experience in Philippi without Lydia’s hospitality; he would have lacked a base for his ministry and somewhere to return to after being released from prison. In today’s world, hospitality doesn’t have to mean opening your home to missionaries, though that is one way to express it. It can involve sharing a meal with new members of your church community, providing space for prayer and fellowship, or simply being attentive to the needs of your neighbors. Hospitality should never be used as an opportunity to show off; rather, it should be an expression of love that comes from experiencing the ultimate expression of love: salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. Lydia encountered this transforming love and, in turn, used her hospitality to change the lives of others. How will you use your hospitality to make a difference in the lives of those around you?
What Do You Think?
How has this lesson changed your perspective on hospitality?
Digging Deeper:
How is hospitality an act of serving Christ Himself (see Matthew 25:34–40)?
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank You for Lydia’s example of faithfulness and hospitality. We ask that Your Spirit transform our hearts so that we may be hospitable people. Strengthen us to be willing to open our hearts and homes to welcome others, even strangers. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
Thought to Remember:
God grows the church through our hospitality.
