Lydia - Bible lessons for kids

In this lesson, we will learn about a kind and generous woman named Lydia from Acts 16:13–15. She was a businesswoman who loved God and listened carefully when Paul talked about Jesus. God opened her heart, and she became the very first Christian in Europe!

Key Points

God opens hearts to hear His Word.
We can show love by being kind and generous.
Our homes can be used to serve God.
Listening to God is the first step in following Him.

Lydia (UK) pdf

Lydia (USA) pdf

Lydia – Baby and toddler pack pdf

Lydia 5+ lesson pack pdf

Lydia TEEN lesson

Lesson Guide – Lydia

Begin the lesson by asking, “Have you ever had someone knock on the door, and you had to decide whether to open it?” Say, “Sometimes, God gently knocks on the door of our hearts. When we open up and listen, He helps us understand how much He loves us.” Today’s story is about a woman named Lydia and how God opened her heart.

Read or summarize Acts 16:13–15. Paul and his friends were traveling to tell people about Jesus. On the Sabbath, they went to a quiet place near a river where women had gathered to pray. Paul began teaching them. One of those women was Lydia, a seller of purple cloth. She already believed in God, but when she heard Paul’s message about Jesus, God opened her heart, and she believed. She and her whole family were baptized. Then Lydia invited Paul and his friends to stay in her home. She showed love by being generous and kind.

Hold up a heart cut from paper. Fold it in half and say, “Before Lydia heard about Jesus, her heart was like this—closed. It looked nice, but it wasn’t ready for God’s Word.” Bring out a small box with the lid closed. Try placing a small object inside. Let your child try too. Ask, “Can we get it in when the box is closed?” Then open the box and place the item inside. “When our hearts are open, God’s truth can come in. Lydia listened—and God opened her heart.”

Say, “We can pray and ask God to open our hearts too. Listening is more than just hearing.” Ask, “If someone tells you to clean up and you don’t move, are you really listening?” Remind your child that listening to God is the first step in following Him.

Now talk about what kind of person Lydia was. She was a successful businesswoman who sold purple cloth. In Bible times, purple was rare and expensive—usually worn by kings or rich people. Let your child hold a piece of purple fabric. Say, “Feel how soft this is? It was very special!” Lydia likely had a nice home and plenty of money.

Ask, “Does someone like Lydia still need Jesus?” Yes! Even successful people need Him. Lydia didn’t say, “I’m fine without Him.” She listened, believed, and followed Jesus.

Ask, “What is something you’re good at or something special you have? How can you use it to help someone else?” Lydia used her home and her things to help others—and we can too! Ask, “What in our home could we use to serve God?” It could be toys, snacks, a comfy space to read, or kind words to share.

Say, “You don’t need to have a big house to serve God. Just a willing heart.” Lydia didn’t just believe—she took action. Her home became a place where others were welcomed and encouraged.

End the story by reminding your child that Lydia and her whole family were baptized. Baptism shows others that we believe in Jesus and want to follow Him.

Teach a short memory verse: “The Lord opened her heart” (Acts 16:14). Use hand motions—point to the sky for “The Lord” and open your hands wide for “opened her heart.”

Close with a simple prayer: “Dear God, thank You for Lydia. Thank You for opening her heart. Please help us listen to You and use what we have to serve others. Amen.”

Lydia – Bible story for kids

Games and Activities

Purple Cloth Making

Let kids “make” their own purple cloth by colouring or dyeing pieces of fabric with purple markers or watered-down purple paint. Explain how purple dye was rare and expensive in Bible times, and how Lydia made beautiful cloth to sell.
Lydia worked hard and used her gifts for God. What are you good at? How can you use that to serve others?”
Optional: Make it a sharing project. Once dry, let each child give their cloth to someone else as a gift—just like Lydia shared her home.

Purple Hunt

Before the lesson, hide small purple items around the room—crayons, blocks, cloth, buttons, paper hearts, etc.
Tell the children Lydia sold purple cloth, and today we’re going to hunt for all things purple!
Give kids a basket or bag to collect items.
Set a timer or play music while they search.
When time is up, gather and count the purple treasures.

What’s in Your Hand?

Sit in a circle. Pass around a small object (toy, cloth, snack, crayon). Each child says how they could use that item to serve God or help someone.
Examples:
“I can draw a card for someone who is sad.”
“I can share my snack with a friend.”
“I can use this toy to include someone new.”
Lydia used her business and her home to serve others. We can use what we have too—no matter how small it seems!