Open Roads and Open Hearts
[ READ ] Acts 16:1-15
Timothy Joins Paul and Silas
1 Paul came also to Derbe and to Lystra. A disciple was there, named Timothy, the son of a Jewish woman who was a believer, but his father was a Greek. 2 He was well spoken of by the brothers at Lystra and Iconium. 3 Paul wanted Timothy to accompany him, and he took him and circumcised him because of the Jews who were in those places, for they all knew that his father was a Greek. 4 As they went on their way through the cities, they delivered to them for observance the decisions that had been reached by the apostles and elders who were in Jerusalem. 5 “the churches were strengthened in the faith, and they increased in numbers daily.”
The Macedonian Call
6 And they went through the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia. 7 And when they had come up to Mysia, they attempted to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them. 8 So, passing by Mysia, they went down to Troas. 9 And a vision appeared to Paul in the night: a man of Macedonia was standing there, urging him and saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” 10 And when Paul had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go on into Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.
The Conversion of Lydia
11 So, setting sail from Troas, we made a direct voyage to Samothrace, and the following day to Neapolis, 12 and from there to Philippi, which is a leading city of the district of Macedonia and a Roman colony. We remained in this city some days. 13 And on the Sabbath day we went outside the gate to the riverside, where we supposed there was a place of prayer, and we sat down and spoke to the women who had come together. 14 One who heard us was a woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira, a seller of purple goods, who was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to pay attention to what was said by Paul. 15 And after she was baptized, and her household as well, she urged us, saying, “If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come to my house and stay.” And she prevailed upon us.
1 Paul came also to Derbe and to Lystra. A disciple was there, named Timothy, the son of a Jewish woman who was a believer, but his father was a Greek. 2 He was well spoken of by the brothers at Lystra and Iconium. 3 Paul wanted Timothy to accompany him, and he took him and circumcised him because of the Jews who were in those places, for they all knew that his father was a Greek. 4 As they went on their way through the cities, they delivered to them for observance the decisions that had been reached by the apostles and elders who were in Jerusalem. 5 “the churches were strengthened in the faith, and they increased in numbers daily.”
The Macedonian Call
6 And they went through the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia. 7 And when they had come up to Mysia, they attempted to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them. 8 So, passing by Mysia, they went down to Troas. 9 And a vision appeared to Paul in the night: a man of Macedonia was standing there, urging him and saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” 10 And when Paul had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go on into Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.
The Conversion of Lydia
11 So, setting sail from Troas, we made a direct voyage to Samothrace, and the following day to Neapolis, 12 and from there to Philippi, which is a leading city of the district of Macedonia and a Roman colony. We remained in this city some days. 13 And on the Sabbath day we went outside the gate to the riverside, where we supposed there was a place of prayer, and we sat down and spoke to the women who had come together. 14 One who heard us was a woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira, a seller of purple goods, who was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to pay attention to what was said by Paul. 15 And after she was baptized, and her household as well, she urged us, saying, “If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come to my house and stay.” And she prevailed upon us.
As Acts 16 begins, Paul and Silas travel through Derbe and Lystra. In Lystra, Paul meets Timothy, whose mother was a Jewish believer and whose father was Greek. Paul wants Timothy to join them, and together they travel from city to city. Luke records that “the churches were strengthened in the faith, and they increased in numbers daily” (Acts 16:5).
Luke’s narrative is more than a record of roads traveled and cities visited—it reveals who is directing the journey. The Holy Spirit is not merely “along for the trip” but is their sovereign guide. The Spirit forbids Paul and his companions from preaching in the province of Asia. One road closes. When they attempt to enter Bithynia, the Spirit of Jesus does not allow them. Another road closes.
Then, through a vision, God calls them to Macedonia. A road opens. They eventually arrive in Philippi, where they meet Lydia beside the river, and share with her the good news of Christ .
When reading Luke’s account of Lydia’s conversion, I was struck by what he chose to tell us. Luke could simply have written, “Lydia believed.” Instead, he notes that “the Lord opened her heart to pay attention to what was said by Paul” (Acts 16:14). God not only opened the road for Paul to share the message of Christ; He also opened Lydia’s heart to receive the good news.
- Jenna Connor
Luke’s narrative is more than a record of roads traveled and cities visited—it reveals who is directing the journey. The Holy Spirit is not merely “along for the trip” but is their sovereign guide. The Spirit forbids Paul and his companions from preaching in the province of Asia. One road closes. When they attempt to enter Bithynia, the Spirit of Jesus does not allow them. Another road closes.
Then, through a vision, God calls them to Macedonia. A road opens. They eventually arrive in Philippi, where they meet Lydia beside the river, and share with her the good news of Christ .
When reading Luke’s account of Lydia’s conversion, I was struck by what he chose to tell us. Luke could simply have written, “Lydia believed.” Instead, he notes that “the Lord opened her heart to pay attention to what was said by Paul” (Acts 16:14). God not only opened the road for Paul to share the message of Christ; He also opened Lydia’s heart to receive the good news.
- Jenna Connor
[ EXAMINE ] the passage. At this point, answer some questions about the meaning of the text. Take time to reflect.
+ What do the closed roads into Asia and Bithynia, the open road to Macedonia, and Lydia’s opened heart reveal about who directs the mission?
+ How does Luke distinguish Paul’s faithful proclamation of the gospel from God’s decisive work in Lydia’s conversion?
+ What do the closed roads into Asia and Bithynia, the open road to Macedonia, and Lydia’s opened heart reveal about who directs the mission?
+ How does Luke distinguish Paul’s faithful proclamation of the gospel from God’s decisive work in Lydia’s conversion?
[ APPLY ] the passage to your own life.
+ Is there sin to confess or a next step to take? How has it gone since last time?
+ Where might God be using a closed road or changed plan to redirect you toward His purposes?
+ Is there someone that God is calling you to share the good news of Jesus with? Can you trust Him to open the person’s heart?
+ Is there sin to confess or a next step to take? How has it gone since last time?
+ Where might God be using a closed road or changed plan to redirect you toward His purposes?
+ Is there someone that God is calling you to share the good news of Jesus with? Can you trust Him to open the person’s heart?
[ PRAY ] through the passage and your application, and ask God to change your heart and your life.
+ Pray with me:
Sovereign and Ever Faithful God, thank You for guiding our steps and directing us according to Your purposes. Give us faith when You close one road and courage when You open another. Open the way for us to share the good news of Jesus, and open the hearts of those who hear it. Make us faithful in proclaiming Your Word and trusting You with the results. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
+ Pray with me:
Sovereign and Ever Faithful God, thank You for guiding our steps and directing us according to Your purposes. Give us faith when You close one road and courage when You open another. Open the way for us to share the good news of Jesus, and open the hearts of those who hear it. Make us faithful in proclaiming Your Word and trusting You with the results. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
[ SHARE ] what God is teaching you with at least one person: your roommate,
your spouse, your kids, or your coworkers. Don’t keep what God taught you to
yourself.
(e.g., your family around the dinner table, a friend, co-worker or neighbor- for help join a community group at downtownhope.org/community-groups)
+ What kind of impact did traveling with Paul et al have on Luke? It might be interesting to discuss that with someone to get their thoughts about it.
your spouse, your kids, or your coworkers. Don’t keep what God taught you to
yourself.
(e.g., your family around the dinner table, a friend, co-worker or neighbor- for help join a community group at downtownhope.org/community-groups)
+ What kind of impact did traveling with Paul et al have on Luke? It might be interesting to discuss that with someone to get their thoughts about it.
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