4 - Lydia: A Mentor for Today's Women

Lydia of Thyatira, a businesswoman and bold leader in the 1st Century

Welcome to the next installment of The Lydia Effect (If you’re new here, catch up anytime using the Table of Contents).

Imagine stepping into a conversation with a woman of your choice from history—someone whose story could forever change the way you see yourself and your purpose. That’s what happened to me when I encountered Lydia of Thyatira. Her courage and leadership became a mirror, showing me how to step forward with bold faith into my own story. And I believe it can do the same for you.

Because, as this serial book will show, despite the small real estate occupied in the Bible (links Acts 16:11-15, 40, or see text below), her story sure packs a punch.

Let’s imagine this: the first century, 2,000 years ago in the Roman colony of Philippi, which is now modern-day Greece. A group of faith-filled women has gathered to pray on the Sabbath day. The air is still and quiet save for the soft prayers and nearby babbling water. Among them is Lydia, a merchant of rare and costly purple cloth, a successful businesswoman, and a spiritual seeker. She stands out in this group, having a certain strength in her presence.

Then, the first Christian missionaries in Europe came in and sat down to tell the women’s group their story. It was not just any story or a set of rules about how they should act or pray — it was the story of Christ and sweet freedom and love that he brought. The vibe shifts from the weight and beauty of what they are hearing. Then, God shows up:

“The Lord opened her heart to pay attention to what was said”

The scene shifts immediately into action. Lydia dedicates her life to this story, like she had been waiting for this moment to arrive. Next, her whole household follows her lead. Then—here’s the part that gives me a lump in my throat every time I read it—she mobilizes again and demands that the missionary team stay with her. As she stood there, her face beaming with Spirit while water drips off her wet clothes from her baptism, she did not hesitate to take the next step. At a time when women’s voices were little-valued and often silenced, she had something to say. A rare speaking part in the Bible, and she nailed it:

“If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come to my house and stay.”

The text then says she “prevailed upon them” with a Greek word parebiasato, from a verb that means to compel with force greater than nature. It makes me smile just thinking about it. Can you imagine? This group of men on a mission, maybe with other plans, and Lydia gave them the choice but clearly wouldn’t take no for an answer.

Her swift actions and invitation—"Come, stay here."—was leadership. Her home became a gathering place and sanctuary of renewal. The first church in all of Europe was built in Lydia’s house.

Lydia’s house church in Philippi went on to play a significant role in early Christian missions. That moment by the river rippled across ancient European trade routes—fueling a Christ-centered movement of radical love and togetherness that would shape the early church. An outspoken, independent businesswomen helping faith go viral inspires me. We’ll unpack her story in more detail later, but for now, let me ask you this:

What would it look like if women lived with that kind of bold faith today? What would it look like if we, as women feeling restored in our identities, opened our hearts and our lives to our story, and stepped fearlessly into what we are called to do?

When I started asking these questions, my life changed. My heart opened into hope, and a new adventure began. My struggles and the world’s chaos faded into the background. I felt alive in a different way and my purpose made sense.

Why? Because when God opened Lydia’s heart, her story was changed forever. And in an unbroken thread of faith, Lydia’s story reached across centuries to change mine, too.

Lydia’s story is a living blueprint for the courageous steps God is inviting us to take today. This blueprint works. I’ve practiced what Lydia did and tested this pattern in my life, one step at a time. It is simple, and it’s powerful.

It might sound a little crazy but this serial book will show you what I found.

Next week in The Lydia Effect - 5 Lydia’s Leadership is Action

Take some time to think and pray about women, leadership, and faith. You may have assumptions or images of what it is and what it isn’t. You may have been through situations where your voice was not valued or heard.

Reflection Prompts:

• When you think of spiritual or faith leadership, what do you picture?

• What do you think makes a leader in faith today? Is it different from what you were taught?

• Do you think women’s leadership in faith is still radical today? Why or why not?

• Take a moment to search and learn about Lydia’s story in Acts 16 of the Bible (see below).

• Do you have one friend that you share your thoughts about faith with? Do you think they would be interested in Lydia’s story?

So, setting sail from Troas, we made a direct voyage to Samothrace, and the following day to Neapolis, 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. 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. 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. 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.

So they went out of the prison and visited Lydia. And when they had seen the brothers, they encouraged them and departed.

Acts 16:11-15,40 (ESV)